The argument that “ANY” tactical element in the game takes away from the focus of strategy is ridiculous on the face. If this were true, then the best strategic game, by being most focused on strategic gameplay, would be devoid of “any” tactical elements whatsoever. I guess RISK would qualify as the greatest strategic game ever invented. That is clearly absurd.
To say that BOTH tactical and strategic elements of gameplay are worthy of discussion and development is not the same as arguing that EVERY idea should be included. This thread is a forum for people to express and exchange their ideas in order to discuss the value of those ideas. Not every idea stands the test of time, but there are some ideas (some already implemented) that are worth being tested and possibly implemented into the core game.
The beauty of an open source game is that a lot of game development can be accomplished by the community of players that creates and implements new ideas into mods, which becomes the testing grounds for the idea. This is accomplished according to the preferences of individuals or groups without requiring any official action from the parent company. So, the issue really isn’t one of allocating resources or “opportunity cost,” because there is no lost opportunity so long as the game remains open to modding. Presently, modders have already accomplished the task of offering increased tactical options for aircraft without hindering any other efforts as to game development.
So, really, in this case, the only issue is whether or not, moving forward, certain mods that expand tactical aspects for aircraft ought to be incorporated into the core game. I personally play the mod RevolutionDCM, and IMO the increased tactics for aircraft makes practical sense, contributes to the larger strategic aspects of the game, and does not unbalance gameplay. IMO, future versions of vanilla CIV would benefit from these added tactical options and I know that many people agree, or would agree if they had an opportunity to test the increased options.
It is unfortunate that some people view tactics and strategy as mutually exclusive & seemingly as a zero-sum game. My interest in this thread is to read about other peoples’ ideas re: aircraft and aircombat, not to engage in a silly back-and-forth about the horrors of tactical options. I think Camikaze has made his point – now let the discussion move forward.