maps maps maps

[PhantomBarron]

Im a little confused. Why would only the customers be the ones building new maps? The stake of the customer is to pay and play while the owner would find ways to keep them there.

[grizz441]

Im a little confused. Why would only the customers be the ones building new maps? The stake of the customer is to pay and play while the owner would find ways to keep them there.

I'm guessing it's closer to what Shuffler said. 

HTC probably makes a list of things they want to accomplish in the game and maps (no pun) it out and prioritizes.  They can only do so much in a work day to improve the game, which is their business.  I know they have comped players' accounts who have been a huge asset in the past so I'm sure they do appreciate it, realize the need for it, but simply have more important things to deal with priority wise.

[rabbidrabbit]

How does that make Steve's point less valid?

It's good thinking to enable your community to do your work for free but that still does not mean it's not your responsibility.

The current map rotation is pretty weak and it would be good for business to enable the map making process to include greater variety.  They are particularly focused on limiting objects and tile types which makes most maps redundant regardless of the extensive work put into them.  I'd be willing to bet that downloading a bigger variety of objects would be welcome despite a marginally larger download. 

[LLogann]

I'd really hate to agree with Steve.... But he is right.  At the same time, Grizz points out that no action is not without notice. 

How does that make Steve's point less valid?

Perhaps, what we need, is a type of "CM" MapMaking Team?  Get those gents that do build maps to work together and share both the glory and responsibility of making maps...... And HTC cuts them a small break on price. 

[waystin2]

I think it is unreasonable to expect the client base to keep the product fresh

As much as I love HTC's product and service, Steve makes a valid point.

[Crash Orange]

How does that make Steve's point less valid?

It's good thinking to enable your community to do your work for free but that still does not mean it's not your responsibility.

I agree in theory, but (as I've had to have pointed out to me in the past), HTC isn't Google or Microsoft and AH isn't World of Warcraft. Developer time is limited, and if they've been devoting it all to things like the new terrain and now the much-requested WW1 arena, that's probably a good business decision. New maps would be nice but they're not at the top of my list of priorities and I suspect not at the top pf many others' either.

Speaking of WW1 maps, does anyone know if they're going to have trenches, or at least something that looks like trenches from the air? Or observation balloons?

[JunkyII]

What would the community rather have? New Planes(FSO guys all want certain gaps filled) New ERA( Who doesnt want WW1 arena) New Maps, my only gripe with the maps is they dont changed often enough....change every night at say 6am est(about the time when only the euros and Asianers are on ) and I think it would be alot more "refreshing"

[Shuffler]

Im a little confused. Why would only the customers be the ones building new maps? The stake of the customer is to pay and play while the owner would find ways to keep them there.

Your right. So the maps are built and we fly on them. Case closed.  


There used to be several who worked on maps and tested them in the H2H arenas. Since H2H went away so did the map work it seems. Who here is working on a terrain.... or is everyone hoping someone else does all the work?


They could stop WWI arena and work on terrains instead.


....or if your not happy with this game there are other flight sims to check out....

[dedalos]

$50 a month should cover hiring a couple of map makers. Who would like to pay that for AH.

We already pay a monthly fee.  Maybe I should maintain their hardware also?

[dedalos]

Your right. So the maps are built and we fly on them. Case closed.  


There used to be several who worked on maps and tested them in the H2H arenas. Since H2H went away so did the map work it seems. Who here is working on a terrain.... or is everyone hoping someone else does all the work?


They could stop WWI arena and work on terrains instead.


....or if your not happy with this game there are other flight sims to check out....

Did you apply for a job at ATC? 

[RTHolmes]

I think it is unreasonable to expect the client base to keep the product fresh

tbh I would rather see a couple of decent new MA terrains than any new aircraft or arenas.

[SunBat]

Perhaps I am coming from a completely one dimensional perspective, but what would new maps bring to the table that we do not already have from the current rotation of maps?    

[Mister Fork]

Of course - every week in the AvA new maps are always tested and used.  But I think most of you MA furballers already know that.

[68Wooley]

HTC have a limited number of staff. As with all companies, they need to make decisions as to where best to deploy those staff in order to forward the business. Right now, I'm pretty sure there's a lot more on the list of things they'd like to do than can be done with the staff available. That includes new maps. And the only way they are going to add more staff is to bring more money in the door. As far as I can see, there are three ways to do that:

1. Attract more subscribing customers to the game. If anyone has ideas on how to do that whilst keeping the marketing outlay similar to what it currently is, I'm sure HTC would love to hear (actually, that might make an interesting thread).

2. HTC can seek an investor to inject cash in to the business. The current economic climate is not particularly conducive to that and in any case, doing so would potentially open a whole can of worms that would be bad for both HTC and us as players.

3. HTC can increase monthly subscriptions. I'd be willing to pay a bit more per month, but I suspect I'm in a minority on that. Would a subscription increase actually have a negative effect by driving players away?

Out of curiosity, how long has the subscription been $15pm? I've been here 3 years now and there's been no increase in that time.

[Shuffler]

HTC have a limited number of staff. As with all companies, they need to make decisions as to where best to deploy those staff in order to forward the business. Right now, I'm pretty sure there's a lot more on the list of things they'd like to do than can be done with the staff available. That includes new maps. And the only way they are going to add more staff is to bring more money in the door. As far as I can see, there are three ways to do that:

1. Attract more subscribing customers to the game. If anyone has ideas on how to do that whilst keeping the marketing outlay similar to what it currently is, I'm sure HTC would love to hear (actually, that might make an interesting thread).

2. HTC can seek an investor to inject cash in to the business. The current economic climate is not particularly conducive to that and in any case, doing so would potentially open a whole can of worms that would be bad for both HTC and us as players.

3. HTC can increase monthly subscriptions. I'd be willing to pay a bit more per month, but I suspect I'm in a minority on that. Would a subscription increase actually have a negative effect by driving players away?

Out of curiosity, how long has the subscription been $15pm? I've been here 3 years now and there's been no increase in that time.

It was actually more back in the day.


As usual most folks who have never owned much less ran a business have little to no idea of what it takes.