New funding model?

[-aper-]

I think you may point at one of the true issue of these days (and even more so in the future). The lack of a joystick, and a reduction of players genuinely interested in the WW2 air combat theme. How many players (I'm not talking about AH ones) still have a joystick sitting on their desk today?
The big change in GV controls last year was done to make this game more accessible to new players. And as any game, AH needs a constant supply of them.

Looks like this problem has been solved in War Thunder as well by implementing the arcade arenas for the newbies where they can control planes with mouse pretty much effectively (they only give directions and the rest is performed by internal AI which actually controls the plane). People who yesterday played World of Tanks are playing War Thunder now having tons of fun. They are thrilled and they do not mind to pay money for later war planes which makes the game an ultimate money generator for developers.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Hey guys don't bust hellwolfs chops just for bringing up an idea.

We all agree that anything that could support HTC is a good thing, right? As long as it happens without destroying the product.

Maybe there could be a free-to-play arena that you could try, then subscribe to the real one if you like it? Perhaps a 2 week free trial, anyone? 

[Sg11]

I agree in most parts. I think ah should keep the achievements that you get if you do something useful like destroying objects or capture fields. But those achievements that is worthless in the game, like jumping in a jeep is just ridiculous and should be taken out of the list. Otherwise there is a risk that this game will lose its touch of reality. I know its far from reality now, but it gives a taste of it and thats what I like with ah. If ah continue with this ridiculous achievements system they likely can create spawn points for planes where spawn campers can fly around and get tons of kills. Maybe no one gives a sh-t, but I hope they bring back the taste of reality again.

[Bruv119]

maybe just keep it simple,  

Open up WW1 as free to play.   It gets people to download the game, boosts numbers and sorts out control issues.  

Then when they want to explore $8 a month for DA access,  $12 for everywhere else and $15 for MA.

[Slade]

Yes that is the new game model.  Planet Side 2 (and many Steam based games) have adopted it.  I think it does work for some games though.  Those who pay get a great boost in potential uber weapon acquisitions.

Ya, when these other games your talking about with this "pay as you go" are around after 10 years, we'll talk.

Yep.  +1 to not following the current trend.  AH would give up a solid income base demographic for a spike based macro profit model.  Kinda like the old record\CD and movie markets.  An album\movie comes out and makes great profit (hopefully) in the short term then dies off.  Repeat.  They'd need much more staff to use that business model anyway. 

[HawkerMKII]

Pay as you go like world of tanks and i would be out of here

[Torquila]

Does the payment model effect the gameplay? No.

Does the number of players effect the gameplay? Yes.

Quite a simple issue really...

If you are currently paying 180 dollars a year for Aces high, if they went free to play, how many higher tier planes would that money's worth give you? A question to think about...

I do like bruv's approach; as its what most of us deep down have been thinking for years! Make everything but the MA free! So to generate interest in the game in general to provide a solid "crowd attracts a crowd" who will eventually move on to the MA.

But maybe instead of bickering, we could think up a completely "new" payment type model that HTC can use as its own? (Like pay-per flight replacing perk planes [would require a whole new rating system])

On a side note, making things free cheapens one's vision of your product; would HT really be up for doing that?
If anything, I think HT is scared of being a huge success and the issues that come with it (its why he keeps things small and managable). Money and influence corrupts and destroys things very easily!

[MrRiplEy[H]]

maybe just keep it simple,  

Open up WW1 as free to play.   It gets people to download the game, boosts numbers and sorts out control issues.  

Then when they want to explore $8 a month for DA access,  $12 for everywhere else and $15 for MA.

This might be something to consider - even if that would mean a big bunch of freeloaders. Too bad that some morons had to ruin H2H for everyone.

[hitech]

The achievement system is simply to give players something different to do when they feel like something different. No more no less. It has absolutely nothing to do with any type of a different payment system/business model.

If I was ever to do a WOT type payment system, I sure would not choose a realism base WWII aircraft to do it with.

HiTech

[Oldman731]

If I was ever to do a WOT type payment system, I sure would not choose a realism base WWII aircraft to do it with.

...but...but....but....If I were to pay enough money....I could buy a really competent pilot to fly my plane! 

Hey, the Chinese did that in 1941, so it's realism-based!

- oldman

[Vinkman]

These threads amuse me because there is so much assumption from the creator and their plan is based on these assumptions, regardless if they're correct or not.  For example, the OP mentions "5,000" subscribers and then details how to gain more based on the number he pulled out of his arse, which results in a flawed model because its not based on any factual numbers.

I believe Lusche has generated player reports that show the number of active accounts. I believe the number was around 4k-5k.

But I don't that the achievements will be part of a new funding system. I do think that dispite everyone claiming no one plays for score, many who play like to have goals, or set goals for themselves to keep the game interesting. This formalizes that, and socializes it so as to get more players involved in it. I think it will remind players of other aspects of the game and create more mission diversity for each player. I think that can only be a benefitial impact on gameplay. Also, I do believe that the newer genration of gamers are used to the achievement model and this has the potential to help them connect with the game a little faster, also a good thing.

But it's also just fun. And I think HTC is always lookin for ways to make the game more fun. In fact just a couple of days ago, someone joked about how there should be an achievement for landing a Lanc on a carrier. Withina few hours BatFink posted a film of himslef landing a Lanc on a carrier, re-arming it and taking back off. I watched the vid with stunned amusement, and then laughed my butt of for ten minutes. For me, that already made the achievement system worth it! they are also a chance to learn a lot about history. Many are modelled after many of the great feats accomplished by the great flyers of the war. This keeps their accomplishments alive, and in rememberence, and sends me scrambling to the internet to look up who many of them are. While a fan of the era and machines, I am not the historian that many who play here are, and it's nice to see this history play a bigger part in the game. I think this is an overlooked aspect of what the achievement system can bring to the community. 

[Lusche]

I believe Lusche has generated player reports that show the number of active accounts. I believe the number was around 4k-5k.

I would have to hack HTC's business server to get any data on 'active accounts'

[Vinkman]

I would have to hack HTC's business server to get any data on 'active accounts'

True, I think the assumption is that the vast majority of paying customers, would have at least a sortie or two that would show up in your records. So your numbers must be close...true? 

[Lusche]

True, I think the assumption is that the vast majority of paying customers, would have at least a sortie or two that would show up in your records. So your numbers must be close...true?  

I only can see the number of pilot ID's with at least one kill or death in a tour. I don't know how many of these are on free trial only, I don't know how many have just changed their ID, how many are secondary or 'shade' ID's and I don't know how many holders of active accounts play only once in a blue moon.
By further breaking down and cross-analyzing the data I could make some educated guesses, which would probably be more 'educated' than those of other folks here... but they still would be just that: Guesses, based on several assumptions.

[Vinkman]

I only can see the number of pilot ID's. I don't know how many of these are on free trial only, I don't know how many have just changed their ID and I don't know how many holders of active accounts play only once in a blue moon.
By further breaking down and cross-analyzing the data I could make some educated guesses, which would probably be more 'educated' than those of other folks here... but they still would be just that: Guesses, based on several assumptions.

OK, I just wanted to back up the guy up that I don't think he pulled that number out of his "bleep". All of what you mentioned would make the number of ID higher than the number of paying customers. So the ID number would be the top of the box. If I recall correctly, I think you stated 5k Ids. But if it's a trade secret...