Popped in a few times last night (mine, between 10-30pm and 12-30am) and decided to flag it.... when I saw the map knew the main reason.... but ... it has been dwindling for some time....
Not many down here know about this game as there is no advertising other than what we..the people that play pacific time..... add to the likes of facebook etc..
Yet it seems like when I surf the web, even NZ sites, I quite often see a Warthunder banner.... may be an ad sense thing not too sure about that... none the less...it is getting very sad on my end unfortunately
I might have to look at getting a night job so I can get some decent game time during American times...the things you'll do to play AH
Tongs, don't do it
I work nights here in the US eastern time zone so I am able to fly with the likes of you and others
Other than that, I think that you are on to something about the amount of advertising. I have always been proud to see the TV ads aired while watching History Channel or the likes.
The next question is what is the right market to reach???
There are portions of the game (evidence by some of the YouTube videos I have seen) that would boast wonderful graphics and gameplay. There are portions of the game that display a wonderful community of players and team work (my personal reason for the addiction = my name is ChiLLi, I am an AHaddict). Then there is the elite class of virtual pilots and trainers, that are a wealth of historical, technical and gaming dynamics that can be challenging, even to seasoned real life pilots.
Spending bucks on expensive ads, as opposed to some sort of physical presence at Air Shows, Museum events, etc. must also be a monumental task for such a small workforce (as USRanger has noted).
Free game download and 2 weeks free is already a great deal, but what kept me long after the 2 weeks was definitely the community and broad choice in gameplay (there was always something new to learn or get better at and someone available to give you tips).
So what SHOULD the focus of future ads be???? Better improved graphics???? Grease monkey tinkering with gun convergence and ACM flight tactics????? In game online interaction with virtual pilots????? A 60 second ad would surely be inadequate to get the focus of all 3.
Possibly, comping a decent hotel room and a marketing booth at local air shows for trustworthy professional volunteers from the AH community, would reach those beyond the xbox gamer, but also include those with specific enough interest in the aircraft and vehicle details to ignore a slightly cornered 3D model here and there.