Building the next generation of AH2 sticks

[guncrasher]

When did you last see a squeeker in Aces High? Used to be a flock of those every summer. I think more than two years since I heard one.

redbull was on the other night .


semp

[Dichotomy]

I remember a lot of dismissive attitudes towards 'squeakers' when I was flying.  I never cared for it much.  9 out of 10 of the ones I ran across were just trying to figure things out.   

[FLOOB]

I don't have the answers to the examples I gave as critical questions.  With respect, if anyone has those answers, based on your extra efforts with the stats, it's you.

This is a really good point and it's possible that what we are seeing, in part, is the announcement you mention.  However, Flak Bunnies are a reality in every air combat game I've played.  When I was a newbie, I got some great advice from an ex-WarBirder, "First learn how to live...then learn learn how to fight".  So I understand Flak Bunnies as a phase.

This is why we ask critical questions in analysis.  Risk and reward are prime motivators, as Floob points out.  And and this helps answer my original question.

HiTech, historically, has reached out to the community, discretely, to help move the rock.  It is also correct here to acknowledge the craftsmanship of our community of skinners, map makers, and statisticians.

This is a very interesting idea.  It's overdue.  We keep statistics for squadrons already.  The roll ups and presentation would be the only work, perhaps.

You can't argue with honest emotion can you?  You are not alone in your continuous subscription.  I pay for mine and my son's.  I know there are many others that continue to pay even when their personal circumstances won't allow them to play often.

I can't keep up with this thread!  There are too many great points being made here.

Carry on.

 

Maybe if the winning of the war had more to do with player kills and less to do with base capture?

[Brooke]

You guys who started playing the game when you were 13, what brought you to the game?  Was it an ad on TV, a web search, or what?

[Brooke]

On topic, though, here are some things that I think would be of benefit.

1.  Get around large maps for less people in far off-peak hours.  Far off peak, density of players isn't high, and people can log out for lack of action, making a negative feedback loop.  Best, I think, would be an active area that is somehow adjusted by number of players.  A manual version of it could maybe be smaller maps during off peak.  This sort of change would not be easy, though.

2.  We talked about shorter change-country times, and folks understand that reducing it leads to more imbalance not less.  However, what about always allowing people to change to a country that has fewer people?

3.  Somehow get the players who are jerks to behave themselves.  They drive people away, perhaps especially new people.  They aren't a large percentage of the player base, fortunately, but they have an outsized negative impact.  I'm not sure what specifically to suggest here, though.

4.  Spread the word more -- but how?  Advertising is expensive, and I'm sure HTC has looked at what the rate of return is on different sorts of ads.  So, unfortunately again, I'm not sure what specifically to suggest.  What I do is work on my own to promote the game -- tell people I meet about it, try to recruit people, maintain a Web site promoting Scenarios.  Some folks post vids to Youtube.  I don't know if those things are effective at all, but I try them.

[Someguy63]

You guys who started playing the game when you were 13, what brought you to the game?  Was it an ad on TV, a web search, or what?

I started playing in the MA on an active account in March '12 when I was 13.

7 years before that I discovered the game when I was in 2nd grade in 2007 by TV commercial, and was so fascinated by it I just had to play! I played on and off on 2 week trials in the DA...though when I didn't have a trial going or couldn't get one going I played offline for the most part..which is why I would uninstall that game every year...and take a year's break or two.

This March coming would be my 3 year mark through playing.

[f35raptor]

You guys who started playing the game when you were 13, what brought you to the game?  Was it an ad on TV, a web search, or what?

I started back in 2010. I think I started my two week trial a to year before that, but I seen the add on the history channel,  back when they use to show history not the bs they have now. Actually dichotomy was one of the first guys to help me back when I first started. We need more people that want to help the new guy rather then the ones that tell them the old alt f4us trick.

Oh and I was 18 or so when I started still learning new trucks every day. Now 23.

Boomhaur Zombie squad

[mthrockmor]

On topic, though, here are some things that I think would be of benefit.

1.  Get around large maps for less people in far off-peak hours.  Far off peak, density of players isn't high, and people can log out for lack of action, making a negative feedback loop.  Best, I think, would be an active area that is somehow adjusted by number of players.  A manual version of it could maybe be smaller maps during off peak.  This sort of change would not be easy, though.

2.  We talked about shorter change-country times, and folks understand that reducing it leads to more imbalance not less.  However, what about always allowing people to change to a country that has fewer people?

3.  Somehow get the players who are jerks to behave themselves.  They drive people away, perhaps especially new people.  They aren't a large percentage of the player base, fortunately, but they have an outsized negative impact.  I'm not sure what specifically to suggest here, though.

4.  Spread the word more -- but how?  Advertising is expensive, and I'm sure HTC has looked at what the rate of return is on different sorts of ads.  So, unfortunately again, I'm not sure what specifically to suggest.  What I do is work on my own to promote the game -- tell people I meet about it, try to recruit people, maintain a Web site promoting Scenarios.  Some folks post vids to Youtube.  I don't know if those things are effective at all, but I try them.

1. Good idea. In the old days (relative) AH used to run with two maps. At a bewitching hour both maps would close and they would go to one, or something like that. Can't remember exact details. They stopped doing this because 100 sticks would log for the night. As I recall it was 5PM Central, or something like that. Your idea has merit, though maybe this happens at 9PM Central. Go to a much smaller map, maybe the next morning it goes back to the previous map right where they left off.

2. The side switch is apparently a very, very touchy subject in Grapevine. More, it speaks to me of HiTechs deft ears to their clients.

3. There are some ideas that would incentivize squads and organized missions. Those elements lead, and provide for better behaviour. It can be done. I remember the answer for everything on 200 was "alt-f4."

4. Marketing is a premium. I'm part of the crowd that learned about this via either the History or Military channel. No marketing, no clients.

[Slate]

Marketing is a premium. I'm part of the crowd that learned about this via either the History or Military channel. No marketing, no clients.

   Myself also had seen the ad on History Channel in 2003 or there about. I know it's not cheap to advertise on TV and HTC might once again need to reach that audience. H2 is another History Channel that seem to stay away from the reality shows and has a lot of military programing. It's not an HD channel so it may be cheaper to advertise there.

                                                         

[Gray]

     Some good points were mentioned in this thread. 
     Advertising is crucial . 
     I believe the model of the game isn't broken, just needs tuning to maintain interest and keep 2- weekers around.  For instance, awarding points for joining a successful mission is a great idea. It would attract participants and foster learning.  As a newbie in 2097, I learned the most from flying in missions. 
     The subscription model is predictable.  No fear of addicted behavior. Pay your $15.00 and jump in.  Simple.
      My own business has evolved since 2008.   My best defense from competition is to compete with myself, turning out the best product I can make.  I have lost volume to cheap competitors, yes.  Some clients returned with their lesson learned, some did not.   
       This game is an excellent product for some clients.  Thankfully, it does not appeal to all the dregs out there.
My $.02. 

[Gray]

One more point of my own:  does channel 200 need to exist?

[Gray]

2007. Yeah yeah

[Dichotomy]

One more point of my own:  does channel 200 need to exist?

does it 'need' to? No.  But since it does I think Hitech needs to hire some 'moderators' who are willing to monitor it to keep things civil and respectful.  I used to immediately detune it when I logged on

[Lab Rat 3947]

3.  Somehow get the players who are jerks to behave themselves.  They drive people away, perhaps especially new people.  They aren't a large percentage of the player base, fortunately, but they have an outsized negative impact.  I'm not sure what specifically to suggest here, though.

I first found AH on the Military Channel in 2008 but do to personal problems wasn't able to online until Dec 2010 (2 week feebie) became a subscriber Jan 2011.
This is the only game I play online.

Ever since I came on there have been posts about losing players/discourging new ones.

I have introduced 3 people to AH, and the reason they did not stay with it is best illustrated by the quote above.

They asked for help and all they got was sarcasm and derision.

They all decided not to stay because of the arrogant xbox/ps jerks that are in the game.

To those players, I ask the question, "is this how you really convince yourselves that you're are so great a player, by mocking new people, just asking questions about the game, and trying to make them look small?"

Did that prove your "superiority" ? You are actually a bunch of losers but don't realize it, you're so caught up in your own egos.

Grow up ! This is a game, most of us come here to escape reality, for a few hours.

But your lives are obivously so shallow and lacking in content, that only by being "an internet game bully" do you prove your existence and your worth (?)

People like you are what is hurting AH.
Are you really proud of yourselves?

That's my $0.02 cents worth.
And I don't care if no one likes my observation.   :old


LtngRydr

[FLOOB]

And the number 1 reason people quit playing online multiplayer games is..

Everyone is a jerk.

Not that they just got bored of it. Not that they just found out it wasn't their cup of tea to begin with. Not that they have to justify paying for it. Or in this case justify not paying for it anymore. It's like when Latrobe quit, everyone's like "oh he quit because ah sucks and ah players suck etc." No. He quit because he played the same video game every damn day for seven years! For god's sake think about it, is somebody really going to quit doing what they enjoy because of what is in the text buffer or what is in the forums? Does that make sense to you? If you honest to goodness can't bear to play this game because of what some butt hole says in the text buffer or on the forum, then I think it's time to consider going to the doctor and getting a prescription for happy pills because it sounds like you may have emotional issues.