Free To Play with Subscription Combination

[Triton28]

Pretty sure it's been suggested before, but I'd like to revisit the idea of allowing a certain set of planes and GV's to players free of charge.  Say, the 202/205, B25, and a Panzer of some variety all there for the FTP guys.  Everything else is "unlockable" with a subscription.

I chose the 202/205 because it's competitive and fun but not overpowered (maybe in actual firepower) in any category.  The B25 is a a capable medium bomber, plus it's iconic.  Not being a GV guy I haven't ever gotten into the subtleties of AH ground combat, but I'm sure one of the Panzer variants would suffice, plus they're iconic.  Of course we could expand or rotate the selections to include other aircraft and vehicles, but obviously there needs to be a careful eye on not giving the FTP guys and gals too much.  Yes, there would be those who take the free ride and never subscribe, but I would imagine there would be a fair to good amount who would at least want to sub for a while to check out the full plane and GV set, and maybe they stay a while.  Hell, even the freeloaders wouldn't be that bad.  There would at least be more planes and tanks to shoot.

Let us now discuss. 

 

[Thor]

The Italians are coming, the Italians are coming!

I'd be on board if this wasn't an entirely pvp based system.

[pembquist]

First let me just say I am totally against F2P, I think a more effective, check that, a marketing campaign is whats needed but thats all besides the point as I want to entertain your ideas and a thought occurred to me: how about instead of a limited plane availability you had a rotation so that a f2p player would play with most or all of the set but in an unpredictable sequence with the plane changing for each sortie? You'd tease them like that. I think unlimited use of a 205 would be pretty much all a lot of people would need to enjoy the game.

[JOACH1M]

Like the idea of planes but I like the idea of having the DA/TA, EW, and MW free for use. Special events and Main arena would be subscription only.

[glzsqd]

Like the idea of planes but I like the idea of having the DA/TA, EW, and MW free for use. Special events and Main arena would be subscription only.

E
If thus was the case I wouldn't pay the 15 a month. I'd be content with the Mid and Early war.

[Triton28]

I'd be on board if this wasn't an entirely pvp based system.

I'm not sure what you mean. 

how about instead of a limited plane availability you had a rotation so that a f2p player would play with most or all of the set but in an unpredictable sequence with the plane changing for each sortie? You'd tease them like that. I think unlimited use of a 205 would be pretty much all a lot of people would need to enjoy the game.

Yep, I thought about rotating the set as well.  Interesting and would certainly do more to expose the FTP player to a plane/GV that he'd be willing to subscribe to fly all the time, but would maybe make a very casual player just go with the rotation and stay FTP.  Bad that he doesn't sub, but good that he still comes around from time to time I suppose.

Like the idea of planes but I like the idea of having the DA/TA, EW, and MW free for use. Special events and Main arena would be subscription only.

I'm just thinking that would make for a whole lot of FTP players never subbing and the "main" arena switching to the one that allows everyone in.

[Latrobe]

I think the TA would be a great F2P arena. Instead of shooting at drones all day in offline you can improve your skills in the TA against other players or even with a trainer without having to pay a subscription fee to do so.

I'm skeptical as to whether making the DA F2P would be a good idea. Most people coming to this game most likely just want to do combat with other players. The DA provides this perfectly. There would be no need to get a subscription to be able to join the MA's which are basically a much larger DA with a "War" going on. Limiting the planes people could fly with a F2P account would be one way to nudge them towards a subscription though.

Early, Mid, and Late War should be for subscribers only, but if one or all were made open to F2P players then limiting the rides they could use is, again, a good way to nudge them towards a subscription. Special Events should only be for subscribers of course.

[DmonSlyr]

F2P in the TA would be great. It would teach people how to play the game and learn the planes. It would allow new players to understand the plane and game play better, and it would prepare them to join the MA. Since you cannot shoot down players, it would make them strive that much more to subscribe.

I do like the idea also of a C205 or P51B only for free players. This might attract a lot of new players as well, and they would certainly sign up to learn and fly new planes. 

[MrKrabs]

T/A and Steal The Sheep only...

[bustr]

Chances are an FTP arena for the passing lookylous will be AI missions 24x7 along with the existing 2 week free trial for the MA. Most of you have been vets who paid for, or vets who still pay for a subscription. FTP would give many of you your fix that you no longer want to pay for. The amount of structural complexity dithered over this wish shows more concern to what you want then a heart felt wish for others. Hitech is the professional here, I thought.

Dear Hitech,

Please consider some form of an FTP arena to help bring in new players.

Thank you.

[Triton28]

The amount of structural complexity dithered over this wish shows more concern to what you want then a heart felt wish for others. Hitech is the professional here, I thought.

The amount of dithering shows people trading a few ideas on a bulletin board about a video game we all like to play.  This is normal, especially in a wish list sub-forum.  Additionally, I, as the OP, can officially declare my suggested plane/GV structure was not meant to insult, demean, devalue, or undermine Hitech's status as the game developer and ultimate decision maker, nor was it an attempt to usurp his power in the AH universe. 

I hope we can all dither on the same page now. 

[hgtonyvi]

C205 and p51b??? Thos are awesome planes....I hate this idea completely.

[Randy1]

I think the idea is worth a try.  Maybe more of a tease with the P51B.  Might need one form every part of the world.  PS we still need an Aussie plane.

The deal is to get them hooked and addicted to the action.  Get them their first kill.  Get to know a few players.  Laugh at the funny stuff on vox or read the txt buffer.  Be in on a base capture or defense.

[Zoney]

I think the idea is worth a try.  Maybe more of a tease with the P51B.  Might need one form every part of the world.  PS we still need an Aussie plane.

The deal is to get them hooked and addicted to the action.  Get them their first kill.  Get to know a few players.  Laugh at the funny stuff on vox or read the txt buffer.  Be in on a base capture or defense.

And they get all that and much more with a free 2 week trial that does not even require a credit card.  I'm at a complete loss, after reading this entire thread, what the OP wish would accomplish that the free 2 week subscription that doesn't even require a credit card, doesn't accomplish.  Is the 2 weeks not enough?  I think it's plenty.  If this game doesn't addict you in 2 weeks then maybe it's just not for you.  I want it to be for you, I too want new players but again, I think we have a great system in place now that does this.

[Triton28]

And they get all that and much more with a free 2 week trial that does not even require a credit card.  I'm at a complete loss, after reading this entire thread, what the OP wish would accomplish that the free 2 week subscription that doesn't even require a credit card, doesn't accomplish.  Is the 2 weeks not enough?  I think it's plenty.  If this game doesn't addict you in 2 weeks then maybe it's just not for you.  I want it to be for you, I too want new players but again, I think we have a great system in place now that does this.

I'm glad you brought this up.  No, I don't think a two week free trial is enough, especially for those who find the game without ever having developed a keen interest in aviation or more specifically, WWII aviation.  I'm pretty sure I made a wish about that some time ago, too.  When you consider the steep learning curve, the potential hardware requirements/suggestions, and real life getting in the way, you're shaving quite a bit of usable time off that two weeks.  It would be one thing if that two weeks was actually 336 hours spent in game... which would be plenty, I'd think, but it's not.  It's two calendar weeks and for many that I've tried to bring into the game, it's not enough.  Giving people a FTP way to play the game would at least give them an opportunity to play the game at a pace their life allows before they have to consider whether or not to shell out $15 a month.