In anticipation of potential steam release

[Krupinski]

There's a reason you don't see a lot of players using the Steam version of the new IL2 series.

The players know if they buy the game directly off the IL2 website, the devs get all the profit which equals more content in the future.

DCS is the same way.

[Lusche]

There is a difference between having been a n00b in, say, 2005 (when I started) and being one right now: Vet to n00b ratio and overall numbers.

There were many more new players in the arena back then, so the chance was much higher you'd finally run into someone of your own (or even worse) calibre. Second, more players (up to 7-10 times as many during Europe noon/US late night!) meant more battles and thus more places to go and things to do when running into overpowering opposition in one particular area of the map.
And nowadays? When theres only a few guys online you might very well may be the only 'new' one. And in the only fight on your side of the map you might very easily face someone like Bruv & friends.  I'm not entirely sure if I would have stuck around if that had happened to me back in the day. I certainly remember quite a few "screw it, I'll fly somewhere else" moments in my early days.

[1ijac]

Well, as a community, we can attempt to help them by giving them tips and direction.  The other day I saw 2 new players on the Rooks that were flying, but they didn't have the whole vox thing worked out.  I took a couple of minutes to explain to them what to do and offered future help on whatever they may need.  They were so appreciative and said they were loving the game.  We need to helpful to those joining our ranks.

one-eye   

[Oldman731]

Well, as a community, we can attempt to help them by giving them tips and direction.  The other day I saw 2 new players on the Rooks that were flying, but they didn't have the whole vox thing worked out.  I took a couple of minutes to explain to them what to do and offered future help on whatever they may need.  They were so appreciative and said they were loving the game.  We need to helpful to those joining our ranks.

Good for you, one-eye.  There's no reason why we all can't help like this.

- oldman

[popeye]

So, when AH "goes live" on Steam is there some sort of announcement to the Steam community that may bring curious players, or does AH just become available to those who seek it out?  (I have no experience with Steam.)

[Mister Fork]

So, when AH "goes live" on Steam is there some sort of announcement to the Steam community that may bring curious players, or does AH just become available to those who seek it out?  (I have no experience with Steam.)

No idea on what kind of deal HTC is working out with Valve (the owners of Steam).  Sometimes with the launch of a new game, the Steam platform spotlights the product on their main page. Most others just quietly enter the domain without as much as a squeak. We're just going to have to wait to see what it looks like.
 

[nugetx]

So, when AH "goes live" on Steam is there some sort of announcement to the Steam community that may bring curious players, or does AH just become available to those who seek it out?  (I have no experience with Steam.)

I saw some very niche 1 man created games get the spotlight by steam.