How are the numbers now?

[Zoney]

But what if the rate of addicts is extremely low?
For the record, in the last days, the numbers of players online is back the old pre-steam levels in my timezone.

The rate of addicts will be whatever it is.  The mass numbers available from Steam will certainly get us some new players.  Some new players are better than no new players.  Steam does not have to be the only source of new players either, but it is a source.

Snail, I know how much you love this game, just like I do.  i want you to be happy here and have lots of euro time zone players to smite thusly.  Steam will help, how much we have yet to see but it certainly is not hurting.

Do you know, is Steam an American centric kind of thing or are there lots of euro players there too?  Is there another source, like Steam that is more likely to pull euro players in?

[Lusche]

Do you know, is Steam an American centric kind of thing or are there lots of euro players there too? 

Lots of them, and also Russia and China.

My point was rather: When the marketing succeeds in exposing many potential customers to AH, but they don't hook up at all... then it might not just be the advertisement.
It's the product which the customer doesn't seem to be worth to pay a certain price for. What his exact reasons would be for such an opinion is a different matter.

[ACE]

Lots of them, and also Russia and China.

My point was rather: When the marketing succeeds in exposing many potential customers to AH, but they don't hook up at all... then it might not just be the advertisement.
It's the product which the customer doesn't seem to be worth to pay a certain price for. What his exact reasons would be for such an opinion is a different matter.

Yup. This guy gets it. I'm not saying the products not worth 15$ a month cause I've paid it a lot over the years. But if you want shear numbers it ain't gonna happen at that price point in this day and age. Obviously numbers show that considering what Snailman has said.

[Vraciu]

Anything but 15$ a month. Sure it's not a bad price point but you ain't gonna hang on to many steam players. I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the game. However, I've talked to a new steam guy or 2 and they said the same thing what !? 15$ a month guess I'm done after two weeks :/

It takes longer than two weeks to hook most people.  That's my guess.   I was in the 8-player free arenas longer than two weeks before I dove in, and that was with a few years of Warbirds under my belt. 

If you can get the two-weekers to stay longer with a limited planeset some will pony up the full fare.   The more targets the more appeal.  If you can get that cycle going it will drive itself.   

[Arlo]

Fine. Give them a limited MA plane set after two weeks, then. (I'm not sure how HT and co would program such.)

The 'dirty dozen':

C-47A
P-40B
F4F-4
A-20G
Boston Mk III
Hurricane Mk I
Spitfire Mk I
Bf 109E-4
Fi 156
D3A1
I-16

Jeep

[Lyme]

Fine. Give them a limited MA plane set after two weeks, then. (I'm not sure how HT and co would program such.)

The 'dirty dozen':

C-47A
P-40B
F4F-4
A-20G
Boston Mk III
Hurricane Mk I
Spitfire Mk I
Bf 109E-4
Fi 156
D3A1
I-16

Jeep

Agreed minus A20

[Arlo]

Agreed minus A20

The 'Dirty Almost Dozen' just doesn't sound the same.

[wil3ur]

I could do a lot of damage in an A20.  A very underrated plane...  Where's Cobia when you need him?   

[Arlo]

I could do a lot of damage in an A20.  A very underrated plane...  Where's Cobia when you need him?   

The real concern should be .... will the A20 make a player stick around ad infinitum and not want an account to play with even better toys? 

[cav58d]

The real concern should be .... will the A20 make a player stick around ad infinitum and not want an account to play with even better toys? 

They would rather fly real MA monsters like the D3A and B5N with the updated cockpits, while aircraft like the A20 that actually see action are passed upon again and again.

[38ruk]

They would rather fly real MA monsters like the D3A and B5N with the updated cockpits, while aircraft like the A20 that actually see action are passed upon again and again.

I've also wondered why some of the more under utilized planes have had their updates before some of the more popular ( and often used ) planes have not been updated . I'm sure there is a method to the madness .... like some were still in AH1 standard vs others that are in atleast ah2 . From a players viewpoint , most comments ive heard have been critical about the order in which the updates are being done .

[Arlo]

What's your preferred order, specifically? There may even be varying mileage there.

[oboe]

By my estimate, these are the planes left to do:

Ar.234
Me.163
A-20G / Boston III
Ju.88
Tempest
Ki.67

I think the A-20G is by far the most used among these, plus you get most of the way to finishing the Boston III when you update it.  It's the last two-for-one.

Probably the Tempest is the next most used, and then either the Ju.88 or the Ki.67.  I think these are all AH1-era cockpits, without the moving flight controls.

[Krusty]

I'd say Ju88 sees more use than the A20G, but it would be close. Most people would take a B-25H or Tu2 for single-bomber attack (or hell, a Mossie) and if you want formations to hit fields/targets the B-26 is infinitely more survivable.

[waystin2]

As a long term player I am interested in a large player base. As a business person I abhor the thought of giving away product for free that I know has value.  Tough call but definitely believe Hitech will keep the ship headed the right direction.