Side-balancing idea/question

[haggerty]

You need to make perks valuable for something like this to have any effect.  As it is, you dont need to worry about perk points after your first day of playing, they are just too easy to come by and maintain.  Perhaps what is really needed is a 50-100% bump in perk costs for current perk rides, and adding perk requirements to most of the planeset.

[haggerty]

Care to list a few

Just curious.

Antiqued UI from the early 90's 
VR issues 
Listed as free to play, but ask to subscribe after you install 
I had so many issues myself when I installed the steam client, im glad I've been playing for decades and knew how to fix it all, otherwise I probably would've uninstalled. 
For a game like this, you really need a veteran to hand hold a new player and to be there to answer questions right away.  I managed to snag a few into our squad channel that loved the game, but couldnt convince their friends to stay with the $15/month, they all left after their trial was over.  We all know the game is fun, but the sub is scary to so many people these days.  Most of my breaks from Aces High are because my friends won't pay $15 for AH but I still want to play with them, so I leave the game.  A lower sub or different way of gathering revenue will not only retain me, but could bring in all my friends that are too scared of the sub, and their friends too.

[SPKmes]

I do agree that a sub based game is scary for many.... but I ask, how much do they spend on the free games they play.... many will blow much more..
As for the two weeks free...I have always thought this is good...but also not..
.I feel that a total hours would work better... (30/50/100hrs???) of free online time.... as it is now you can blow two weeks without even getting a good feel of it unless you sit in all day everyday...these days, mind spans are short and games are plentiful so many game hop following mates from day to day...week to week....... having a hours online timer would allow new players enough time to get to grips with things in their time..for some of us older guys who play a couple of hours each time it could take a month to use up 50 hours...but when new to game...you can get caught up for hours and before you know it mums calling you for dinner...so 4-5 hours per day.. turns into 10 days.... difference is you can still follow your mates to another game for a week or two and not lose your free time thus giving time to set that hook firm

During this time you get placed on the low number side at login .... you can't join squads...(if you are thinking of joining a squad you must be about to start subbing).... so squads are for subbed players only...Buuuutttt perhaps a special squad only for the new guys to be a part of could actually be helpful  ...Which in this scenario you could be a part of unsubbed...this would need to be a cross country squad ...so without sub, no private cross country communication...and obviously trust worthy co' xo of squad for any cross country communication if needed. Once subbed you can no longer be a part of the squad unless invited by the CO, XO....

Just some of my thoughts...realistic....in my head yes ( give or take a few problems that are bound to crop because of the incurrable problem of human nature )....in practice ?????

[Arlo]

If the following could somehow be coded for free access in the main arena:

C-47A
F4F-4
P-40B
Hurricane Mk I
Spitfire Mk I
Bf 109E-4
Fi 156
D3A1
I-16
Jeep
M-3
SdKfz 251

(9 planes and 3 vehicles ... early war or support)

Then you would indeed technically have a FTP game. It can be plainly known that with a sub you would have access to the toys that are easily destroying you on a regular basis.

[The Fugitive]

If the following could somehow be coded for free access in the main arena:

C-47A
F4F-4
P-40B
Hurricane Mk I
Spitfire Mk I
Bf 109E-4
Fi 156
D3A1
I-16
Jeep
M-3
SdKfz 251

(9 planes and 3 vehicles ... early war or support)

Then you would indeed technically have a FTP game. It can be plainly known that with a sub you would have access to the toys that are easily destroying you on a regular basis.

This I agree with. I also believe it is the cheapest option available to HTC as well. The only money needed would be to write the code to make those planes free in the MA. Other than that they have everything else needed.

I also dont think it would hurt HTC's bottom line. Any players that use the "free" planes even it that is all they ever do for months on end HTC is not losing any money. More than likely those players wouldnt subscribed any way. Letting them play with a small set of plane in the MA with EVERYONE else can only wet their appetite and more than likely would lead to more subscriptions.

Another added benefit is there would be more players playing and that can only be good for the game.

[Arlo]

 

[19zac]

Make some planes free in the MA, i like that idea.

Make perk points more valuable. I have suggested this in the past. Make more planes worth perks, even if some planes are 7-10 perkies. Just that little bit of a perk value added to some of the better planes would make perkies more valuable as you would almost be required to use them.
That idea could be implemented regardless, but here's how I would take it a step further. Get rid of the subscription fee, and allow players to buy perkies AND plane skins that they want to use. THIS is how you get to the younger generation. Put this together with a behind-the-wheel (or.. erm... stick) tutorial, people will stay. The younger generation doesn't pay for subscriptions, they pay for useless stuff that doesn't make any difference in a game other than appearance (like a plane skin). Just look at League of Legends and Counter Strike.
People have had issues with being able to buy perkies, like somehow this would make the game pay-to-win. But of course it wouldn't do that. you're not paying to have you plane upgraded. Anyone could get that plane if they earned the perkies. This just gives it a shortcut for the younger member seeking instant gratification, which you have to assume is the norm for any younger player.

BZacc