Like what? More advertising? Both Steam and (Google, I presume) Internet incursions brought in new faces but few remained. Better graphics? The release of AH3 brought back quite a few of the old vets, but they slowly disappeared.
Not all, but most agree that game play has gone down the toilet for one reason or another. Yet, HTC seems determined to maintain status quo as far as perks, ENY, side switch time restriction, strat locations, GV dar, etc, etc, etc. I sometimes get the feeling that HTC has formulated other revenue streams, which subsidize the game. That makes sense from a financial standpoint and might explain why we're not seeing much in terms of game development, other than VR.
I'm really hoping that Hitech has a box of goodies in the works...time will tell. I've been kicking around the idea of upgrading my monitor and vid card, to the tune of about $700...a fair investment living on a retirement income. I'd be pretty bummed to pull the trigger and see the game disappear.
The problem with the Steam deal was HTC wasnt ready for it. I dont think they thought they were going to get much interest from that front and didnt bother to "gear up" for it. The VR controls werent ready, they didnt have the auto load videos for the newbies to help walk them through getting started heck they could have asked for volunteers to hang out and welcome the newbies in and answer questions.
Game play has "gone down the toilet" due to players cutting corners as much as they can to "win the war". HTC needs to adjust things to bring the FIGHT to win the war back as the main focus of play.
Get rid of GV dar squares, add a another dar bar to signal a GV in the sector. Give the storch the same range on vehicles whether they are moving or stopped to simulate spotting tracks. That will make the Storch worth flying, and spotting vehicle easier yet we wont have the big old box saying "HERE I AM!". GVs will be used to attack more and it will bring back the tank fights.
Get rid of M3 town resupply. C47, ok, but no more vehicles bringing towns back up before the attackers leave the sector
Use something like the "local" ENY ideas we have seen before. 10 guys in a sector ok, 15, small ENY hit, 20 Big ENY hit. You want to fly your "pony" you cant be in the horde. Spreads fights out. With something like this the 6 hour switch limit would become obsolete.
Bombers get extended down times. If you drop a hanger from a bomber over 10k it says down 10 minutes longer than taking it down any other way. This will bring back the medium alt bomber runs and with them cover to hold off the attacks. Again more opportunities for combat.
None of these "suggestions" MAKE a player change how they play, but most will change how they play. You want to resupply a town instead of defend it? Go ahead, but you'll have to do it in a goon, bring a friend or two for cover. You want the hangers down? Sure, but 6 jabos are only going to get you a 15 minute window. You want more time, bring bombers, and a few friends for cover.
Can these changes be made? I dont know, but these are the things I think they should be looking at. Things that while they dont "take away" options in the sandbox, they make other options look easier/better and so guide the direction the game is to be played.