Solution for the low numbers???

[Shuffler]

Having a large proportion of experienced players does make it difficult for new players.  Long ago, there was a good chance that noobs would encounter other noobs and have some initial success.  Now, it's noobs getting bounced by squads of long time players in coordinated divide and conquer attacks.  Flying Spit XVIs and such doesn't help them because the "leet" players are flying them too.
It is harder than ever for a new player to progress, because the level of competition is that much higher.  Not fun to get slaughtered over and over.  Most people won't pay $15/month for that kind of entertainment.

You are thinking that all folks think they should start out on top. Same as kids thinking they should be managers. Not everyone is like that. Most know you have to work your way up.

If they need cheat codes to be good then this is not for them.

[BuckShot]

Putting players (newbs) at the busiest field upon login is a recipe for newb slaughter.

Put them at the next closest field, not the one under vulch attack.

[caldera]

You are thinking that all folks think they should start out on top. Same as kids thinking they should be managers. Not everyone is like that. Most know you have to work your way up.

If they need cheat codes to be good then this is not for them.

Is that what I was thinking?  That's certainly not what I wrote.

[Shuffler]

Is that what I was thinking?  That's certainly not what I wrote.

When I started there were many good sticks here. Many flew in prior games. I did too. To get experience we all flew in air war games. We read where we could to learn all we could. When we flew we practiced what we read. We also learned by doing. We also were shot down a.lot. What kept us coming back is our interest in WWII fighter aircraft and the relationship with like minded individuals.

Nothing different today except the type of people out there.

[cobia38]

 I will come back, if HTC puts 20mm on the A20

[Drano]

I will come back, if HTC puts 20mm on the A20

You took plenty of scalps with the 50s! Hardly ever see an F/A-20 anymore. To the point I never worry if it's you. And that kinda sucks! Miss ya bro!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[fuzeman]

Many of the ideas posted have been mentioned before and many state the learning curve or being clubbed like a baby seal. Free stuff is good too

What if a new player, and we are talking NEW,  would have option of enrolling in a 'Training Academy', another idea mentioned numerous times but you can't make a horse drink water once lead to it, and not get charged until they achieve a level of proficiency that would help them survive in the Melee. During this time they would have full access to other arenas or if a Academy arena could be created have them fly there. Regular AHers could enter that arena but have a handicap, sort of. Say they could only fly what used to be flown in early war arena and if they clubbed too many seals their Academy score would rise and there would be a certain level where they loose the ability to enter Academy arena.
Also maybe send the new guy an Aces High windshield sticker   Heck I'd buy a dozen of them for myself 

[Arlo]

[Medic18]

The learning curve here is not as steep as it is in other games like the dcs series. There you have to set every single input before you can have a successful flight. And even then you have to tweak them to make them right. Aces high is pretty much plug and play. You can take flight and fly in a matter of minutes, where as it took me about a half a day to set up one plane in dcs.

[Shuffler]

The learning curve here is not as steep as it is in other games like the dcs series. There you have to set every single input before you can have a successful flight. And even then you have to tweak them to make them right. Aces high is pretty much plug and play. You can take flight and fly in a matter of minutes, where as it took me about a half a day to set up one plane in dcs.

now fight......

[1stpar3]

When I started there were many good sticks here. Many flew in prior games. I did too. To get experience we all flew in air war games. We read where we could to learn all we could. When we flew we practiced what we read. We also learned by doing. We also were shot down a.lot. What kept us coming back is our interest in WWII fighter aircraft and the relationship with like minded individuals.

Nothing different today except the type of people out there.

Like a player, Mike something(had Youtube and some vids posted in forums under something like Magic? His signature was "You guys are really gonna resent killing me so much..but I am learning" something to that effect. I know I didnt mind it..if I got frustrated I up a Wirb(might be why am pretty good in a WIRB) I knew that to get the feel of the game...Growing Pains were welcomed! Then again, like you...we didnt grow up in the "Participation Award" environment...so I can see how paying $15 a month would not be conducive to longevity. Just so far from their comfort zones?

[zaza]

Love the write up & thanks Todd. I love the game & always scared last year or so of a shut down due to low numbers. I think the Newbie tag is a awesome idea. <S> to you all.

  ZaZa

[Shuffler]

I will get the noobie tag when I finally get back. Been almost a year. Dang house rebuild is getting slower and slower. LOL

[Vraciu]

I spent ten mins today in Match Play trying to get a player to communicate.   I got nowhere.   He was flying aimlessly shooting at nothing.  He kept crashing and eventually left...

 

[DmonSlyr]

It's not about getting slaughtered over and over. It's about the amount of time to find the action and then get slaughtered over and over again. That's why people play CoD or BO4, where you die quickly, but each sortie takes like 3 minutes if you suck. In AH it will take you 20 minutes to die over and over again each time. That's where it may be discouraging. It's a hard game because it's so easy to get ganged and be at a disadvantage. Even most great sticks are constantly at a disadvantage. They just know how to stay alive a little bit longer.