The future of Aces High is on Facebook

[Shuffler]

Im not sure where Hitech is in his life. I know when I was middle aged, with a couple of young kids I would have been happy to "retire" and spend more time with them as they grow. Once they hit their teens, then maybe Id look for something to work on just to pass the time.

Maybe it would be good for him to bring in a team so he could step back and let the team continue with the game in what ever way makes sense.

I just wish that something was done to try and bring in, and more importantly KEEP new players. This game is so deep with things to do thatit really is a shame when you see people blow it off for any reason.

BINGO

[fd ski]

i think we're due for a graphics overhaul. Core concepts are still quite all right. Look is just way outdated at this stage.

When comparing to other "simulators" ( i know most of them aren't ) main issue isn't flight models etc, it's the way it looks.

[Saxman]

No one is arguing about the flight model (aside from adding more of the missing details like improved damage modeling or engine management. Hell, just implementing the WWI damage model in the Main Arena would be a big  improvement) or core gameplay (other than questioning whether the three-country setup is still viable). AH already offers a better online experience and flight modeling. But you need to get players TO the game for them to see this. Other than infrastructure (IE better Steam implementation) or the financial model, the one thing that would have the biggest short-term impact on bringing fresh eyes is to address the fact that AH is simply visually dated.

[Ciaphas]

The aircraft are fine IMHO but the terrain textures and normal maps could use a bit of a rework as well as adding variations to the base layout as well as the textures.

The UI could use some live as well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saxman]

The aircraft are fine IMHO but the terrain textures and normal maps could use a bit of a rework as well as adding variations to the base layout as well as the textures.

The UI could use some live as well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Compare the Wildcats to even the Aces High 2 aircraft (say, the Corsairs). There's a pretty big difference in the level of detail all around.

[The Fugitive]

Compare the Wildcats to even the Aces High 2 aircraft (say, the Corsairs). There's a pretty big difference in the level of detail all around.

I think about 95% of the aircraft are upgraded to AH3 standards now. Easiest way to check is to get in one and move the stick. If it moves in the cockpit then it is updated. The "blue" planes are all done. F4F, F4us, FM, and TBM. Tempest is the old style I know for sure, not sure which others.

[Saxman]

The F4U models were updated to AH2 standards and the 1A was added for Tour 87. That's about 12 years ago, and stick, pedals, and throttle all moved beginning with that update.

While they may have gotten higher resolution textures after the change to AH3, and the 1D has the "virtual" pilot in the cockpit view now, (the 1A at least doesn't, not sure about the other marks) there's still a huge difference in the level of detail on the mesh between the Corsairs and Wildcats.

[Nefarious]

After catching up with most of this thread, my intent was to Encourage more social media interaction from HTC: Dev Blog, any stories or updates, Tour Results, SPECIAL EVENTS shares from the Events page that is being ran by the CM's.

I will only compare what I see on Facebook from other games I play, like DCS and all it's 3rd party groups, as well as IL-2. YES, I understand they actually have development going on. But there should at least be an attempt.

As an admin of the Aces High Special Events Facebook page, and an admin for the Aces High III group, I would love to help Aces High out by sharing content.

Let me know how I can help Dale.

[Saxman]

The problem is social media engagement only goes so far without addressing underlying concerns. As I mentioned earlier in the thread I’d been looking at what people — the potential player base you’re trying to reach — actually have to say about the game, and the vast majority are specifically that the price point is too high for a game that overall looks like its 10 years old, with such a steep learning curve, and lacking some of the refinements in aircraft and damage modeling Of the competition.

[DmonSlyr]

The problem is social media engagement only goes so far without addressing underlying concerns. As I mentioned earlier in the thread I’d been looking at what people — the potential player base you’re trying to reach — actually have to say about the game, and the vast majority are specifically that the price point is too high for a game that overall looks like its 10 years old, with such a steep learning curve, and lacking some of the refinements in aircraft and damage modeling Of the competition.

Yup, it is incredibly difficult for gamers to want to subscribe to a game per month when they hardly know how to play after 2 weeks when it doesn't have Microsoft flight sim graphics. It takes very special people to keep playing. I wish there was something like a free plane that people could use to fly in the MA to practice more, which would encourage them a lot more to subscribe. I feel like the subscription model is one of the biggest reasons why the #s aren't huge in the MA. $15 isn't a lot. It's just the psychology of it every month that scares people.

[scott66]

Yup, it is incredibly difficult for gamers to want to subscribe to a game per month when they hardly know how to play after 2 weeks when it doesn't have Microsoft flight sim graphics. It takes very special people to keep playing. I wish there was something like a free plane that people could use to fly in the MA to practice more, which would encourage them a lot more to subscribe. I feel like the subscription model is one of the biggest reasons why the #s aren't huge in the MA. $15 isn't a lot. It's just the psychology of it every month that scares people.

I spent more money on those free games than I do with AH3.. Either on skins or trying to buy my way up the tier levels.. So I came back lol

[toddbobe]

Tried it with about $15k in adds, was a dismal failure.

HiTech

Sir may I suggest an approach in advertising. This games biggest drawback (at first) is that the learning curve is very steep. May I suggest turning this problem into an advantage, market the game as not an arcade kiddy game but a realistic simulation... can you handle it?
I think this approach will bring people in for curiosity and give them fair warning that the game is not the simple ipad style games.
Thats my $0.02 worth... and its over valued.
Todd

[Vraciu]

Yup, it is incredibly difficult for gamers to want to subscribe to a game per month when they hardly know how to play after 2 weeks when it doesn't have Microsoft flight sim graphics. It takes very special people to keep playing. I wish there was something like a free plane that people could use to fly in the MA to practice more, which would encourage them a lot more to subscribe. I feel like the subscription model is one of the biggest reasons why the #s aren't huge in the MA. $15 isn't a lot. It's just the psychology of it every month that scares people.

Not only that, but people get mad when they think it's free but see a subscription looming in the future.

[Shuffler]

Not only that, but people get mad when they think it's free but see a subscription looming in the future.

Yet people pay money in "free" games all the time.

[Ack-Ack]

Yet people pay money in "free" games all the time.

Those players are reluctant to pay a subscription when they could instead pay to for certain items or features instead.  F2P games use gambling as a model for their microtransactions, knowing that some will keep buying stuff, like a gambling addict will keep gambling.  In the gaming industry those players are called "Whales", just like what casinos call them.

On the MMO I work in, while the game uses a subscription model, we also have microtransactions.  We have players that spend thousand of dollars on microtransactions.  When I say thousands, I mean some have spent tens of thousands of dollars on items.