How To Fix The Game

[AKKuya]

All these topics and posts seem to point out that we are abundant in so many players who know how to fix the game. 

I had started a topic thread 7-8 years ago about the Aces High players buying the game from Dale.  I offered up 1 million dollars from any future lotto winnings.  He replied to the effect that it would be 5 times higher than my original amount.  Haggling can begin when the money is available.

Option 1) We start a pool of lotto players and win the money to buy the game from Dale.
Option 2) We start a Kickstarter or GoFundMe campaign to buy the game from Dale.

Once the game is in the hands of the Aces High players who bought the game then, we hire all those experts to fix the game. 


or,

The experts can take some time and look into becoming a Campaign Manager, AvA Staff member, or as some have pointed out about noob players needing to be shown the game  and become a member of the AH Trainer Corps.

The game doesn't need to be fixed.  It's a perfect sandbox for us all to play in based on our individual desires.  There is a need for a more positive atmosphere in the enjoyment of playing.  That's not up to Hitech.  That's a player solution. 

We need players who care about the game to help make the game more fun.  That involves behind the scenes work.  Thinking up ideas, turning those ideas into playable ideas, and having the courage to put those ideas out to the public.

Take this for example.
https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,398747.0.html

I have another for Bombing Berlin and another for Luftwaffe Over Scotland.  New ideas and new events.

Being a behind the scenes supporter is welcome also.  Jump into the events that the volunteer players create.  Bring your friends and squaddies for a short time out of the Main Arena. 

For many of you reading this, you know I speak the truth of the matter.  I put no humor in this post.  A few will make fun of this.  Many will agree and a few will find some issue to contest due to their nature.  If I won huge amounts of cash, then I would buy the game and hire a staff to run it. (1 humor statement - just so I can have my bulldozer to destroy all the trees.)

 

[Vraciu]

The game doesn't need to be FIXED it needs to be TWEAKED.  That's not a controversial statement.    It's been done numerous times before.

[edge12674]

I have to agree with you AKKuya.  Until recently, my time on AH has dwindled to FSO's with an occasional appearance in the MA.  The current fighter mentality in the MA reminds me of the line in the movie "Stripes"--"Never hit someone in anger unless you are absolutely sure you can get away with it."  This is manifested in alt monkeys, picking, and waiting for a 3v1 advantage before engaging.  When you add in the poor sportsmanship of goading and name calling, it is no wonder our player base in shrinking. 

In addition to FSO I have been flying in the WWI arena on Friday and Saturday nights, the Monday Night Madness, and the WWI end of the year party event.  These events are populated with players that are there to fight.  These events also share a VOX channel so that all sides can talk to each other.  The big surprise is that VOX and channel 200 are sources of giving kudos to opponents and humorous remarks.  Poor sportsmanship is not tolerated by the players, just like the MA used to be.  When there is this kind of player conduct the fun of AH comes rushing back.

We tell HiTech that we need two sides, smaller maps, better moderators, better graphics, and the list goes on.  In short we want HiTech to legislate gameplay and better sportsmanship instead of taking on the responsibility ourselves.  There are no parts of this game that are so broken that it can not attract and keep a large player base, that is unless it has to overcome players that do not display the maturity that used to be so prevalent in the AH MA.

IF our player base can project the attitude that we are all there to enjoy dogfighting/base taking, willing to help new players, and ready to mass squelch those players that spew venom over the radio channels, then we will have set AH apart from almost every other MMO out there.  New players will stay and word of mouth will spread.

[Vraciu]

I have to agree with you AKKuya.  Until recently, my time on AH has dwindled to FSO's with an occasional appearance in the MA.  The current fighter mentality in the MA reminds me of the line in the movie "Stripes"--"Never hit someone in anger unless you are absolutely sure you can get away with it."  This is manifested in alt monkeys, picking, and waiting for a 3v1 advantage before engaging.  When you add in the poor sportsmanship of goading and name calling, it is no wonder our player base in shrinking. 

In addition to FSO I have been flying in the WWI arena on Friday and Saturday nights, the Monday Night Madness, and the WWI end of the year party event.  These events are populated with players that are there to fight.  These events also share a VOX channel so that all sides can talk to each other.  The big surprise is that VOX and channel 200 are sources of giving kudos to opponents and humorous remarks.  Poor sportsmanship is not tolerated by the players, just like the MA used to be.  When there is this kind of player conduct the fun of AH comes rushing back.

We tell HiTech that we need two sides, smaller maps, better moderators, better graphics, and the list goes on.  In short we want HiTech to legislate gameplay and better sportsmanship instead of taking on the responsibility ourselves.  There are no parts of this game that are so broken that it can not attract and keep a large player base, that is unless it has to overcome players that do not display the maturity that used to be so prevalent in the AH MA.

IF our player base can project the attitude that we are all there to enjoy dogfighting/base taking, willing to help new players, and ready to mass squelch those players that spew venom over the radio channels, then we will have set AH apart from almost every other MMO out there.  New players will stay and word of mouth will spread.

“You can wish in one hand and s[p]it in the other—you will soon see which one fills up first.” - Old Redneck Proverb

Games require rules.   It’s the nature of the beast. 

And all the “let’s hold hands and sing kumbaya” sentiment in the world will not overcome gameplay mechanics that don’t support current player levels.   If a map is too big to maintain interest, the interface is too difficult for a new player to grasp, et al. then self-policing becomes quite moot. 

Toxicity is an issue, but that’s because the action required to offset it isn’t there for some.   The ganging and other weak play is also more pronounced in this current environment.   It’s a cycle driven by numbers.    As numbers go up or down the ratio changes. 

Don’t rely on the goodwill of the player base to solve this.   It’s not going to happen.  Yes, this is a game where the objective is to blow stuff up, however, when you can’t even see Santa on Christmas Eve without getting ganged that’s a problem—and the only fix is a forced change by Hitech.  The players are not willing/able to do it themselves.

[Mongoose]

The experts can take some time and look into becoming a Campaign Manager, AvA Staff member, or as some have pointed out about noob players needing to be shown the game  and become a member of the AH Trainer Corps.

The game doesn't need to be fixed.  It's a perfect sandbox for us all to play in based on our individual desires.  There is a need for a more positive atmosphere in the enjoyment of playing.  That's not up to Hitech.  That's a player solution. 

You are definitely on the right track here.    for stating it so well.

I would jump at the chance to be a trainer.  Unfortunately I am not good enough or practiced enough to qualify to teach dogfighting, and that's something an official trainer needs to be able to do.  I would like to be involved in getting new pilots up to speed.  I am looking at ways to present a new pilot's training class.  (by the way, if anyone has ideas on this, I am starting a different thread so we don't hijack this one)
 

[Vraciu]

You are definitely on the right track here.    for stating it so well.

So how do you propose implementing the idea of forced goodwill?

[AAIK]

Even if you got the game you would probably lose the genious behind it. That's what has happened to many companies. If you lose the talent the game is worth nothing.

[Mongoose]

Even if you got the game you would probably lose the genious behind it. That's what has happened to many companies. If you lose the talent the game is worth nothing.

I believe this is what happened to War Birds.

[AAIK]

Maybe we should hold a crowd funded project to provide HT with enough money to advertise on twitch/mixer and youtube?

I don't get adverts on facebook anymore for games so it must mean that game companies have realized how hopeless it is to advertise on facebook.

[Vraciu]

I believe this is what happened to War Birds.

Wild Bill is what happened to Warbirds.  No amount of genius can overcome that impediment.

[Vraciu]

Maybe we should hold a crowd funded project to provide HT with enough money to advertise on twitch/mixer and youtube?

I don't get adverts on facebook anymore for games so it must mean that game companies have realized how hopeless it is to advertise on facebook.

I believe Dale and Skuzzy both mentioned that the ROI with internet advertising has proven abysmal.

[edge12674]

Vraciu, you and I seem to agree on the problem with AH in the MA.  The decline of the classic fighter pilot aggressiveness and poor sportsmanship are draining the fun/player numbers from this game.  You are correct in that a mass change in player attitude is not likely to happen.  My point was that when this attitude DOES change the fun of AH comes back. The game tools are there.

Your position that HiTech needs to legislate our correct behavior is also faulty.  All you have to do is look at society to see that increased laws are only mildly effective to change behavior. 

In the MA if the local fighting is intense then the size of the map or number of sides become less important.  Graphic eye candy is hardly noticeable in the heat of a good dogfight.  The interface is not too intimidating for new players to overcome if the desire is there (look at DCS).  Us veterans learned the interface and we are in no way savants.

Realistically, both the changes you suggest AND player attitude have to change at the same time.  What AKKuya is correct in pointing out is that we can only change those things we have control of, namely our gameplay attitude.

[Mongoose]

So how do you propose implementing the idea of forced goodwill?

You don't force goodwill in an environment like this.  You have to take disciplinary measures when necessary.  But to foster "goodwill" you need the individual players, and especially the squad leaders, to create a culture of goodwill.  In an environment like this one, your actions in game, the way you play and treat other players, will either have positive impact on the environment, or a negative impact.  Always strive to make a positive impact.  Squad leaders could have a strong influence by instituting a code of conduct that encourages that positive impact.

[AAIK]

I believe Dale and Skuzzy both mentioned that the ROI with internet advertising has proven abysmal.

I see war thunder and world of warship adverts all the time. Are you saying that they are wasting money advertising and are too naive to realize that?

[Vraciu]

Vraciu, you and I seem to agree on the problem with AH in the MA.  The decline of the classic fighter pilot aggressiveness and poor sportsmanship are draining the fun/player numbers from this game.  You are correct in that a mass change in player attitude is not likely to happen.  My point was that when this attitude DOES change the fun of AH comes back. The game tools are there.

Your position that HiTech needs to legislate our correct behavior is also faulty.  All you have to do is look at society to see that increased laws are only mildly effective to change behavior. 

In the MA if the local fighting is intense then the size of the map or number of sides become less important.  Graphic eye candy is hardly noticeable in the heat of a good dogfight.  The interface is not too intimidating for new players to overcome if the desire is there (look at DCS).  Us veterans learned the interface and we are in no way savants.

Realistically, both the changes you suggest AND player attitude have to change at the same time.  What AKKuya is correct in pointing out is that we can only change those things we have control of, namely our gameplay attitude.

Not all laws are effective, but a complete absence of law is completely ineffective.

In regard to AH the questions relate to environment, deterrence, and punishment. 

Examples:

Environment can mean map size.

Deterrence can mean ENY.

Punishment can mean killshooter.

How these tools/rules are written can have a massive impact on gameplay and behavior.