More competition..

[Eagler]

I think if AH was free it would have a tough time getting and keeping new subs without a graphics update..

Ppl like pretty these days ...

Not to mention the fact they would get demolished by the vets in their late war birds who know how to get around in the game already..

Then there's the occasional crazy speak on 200 that would get a wtf from the newbie..

Eagler

[Dadtallica]

I hate to keep bringing these up and these threads but what makes anyone think HT wants the numbers to increase? Sure the income increase for him but so with the workload and it would not come out in his favor in the end.

[edge12674]

I agree that AH is not a direct competition for the current popular combat flight sims without a major upgrade.  However, it could be presented as a great entry into the genre.

AH has one of the lowest hardware requirements, offers a wide assortment of control options, has good VR and VOX support.  Encourage new players to explore the game in single player first for FREE with NO time limit, then they have the option of a two week FREE multiplayer trial.  After which they can continue to learn multiplayer game play for $15 a month with the ability to cancel their subscription at any time.

With the overall poor reception Aces of Thunder has received, now would be a perfect time to put that out there.

[edge12674]

I hate to keep bringing these up and these threats but what makes anyone think HT wants the numbers to increase? Sure the income increase for him but so with the workload and it would not come out in his favor in the end.

I agree with this.  I was suggesting that HT would not have to increase his workload.  Just communicate what AH has to offer as is.

[hazmatt]

Then there's the occasional crazy speak on 200 that would get a wtf from the newbie..

200 is pretty tame compared to what I've seen in other games...

[icepac]

As far as graphics upgrades, Aces High has enough resolution. 

Most of the "new updated graphics games" seem to not have more clarity in the distance but rather a goldish tint of eye candy that actually hampers gameplay.   

The only graphics upgrade is to see fields from further away.     

Nothing like bombing from 30k and the fields don't show up until you have passed the release point.

[hazmatt]

This video is an extensive interview with Matt "Wags" Wagner, Senior Producer at Eagle Dynamics, discussing the current state and future roadmap of Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) World.

Core Technology Updates
Dynamic Campaign: Currently in internal testing with a focus on stability, UI, and AI [06:19]. It will initially launch with a Caucasus map single-player campaign before expanding to other maps and eras [07:02].

Vulkan API: A major upcoming update designed to improve performance and enable modern features like Ray Tracing and DLSS/FSR frame generation [12:51]. It will be a full transition from DirectX, not an optional toggle [14:02].

World Map: The vision is a "spherical earth" canvas covering 90% of the globe at lower detail, allowing high-detail regional maps to be "plugged in" for seamless long-distance flights [41:19].

Aircraft & Asset Development
F-15C & F-35: The F-15C full-fidelity cockpit and external model are pending high-detail scans [01:04:46]. The F-35 is in early stages, with Wags clarifying that data is gathered from technical papers and subsystem manufacturers, not just "air shows" [59:51].

AH-64D Apache: A brand-new rotor model is currently in internal testing, which significantly improves flight characteristics [54:19].

Super Carrier: New features like 1MC deck announcements, a functional briefing room, and improved deck crew logic are in development [29:40].

Flaming Cliffs 2024: This will be the final entry in the "non-clickable" Flaming Cliffs series; all future Eagle Dynamics aircraft will be full-fidelity [01:07:26].

Environmental & System Improvements
Weather: Future updates include towering cumulus clouds and improved turbulence once Vulkan resources are freed up [21:13].

Infantry AI: A new skeletal system allows for realistic animations like boarding helicopters and throwing grenades [24:44].

ATC & Comms: The team is evaluating a voice recognition system for a more immersive, "no-UI" communication experience [35:08].

Third-Party Relations & Stability
Escrow Safeguards: Wags addressed community concerns by confirming that all third-party license agreements signed in the last 5–6 years include an escrow system [16:06]. This ensures that if a developer goes out of business, Eagle Dynamics can access the source code to keep the module functional [01:15:45].

Skyraider: The license for the Skyraider (Crosstail Studios) has expired, and since no progress reports were submitted, the project is currently considered "dead" unless a new capable developer steps in [01:12:37].

Thanks. Good summary. I'm guessing you plugged it into some AI to get this? I'd like to know how to do that so I don't have to bother you with it next time.

[Devil 505]

I agree that AH is not a direct competition for the current popular combat flight sims without a major upgrade.  However, it could be presented as a great entry into the genre.

AH has one of the lowest hardware requirements, offers a wide assortment of control options, has good VR and VOX support.  Encourage new players to explore the game in single player first for FREE with NO time limit, then they have the option of a two week FREE multiplayer trial.  After which they can continue to learn multiplayer game play for $15 a month with the ability to cancel their subscription at any time.

With the overall poor reception Aces of Thunder has received, now would be a perfect time to put that out there.

Too bad the AH single player experience is very limited in the amount of content and its overall quality. It's a poor representation of the overall game in every way.

[edge12674]

Too bad the AH single player experience is very limited in the amount of content and its overall quality. It's a poor representation of the overall game in every way.

Agreed, but it is enough to get past the "how do I fly?" stage, learn some gunnery, and experience the different aircraft.  Gotta set the hook first. 

[CptTrips]

Thanks. Good summary. I'm guessing you plugged it into some AI to get this? I'd like to know how to do that so I don't have to bother you with it next time.

I just gave Gemini the URL and asked him to summarize.
https://gemini.google.com/

[Eagler]

CptTrips created some great offline missions but a newbie might find them pretty difficult at the start..

A career mode for single player might help but I don't see that happening..

Eagler

[The Fugitive]

Too bad the AH single player experience is very limited in the amount of content and its overall quality. It's a poor representation of the overall game in every way.

How?

Everything is available to a single player. Joining attacks is as simple as flying to the attack. You dont HAVE to be in a squad, you dont HAVE to be part of the mission plan, just get there and have some fun.

Learning the basics can get you flying, and communicating with other players.....which may not always be a good thing  but it gets you in the game.

I dont think the graphics are that bad. Most of the eye candy of these other games are just a sharpness to the cockpits. Also, if you looking at the pretty gauges your most likely going to find yourself in the tower very often.

I wish Hitech would get more involved with the game. We dont know what he has going on in his life which is what may be keeping the game on a back burner. But on the other hand what does Aces High really need? If Hitech would give an interview like the one posted, it would surely help. Tweaks to some of the dynamics might help, but if he got the numbers up most of those tweaks wouldnt be needed. Radar is about the only one I think he would have to tweak, maybe a compromise between what we have now and what we had in the old days.

But for game play? There isnt another game that even comes close to all the options AH has, nor as well executed as AH is. There is a dozen ways to play this game, as a single player to multi player teams. Heck even "cybro" has found a way to enjoy the game 

[Eagler]

Then there's what Dad just posted...

I tend to think in those terms..

I just appreciate every evening when I can login and play as I know it will not always be that way..for one reason or another..

Eagler

[Devil 505]

How?

Reread Eagle's post that I quoted in my response to him. He's clearly meaning "single player" in the traditional sense - player against bots/AI

In AH that's only available offline and the offline content is exactly how I stated it - limited and low quality overall.

[CptTrips]

A career mode for single player might help but I don't see that happening..

Both Wag and Jason Williams have stated the majority of their customers are SP only.
That doesn't mean they are SP forever.  I think SP is a safe learning environment for new players that don't care to merely be baby seals for the vets just because it will "harden them up".
SP becomes the minor leagues you grow your MP from.

AH's biggest obstacles:
1. Graphics.  Sorry Graphics to games is what Curb Appeal is to real-estate.  If they don't immediately like what they see, it's a much harder sale.  No body cares how good the graphics are now compared to AH 1.  They are being compared to WT, DCS, and IL2 GB.
2.  Subscription Model are very unpopular.  Subscription for a game that hasn't been added to in almost a decade is not going to happen.  If you are going to ask for subscription today, you better show it is buying them constant innovation and improvement.
3. Lack of viable SP doesn't help.  SP is the hook for a lot of new players.  After they have built their confidence in SP, they might decide to graduate to MP.  Think of all the money from SP IL2 gets to fund their MP.   That is a larger, more reliable, less complaining customer base to fund MP development from.


IMHO.