Players just move on. It’s not always based in something wrong with a game.
Seems a common story I see is a player started a family, raised kids and when the kids have grown tend to go looking for that adrenaline fun again. Usually hear this from return players.
The dip off in 2016-ish was not all a bad game or sub reason, except when you raise kids time and budget gets cuts.
Some leave to branch out to “bigger and better” sims. No matter the graphics its hard to find this type of high adrenaline game play. So they tend to get their high-end graphics fix there, high adrenaline game play here.
Turning graphics up tends to depend on how many planes and actions. You might be able to turn graphics up with less players, but performance may take a hit with a larger number in view. Can you imagine the hit on performance if DCS had 75 planes in view?
We have a lot of headroom. IMO, I think fresh effects and terrain tiles would be the limit before you change performance too much. Effects are very brief and limited in on whats in view.
NUMBERS
Critical Mass starts at 110 players. The game changes from yuk to fun. It also starts an uptic cycle. Players log in to see what game play is like, they see it look fun an stay to play, now you’re on your way to 120, at which point the game starts rocking, which can inspire even more players to play.
When I returned in 2022, the average MA numbers were 90-112. Literally as an oddity, the numbers coincided with time of night. A strange yet very predictable pattern. At 6p CT MA was 60, at 7p CT its 70, 8p CT 80-115.
That is the exact pattern we have right now. No matter the sub count that’s what the MA is still doing.
Exceptions
SUMMER NUMBERS KICKING IN
This has been a pattern in sims since dirt was invented. And usually at this times player go into numbers panic. Rest assured, number dip is normal. Below 80 at 8p is a concern.
Wed & Thur tend to cap off at 80-90, for unknown reason
Fridays primetime 8p CT numbers can get to 120-130 as players warm up for FSO. WITH NEW TIME CHSNGE IN fSO, it seems it’s drawing 5-10 more players at 9p CT.
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The new downunder map held an larger audience later than normal. Usually MA dumps players at about 9:15p CT, dipping down to about 60-70.
The new map numbers were at 80+ at 10:30p CT
This map has more condensed battles with shorter distances. What players have been begging for. It’s a great change of pace.
Maps matter.
The historical maps tend to have a higher draw.
It’s mental for me, even if game play is good, as soon as I see a symmetrical map I sigh. It’s a visual immersion thing. It shouldn’t matter, but it does. If I’m that way there’s probably 10 more who feel the same. The visual doesn’t pull me in, but I play anyway.
I’m a bit anxious to see how the new dwnundr maps effects numbers, as this setup is closest to what they asked for.
IN SHORT
if we can get the average number of 110-115 it’s POSSIBLE to kick start a natural uptick cycle that sells itself.
I think this happened in the era of MotA when we hit 200, higher numbers inspired higher numbers. Same happens in opposite direction when below 110.
So in my much resented opinion, we just need to promote enough to get that cycle started. 10 more consistent players puts us over that edge.
Personally, because of the constant bashing,…I’ve done what I’m going to put into it. It’s not worth it to me, I don’t need it. I came here fun and help were I could. I’ll stick to the fun part. Problem with being out front, you learn who your friends aren’t. I’m not fond of making self-proclaimed enemies happy. I’d rather do zero. Someone else can/should take a shot at it. GL
