Author Topic: Marketing AH (Read 839 times)

Hangtime · « **Reply #30 on:** April 01, 2002, 06:15:44 PM »

Super.. I saw the ad in Model Aviation (we're and advertiser there too) and it's generating some intrest.

If I can jest get un-lazy enuff to haul my computer, monitor, controls and such down to the monthly R/C club meeting (even better, bring two machines w/ stick setups) and SHOW 'em, you'd no doubt get 20 subscribers outta 75 right then and there.

You have my subscription info.. send the check there.

Curval · « **Reply #31 on:** April 01, 2002, 06:18:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SUPERFLY

There are lots of issues invoved in having a huge influx of new players, many of whom may well be computer illiterate. The technical issues, for example, are something I would be unable to even pretend to understand.

Once 'these' difficulties are solved a whole new crop of issues arise, some of which have been mentioned.

Let's talk training.

Training is availiable in Aces High...I was trained by ghosth initially and then I joined a squad. BUT...I was lucky. I say that because I actually went to the web site and found the communities link to the BB. I then proceeded to post on the General Discusions (being as careful as I could not to offend anyone or be percieved as being really stupid), until I posted something inappropraite there and was directed to the O'Club. Gradually I figured out how it all worked, dedicating alot of time to reading posts in all categories. I received advice, technical support, and made some friends. Most people who play computer games online know this drill and accept it.

Problem is, the kind of user that would be attracted by a really cool ad may not be willing to go through such an ordeal. Each time I suggest to friends that they should check out the bulletin boards for help on their games, they give me a look that tells me I shouldn't have wasted my breath.

So...what is the answer...(scratches head)

Off the top of my head...

Training could be done offline. Have each user download a training program that must be completed before joining the on-line sim.
Start with take-off...once the user completes this he/she gets a code for the next level. Once the whole program is completed they get a password to play online.
As each level of training is completed there should also be a link to a site showing the elements of views in planes, strategy aspects of the game, plane types (& loadouts) training videos etc. etc.

Take them through a tour of the game and complete their training at the same time.

This will also solve your second concern. The community is definately responsible for keeping players flying in Aces High.
But, patience is a virtue very few of us possess...especially if you have been hearing the same old questions over and over and over. I'm not referring to myself at all...just defending some of the animosity that inevitably exists for the vets.

The asking of really stupid questions will be cut to a minimum if some effort is made to train each new user as they start.. More than anything else this will greatly improve the willingness of gnarled "troll-like" veterans to offer help on the finer points of the game rather than be expected to hold hands or babysit newbies.

Curval · « **Reply #32 on:** April 01, 2002, 06:28:05 PM »

Elfenwolf...that sounds like AW RR.

(Actually not true, I was beaten up badly in AW RR too when I first started.)

I must have been typing when you posted what you wrote...we are basically of the same mind. There DOES need to be training, particularly when dealing with the type of newbie I propose to attract.

The only reason that I am still playing is that I am a stubborn sob and even after getting killed a few thousand times I still keep on trying.

Elfenwolf · « **Reply #33 on:** April 01, 2002, 07:32:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Curval
Elfenwolf...that sounds like AW RR.

(Actually not true, I was beaten up badly in AW RR too when I first started.)

I must have been typing when you posted what you wrote...we are basically of the same mind. There DOES need to be training, particularly when dealing with the type of newbie I propose to attract.

The only reason that I am still playing is that I am a stubborn sob and even after getting killed a few thousand times I still keep on trying.

LOL Yeah, I read your post and thought it was mine at first. My idea for a New Users Arena would use the same plane set and same flight modeling as the MA because the whole point is to teach New Users how to fly in the MA. I'd limit the size to a "managable" level, say maybe 150 tops. The idea is to keep New Users interested enough to stick out the steep learning curve while avoiding the AH Aces who see them simply as easy targets. Do it the same way AW did it, and that game (especially RR) was far easier to play than AH.

Beyond that I'd do pop-ups on as many WW2 sites as possible, linking down to flash movies and mentioning the two week free trial offer, free H2H and offline missions. I'd set up a traveling AH booth to display at airshows where a couple of computers are online to give flight enthuasists a chance to try the game out live.
Hand out CDs with Aces High linking to HiTech's website. Where better place to attract flight sim players than at an airshow?

Then I would work the AH Community angle, maybe donate five dollars of each new subscriber's first payment to a worthy cause.
Make people who join AH feel like they're part of more than just a flight sim, but part of a community that makes a small difference in the world.

guttboy · « **Reply #34 on:** April 01, 2002, 10:19:06 PM »

I was introduced via other Air Warrior guys when the game (AW) was canned......

Being a member of the USAF....try taking out an advertisement in the back of Air Force Times.....bet you the money you invest in an ad would come back 10 fold....lots of guys like sims and none I talk to have ever heard of this......

Give it a shot...

Eagler · « **Reply #35 on:** April 02, 2002, 06:43:55 AM »

a centerfold spread in Playboy of a 109 would have caught my eye

HTC, are you guys going to do to the 6 month subs for the price of 5 again?

T-shirts, hats, FREE stuff

for long term subs (6 month/year prepaid)

All for more ppl as long as the hardware and the connections can handle it. Rather have 50 ppl in a warp free room than 300 in another room warping all over the place.

Mighty1 · « **Reply #36 on:** April 02, 2002, 07:28:23 AM »

I was reading my sons pc gaming magazine yesterday and was suprised to see an ad for AH.

I didn't know we gave 3 weeks free. I thought it was only 2.

Curval · « **Reply #37 on:** April 02, 2002, 08:55:26 AM »

Another wrinkle when looking at marketing AH.

I'd be interested in knowing what the average age is for subscribers right now. I "think" you will find that the average age is higher than most would think...but I would not want to guess.

What I am getting at is that it is VERY difficult to pin down the target market for AH.

In our squad alone we have guys as young as 14 and guys as old as 50. Tough to market your products to such a diverse range of people with one campaign.

Having said that it seems that there are distinct age groups that can be targetted, but which require specific marketing efforts.

One example:

The old guys! Say between the ages of 35 and 60!

You don't want to market AH to these guys as a GAME. I would have thought it is better to market AH as a "hobby". I personally use this distinction when my wife gets on my case about spending too much time on-line. It also makes it easier for these guys (myself included) to talk about AH with one's peers.

Superfly · « **Reply #38 on:** April 02, 2002, 09:07:24 AM »

The 3 week deal is only for new users using a coupon number that is in the magazine ad.
We are also in the process of creating a "newbie" area for AH which will be what people see when they first come to the site. I'm not sure what it entails though.

Tac · « **Reply #39 on:** April 02, 2002, 09:32:21 AM »

I would suggest:

1) Short TV ad on the discovery Wings channel. And why not, history channel. (if ye can afford it hehe).

2) Make little posters of AH and let every walmart and publix hang it on their cashiers

Airscrew · « **Reply #40 on:** April 02, 2002, 11:14:52 AM »

Another Idea,

Have us current players sign up for a quanity of CD's and give each of us a serial number or use our member numbers, and we place the cds in our local area. When a new user logs on with one of the cds they enter in that serial number so you know where the cd was distributed.

Example, I sign up for 20 cd's and you mail them to me. I take them to local hobby stores or electronic stores where I have friends and get them to hand them out. Maybe run a promotion at the same time, for every 5 people I sign up or they use a cd I distributed I get one free month, or 1000 perk points, a t-shirt, or something like that.

I know lots of places around Austin to hand out cds.

You can also buy mailing lists of publishing companies that send out catalogs and magazines for aircraft/military enthusiasts.
I get catalogs and magazine offers all the time for aircraft/military publishers. Then you could mail cds to people on that list.

midnight Target · « **Reply #41 on:** April 02, 2002, 11:36:23 AM »

AIR SHOWS

Great Idea! Not only as a marketing tool, but a place for us to meet as well. I would always make a beeline to the AH booth at an Airshow if one was there. I would also be happy to advertise AH on my shirt...hint hint.

edit....How about offering shirts and hats with not only AH but the squad logos too? The artwork is in the system......slam dunk.

Run that up the flagpole and see who salutes it.

Airscrew · « **Reply #42 on:** April 02, 2002, 11:39:51 AM »

AHHH, Air Shows are a great idea, heres another idea to piggy back on that.

Military museums,....lots of those around, they can have them in the gift/souvenir stores

midnight Target · « **Reply #43 on:** April 02, 2002, 11:42:14 AM »

I would even volunteer to work the AH booth at airshows in my area.....woot!

Superfly · « **Reply #44 on:** April 02, 2002, 12:15:44 PM »

If you attend an airshow featuring the Red Baron Stearman Squadron, you can fly a Stearman simulator using a special version of Aces High.

From old News post:

Quote

We’ve also been working on a contract on the side with Red Baron Pizza and Accu-Flight. We’re taking AH and making them a version featuring the Red Baron Super Stearman. They’ll run this version in Accu-Flight’s motion simulators and take it on the airshow circuit with them, allowing the public a chance to virtually fly one of their planes after watching them in the airshow. We hope that proves popular and turns more of the public onto the joys of flight-sims in general and Aces High in particular.