Author Topic: Suggestions--how could HTC increase their player base? (Read 430 times)

J_A_B · « **on:** August 13, 2002, 03:40:05 PM »

The title says it all. What features could be added to AH that would bring in the most new players?

I think a first-person-shooter element such as the underground bunker warfare concept could potentially bring in a lot of players (look at the popularity of games like Quake and CS). In order to work and attract players who might not want ot fly planes, this FPS element would have to be able to make an impact on the game while not being dependent on the air war. It is a well-known fact that FR flightsims are a niche of a niche market; a full-scale self-sustaining semi-realistic FPS element would allow AH to go "mainstream" and really make some money for HTC.

Please add more suggestions!

J_A_B

P.S. I think allowing special characters in names (especially _'s) is necessary to the continued well-being of AH!!!!!

Scott E · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2002, 04:50:32 PM »

yeah we need quakers in underground bunkers to choke up bandwidth

Toad · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2002, 04:55:57 PM »

Carefully targeted advertising.

'Course, we're going to have to clean up our act a bit on the text buffer if we expect to keep the non-gamer folks that show up to give this a try.

SOB · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2002, 07:45:57 PM »

Speaking of advertising...they must have a deal going with CH Products - look at the bottom of the linked page

http://www.chproducts.com/retail/index.html

SOB

RoyofCA · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2002, 07:50:21 PM »

more roads for gvs

Vulcan · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2002, 12:10:10 AM »

More naked chicks.

M.C.202 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2002, 12:30:10 AM »

A release that works on System X:D ?

Kweassa · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2002, 12:44:12 AM »

Better graphics.

Hate to admit this, but it really is the "video ages".. first impression of a game lies greatly in what kind of graphics they offer. The first temptation to try a game sincerely usually comes from not "hey, the specs and reviews are very supportive!" but "wow, those screen shots look awesome!".

Duedel · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2002, 04:15:57 AM »

First-person-shooter to atract new custumers? IMO this is a bad idea (IMO!). Im pretty sure that people who play Counterstrike would NEVER change to AH (and leave CS) cause AH offers a nice looking Ego-Shooter. A first-person-shooter could only be an "Add-On" to the gameplay but would not attract
many people.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing for HT is publicity. Many many people all over the world don't even know that such a great game exists! And AFAIK many members of our community are a little bit older than the average gamer and don't read the common gaming magazines.

Apar · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2002, 06:38:51 AM »

A customer relations manager (or 2)

hazed- · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2002, 07:59:37 AM »

fix the pipeline/routers/servers first or they will soon be getting less customers not more.

There are thousands of online FPS's that are completely free.Even some flight sims like Il2 are free and there are free dedicated servers with excellent ping times for the hordes that wish to play them.

why on earth would you start to pay for something that you can get elsewhere for nothing.

The reason i pay for AH which incidently is the ONLY game ive ever payed a subscription to is or rather was their superb connection speeds and the great competition with so many excellent pilots (you know who you are!! lol)

When AH expanded with the closure of AW there was a period of terrible connections,warping galore etc etc. Since then AH has never got back to how it was in terms of connects.They have improved it to a bearable standard but its still not as good as it was(better than most other similar online games still though)
I think before HTC start looking for more customers they should sort out this pipeline business.If the game expands again and we start to see a degradation of connections again it will be the straw that breaks a lot of camels backs i predict.
The problem here is those of us who remember how good it was are struggling to accept the way it is now let alone if another influx makes it worse.These are the players who will be most likely to find it unacceptable and these are really the very core players who helped keep AH going through the first years.

sort the pipelines and new players would be cool.Leave it as it stands and I'll be forced to drop AH purely because of poor net performance.At peak times with 500 or so on AH becomes a nightmare and i have to switch to CT for a half decent game

.

I purchased ADSL and bought some major upgrades to play AH at a decent speed, I even got a credit card for the first time in order to make paying my sub a lot easier, so it goes to show you people are willing to pay for quality gaming online. If HTC has to pay through the nose for a decent pipeline Im willing to pay more per month to help cover it.$5 increase would be no problem, however, i dont want to go back to the $30 a month tarif (not unless i see the old AH performance anyhow)

Masherbrum · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2002, 08:51:57 AM »

Quote

Vulcan: More naked chicks.

Quote

Kweassa: Better graphics.

Aren't both of these the same thing?

Karaya2

robsan · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2002, 10:41:37 AM »

1.) The Homepage could use a redesign. Less text, better Graphics, show more of the game on
the first page without overcrowding it. Aces High does look great: the Clouds at sunset,
the Cockpit of the new Zero, the new planes in general etc. People who surf the homepage for
the first time should get those images in the face... show what ya got!

2.) Mission Theater

3.) Flightsims are having a hard time because most come without a good background story (IL-2
basically has the same missions thoughout - no video sequences etc). This is not what I care about,
this is how Gamers Magazines see it... Aces High has no story at all, or in other words, the
users "write" the story when they are online and this lays a great deal of the responsibility on
our shoulders - the customers.
HTC offers the tools to take part in this online world but the way we behave in that world has a
massive impact on the newbie. His descion to stick with Aces High will depend on the people he
meets there or better, their attitude towards him, or how they "treat" each other.
Basically it boils down to this: An online sim can only be as good as it's community - no super
graphics will cover up dweebish behaviour for long

muckmaw · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2002, 11:10:17 AM »

Very well targeted Advertising.

As someone else said, most people have never heard of Aces High! The only way I found it was because my squad moved from AW.

Marketing blitz. Hell, have HT do an interview or 2 on radio programs that cater to males 18-35 Years of age.

Opie and Anthony is a big radio show in NYC. SYndicated to numerous markets around USA. Anthony is a huge video game fan, and loves Flight Sims, and Combat flight sims. They're No.1 in the 18-35 Male demographic.

Give them a call and see if you can get an interview.

Oh...and for all you dirty little bastages out there....check out their websight at http://www.wnew.com

Click on Opie and Anthony
Select WOW Contest....
Make sure the kids are out of the room.

MoonJuice · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2002, 11:40:57 AM »

Make a box version and put it in the stores.

But make sure you have the bandwidth before you do.