Pricing Annonced

[Sascha JG 77]

WTG HTC, that's definetly a step in the right direction. Now..where do I sign up for the beta test?

Sascha

[Mookie]

Just in case any of you missed this on "News" board:

The time for the free open beta is fast approaching. We are doing our best to release it before the end of this month. The open
                                                    beta gives us a chance to test a number of crucial items such as host load, connectivity, and game-play issues while continuing to
                                                    work on other development simultaneously. It also gives us a chance to test the product on a huge variety of hardware
                                                    configurations. Some parts of the initial release will still be in an incomplete state. These things will be addressed through
                                                    continual updates and changes during the beta period. By opening our development to the general public, we also hope to gather
                                                    constructive feedback from potential customers before commercially releasing the product.

                                                    If you are not inclined to test software or are easily frustrated when things don't work, you should probably avoid the beta. As a
                                                    beta tester you will probably encounter a lot of lock-ups, host crashes, and other bugs. You will have to download new versions
                                                    quite often to stay current. New forums will be created on our message board to report and read about problems and beta testers
                                                    should make their reports there.

                                                    We've been holding back information on our pricing plan because we've wanted to keep the competition guessing for as long as
                                                    possible. With the beta almost here, we want people to know up front what they're getting into so they don't get hooked on
                                                    something they can't afford. Our pricing plan will be as follows:

                                                    Client Software- Free for download. This software will provide free offline flying and head-to-head play. Either four or eight
                                                    player free multiplay is also planned.

                                                    Online Subscription- $29.95 per month for unlimited usage. Special events such as historical scenarios may carry a small
                                                    additional charge. Part of this charge will go to compensate the players who organize and run these events.

                                                    The free beta period is expected to take a number of months to complete. After the beta, a paid subscription will be required for
                                                    online play.

                                                    ------------------
                                                    Doug "Pyro" Balmos
                                                    HiTech Creations

[-kier-]

This is very good news so far...

[Flathat]

That's a nice compromise, should be satisfactory to the greatest number. Gonna have a decision to make when beta ends...   keep a Silver account with the other guys so I can fly my beloved Spad, or...?

------------------
Flathat
'Black Dahlia'
No10 RNAS "The Black Flight"
Angel on your wing, devil on your tail


[This message has been edited by Flathat (edited 09-14-1999).]

[-rkat-]

Looks like you've caused quite a stir on AGW!!! Lots of happy people (& some not so happy - read MAC users)regarding fixed monthly pricing.

Look forward to the Beta!!!!

-rkat-
75 Sqn RAAF Australia

[Sharky]

Pyro,

Thanks a whole damn lot!  You and your flat rate pricing scheme!  Anyone got any good recipes for eating your hat?  Not just yesterday I replied to some guys spouting on AGW or IEN board about flat rate pricing, that it would never happen in the hi end flight sims because of the cost of running/developing a great sim and the small customer base.

Now I gotta go get a new account at argo's and I was 9 posts short of a "Member"

Just in case anyone missed it this is all in good humor    

Thanks for the good news pyro, can't wait.

Oh and about not participating in the beta if you get frustrated with dumps to desktop, shaky connects, lockups and freezes...well have ya been in the WB arena lately  

Sharky

[This message has been edited by Sharky (edited 09-14-1999).]

[val]

It is all about economics and scale Sharky.

If a small development house can set a flat-rate price that covers overhead and meets thier projected profit and growth, then they will do fine. HTC is not burdened by a large coporate entity, and can take a chance on a new pricing scheme.

You were not wrong when you posted on AGW. The industry just changed when you weren't looking :-).

It will be an interesting next 6-12 months for anyone involved with multi-player WWII prop sims.

val

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Scott (val) Valline
Dweebs of Death


[This message has been edited by val (edited 09-14-1999).]

[flat]

Smart move AH.  

-flat-

[hitz]

Good move for all flight sim parties future and growth.

[Wardog]

I think that $29.95 is about $20.00 shy of what it should be for a flat rate.HT you really should have started at $50.00 a month or more,this way you could have lowered it if need be when the whining got to much.

I and a lot pay 3 to 5 times that ammount now & like the pricing as it keeps a lot of the Quake Pilots out.

Im sure that the AW crowd that pay $10.00 a month for a low buget sim  and cant afford the better sim will be quite happy,but this will draw a hugh crowd at such a low price.
We are taking 1000+ pilots.Im sure this is what you need to keep money comin in,but i am very concered about the the arenas turning in a Quake type setting

I would reconsider such a low monthly rate & go to a higher rate or an hourly rate.

With the rate you propose i suggest you incorporate a Squelch command right out of beta.Looks like we are going to need it.


 

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--wd-- < JG26 >
         
           

[Sascha JG 77]

Gee...complaining and whining over something that doesn't even exist yet.
The next thing we' ll hear is "From the screenshots it looks as though the 109 G-10 could be overmodelled..fix it before the first release"

Quakebirds pilots flying for $30 a month? I don't think so.
The flight sim market is pretty much a niche market nowadays, with online flight sims being an even smaller niche. I seriously doubt that guys who wanna fly quake style would even consider to

A. Pay for online play (remember, most of the online gaming is free stuff deriving from boxed games, like Diablo)

B. Cope with the steep learning curve.


Besides that I don't quite understand where this "Hey, we don't want these kind of gamers in here.."-attitude comes from. Why shouldn't anyone interested in air combat be given a chance to fly AH for a reasonable price? This ain't no private club you know and I'm pretty sure that you Wardog were a newbie once too.

Guys coming over from AW? Oh my GOD! We don't want them in here! This is *our* game.
Kinda makes me wonder who decides who is "allowed" to play and who's not. Will HTC check our previous online career before granting an account or what??


Sascha JG 77 "Herz As!




[This message has been edited by Sascha JG 77 (edited 09-14-1999).]

[SMERSH]

ALLRIGHT!
This is very good news this flat rate pricing. This tells me we got some smart pple running the show for Aces High.

I'm one of those avid simmers who is looking for massive multiplayer online persistent world combat flight without having to break my budget or canstantly watch the clock in order to do so  

So I kinda resented warbirds and I'm very happy that Aces High is going for flat rate pricing, which IS the future of online gaming NOT per hour pricing.

All those complaining about the quakedelization of the sim cuz of the flat rate pricing should not let thier snobbish and misconcieved opinions screw up the rest of us regular folks. You could set up special arenas where only a select group of pple can join, and so private squadrons etc can restrict who's joining in the fray, to avoid quakeheads if they want.

And just the fact that I like flat rate pricing does not mean I'm a quakehead. I'm as hardcore flight simmer as they come, I'm still a poor struggling University student though. Play Falcon 4.0 / F15 / Red Baron 2 3D. I totally want hardcore and realistic flight sims.

Thanks for the good news!  

[rosco-]

  DOA is flat rate, at 10 bucks a month and you wont find a better bunch of people then those flying in there no matter how long or hard you look. However...in the WB main that is 2 bucks an hour you have people flying low B17's as ack stars and lots of other dweeby stuff. So I dont know how anyone can figure that a hourly charge keeps the dweebery out. I think $29.95 flat rate is a great option to run with. Its slightly above what I can afford, but I think I may be able to swing it anyway   I am glad they announced this now and didnt keep everyone wondering..."this sim is great, hope i can afford it when it goes pay" Now you know if you can or not.
  Lets not complain untill there is something to complain about, like not having a download before the end of the month  


------------------
Rosco
*Flying Aces*

[Kevin]

Well, I must be one of those "quakejunkie" pilots you don't want.  Because I sure as hell can't afford 29.95 a month for a online flight sim.   A 9.95 flat rate, yes.

29.95?  Oi, it's just too high for me to drop on a game like this.  I'll wait for Fighter Ace 2 or something.  This game could be the absolute most realistic sim ever and there still wouldn't be room in my budget for it.

I guess they're primarly aiming at the hard core middle aged gamers.  As a 21 year old student I can't play at game at this price.

 

[Brazos]

Hang in Kevin,

When your   middle aged   just think of the games you'll be playing. I'm one the biggest snobs about childish online behavior, and I love the new price rate. Shouldn't there be room for a more serious sim? After all, as you point out, there's AW and FA for those that want all you can eat. Serve me a '44 vintage Corsair, perky yet full bodied, and roast Zero Sen for an entree. That's worth a dollor a day. Nice call HTC.