I feel I must jump in to defend HTC for a second. I budgeted $50/month for Warbirds and made sure I didn't fly more than that. Towards the end, though, I was only flying $20-$25 or so. When Aces High came out I paid for it and budgeted $20 for Warbirds ($30+$20=$50). I ended up not playing Warbirds at all and flying Aces High more than I ever flew Warbirds. I also didn't have to worry about how long I stayed on. It also made it more relaxing to fly C47s, etc. because the clock wasn't ticking. Now I've cancelled my Warbirds account and think $30 is a bargain for Aces High. To hear that they are examining a lower price structure makes me think, "Cool, I may be getting an even BETTER deal." If they don't, it's still a bargain because I am getting $30 worth of fun every month. It's the easiest bill I pay.
Now, I recently heard that they gave Duma a free account to continue making his cartoons. I thought, "Man, that is so cool. If, or when, I run my own company, THAT is how I want to do it." Did I think, "HEY, that guy gets a FREE account an I don't just because he writes cartoons in his spare time?" No.
Does Renfield think it's OK to give the SAME product to Duma for making his cartoons?
I pay a price I think is fair for a product. I think $30 is a fair price. No matter what I read on these boards I will continue to think $30 is a fair price.
Incidentally, I knew if I scrolled down the page a little I would read a reply by PYRO because that is the kind of company HTC is. They even take the time to try to defend their actions person by person on the message boards. They don't owe us an explanation, and yet they give it. They take the rash actions of hotheads in stride and don't respond in kind. Rather, they remain rational. Thus far, I think many companies would do well to really study the way HTC does business. It is a near perfect operation and one that I would be proud to have founded and been a part of.
Rust
The Free French Air Force
[This message has been edited by rust (edited 10-25-2000).]
