Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: wpeters on September 20, 2013, 10:08:51 AM
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Just some food for thought.
Stating the Problem
1. We are losing people :furious :cry
2. Not many new people joining
3. Not enough Advertisment
4. Lack of player support for going and doing there part to get people in the game.
5. No donation sight for better advertisement campaign.
Options for fixing the problem
1. A donation site set up for the benefit of getting a big add campaign going. :cheers:
2. Some sort of website were we can enter email address for Hitech to send a email to. :x
3. HTC Community help get others enthused. :rock
4. DO YOUR PART> :old:
These are my personal views and thoughts... I believe Hitech has done a awesome job. <S> :salute
I just see as time moves on that more people are going to leave because there are not enough online. As this starts to happen, the rate of depopulating will accelerate at a alarming rate.
This is a call OUT to the community to help get more players in... The MA has room for 600 people in it but I have never seen it fuller than 450 people.. :old:
Hitech if you need help sending emails out to people I would be willing to join in and help :salute :salute :salute
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Welcome to the game Wpeters! :aok
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2. Some sort of website were we can enter email address for Hitech to send a email to. :x
(http://toscho.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/freezelight-spam.jpg)
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If it gets people to join i am for it :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
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y'know what this game needs? A 163 arena with .5 burn rate. :devil
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y'know what this game needs? A 163 arena with .5 burn rate. :devil
Definatly a interesting thought
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I thought nube is short for nubian.
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(http://toscho.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/freezelight-spam.jpg)
+1
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Despite the effort to make the game unplayable on my computer, I've been sending money in every month for nearly twelve years.
I feel like I'm paying to kick myself out of the game.
How's that for "doing my part"?
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<snip>
The MA has room for 600 people in it but I have never seen it fuller than 450 people.. :old:
I remember when we were pushing close to 1000 players on line during the weekends :(
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y'know what this game needs? A 163 arena with .5 burn rate. :devil
Fortunately changing the burn rate will do nothing.
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I remember when we were pushing close to 1000 players on line during the weekends :(
Been here since '02 and never seen arenas anywhere close to 1000. Even when we had two main arenas the most I saw was maybe 600-650. :aok :huh
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Been here since '02 and never seen arenas anywhere close to 1000. Even when we had two main arenas the most I saw was maybe 600-650. :aok :huh
When we started hitting 600 regularly is when they split the arenas. I remember seeing Hitech saying we were running close to 1000 on weekends back then. This is a total of all players on line, not just a single arena.
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When we started hitting 600 regularly is when they split the arenas. I remember seeing Hitech saying we were running close to 1000 on weekends back then. This is a total of all players on line, not just a single arena.
I remember him saying he was splitting arenas in anticipation of new players resulting from the AD campaign they were running hoping to have a 1000, but don't remember seeing it.
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I remember him saying he was splitting arenas in anticipation of new players resulting from the AD campaign they were running hoping to have a 1000, but don't remember seeing it.
I did.
After the split the numbers actually did soar up, and I do remember the day when HT said we just had 1000 online in all arenas combined. :old:
Of course, we never had that many in a single one. I vaguely remember numbers of 700-800 max before the split, but made no notes at that time.
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ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......nubes!
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Lol, I can remember 30+ in the training arena alone. So many I'd upp bombers and practice my gunnery while the others practiced their bomber attacking. Tuesdays were my favorite day when the entire gang would hit one arena.
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I did.
After the split the numbers actually did soar up, and I do remember the day when HT said we just had 1000 online in all arenas combined. :old:
Of course, we never had that many in a single one. I vaguely remember numbers of 700-800 max before the split, but made no notes at that time.
To be honest, I didn't pay all that much attention to the numbers. Shame we couldn't maintain that number.
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To be honest, I didn't pay all that much attention to the numbers. Shame we couldn't maintain that number.
Agreed. It gave you a bunch of options. Both Mains had a good numbers of players to make the game fun and on top of that you could switch sides more often so it pretty much gave you 6 chances to find the type of fighting you wanted to do.
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I thought nube is short for nubian.
[banky} what's a nubian? [/banky}
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[banky} what's a nubian? [/banky}
[Mr. Capable} Opposite of an 'Oldian' [/Mr. Capable}
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I think that the steep learning curve would require a longer free trial. A lot of noobs wont be getting kills during their first 2 weeks.
I think it should be 1-2 tours.
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check the arenas tonight during FSO.
semp
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I think that the steep learning curve would require a longer free trial. A lot of noobs wont be getting kills during their first 2 weeks.
I think it should be 1-2 tours.
I don't think you're getting the revenue necessity end of this.
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Cold weather is coming soon (boooooo!) which will bring more player back in from doing their summertime fun stuff, so I expect to see some climbing in the number of players.
Plus I sense a new commercial in the near future (Ranger sense is tingling) which might help.
No we don't have the numbers we used to, the the "old" guys are getting older and the young guys rather make love to their Xbox than play a real man's game.
We are a dying breed folks. Face it. So let's just keep doing our thing balls to the wall as long as we can. :salute
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Babes in bikini's always works as a marketing technique.
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Agreed. It gave you a bunch of options. Both Mains had a good numbers of players to make the game fun and on top of that you could switch sides more often so it pretty much gave you 6 chances to find the type of fighting you wanted to do.
The arena cap was a nuisance for a squad trying to fly together. Other than that, it was no problem,
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(http://toscho.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/freezelight-spam.jpg)
Watch out for that can, they're deadly!
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there was about 300 players in the arenas and almost 300 in the fso tonight. could have been more, i only looked at it after I got shot down.
semp
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there was about 300 players in the arenas and almost 300 in the fso tonight. could have been more, i only looked at it after I got shot down.
semp
I guesstimate your guesstimation to be somewhat accurate.
I've always felt the sky hasn't fallen as far as some would pretend.
Not saying there isn't room for growth. I suppose it'll take more
than bait. Interest must be maintained. That's where the devoted
and the merely curious may once again part ways.
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there was about 300 players in the arenas and almost 300 in the fso tonight. could have been more, i only looked at it after I got shot down.
semp
I was on earlier in the day. But during the FSO event I had these amount of people when I logged on (roughly 7:30-8PM EST)
Early War 1
Mid War 19
Late War 260
AVA 1
DA 11
Special Events I 305
Almost 600 there.
As others have mentioned I do recall the arenas when they were packed. Even when waiting in the lobby and rapidly clicking the arena you wanted to get into, because it was full almost all the time :P
Tinkles
<<S>>
P.S. While the numbers have gotten lower over the years. I think it might be within HiTechs best interest to either make a tutorial type 'mission' for new players. And perhaps give them free access to the training arena or something of that sort. I understand the business model and everything, and I know they need to make money. But it would be an incentive for new players to stay. Because like Rob said before, 2 weeks isn't enough time to learn ANY sort of basics. Let alone get a kill.
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Free access to the Spanish Civil War arena. :D
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Free access to the Spanish Civil War arena. :D
Gimme a CR32 and I'm there..
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I remeber the MA bouncing right around the 700 people on-line number just before the arena split. At that time if you sorted the roster by rank the lowest ranked players were in the 5000's. Now they're in the 3000's. Of course the player numbers represented by those numbers are higher due to ties.
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I remember when we were pushing close to 1000 players on line during the weekends :(
really? Most I've ever seen was 700 back in the day mostly 500 with titanic tuesday
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Despite the effort to make the game unplayable on my computer, I've been sending money in every month for nearly twelve years.
I feel like I'm paying to kick myself out of the game.
How's that for "doing my part"?
Is the game unplayable because of the changes HTC is making to AH? Or is it because your hardware is out of date? If it is the latter, then it may be time to upgrade.
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Hey All,
Kindly take this as a constructive criticism comment. Nor, do I have the answer to the problem (I'll leave that to the more active people.)
I haven't consistently 'flown' on line in about a year. I still have an account, log in once a month (if for no other reason than to get the updates.)
When I do log in and fly, I tend to fly a fighter and look for a furball. There are many and, in my opinion, to many jets in the MA. This is a prop game - that is what drew me to it.
It is just no fun to be jinking and fighting in a Spit IX or P47 only to have 2 Me 262s roll in and chase everyone away (from either side.)
As such, I found myself 'flying' off line most of the time - though, I do miss the thrill of 'keeling' a real person on the other end of the internet.
Regards,
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Hey All,
Kindly take this as a constructive criticism comment. Nor, do I have the answer to the problem (I'll leave that to the more active people.)
I haven't consistently 'flown' on line in about a year. I still have an account, log in once a month (if for no other reason than to get the updates.)
When I do log in and fly, I tend to fly a fighter and look for a furball. There are many and, in my opinion, to many jets in the MA. This is a prop game - that is what drew me to it.
It is just no fun to be jinking and fighting in a Spit IX or P47 only to have 2 Me 262s roll in and chase everyone away (from either side.)
As such, I found myself 'flying' off line most of the time - though, I do miss the thrill of 'keeling' a real person on the other end of the internet.
Regards,
Don't take this the wrong way but if you see too many Jets in the arena, you most likely are flying on the side with numbers when you happen to log in. I fly Knights, and at the times I play, I seldom see enemy jets and Knights, again at the times I am playing are outnumbered. If not seeing Jets is your biggest complaint, switch sides to the low numbers. Most guys won't take a Jet up if it costs too many points. 2 weeks ago Sunday when I logged on, again Knights at about 12 eastern time it was 100 points for a 262, so yeah, I took off in one.
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The arena split almost made me quit AH.
Sitting with 18 other lonely souls in pizza map, knowing the other arena was full of action, but capped, and no, my squaddies did not want to join in because we know what would happen from bitter experience.
We tried change arena, creating a gap "the unfortunate guys" took the chance to leave the unpopulated one for the populated one, leaving the arena with about 10 squaddies and less than 10 other guys spread out between countries, at a whopping ENY .... everyone logged cursing :bhead
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The arena split almost made me quit AH.
Sitting with 18 other lonely souls in pizza map, knowing the other arena was full of action, but capped, and no, my squaddies did not want to join in because we know what would happen from bitter experience.
We tried change arena, creating a gap "the unfortunate guys" took the chance to abandon unpopulated one for the populated one, leaving the arena with about 10 squaddies and less than 10 other guys spread out between countries, at a whopping ENY .... everyone logged cursing :bhead
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we won't have enough jets until the Meteor mk III is added.
Good day!
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Despite the effort to make the game unplayable on my computer, I've been sending money in every month for nearly twelve years.
I feel like I'm paying to kick myself out of the game.
How's that for "doing my part"?
:lol, oh yeah.
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[banky} what's a nubian? [/banky}
Thank you :aok
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Hey Zoney,
I'll try again this Sunday/Monday. I hope so.
Just to clarify - it's not just enemy jets, it is all jets. If a friendly jet shows up, the targets leave. If an enemy jet shows up, the friendlies leave.
Shrug. I dunno - I get that people earned their perkies and should be able to spend 'em. It is their 15 dollars a month and they should be able to fly the way they want.
I just feel that a 'long, long time ago' when I first started, I saw an Me 262 once a week. If today I took the free 2 weeks and there were as many jets as I saw last year (while I had no hope of matching them for years), I wouldn't have stayed.
As, the topic was how to get "Nubes to the game" - maybe an MA with a limit on the upper end (262, TA 152, etc . . ) Then again, it would probably be a 'Mid War +' arena with 17 players in it.
Regards,
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I just feel that a 'long, long time ago' when I first started, I saw an Me 262 once a week. If today I took the free 2 weeks and there were as many jets as I saw last year (while I had no hope of matching them for years), I wouldn't have stayed.
Taking a quick look at the available numbers: :old:
In 2005, the Me 262 had 0.98% of all air to air kills in the MA. In the first 8 months of the current year, this number had been at 1.52%. A notable increase, but still a very small percentage. Some more detail: 0.94% of all fighter and 3.14% of all bomber a2a deaths are currently credited to the Me 262.
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Hey Zoney,
Just to clarify - it's not just enemy jets, it is all jets. If a friendly jet shows up, the targets leave. If an enemy jet shows up, the friendlies leave.
Seems strange unless they all leave to chase the 262. Do you see them just diving away?
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Asterix,
I can't remember all the details after a year or so. Guess I should film some flights. As I recall, the jets were flying in pairs.
Once enmy jets show up (and of course they have alt), I attempt to extend away from an engagement as I don't want to get to slow. I need the speed to turn when the jets zoom in. In a IX, not that much of a problem, in a Jug or Pony it is a little more dicey. It seems the 'red' guys do the same when 'our' jets show up as well. I get one, maybe two oblique (hope that is the proper speelling. . :) ) and they extend low - I assume to drag the jets down to burn their fuel or get a proxie keels. After a couple of jet boom and zooms the target (assuming he/she survived) is running to friends/ack as fast as it can.
I did have one idea today regarding the perk system. What about: If you lost your perk ride, you last all perkies. If you landed it, you lost 1/2 to 1/4. That would eventually reduce the hoard of perkie points the good pilots have. Or not. It's not like you can't go to Mid or Early war and farm all you want.
Regards,
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Jets in this game are only there to pick those with no SA. They are so easy to avoid they near the bottom of the list of planes I need to pay atention to as they should be with everyone.
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Hey Eagle,
Yes, and Nubes have the least SA/SU. They don't know what they don't know.
Regards,
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Jets in this game are only there to pick those with no SA. They are so easy to avoid
Unless you are in a bomber... ;)
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Unless you are in a bomber... ;)
......and a Snail on your tail.............(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k617/tippygo/snail-smiley-emoticon.gif) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/tippygo/media/snail-smiley-emoticon.gif.html)
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(http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/1252621/rocket-snail-o.gif)
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I think that the steep learning curve would require a longer free trial. A lot of noobs wont be getting kills during their first 2 weeks.
I think it should be 1-2 tours.
Use to be 30 day free trial.
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Asterix,
I can't remember all the details after a year or so. Guess I should film some flights. As I recall, the jets were flying in pairs.
Once enmy jets show up (and of course they have alt), I attempt to extend away from an engagement as I don't want to get to slow. I need the speed to turn when the jets zoom in. In a IX, not that much of a problem, in a Jug or Pony it is a little more dicey. It seems the 'red' guys do the same when 'our' jets show up as well. I get one, maybe two oblique (hope that is the proper speelling. . :) ) and they extend low - I assume to drag the jets down to burn their fuel or get a proxie keels. After a couple of jet boom and zooms the target (assuming he/she survived) is running to friends/ack as fast as it can.
I did have one idea today regarding the perk system. What about: If you lost your perk ride, you last all perkies. If you landed it, you lost 1/2 to 1/4. That would eventually reduce the hoard of perkie points the good pilots have. Or not. It's not like you can't go to Mid or Early war and farm all you want.
Regards,
Man u be crazy... :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
The perk system is set up to reward u as a pilot for becoming acomplished in what ever u did... Perk planes then are the gold stars u can take home to mommy.
Become a acccomplished pilot or die trying... To me it sounds like you are jeolous of people that are good sticks and know how to earn a lot of perks. :rolleyes:I believe 3/4 of the players would leave the game if they did that.... What is the use of taking up and perked bomber or Plane or even take if you are going to lose 1/4 to 1/2 of all your perks....
Perks balance what perked planes bombers, or Gvs that are used a lot
-100
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I must admit, I don't like seeing 262's show up in the fight. Yes, they are usually readily avoided (although there are a few guys in the game who can make you pay for not pulling a very hard evasive); but a 262 can cause you to break off a nice saddled-up position, break off chasing a runner, kill you when you don't see them coming, take away your escape possibilities, and in general be a great nuisance.
I take up 262's mainly for two reasons: to go after another 262 that has shown up and is annoying everyone, or because my side is getting swarmed, and I'm peeved. As a result, I fly a 262 only a handful of times per year. (I suck in the 262, by the way -- I'm quite capable of hitting compressibility and crashing.)
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(http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/1252621/rocket-snail-o.gif)
:rofl
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Unless you are in a bomber... ;)
I flew a 262 today and was et on fire by some lancasters :cry
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wpeters,
Man u be crazy.. - Well, I may be :)
The perk system is set up to reward u as a pilot for becoming (an) acomplished (sic) in what ever u did... Perk planes then are the gold stars u can take home to mommy. - I am not, nor would I argue that. I believe that is why HiTech put in the perkie system. (nor am I attempting to impress mommy) Just don't see how it would hurt someone to invest perkies in the ubber-plane you want to fly. That includes the cannon armed F4U or TU 152, not just jets and rockets.
Become a acccomplished (sic) pilot or die trying... - Umm, in case you haven't noticed, you don't die here. You can always up a new cartoon plane.
To me it sounds like you are jeolous (sic) of people that are good sticks and know how to earn a lot of perks. - There are far more accomplished pilots/gunners than I - Oddcaf, 999, Karaya and Stoney are (or have been) much better than I. I claim no such distinction.
I wandered in, found a topic that interested me. I made some comments. Like 'em, don't like 'em. Shrug. I don't own any thing here.
Regards,
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I must admit, I don't like seeing 262's show up in the fight. Yes, they are usually readily avoided (although there are a few guys in the game who can make you pay for not pulling a very hard evasive); but a 262 can cause you to break off a nice saddled-up position, break off chasing a runner, kill you when you don't see them coming, take away your escape possibilities, and in general be a great nuisance.
I take up 262's mainly for two reasons: to go after another 262 that has shown up and is annoying everyone, or because my side is getting swarmed, and I'm peeved. As a result, I fly a 262 only a handful of times per year. (I suck in the 262, by the way -- I'm quite capable of hitting compressibility and crashing.)
I kinda figured it'd be the weapon of choice to buff-hunt in (on a more broader scale than the 163, which is just there for HQ defense and crazy antics).
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really? its the hordes of 262's that keep you from playing in the LWA MWL? am I playing the same version of AH as everyone else?
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:rolleyes:
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Arlo does find the coolest pics around. The flying snail, the dancing guy, cool Battle of Britain stuff, and much more. :aok
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I agree that the jets are more on the side of fun spoilers than anything else. I play to have fights and there isn't anything I hate more than getting into a good one and then have a jet or two, or more show up to just pick and run. Well maybe I hate HOin more.....hmmmmm it's a cloce one to call :neener:
But while I hate having the jets show up and bust up a fight I have the same option to come back in one and hunt them down for my fight :devil Is it enough to turn away newbies? I don't think so. Add that into the other frustrations of a steep learning curve? Maybe.
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Jets would be great .... in a Korean War arena. :D
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Arlo does find the coolest pics around. The flying snail, the dancing guy, cool Battle of Britain stuff, and much more. :aok
It's surely a sign of a bored mind. I'm working on that. No, really. (Thank you, though) :D
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Lusche,
I have a question - What was the percentage of 262 keels in 2003?
Regards,
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Lusche,
I have a question - What was the percentage of 262 keels in 2003?
Regards,
Tomorrow in my Megastats thread, ok? :aok
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262 could use a higher price tag.
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(http://toscho.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/freezelight-spam.jpg)
That's impressive. Displays can be a PITA to do right :D
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Well, I just found out another friend I got to try AH 3 or 4 months ago has canceled his account. He basically told me he couldn't take the baby seal clubbing. I helped him get started and he has played a lot of stand alone flight sims over the years. But he couldn't take the drubbing he was getting here.
I still think we need an intermediate or beginners arena where less skilled players can go at each other and experience full game play until they achieve some level of proficiency (maybe a break even k/d ratio, giving as good as they take) before they move up.
I guess the final straw for him was when he got owned by a really good pilot and then got a PM from the pilot laughing at him. He told me "why would I play a game this difficult and then get my face rubbed in it to boot." He didn't play for a few weeks and then canceled his account.
This one really bothers me as he's a huge WWII aviation history buff and a perfect potential long term player. But the game difficulty + jerk factor blew him out. What should I say to the next person when I tell them about AH - Here's this really cool game where you'll probably suck for years and have dirt kicked in your face when you're down, you'll really like it :rolleyes:
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Ya know, I can understand not talking trash to new guys but this whole "fondling" the new guys, make it easy for them etc., Seems a bit odd to me, I've been here pretty much since the beginning, cut my teeth on AW and came here from word of mouth. However, I don't remember it being any different then, or even in AW. It was purely fish or cut bait. Again, new blood keeps games alive I just think it's kind of silly. I stuck around after getting clubbed for quite some time. :)
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Did he find a squad that fit? A squadron is a pretty good way for a new player to have:
1. A wingman (or few) to help look out for his six (that care about this particular player).
2. Veteran players in his squad that can actually train him on the go (the MA) if not outright drag him (and other squaddies) to the TA/DA for regularly scheduled training.
3. A sense of camaraderie and fellowship that helps those roots sink in.
Some players seem to disdain squads (and maybe for reason but probably due to some squads fostering negative characteristics over positive ones - there are squads quite the opposite).
Talk to him again and find out what type of game personality he has (I bet there's at least one active squad that's a fit).
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I hate to say it...but if someone cant take some "dirt in the face" in a online game...
I would hate to see him out in the real world.
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This game has a very high quality of online gamers because the new guys that can't take a bit of abuse don't stick around. It's almost like a special forces selection process. Yes half will quit, but those who stay have strong characters and a strong will to learn something difficult. They also have a thick skin. That is why this community in general is populated by the kind of people I can respect no matter what their style of play is. It's tough to get a foothold and as such we enjoy being online with eachother more than the average meat market online gamers.
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I hate to say it...but if someone cant take some "dirt in the face" in a online game...
I would hate to see him out in the real world.
LOL I'm sure this GAME has gotten to us all at one time or another..I myself has launched a few joy sticks, laptops and/or headsets in the past and will in the future..still..I do love this game and the players I consider friends..even a few rooks and knights I consider friends..
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In the real world he's a gentleman. We grew up in an era where trash talk would get your front teeth knocked out, so we didn't do it. Really didn't feel the need to either. Football players didn't strut like a rooster after a touchdown. Baseball players could round the bases after a home run without feeling the need to thump their chest. Guess times have changed.
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In the real world he's a gentleman. We grew up in an era where trash talk would get your front teeth knocked out, so we didn't do it. Really didn't feel the need to either. Football players didn't strut like a rooster after a touchdown. Baseball players could round the bases after a home run without feeling the need to thump their chest. Guess times have changed.
That they have. Everyone demands recognition, respect and reward but few are willing to earn it. Those that think rank and score or perhaps skins and maps earn such while exhibiting all the negative traits of a two year old either forgot the lessons their fathers and grandfathers (even mothers and grandmothers) taught them or somehow fell between the cracks, not having parents and grandparents there for them (in the way that truly counts) during the formation of their personality sans character.
Having said that, there are also those on the opposite spectrum that are so hypersensitive that they wake up offended every day and go to bed feeling persecuted every night. They've managed to avoid developing a decent sense of humor their entire lives and take anything not carefully wrapped in a clean diaper with lots of powder as an intentional insult and affront to their 'well-bred' character (that never quite makes it's presence known until it's too late).
I'm torn between John Wayne, David Niven and Cary Grant at this point.
I wish the gentleman would return to see if there's a segment of the community that could redeem (and, in doing so, not only finds such but adds to it).
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Thanks for the words, Arlo. He's gone - no big deal.
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I remeber the MA bouncing right around the 700 people on-line number just before the arena split.
Maybe it would be a good idea to test putting all the arenas back to one again.
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Maybe it would be a good idea to test putting all the arenas back to one again.
What would you expect from that? Getting more players again? That's not going to happen, as we do not have any arena restrictions anymore. For all means & purposes, since tour 137 the LW arena is just like the old main. Nobody will not join AH because there are a EW or MW arena available.
And, for the record, in overall player numbers AH peaked out long after the arena split.
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Hey all,
I am gonna hit the AvA arena tomorrow. The AI raids sound like a hoot. Also, it sounds like a Midwar + arena. I'll give it a shot and see what happens.
There were many comments in the AvA thread about it being a way to get new people in (AI don't whine on 200, degrade on 200 or fly tons of perkie planes).
Regards,
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AI don't whine on 200, degrade on 200 or fly tons of perkie planes.
It's a small percentage o NAI giving the rest a bad rap, ftm. (But I hear ya). :D
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Well, I just found out another friend I got to try AH 3 or 4 months ago has canceled his account. He basically told me he couldn't take the baby seal clubbing. I helped him get started and he has played a lot of stand alone flight sims over the years. But he couldn't take the drubbing he was getting here.
I still think we need an intermediate or beginners arena where less skilled players can go at each other and experience full game play until they achieve some level of proficiency (maybe a break even k/d ratio, giving as good as they take) before they move up.
I guess the final straw for him was when he got owned by a really good pilot and then got a PM from the pilot laughing at him. He told me "why would I play a game this difficult and then get my face rubbed in it to boot." He didn't play for a few weeks and then canceled his account.
This one really bothers me as he's a huge WWII aviation history buff and a perfect potential long term player. But the game difficulty + jerk factor blew him out. What should I say to the next person when I tell them about AH - Here's this really cool game where you'll probably suck for years and have dirt kicked in your face when you're down, you'll really like it :rolleyes:
Adults don't want to feel like they're in a special ed class and there is no need for it. We had a training arena like the one I saw you describe a while back. I don't think it made any difference on whether newbs stayed or not. The "jerk-factor" is ever present.
A couple of things need to happen before this will change. There has to be some REAL consequence to BBS and arena bullies who think they know everything, but worse have an uncontrollable need to prove it. In the MA or the BBS.
Second, newbs could be a bit more successful in the MA in a shorter time span with a few changes.
Third, real changes to the strategic game and basic game play. For example Leaning a little more towards civil game play instead of free for all spawn and die fests.
AI gunners. Balancing the GV/air war. And plenty of other things as well.
A proper warning on the home page to let people know just how competitive/or brutal this game can be wouldn't be a bad start either.
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I have added this site to my website. Hopefully you guys might go to it and see whats there. I do this for fun and like to have some feedback on my forum regarding the different flight sims. Come on down.
No, its not spam....
Thanks
BasilBarflyhttp://www.warintheskies.com (http://www.warintheskies.com)
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What should I say to the next person when I tell them about AH - Here's this really cool game where you'll probably suck for years and have dirt kicked in your face when you're down, you'll really like it :rolleyes:
If you want to set realistic expectations then yes, that's exactly what you should tell them although re-wording it a little might help.
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Hope this game doesn't go the way of FA! But it appears the numbers are trending that way. I hate the alternative. Market is the magic pill. What is the games market. 1)The younger gamers have no historical reference for this game. 2)They have no patients for the learning curve. 3)It requires the little minds full of mush to push more than A,B,C,D,X, and O. 4)We don't like the little squeakers.
seriously a problems.
Anchor sends
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everyone is on about the learning curve in AH but after learning a bit of street fighter, and now StarCraft II I'm less impressed. Kids like difficult games but more than that they like free stuff. Can't blame them.
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I must admit, I don't mind the learning curve. It is about flying an aircraft after all. No it is not real, but I give the staff coodos for getting as close as they can with the constraints of reality. If flying was this easy, we wouldn't be playing video games.
I still think the biggest issue is the lack of historical reference for the younger generations. So teach your kids, and your grand kids aviation as best you can or they will grow up working all year long to take a virtual tour of London or Paris instead of going their themselves. X,X,DOWN ARROW, JUMP, 0.
Anchor sends
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If flying was this cheap, we wouldn't be playing video games.
Fixed.
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I still think the biggest issue is the lack of historical reference for the younger generations. So teach your kids, and your grand kids aviation as best you can or they will grow up working all year long to take a virtual tour of London or Paris instead of going their themselves. X,X,DOWN ARROW, JUMP, 0.
I am not an X Box gamer. However, the teenager that house sat / baby set our puppies while we were on vacation is (she even brought hers over to hook up to the TV). I thought - cool, let me show her Aces High. One look at my CH stick, throttle and instrument board and the eyes began to glaze. In hind sight, I should not have lifted a plane, but instead launched a GV - fewer buttons.
Is it possible to set up the GVs so the younger generation can use an X Box like controller? Once into the game, the interest (or lack thereof) to 'fly' will take root (or not).
Regards,
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Is it possible to set up the GVs so the younger generation can use an X Box like controller? Once into the game, the interest (or lack thereof) to 'fly' will take root (or not).
Absolutely.
In fact, the GV control system has been changed to the current one to make it much more accessible (esp. to new palyers), and did a great job doing so. Standard WASD controls, easy to map that to any kind of controller.
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Is it possible to set up the GVs so the younger generation can use an X Box like controller? Once into the game, the interest (or lack thereof) to 'fly' will take root (or not).
Regards,
Yes, you can use an Xbox controller with AH and it works surprisingly rather well, especially for GVs.
ack-ack
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Yep, there are some PC ports that still play better with a gamepad. Easy to solve, just plug in my xbox controller. Especially a lot of the indie games on Steam I've found are better to suited to a game pad.
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I have added this site to my website. Hopefully you guys might go to it and see whats there. I do this for fun and like to have some feedback on my forum regarding the different flight sims. Come on down.
No, its not spam....
Thanks
BasilBarflyhttp://www.warintheskies.com (http://www.warintheskies.com)
Now the reason I added to this thread is in regard to promotion of this game. Now I have had my site up now for only 3 months, yet nobody has made any comment on any of the forums threads I have. Now, how am I supposed to help promote this game when nobody from the sim flight games doesnt put anything up? I have stats show how many people visit my site on a weekly basis, and I am getting around 250 hits a week, which isnt much, but its a start. I have added promotional material to my site, but it would help with feedback. I would like to do a promotional T-shirt,but would anyone buy it? I need some feedback.
Thanks
Basil
http://www.warintheskies.com (http://www.warintheskies.com)
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If you've posted on all the flight sim forums I think you've done everything you can do Basil.
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Hi, thanks for your insight. However, if you go to my site and check out, say the A6M Zero, on the left hand side under specification, you will see a Sweatshirt with a Ghost Zero on it. I think this is fairly unique as I have nev er seen ghost planes anywhere else on the web.
Thanks
Basil
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So the unique content of your site is a sweatshirt you can buy? :headscratch:
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Now the reason I added to this thread is in regard to promotion of this game. Now I have had my site up now for only 3 months, yet nobody has made any comment on any of the forums threads I have. Now, how am I supposed to help promote this game when nobody from the sim flight games doesnt put anything up? I have stats show how many people visit my site on a weekly basis, and I am getting around 250 hits a week, which isnt much, but its a start. I have added promotional material to my site, but it would help with feedback. I would like to do a promotional T-shirt,but would anyone buy it? I need some feedback.
Thanks
Basil
http://www.warintheskies.com (http://www.warintheskies.com)
Why would you try to promote the game through the site were most of us already play? Sounds more like you are trying to promote sales of your products.
If you want to promote the game try pushing on other sites to lead them back here.
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Hi, thanks for your insight. However, if you go to my site and check out, say the A6M Zero, on the left hand side under specification, you will see a Sweatshirt with a Ghost Zero on it. I think this is fairly unique as I have never seen ghost planes anywhere else on the web.
Thanks
Basil
The thing about Cafe Press is that any Aces High player can take a screenshot of their favorite ride with their favorite paint job and their squad nose art on it and order a sweatshirt, mug, or whatever. A grey monochrome picture isn't going to compete well with that.
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The thing about Cafe Press is that any Aces High player can take a screenshot of their favorite ride with their favorite paint job and their squad nose art on it and order a sweatshirt, mug, or whatever. A grey monochrome picture isn't going to compete well with that.
Well, it gets better than that:
Cafe Press. 2-sided color tee with custom image.
(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/arloguh03/cafe_press_262_zpsfe0d67dc.png)
2-Step-Tees. 2-sided color tee with custom image.
(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/arloguh03/2stepTees_262_zps318dcfc8.png)
http://www.2-step-tees.com/
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Hey all,
I take back my comments about jets I made earlier in the thread. Just spent a fair amount of the weekend playing and saw no jets.
I do think Hitech should play up the X Box controller thang for the GVs - that might bring the new people in (and provide more ground targets :) )
Regards,
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We need a sweatshirt with the Aces High keyboard commands printed upside down on the front. :D
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damn this tshirt is ugly.
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I was on earlier in the day. But during the FSO event I had these amount of people when I logged on (roughly 7:30-8PM EST)
Early War 1
Mid War 19
Late War 260
AVA 1
DA 11
Special Events I 305
Almost 600 there.
As others have mentioned I do recall the arenas when they were packed. Even when waiting in the lobby and rapidly clicking the arena you wanted to get into, because it was full almost all the time :P
Tinkles
<<S>>
P.S. While the numbers have gotten lower over the years. I think it might be within HiTechs best interest to either make a tutorial type 'mission' for new players. And perhaps give them free access to the training arena or something of that sort. I understand the business model and everything, and I know they need to make money. But it would be an incentive for new players to stay. Because like Rob said before, 2 weeks isn't enough time to learn ANY sort of basics. Let alone get a kill.
This is probably the best Idea I have heard in a while. Most of the guys I talk to might try it out if I could interact with them online for an extended period of time teaching them the game.
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This is probably the best Idea I have heard in a while. Most of the guys I talk to might try it out if I could interact with them online for an extended period of time teaching them the game.
+1 :)
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Broke my heart .....
I was at the Alliance Air Show yesterday (Sunday Oct. 20) and saw this:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img826/2301/5vql.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img59/8096/fsyq.jpg)
They had joysticks and pcs/screens set up for the public to try WT (and other products by the same company).
It was set up to run out of a Hummer2 and there was a trailer nearby that was stuffed with swag. The only thing
they didn't 'give away' (in a sense) were the t-shirts (took two kills to 'earn' one). I know that taking something
like this on a tour of every major airshow may not be fiscally practical (they also do this at quake-cons and the like)
.... but this is our backyard. We could embarrass them here. With the amount of locals in the vicinity, we could make
a couple of sim pits for things like this. Granted, the Alliance show vendor booth costs run:
Exhibit I 10'x10' $2,750
Exhibit II 20'x20' $4,345
Exhibit III 30'x30' $5,885
Non-Profit Exhibit Rates:
10 x 10 $1,100
20 x 20 $2,200
But it may be worth it. Better than a commercial, I think.
There's a year to think about it.
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Have no fear people!
New guys are still coming in!
Why, just the other day a friend contacted me and told me I should give this Aces High game a try! He had just started playing and told me about how fun it is. Well, now we are both subscribed and flying :rock
World of Warplanes and War Thunder are both jokes... I wish there was a committee that judged whether a game was worthy of being called a simulator or not. Nothing bums me out more then seeing "War Thunder BEST FLIGHT SIM EVER" written somewhere. I have found that games with less technical aspects tend to have more immature communities then games like this.
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It's not fear .... it's a desire to promote locally, at least.
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Broke my heart .....
I was at the Alliance Air Show yesterday (Sunday Oct. 20) and saw this:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img826/2301/5vql.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img59/8096/fsyq.jpg)
They had joysticks and pcs/screens set up for the public to try WT (and other products by the same company).
It was set up to run out of a Hummer2 and there was a trailer nearby that was stuffed with swag. The only thing
they didn't 'give away' (in a sense) were the t-shirts (took two kills to 'earn' one). I know that taking something
like this on a tour of every major airshow may not be fiscally practical (they also do this at quake-cons and the like)
.... but this is our backyard. We could embarrass them here. With the amount of locals in the vicinity, we could make
a couple of sim pits for things like this. Granted, the Alliance show vendor booth costs run:
Exhibit I 10'x10' $2,750
Exhibit II 20'x20' $4,345
Exhibit III 30'x30' $5,885
Non-Profit Exhibit Rates:
10 x 10 $1,100
20 x 20 $2,200
But it may be worth it. Better than a commercial, I think.
There's a year to think about it.
. I love the idea...
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Have no fear people!
New guys are still coming in!
I saw David on last night. Welcome, David! :aok
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Well, if anything, the wife and I are already considering a vendor plot there for the next Alliance Airshow. We were also considering handing out CDs of AHII with every shirt sale. It'll all depend on how this year goes for us. And yes, I've been daydreaming about making a sim-pit for a long long time.
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I saw David on last night. Welcome, David! :aok
Thank you good sir!
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Just some food for thought.
Stating the Problem
1. We are losing people :furious :cry
2. Not many new people joining
3. Not enough Advertisment
4. Lack of player support for going and doing there part to get people in the game.
5. No donation sight for better advertisement campaign.
Options for fixing the problem
1. A donation site set up for the benefit of getting a big add campaign going. :cheers:
2. Some sort of website were we can enter email address for Hitech to send a email to. :x
3. HTC Community help get others enthused. :rock
4. DO YOUR PART> :old:
These are my personal views and thoughts... I believe Hitech has done a awesome job. <S> :salute
I just see as time moves on that more people are going to leave because there are not enough online. As this starts to happen, the rate of depopulating will accelerate at a alarming rate.
This is a call OUT to the community to help get more players in... The MA has room for 600 people in it but I have never seen it fuller than 450 people.. :old:
Hitech if you need help sending emails out to people I would be willing to join in and help :salute :salute :salute
I came to AH due to a TV ad... Saw P-51's blazing guns on my TV when I looked over to it, it said Hitechcreations.com. Ready for the irony? I was playing War Thunder when the ad came on my TV.
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I came to AH due to a TV ad... Saw P-51's blazing guns on my TV when I looked over to it, it said Hitechcreations.com. Ready for the irony? I was playing War Thunder when the ad came on my TV.
What caused you to try Aces High as opposed to just staying on War Thunder?
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What caused you to try Aces High as opposed to just staying on War Thunder?
I just wanted to see if AH was any good, and here I am, months later, War Thunder dug into the endless pit of my files on my computer, and Aces High at the top. :cheers:
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Have no fear people!
New guys are still coming in!
Why, just the other day a friend contacted me and told me I should give this Aces High game a try! He had just started playing and told me about how fun it is. Well, now we are both subscribed and flying :rock
World of Warplanes and War Thunder are both jokes... I wish there was a committee that judged whether a game was worthy of being called a simulator or not. Nothing bums me out more then seeing "War Thunder BEST FLIGHT SIM EVER" written somewhere. I have found that games with less technical aspects tend to have more immature communities then games like this.
welcome David...to your new addiction lol :salute
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Well, if anything, the wife and I are already considering a vendor plot there for the next Alliance Airshow. We were also considering handing out CDs of AHII with every shirt sale. It'll all depend on how this year goes for us. And yes, I've been daydreaming about making a sim-pit for a long long time.
Me too.
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Just some food for thought.
Stating the Problem
1. We are losing people :furious :cry
2. Not many new people joining
3. Not enough Advertisment
4. Lack of player support for going and doing there part to get people in the game.
5. No donation sight for better advertisement campaign.
Options for fixing the problem
1. A donation site set up for the benefit of getting a big add campaign going. :cheers:
2. Some sort of website were we can enter email address for Hitech to send a email to. :x
3. HTC Community help get others enthused. :rock
4. DO YOUR PART> :old:
These are my personal views and thoughts... I believe Hitech has done a awesome job. <S> :salute
I just see as time moves on that more people are going to leave because there are not enough online. As this starts to happen, the rate of depopulating will accelerate at a alarming rate.
This is a call OUT to the community to help get more players in... The MA has room for 600 people in it but I have never seen it fuller than 450 people.. :old:
Hitech if you need help sending emails out to people I would be willing to join in and help :salute :salute :salute
:airplane: Well, here is my 2 cents worth!
#!- When a prospective customer signs up and downloads game for 2 week trail, he would be given email address to about 6 to 10 experienced players, who would then go through the basic things that you need to know to enjoy the game, complete with some basic flight lessons. (I still see experienced players crashing every time they RTB, because they can't land)
#2- Do away with chann 200, it does nothing to promote the game!!!
#3- Expand the Navy present in the game by adding LST's, patrol bombers, (PBY4's), expand the ground game to include infantry troops for base captures.
#4- Require 1 hour in training arena, complete with audio video, prior to being able to log into main arena's.
#5- Add some "eye" candy in the way of aircraft sitting on ramps and in hangars, jeeps or other vehicles moving around on base to give atmosphere of war, instead of the "ghost" bases we have now.
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+1
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flyboy Well, here is my 2 cents worth!
#!- When a prospective customer signs up and downloads game for 2 week trail, he would be given email address to about 6 to 10 experienced players, who would then go through the basic things that you need to know to enjoy the game, complete with some basic flight lessons. (I still see experienced players crashing every time they RTB, because they can't land)
#2- Do away with chann 200, it does nothing to promote the game!!!
#3- Expand the Navy present in the game by adding LST's, patrol bombers, (PBY4's), expand the ground game to include infantry troops for base captures.
#4- Require 1 hour in training arena, complete with audio video, prior to being able to log into main arena's.
#5- Add some "eye" candy in the way of aircraft sitting on ramps and in hangars, jeeps or other vehicles moving around on base to give atmosphere of war, instead of the "ghost" bases we have now.
Great ideas, but I have to disagree on #2. This is a social game. Banter and cross country chat, poking, prodding, inciting riots all in the spirit of getting the enemy distracted and lose his SA is a long standing tradition in the game, and successful predecessors. Now, of course, taking it too the point of disrupting the game itself is going to get people removed, but you don't shut down a social element simply for a few morons. Especially when you, as an individual, have the ability to simply turn it off if you don't like it. Removing something that is optional simply to satisfy your preference is never a good thing, in any number of situations. Other than that, some great ideas here. I really like the populating airfields with activity.
Little uneasy about "forcing" new players to spend an hour in a training session. Maybe have a mini main arena (mw perhaps) that anyone can fly in but you complete a training course to open up the full blown MA with all the planes and players. Everyone plays for different reasons, and learns at different speeds. Pushing them into forced training programs steps a bit outside of the game environment, I'm as stubborn as they come, I'll do anything at all to improve myself, including taking classes and sitting in the TA, up to and until I'm told I have to :)
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#2- Do away with chann 200, it does nothing to promote the game!!!
#4- Require 1 hour in training arena, complete with audio video, prior to being able to log into main arena's.
On #2: Usually it takes quite some time (often weeks) for a 'noob' to discover CH200 in the LW arena
On #4: I can clearly say I would never had signed up to AH if that had been in place 2005.
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Great ideas, but I have to disagree on #2. This is a social game. Banter and cross country chat, poking, prodding, inciting riots all in the spirit of getting the enemy distracted and lose his SA is a long standing tradition in the game, and successful predecessors. Now, of course, taking it too the point of disrupting the game itself is going to get people removed, but you don't shut down a social element simply for a few morons. Especially when you, as an individual, have the ability to simply turn it off if you don't like it. Removing something that is optional simply to satisfy your preference is never a good thing, in any number of situations. Other than that, some great ideas here. I really like the populating airfields with activity.
Little uneasy about "forcing" new players to spend an hour in a training session. Maybe have a mini main arena (mw perhaps) that anyone can fly in but you complete a training course to open up the full blown MA with all the planes and players. Everyone plays for different reasons, and learns at different speeds. Pushing them into forced training programs steps a bit outside of the game environment, I'm as stubborn as they come, I'll do anything at all to improve myself, including taking classes and sitting in the TA, up to and until I'm told I have to :)
:airplane: I am just trying to figure out some way to improve membership with these suggestions! I know this is going to sound like I think that I am the answer to this game as far as membership goes, but I would be willing to let Hi Tech use my email to send to everyone who signs in and downloads game and I would take the time to stop what ever I was doing at the time and work with the prospective new member to orientate them to the very basic info that they would need to at least give the game a though examination.
I have had several occasions when I have introduced myself to a new person I would see on line and I would offer my help and on every occasion except one or two they have accepted my help and said they were about to forget the game because it was to complicated! I have 2 of those people in my squad right now.
IF EVERYONE IN THE ARENA'S, WHEN THEY SEE A NEW ID FLYING AROUND AND CHECK ROSTER AND THEY ARE NOT A MEMBER OF A SQUAD, THEN OFFER YOUR HELP AND I'LL BET WE CAN PICK UP SOME NEW MEMBERS WHO WOULD STAY!
You don't have to force yourself on someone, but just a friendly word of encouragement or invite to "wing" up for awhile sometimes makes a big difference to some people.
Don't mean to get on my "soap" box, but you know Hi Tech can also help by accepting some of our help!
Would it help Hi Tech if I offered to extend the two week trail to one month and I'll pay the difference in the cost out of my pocket?
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On #2: Usually it takes quite some time (often weeks) for a 'noob' to discover CH200 in the LW arena
Took me a year or more :old:
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Took me a year or more :old:
It took me awhile also, I actually don't remember when I discovered 200 channel.
:rolleyes:
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You don't have to force yourself on someone, but just a friendly word of encouragement or invite to "wing" up for awhile sometimes makes a big difference to some people.
When I started playing in '05, I had someone do just that and took me under their wing so to speak and taught me all aspects of the game and really made learning the game more enjoyable...This is the way to keep the new guys around...Anytime that I encounter a new player I always extend a helping hand to them....
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:airplane: Well, here is my 2 cents worth!
#!- When a prospective customer signs up and downloads game for 2 week trail, he would be given email address to about 6 to 10 experienced players, who would then go through the basic things that you need to know to enjoy the game, complete with some basic flight lessons. (I still see experienced players crashing every time they RTB, because they can't land)
#2- Do away with chann 200, it does nothing to promote the game!!!
#3- Expand the Navy present in the game by adding LST's, patrol bombers, (PBY4's), expand the ground game to include infantry troops for base captures.
#4- Require 1 hour in training arena, complete with audio video, prior to being able to log into main arena's.
#5- Add some "eye" candy in the way of aircraft sitting on ramps and in hangars, jeeps or other vehicles moving around on base to give atmosphere of war, instead of the "ghost" bases we have now.
Response to #1 I think they should have a tutorial that the player takes in the training arena when they go to A1, for newer players. That shows the basics of flying. (Tells me they aren't too experienced then, if they are crashing :D )
Response to #2 Channel 200 is somewhat entertaining on those loong flights to a target. I do agree it can be a nuisance at times, due to the.. comments seen there at times. However, it also shows the community, which is sometimes disheartening.
Response to #3 I see what you did there. :cool: +1 (hehe)
Response to #4 I think a tutorial would be beneficial here. Instead of a linear gameplay (in a sandbox) forcing players to do something.
Response to #5 This is hard to do. I was thinking of this the other day actually. It is hard to put ANY sort of planes on the sides of bases.. when none of the 3 sides have any allegiance to any of the planes that we use. Bishops Knights and Rooks can fly any of the allied or axis planes.. So it's hard to put P51s or p38s on the base, when you can take off in 109-G2s or Ju88s etc.
Although, I would like to see planes on the base. It wouldn't be possible under the settings that HTC has it set for now. I do however, agree with having active convoys around the base (as long as they don't get on the runway and mess up my landing/take offs!) Perhaps troops running here and there from barracks to tower or something when that "base under attack" alarm starts blaring.
Respectively,
Tinkles
<<S>>
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A donation site set up for the benefit of getting a big add campaign going.
I would gladly donate money to HTC, not sure about setting up a donation site... :headscratch:
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I would gladly donate money to HTC, not sure about setting up a donation site... :headscratch:
Or yaknow, the old fashion way of sending them a check in the mail. :old: