Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Pooface on June 07, 2005, 06:24:47 AM
-
now im sure most of you will remeber blah, who suggested that the ma be made free. now at first we all thought ha ha ha, what an idiot.
ive had an idea. would it be possible just to make the training arena free. a while back, when i was unsubscribed, i found it very hard to learn in the stupid ffa's in h2h. i think that if just the training arena was free, it would actually encourage people to subscribe.
not much happens in there, there's no real action coz of lethality, and i think it could reallly help noobs who are still learning, and have run out of free time. i personally found that my lack of skill was offputting at the time, and by making only the training arena free, it helps im sure
now, dont go too harsh on me, because its just a suggestion, but it would really help those that are thining of subscribing:aok
-
good idea
-
why thankyou truekill
maybe it could be so you have 2 weeks in all arenas, and 4 weeks free in the ta?
im just saying this because 2 weeks isnt enough i feel to really learn and get into the game
of course what we dont want is people who just play in the ta, and never subscribe,and clog up the arena because they dont want to play h2h. so maybe, like i said above we should have an extended free period in the ta only:confused:
-
I think the TA should be made free. I only say this because I have two members in my squad that I got from the TA. I went there and taught them, got them more intrested in the game and helped take some of the edge off of the STEEP learning curve AH has. One of them said he played in the MA once but didnt really care for it. He has now been a member going on six months. This is due to me helping him in the TA so he can survive in the MA. So I say make the TA free. If not the whole time atleast for an extra two weeks on top of the free two weeks given.
-
Pooface, part of the problem is that 4 weeks iisn't enough to learn the game either. Although it will get you closer to staying alive.
If you make the TA free, it will be full of guys who can't/wont pay for the main.
So forget any thought of trying to teach someone. Trainers would be busy nonstop just doing damage control.
Can you imagine trying to teach someone basic merge tatics with a couple of hundred 14 year olds trying to HO you constantly?
Thanks but NO WAY guys. Your talking about my version of hell.
You want help, pay HTC the first 15$ and I'm yours. And thats the way it should be IMO.
-
Yeah its a brill idea AH does require a lot of effort to get the hang of it.
Problem is a lot of ppl are morons and like Ghosth said the TA would become a mess.
it would only work with a lot of monitoring and once you kicked some one they would create a new acc and bugger it up again for everyone again until their IP got blocked.
But you could always have a TA by request where ppl have to ask via email or something like that again it might not be worth the hassle.
Maybe there could be a training room option in the h2h setup (never done h2h so I don't know jack about it)
I do think that AH might get more ppl to sign up for it if it was implemented but again it may not be feasible.
-
Two weeks are deffinetly not enough to learn. They are however, more than enough to decide if you want to play this game or not. If you like it, you pay 50 cents a day to learn it cause four weeks are not going to help you anyway. What else can you find for that money anyway?
-
yes, this was my problem with it aswell.
i think the key would be to add some free time onto the trail, just for ta that is. the hard part is getting the balance right between enough time to learn, and enough to keep idiots out. i agree with ghost, that itd be hard to police, so maybe it wouldnt be so bad if htc set up another arena like chat and set id in h2h, like you said.
if we had a little more space than 8 players, we could still teach numbers of people.
im really not sure, its very hard to come up with a balanced solution. maybe htc could think about it in more detail than we have, because thats all this post is, a suggestion. i think its up to htc to decide, but i would reccomend a 4 - 6 week trail in ta.
im really not sure about it, but some amount of extra time would really benefit the community and the new players
any thoughts from the htc gang?
-
Why in the hell should the trainers; players devoting their free time and paying their 15 bucks a month to helping others, spend it helping someone who is along for a free ride?
That's just a freeloaders way of going about things.
You have two weeks. Two weeks to get established with how things are done. As soon as you log in to Ace High you are presented with several options. One of them is in big black letters, "Training Arena".
Duh... Two weeks is more than enough time to get your feet wet.
Will you learn all the ins' and outs' within that two week time? Nope.
But you'll get a general idea of how to play and even how to survive in the MA.
Nothing in life is free. Not even when its handed to you on a silver platter.
-
hey hey hey, no need to be aggressive morph. this is what im saying. mussie suggested very well, that maybe we should set up a training arena in h2h, rather like the chat and set id arena that is running at the moment. it allows for 32 ppl instead of the usual 8, and is free, but still denies any access to any paid-for arenas.
maybe we should try something like that?
-
Morph
The last thing anyone needs is a bunch of blah69's working the system.
The guys at HTC put in a lot of work for AH and in no way am I suggesting that HT allow ppl to free load off their effort.
I just think that a lot of today's generation have been spoon fed online gaming with quake ect (something that requires no real understanding of the environment they play in) and they suffer a bit of a culture shock when they enter AH.
If they learn to control their AC with a degree of skill they will feel the thrill of AH and want to play, therefore they will pay.
Just my thoughts on the subject, no need to bur up mate :)
-
>>Two weeks is more than enough time to get your feet wet.
Will you learn all the ins' and outs' within that two week time? Nope.
But you'll get a general idea of how to play and even how to survive in the MA<<
I tend to agree. And there are some new guys who seem to wind up in the MA w/o spending any time in the TA. They are usually the ones who ask: 'how do I start my engines?, how do I shoot my guns?, how do I drop bombs? etc.
It's been a long time for me but, I wonder if there could be some way to post a suggestion to all who sign up for a 2 week trial, which would direct them immediately to the TA for some instruction...kinda like flight training for novices. This might also insure more steady trainees for our Trainers.
-
thats a very good idea. i dont know whether we could put a little suggestion box in, when new players first enter the online experience. maybe like one of the little survey boxes, saying 'it is reccomended that new players learn to fly in the training arena'?
but yes don, very good point
-
I agree with Morph. You don't need to play for free until you become an ace. You have two weeks to learn what types of gameplay are offered and how to participate in the arena, at least in a basic way. It's meant as a taste, not as an entire learning period. If trial players then decide that they like what they see enough to want to learn the game in depth, then they have to pay. That's just the way things are. It's like flying lessons in real life. Often you can get one session free, and if you want to continue, you pay.
However, if I had to grant trial players extra time, I'd keep the existing two weeks trial and add one extra week where they can only play in the TA.
-
2 weeks is a lot of time without paying to "test drive" the game. AH has to stay in business and needs the income to keep this great game going. I think this is an outstanding opportunity to have for a committment to join. I have been "in" now for 3 years and I love it.
-
Originally posted by Pooface
w
im just saying this because 2 weeks isnt enough i feel to really learn and get into the game
I got into it in two weeks. That's why I'm here instead of Warbirds. And started paying my money.
Did I really learn it? No. I still haven't.
-
I like the suggestion of directing new folks toward the TA first. Not only because it would cut down on the guys in the MA that cant even start the engines, but also cut down on the attitudes. I have no problem helping people if they need it, and thats why we have the "help" channel now. But people abuse it, and come in with attitudes, expecting that the guys in the MA are SUPPOSED to help them. Without previous instruction, having the help channel is confusing them as much as helping them.
I do NOT, however, agree with making TA access free, beyond the 2 weeks already given. AW tried that "Free Arena" idea before they died. And yes, some of the guys did become paying customers. But not nearly enough of them to justify hosting an arena like that. Most of them either couldnt afford 9.95 a month for unlimited access, or just simply didnt see the point of paying for what they could get free. So what if they only had access to one arena. Anyway, I'm thinking that's all you'd see out of a free TA. People who hang out, take advantage of the trainers there for some free advice on setting up their computers and gaming rigs, ACM, etc; then they'd just go back to the H2H arenas and make use of it, never paying a dime to anyone for anything.
-
ok. i have to admit im not as experienced as some here. ive only bin into the whole combat sim for 6 months, so some of you will know better than me.
maybe if we directed people to the ta first, we wouldnt need an extension on time, because people would make the most of the 2 weeks. perhaps this is the answer
anyway, i do see ure points on making it free, and accept that it could cause some problems. on the other hand, the directions to the ta sound like an effective easy alternative. who disagrees with that?
-
maybe if we directed people to the ta first, we wouldnt need an extension on time, because people would make the most of the 2 weeks. perhaps this is the answer
Blasphemy.
You can lead a horse to water. But you can't make him drink.
Same goes for any new player coming into this game.
Anyone, and I mean anyone who has the will, and drive to learn will find a way of doing so.
Anyone who says they can't find help in this game hasnt looked for it. PERIOD.
Like I said before. The very second you connect to the Aces High servers, you are prompted with several different options to choose from to play on line. One of which says.... Training Arena
What, more than that is needed? Nothing.
Nothing erks me more than someone looking for a hand out.
Asking paying customers (AH Trainers) to help train you and get you "hooked" on Aces High while you just logged on for free is nothing more than asking for hand outs.
-
We have, currently, some 5000 (est) subscribers who didn't need months of free training to play this game. We have had countless thousands of others over the 4 years or so I've played who didn't need months of free training and dedicated trainers to play this game.
Changing the rules because some kids on summer break don't want to pay until they can 'pwn' is not even worth considering. Trainers already perform enough of a service (don't even know if they still get kickbacks; haven't seen the system messages in ages) without being forced to babysit everyone who wants to play the game.
Are there a lot of new players who are clueless? Yes.
Are there a lot of new players who need training or
rudimentary instruction of some sort? Yes.
Is there already a system in place to provide them with
this training? Yes.
Was a help channel added to the game so they wouldn't have to
leave the arena to get simple questions answered? Yes.
Do they really need anything else if they aren't utilizing the tools already in place? Hell no.
-
Im an H2H'er myself, I cannot afford paying for the game, but I don't like the ffa and 'team' games in the H2H.
Maybe some of you may know my room 'Franks Coop Missions' where I organize realistic and historical missions. (Like being in a squad)
This gets limited by the 8 player limit and therefore I like the idea of making the TA free.
But maybe a better idea, make the TA free for a certain period (maybe 4 weeks) when someone sends an email with request for coming to the TA.
This will bann the n00bs, because, surely enough, they won't know they should send an email and cannot come to the TA.
So 1 email, 4 weeks free. Then maybe send another email?
This will give HTC alot of work checking the emails though...
-
humm, yes. i suppose hubs and morph are right, being that its worked ok so far. actually, if it was put in place, we would get a lot of annoying kids flooding the place, and i accept that. i guess some people like it, some dont, but the way it is now works pretty well i guess, so its not gonna change:lol
-
Nyet.
Pay to play, a free TA would accomplish nothing.
I think I spent about two days in the TA learning how to get the wheels up and auger correctly before I jumped in the MA and got my maximus kicked for about a month.
After that went back now and then to check out new stuff I'd heard of.
Free Ta? -
Freeloaders would abound and then we'd hear in about two months-
"waaaah, we need a TA for the paying customers only, I can't learn anything cuz of all the vulching, spawn campers, ho's, and cheaters "
And then everyone would be confused!!!!!
-
Guys, I agree with Poo, 2 weeks just isn't enough for someone who has no experience in online sims. I have several friends that tried to learn this game in 2 weeks - they didn't even come close even with me offering a hand. Now some folks grasp things faster than others, but all of us are not quite as quick. I'm not saying that offering more time in the TA is the answer, nor am I saying that more than 2 weeks is the answer either.... But I can attest to the fact that 2 weeks isn't enough to learn a whole lot in AH2.
Clip
-
Sorry I don't buy it for a minute.
You've gone to expense of a flight setup. They aren't cheap.
Yet 43 cents a day is beyond the budget. I can FIND 43 cents a day for cripes sake.
Sorry don't buy it.
Move along..
-
Pay?.. Pay for aceshigh? since when? I've been here for several years and never paid nothing. $15 per month someone said. I've yet to see a bill in my mail box for aceshigh.
Some guy named Visa is getting mine taken care of. this Visa guy is dumb, he pays for alot of my things, they have never once caught me forging my signiture on all these slips they have me sign too . hahaha handsomehunk visa..
Want to hear something funnier, hes got this sister, named mastercard, she goes by the name MC , shes a sap too, she pays some stuff for me too , even after ive sat my bellybutton on her all day! lmao
I'm sure they have family, look'm up!
-
I have several friends that tried to learn this game in 2 weeks
THAT is the first biggest mistake any newb can and will make coming into Aces High.
The idea gets stuck in their head that they are going to learn it all or most of it in a short period of time.
The trial period is there to get you in to Aces High, on line and show you all it has to offer. Its not there for you to figure everything out and become a top ranked bomber or fighter pilot. Its a taste of things to come.
-
Originally posted by Morpheus
THAT is the first biggest mistake any newb can and will make coming into Aces High.
The idea gets stuck in their head that they are going to learn it all or most of it in a short period of time.
The trial period is there to get you in to Aces High, on line and show you all it has to offer. Its not there for you to figure everything out and become a top ranked bomber or fighter pilot. Its a taste of things to come.
I agree Morph, my friends problems weren't that they weren't top ranked or anything like that - its just that there was so much to learn that they felt overwhelmed - then gave up. They didn't have hours everyday to sit and play the game like some folks seem to have. Perhaps a year would have never got them hooked - who knows. But I will say they all told me that 2 weeks wasn't enough for them.....
Clip
-
I think there should be a training academy. It could be the TA, but with a more structured feel. Levels that players graduate from, from ground school to advanced. Specializing in fighters and bombers. You could actually be awarded wings at the completion of training and use them as an avatar. Stuff like that. There must be a few guys in here that would fancy themselves as instructors.
Imagine a "class"..all graduating the same day...and then getting their orders. "Ensign Happy congratulations on completing your training. Attached are your wings to wear proudly, and your duty assignment. You are hereby ordered to report to the VMF-101 for fighter combat duty. Good luck!"
Naturally it wouldnt be mandatory to graduate...but it would be a role playing feel, as well as knowing the guy who is on the list has been well trained.
-
I wonder if the TA had lots of peeps in it how it would affect the bandwidth/lag in the MA? I guess if bandwidth wasn't an issue for HT he wouldn't have a cap limit on the MA.
I think the 2 week trial is fine. Most people who even consider taking the time to download the game already have a semi-wood about flying, they won't give up unless the game is *way* over their heads. And if they know ahead of time that the game costs $15 a month to play, they won't bother to download the game in the first place if they know they won't be able to afford it.
~Cheezhed {Shillelagh}
-
Well semi-wood is good..
-
Originally posted by Clip121
Guys, I agree with Poo, 2 weeks just isn't enough for someone who has no experience in online sims. I have several friends that tried to learn this game in 2 weeks - they didn't even come close even with me offering a hand. Now some folks grasp things faster than others, but all of us are not quite as quick. I'm not saying that offering more time in the TA is the answer, nor am I saying that more than 2 weeks is the answer either.... But I can attest to the fact that 2 weeks isn't enough to learn a whole lot in AH2.
Clip
You know, people wash out of flight school in real life also. That just adds to the REALISM of this sim - the fact that some people wash out in thier two week training period! Now I feel like I'm one of the few, the pround, the "elite" who graduated from the Aces High Flight Academy!;)
-
i think it's a very good idea. but, i don't want no mo' n00bs. i like sucking against people who are good, not against people who suck too.
-
Originally posted by FiLtH
I think there should be a training academy. It could be the TA, but with a more structured feel. Levels that players graduate from, from ground school to advanced. Specializing in fighters and bombers. You could actually be awarded wings at the completion of training and use them as an avatar. Stuff like that. There must be a few guys in here that would fancy themselves as instructors.
Imagine a "class"..all graduating the same day...and then getting their orders. "Ensign Happy congratulations on completing your training. Attached are your wings to wear proudly, and your duty assignment. You are hereby ordered to report to the VMF-101 for fighter combat duty. Good luck!"
Naturally it wouldnt be mandatory to graduate...but it would be a role playing feel, as well as knowing the guy who is on the list has been well trained.
I like this idea a whole lot. Make a room with just TA-6 Texans in it. This will teach the basics of flight and the game. Make it a class type setting. I think after someone spent two-three weeks in there learning the basics of ACM and flight they will be itching to make there way into the MA to find out if what the learned is usefull or not. After that paying 15$ a month isnt a big deal.
The basics are what I think 90% of the guys in here have a hard time with. I would be willing to give my time as in instructor. Hell my two rookies in my squad went though hours of touch and goes and basic flight training in the P-51. My guys fly better now with only three months under them then most guys do that have a year flying.
So I think this type of room would be a great idea. Allow the instructors to take control of an aircraft or atleast kick someone out of the room who doesnt want to act right.
-Keg.
-
yeah, it would be awesome to get small little training flights in the ta.
oh and by the way everyone whos gettin pissed at me for suggesting it, it was a little idea, im sorry that u feel u need to get angry because u feel different. a simple 'it probably wont work out poo' would suffice. anyway. i agree that we dont want noobs messin about, i already said that, im just thinking we need to develop an idea to make the trail more effective, like filths wicked training idea
-
yeah, it would be awesome to get small little training flights in the ta.
I am not a trainer. But if you see me in the MA at any time. Ask me for help, and I will help you.
-
I want a lot of new guys. The more people flying the better the experience.
Some of the new guys will lern it and become experts, some will get practice and fly for fun and some stop after a while.
But the more people start the bigger the player base gets.
-
Originally posted by Morpheus
THAT is the first biggest mistake any newb can and will make coming into Aces High.
The idea gets stuck in their head that they are going to learn it all or most of it in a short period of time.
The trial period is there to get you in to Aces High, on line and show you all it has to offer. Its not there for you to figure everything out and become a top ranked bomber or fighter pilot. Its a taste of things to come.
Bingo!
I saw the commerical on TV.
"Hmmm" I thought, "sounds cool"
Downloaded and installed, jumped into the MA, got my prettythang handed to me again and again.
Pi$$ed off? Yes.
Willing to pay $15 a month? You betcha!
What to do next?
I read the help file, figured out what I could, and then asked questions when both of those options failed me.
I never expected to "learn it all" right up front. Hell I'm still learning!
Free TA, uhhh, no.
-
Originally posted by Morpheus
I am not a trainer. But if you see me in the MA at any time. Ask me for help, and I will help you.
morph, u know i dont need any help. i was sayin it would be cool to get some kind of training missions set up in ta, like filth suggested. maybe computer flown drones attack you or something. we need something that can teach noobs, even if there's noone in the ta to help them
-
Originally posted by Donzo
Bingo!
I saw the commerical on TV.
"Hmmm" I thought, "sounds cool"
Downloaded and installed, jumped into the MA, got my prettythang handed to me again and again.
Pi$$ed off? Yes.
Willing to pay $15 a month? You betcha!
What to do next?
I read the help file, figured out what I could, and then asked questions when both of those options failed me.
I never expected to "learn it all" right up front. Hell I'm still learning!
Free TA, uhhh, no.
donzo, lots of people aren't like us. i sure picked up on the act fast, and u obviously did too, but im willing to bet that most of the noobs who forget the game after 2 weeks, do so because they cant. im not saying make the ta free anymore, im just sayin extend the free period by 1 or two weeks, effective only in ta. this gives just a little more time for them, and i GUARANTEE it will get more paying customers!
-
morph, u know i dont need any help
I'm sorry, I thought you were asking for it.
we need something that can teach noobs, even if there's noone in the ta to help them
Common sense and the MA.
Thoes two things will go a long way for any new player.
Pay attention to what you're doing. Assess your mistakes and learn from them. ie, what got you dead, and how you can not get dead again.
You go from asking for a free TA to asking for Missions and drones in the TA to help someone learn.
Who are you trying to help?
The training team for AH is in the TA almost every night. As far as I know every night. The few times I've stopped in there I always see a trainer helping out when and where needed.
Guess what? Training is free.
Guess what? The Trainers are paying to help you.
Does $14.95 a month mean anything? That's what their cost is for helping out new players. New players who are also paying.
You want them to pay their 14.95 a month while you hop in there for free and have them teach you how to play the game?
In regards to your missions/drones. I highly doubt that you will be seeing that any time soon.
-
Theres 2 places to practice for free, offline and H2H. All the other places should be a pay to play basis. HT put a lot of hard work into the game.
-
yeah yeah, i know all that. oh btw, morph and i had a little discussion i da about this, so he knows what im going on about. i mearly suggested these things as a way of getting more people to subscribe after the 2 weeks, because i would like to see player numbers increase
-
Come on ... think about it.
If you have just the slightest inkling of interest in this WWII Air Combat MMOG Genre and you have 2 free weeks to give it a go ... you can't make an informed decision on whether you want to put out 50 cents/day ... 14.95/ month for unlimited time and access to HTC servers ... please ... beyond that you are free-loading.
You don't want to get slaughtered in the MA ... pony up 14.95 for just one month and you can fly in the TA till your eyes bleed ... with a trainer.
If at the end of one month, you still don't get it or don't like it ... CANCEL your account and you will never be charged another penny. There are no 1 year required contracts here ... its on a month to month basis ... couldn't get any simpler than that.
The thousands of us that pay to play this game ALL did it under the same conditions that apply to any newcomer today ... we liked what we saw at the beginning, and decided to invest in future fun.
-
i put great thought in to this last night, and actually came to this; if we did try and encourage more people into it, it would change the game as it is, because we would probably be accepting more young kids into it. i think we've all had it with annoying attention seeking teens, so i think ure probably right slap;)
so yes, i admit defeat. probably wasnt the best idea:lol
-
Training academy - sort of like America's Army - would be good, make it non compulsory but if you complete it you get 250 perkies or so.
Would stop all the questions of "How do I take off?" - "How do I put down gear" - "Where am I" in the MA.
-
not only do i disagree i feel that htc should double the monthly fee to $29.90
-
the game had less punks in it when it was $30 a month
quantity or quality, you can never have both
-
HTC doesn't need to change a damn thing.
Karaya
-
Filth, kegger, that idea is currently in the works. Actually it has been for a while but we have a limited TA staff. And we all have real lives at home as well. So things tend to move in stages & spurts.
But we are working on it.
Right now we could use some translators, re fuzemans post.
-
Originally posted by storch
not only do i disagree i feel that htc should double the monthly fee to $29.90
Another true idiot rears his head. :rolleyes:
-
skuzzy again thats what im talking about.
-
Maybe just another free 2-week trial again? :)
-
Originally posted by DipStick
Another true idiot rears his head. :rolleyes:
oh oh it seems the blue velvet mafia is populated by the under funded and the economically challenged. so much the better make it $44.85 (that's 3 times the current fee for you blue velvet types) :aok
-
The thousands of us that pay to play this game ALL did it under the same conditions that apply to any newcomer today ... we liked what we saw at the beginning, and decided to invest in future fun.
And the key beeing.
we liked what we saw at the beginning, and decided to invest in future fun.
Pooface. I belive that extending the free time would not change the above basic fact. After 2 weeks people have a good idea if they are hooked or not.
Extending the training time would not do much more to get them hooked.
HiTech
-
Originally posted by hitech
And the key beeing.
Pooface. I belive that extending the free time would not change the above basic fact. After 2 weeks people have a good idea if they are hooked or not.
Extending the training time would not do much more to get them hooked.
HiTech
So you finnaly admit that this is a drug and not a game? :lol
-
All of you who are so worried about the noob's why not troll the MA and TA begging them to let "YOU" teach them. You have made the effort to let us know on the BB that you are personaly concerned for the happiness and welfare of the weeenies.
So???? Put your $14.95 a month where your collective mouths are. It sounds more like you have a great idea but want someone else to get their hands dirty.......................
-
Originally posted by dedalos
So you finnaly admit that this is a drug and not a game? :lol
:lol
-
CNN:
"This just in, HiTech has admitted to created game, Aces High, as a psychologically dependent habit-forming substance, relative to crack, heroin, or tobacco.
News from reported victims state that most who have tried Aces High for a "2 week free trial", actually ended up "staying for life". One man, who wishes to be nameless, stated, "I went to try this cool online game that had airplanes, next thing I know, my wife files for divorce."
Some were able to seek programs relieving this addiction: whining, puffy ack precision, La7's, and surprisingly, bordem; but most who said they left from bordem ultimatley got a craving for their "fix" again.
A caution is sent to all flight-sim gamers who seem interested in trying this game; it's not what it seems."
-Paul
-
Bwaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahaha! :lol *gasp*
-
Aces High is so engrossing, socially redeeming, and reasonably priced it ought to be bundled with Windows XP like Solitaire with HT and staff getting royalties for life.
-
Originally posted by bustr
All of you who are so worried about the noob's why not troll the MA and TA begging them to let "YOU" teach them. You have made the effort to let us know on the BB that you are personaly concerned for the happiness and welfare of the weeenies.
So???? Put your $14.95 a month where your collective mouths are. It sounds more like you have a great idea but want someone else to get their hands dirty.......................
before saying stuff like this, check ure facys mate. im in the training arena EVERY day. i like to think im a good teacher actually :lol
btw, is there any way i can sign up to be an AH2 trainer?