Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: FiLtH on September 23, 2006, 09:43:29 PM
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I want to be where the most people are, but its full. Please increase the size of the LATEWAR 1 arena to 500 people. 250 is not big enough.
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I totally agree.The game is becomming boring.I find myself logging off for lack of anything interesting to do.If HiTech is determined to divide the arenas,then at least up the caps!
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Appreciate this, as I see it;
The old MA had a cap of what? 750?
That was on a single server.
There is still (as far as I am aware) only a single server running the new 3/4 Arena setup with the caps at 250/arena.
Without buying a new server, I don't see how HTC can up the cap limit safely - by which I mean maintaining game stability. If it was one of my servers, I would up cap on one arena only by reducing cap on the other arenas. Which of course is only moving the problem elsewhere.
This is assuming of course that the previous cap of 750 was established as a benchmark of game and server stability.
I don't know what type of server HTC uses to run the game, blade, tower or rack but a server these days can cost anywhere from $1500 to $20,000 somethimes even more depending on configuration. Not something I would invest in unless the numbers demanded it for all arenas.
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I would assume HT already uses clustered servers.
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Filth, choose not to pay for a game that keeps getting major tweeks when it isnt even broke. this is my last month, and I'm not sad one bit because I know what the product is and I dont like it. If I was to have quit the game before this new setup, I would've been major bumbed.
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Quit your whining and come to early-war to play the real furball game.
This game is finally showing its potential.
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Originally posted by TinmanX
Appreciate this, as I see it;
The old MA had a cap of what? 750?
That was on a single server.
There is still (as far as I am aware) only a single server running the new 3/4 Arena setup with the caps at 250/arena.
Without buying a new server, I don't see how HTC can up the cap limit safely - by which I mean maintaining game stability. If it was one of my servers, I would up cap on one arena only by reducing cap on the other arenas. Which of course is only moving the problem elsewhere.
This is assuming of course that the previous cap of 750 was established as a benchmark of game and server stability.
I don't know what type of server HTC uses to run the game, blade, tower or rack but a server these days can cost anywhere from $1500 to $20,000 somethimes even more depending on configuration. Not something I would invest in unless the numbers demanded it for all arenas.
Well so far I havnt seen close to 750 people combined in the arenas so what would it hurt. If they got a big jump in subscribers all of a sudden, they would have to upgrade anyway. The arena setup the way it is now works great on sundays with so many people but the rest of the week you have 2 dead arenas and another one that is packed.
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Love the idea of different arenas, But like SO many have stated, game play is crappy with the low numbers. Extremely bad idea IMO. I would rather they used RPS. This way you get variaty, and enough in the arena to have FUN. Hec, make 2 arenas holding 400 each if the reason for the change is smaller arenas.
Members in my squad are logging off hours earlier than they used too, due to bordem. SAD to see.
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Strip 100 out of the mid war right off the bat, make it 150max as I only see 20 some odd ever in there. The early rarely has 100+ so take another 100 out of that,making EW a 150max. Apply the 200 gained to the Late war 1 arena making it a 450 arena. Do away with late war 2 and make Late war 1 a 500 arena.
Then continue monitering arenas and if often maxed at 500 make it bigger. Thing is we are used to 600, not 250. It makes a difference in gameplay, not to mention getting in at all, or flying with squads.
Take this as input from a run of the mill player, not as a direct whine. I know nothing about servers, and the loads they have, but I do know fun.
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I'd rather play in the 8-player arenas. At least there people you can find to have at it.
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Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Quit your whining and come to early-war to play the real furball game.
This game is finally showing its potential.
Does full potential means 20-30 per side and a few furballs here and there with no tactics/strategics going on? Do I have to come to an early war with a mid war plane set just becouse big mouths here are used to furballs? C'mon.
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Thats the beauty of early war arena, no base porking hordes run amuck there.
It's just AH at it's purest form, furballing with dexterous planes. And no LA7 dweeb sneaking and running.
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not every body likes furballing when will people reconise that .a lot of people like other things base captures gvs strat runs not just furballs.
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Umm what stops you from achieving that in EW? It all boils down to the point that most people want to dweeb around in LA7's.
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I will say, I even find myself logging off from boredom, and I am not normally like that. I used to play every waking moment, but now, ill just log off and watch TV. Im not going to un-subscribe, I still enjoy the game, just not as much. I too agree with the rolling plane set idea. You just dont have the numbers, which is my biggest complaint with every game. And I have done what I can, I have turned as many people on to this game as I can. I have made discs with the link to the site, a few movies, screenshots, just to entice my freinds into the two week trial. I am trying to get as many people on as I can in hopes it will give the numbers a little boost. But no, even they dont like this arena setup, and they never saw the old one. Truely sad.
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People, you're missing the point.
Server capacity has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the changes.
The changes are all about community. It simply isnt possible to get the same cameraderie with a rotating population of over 5000 taking turns in a 750 man arena. That meant that (judging from the excellent statistical analysis post HERE (http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=188015) ) AH simply stopped growing....the guys quitting matched the guys joining for a couple years. HTC was spending money to advertise just in order to avoid shrinking.
I'm betting THAT'S what HT was talking about with the "sick" MA comment.
With smaller arenas, I'm finding that I've been seeing more of the same faces. That means I have a chance to GET TO KNOW THEM. All of them, not just the ones in my squad. I'm having CONVERSATIONS with opponents, chatting about fights instead of seeing dysfunctional types filling 200 with flames. I'm spontaneously trying a sneak when I hear we have a flak in a town behind enemy lines, where before the larger numbers about guaranteed that would be useless because SOMEBODY on the enemy side would kill the guy off.
Soooo.....dont hold your breath waiting for higher caps. The arenas work differently when smaller, but that absolutely does NOT mean that "strategy is useless." Remember that Mindinao with 250 online WAS what happened in the old MA, every day, during non-peak times. Use your strategic interests to come up with new ways of fighting or base taking, with fewer people and more skill.
And if you cannot adapt to the new situations, then this may not be the game for you.
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Originally posted by KaK3
Filth, choose not to pay for a game that keeps getting major tweeks when it isnt even broke. this is my last month, and I'm not sad one bit because I know what the product is and I dont like it. If I was to have quit the game before this new setup, I would've been major bumbed.
Can I have your stuff?
ack-ack
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I used to log on every day before the changes. Not once did I ever see any shrinkage. The average number of people I saw on just kept getting bigger and bigger. The main problem was the small maps. They were at there best with 300-400 people. Any more than was to high of a population density. The bigger maps could absorb more people before feelling crowded.
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Simaril has nailed it IMO.
With the smaller numbers in Early & mid war I'm seeing a return to the days of old. Less jaw jacking & whining, more 's & conversations about good fights.
Reminds me of the old days of the AH main when 125 was a big night with lots of people on. You pretty much either knew or had some idea of all those who flew regularly. The community policed itself much easier. Whats possible with 100 is impossible with 500.
And I'll even give credit to Laz & the BK's for helping to set the new standard.
WTG Guys!
Remind guys that interupting a 1 on 1 fight is a no no.
That the fight is more important than the land grab.
Don't beat em to death with it, just let them know the way the wind blows, then
give them a chance to adjust to it.
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Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Quit your whining and come to early-war to play the real furball game.
This game is finally showing its potential.
I upped in the early war arena a few nights ago and this was the result for the 3 sorties:
1. in a 109f got HO'd at at least 6 times by 2 110's, 2 hurri2c's and a spit! Eventually ended in me fighting 1 vs 4 and running out of fuel. (HO'd at means they were trying really hard but failed)
2. in a spitV huge furball got bnz'd by at least 4 hovering cons all to run as they missed on their passes and 2 of them made at least 3 passes a piece. finally 1/2 sector away from furball in a fight with a (pass and extend faster plane) until 2 cons showed up to help him. ended in a 1vs 3 hurri2c blazing away got me vert stabs.
3. in a spitV HO/vulched by a f4f on take-off got one aileron and one elevator but flew the sortie anyway. Got out over the water and got bnz'd by a p-40 then HO'd again by 2 hurri2c's and the second one towered me!
I see that the change has brought out the desire in many to learn how to fight........................ ....NOT!
So when you say "play the real furball game" it just means come learn to dodge HO's and avoid vulches, and avoid getting cherried n an early model plane! :aok
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Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Thats the beauty of early war arena, no base porking hordes run amuck there.
It's just AH at it's purest form, furballing with dexterous planes. And no LA7 dweeb sneaking and running.
I guess different people have different ideas of what "AH in its purest form" is. I liked AH for the variety of experiences it once offered.
I like furballing, but it gets old. I prefer furballing with a purpose, such as capturing bases.
Furballing leaves nothing for buff pilots. I like flying buffs.
Furballing leaves nothing for GV drivers, (except maybe occasionally slugging it out in slow-loading T-34s.) I love GV action.
In short, unless I arrive early enough to get into the exclusive club that is now the late war, I really can't do the things that I enjoy doing. Reading the numerous posts, I guess there are a lot of people who feel the same as I do.
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And you really think that this so called new politeness,
's and knowing some more players in the three arenas ... really will bring new customers?
Were the 400 players during EURO (peak) time and 700 during USA-Pacific (average) so stagnant to make this revolution the way to develop the player base?
IMHO, you can bring new customers:
- with a costant flow of new a/c and variants,
- with regular well managed scenarios at USA and EURO times,
- with (perhaps) a well designed RPS,
- with dedicated arenas like the DA and AvA togheter ....
- with a Main were you can find big numbers and every type of fight you want,
- with new micro tactics-strategic elements in the arenas,
- with what else?
We are a little mid war aircraft squad, we fly mainly C.205, 109 and 190. We are almost all discussing about cancelling our accounts becouse we have no fun entering these new arenas with low numbers and finding these ENY things. With the old MA and all her problems I've never thought about cancelling my account, nor inviting others to do it. Never. I've been supporting this team for 6-7 years no matter how slow was the development in some years and even if the TOD was-is 3 years late.
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Obviously, the idea behind the early war was to create a fighter town arena.
That is good for those who enjoy and appreciate it. My hat is off to them.
For the rest of us with the eny factor and cap ....the game is losing my interest.
999000
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And you really think that this so called new politeness,
's and knowing some more players in the three arenas ... really will bring new customers?
That won't necessarily bring them ... marketing and word of mouth does that ... but it sure won't drive them away ... and that is what I beleive HT and Co. is trying to do.
HT said that they look at statistics such as ...
number of downloads of the game
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V
numbers of 2 week trials
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V
numbers of 2 week trials that sign up
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V
number of 2 weel trials that DON'T sign up (very important number)
|
V
numbers of subscribers that un-subscribe (very important number)
So they must look at the reason as to why 2-weekers don't sign up and why are current subscribers leaving. I believe that the changes that were made were made because the "very important numbers" weren't showing any growth, but rather decline.
Were the 400 players during EURO (peak) time and 700 during USA-Pacific (average) so stagnant to make this revolution the way to develop the player base?
I think the obvious answer is YES ... else they would not have made the change.
We are a little mid war aircraft squad, we fly mainly C.205, 109 and 190. We are almost all discussing about cancelling our accounts becouse we have no fun entering these new arenas with low numbers and finding these ENY things. With the old MA and all her problems I've never thought about cancelling my account, nor inviting others to do it. Never. I've been supporting this team for 6-7 years no matter how slow was the development in some years and even if the TOD was-is 3 years late.
If that what you and yours want to do ... then so be it ... I doubt that all those who are threatening to quit will make HT change his mind. He is betting that this change will increase his customer base, and don't think for one second that they haven't considered the fallout and people cancelling their accounts because they are unhappy with the change.
I believe that we will see further changes/tweaks in the near future, for the better, but only once the dust/ripples settle down a little bit.
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Originally posted by gatt
And you really think that this so called new politeness, 's and knowing some more players in the three arenas ... really will bring new customers?
Were the 400 players during EURO (peak) time and 700 during USA-Pacific (average) so stagnant to make this revolution the way to develop the player base?
IMHO, you can bring new customers:
- with a costant flow of new a/c and variants,
- with regular well managed scenarios at USA and EURO times,
- with (perhaps) a well designed RPS,
- with dedicated arenas like the DA and AvA togheter ....
- with a Main were you can find big numbers and every type of fight you want,
- with new micro tactics-strategic elements in the arenas,
- with what else?
We are a little mid war aircraft squad, we fly mainly C.205, 109 and 190. We are almost all discussing about cancelling our accounts becouse we have no fun entering these new arenas with low numbers and finding these ENY things. With the old MA and all her problems I've never thought about cancelling my account, nor inviting others to do it. Never. I've been supporting this team for 6-7 years no matter how slow was the development in some years and even if the TOD was-is 3 years late.
Gatt, you're right that the non-US time players have been hurt with this. HT is aware, and wants to do what he can to help. There's been at least one thread on the topic with active HTC participation.
At the same time, look at that stats thread I linked above. That's not impressions, thats hard numbers showing that total kills have been flat for several years. That means that if there's been growth in the places you're looking, there's been a balancing loss in other places. In business, just like in life, if you dont see some kind of growth there's something wrong. And HT's trying to fix what he can.
Admit that this DOES have potential, even if its a pain right now. Look at the arenas, and imagine that growth DOES start again. How about 200 in EW, 200 in MW, and 3 LW arenas...think about more maps, since they're smaller and easier to make....think about some maps particularly tuned to the MW planeset, or to the EW GV's....think about the potential for developing planes that wouldnt leave the hangar in the MA, like the P-39 (with a gas tank that makes the LA look like a long hauler), or like the early French models or the B 339 Brewster.
Give it a chance. It CAN be great.
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Originally posted by Simaril
....think about the potential for developing planes that wouldnt leave the hangar in the MA, like the P-39 (with a gas tank that makes the LA look like a long hauler), or like the early French models or the B 339 Brewster.
Give it a chance. It CAN be great.
This is where HTC messed up IMHO. The changes would have been easier for everyone to accept/digest if it had been introduced as "AH3" with additional planes/GVs to fill in the quite glaring set gaps at the same time. It then would have been perceived as a true expansion of the game.
The "promise" or "potential" of new planes/GVs rings fairly hollow considering everyone knows CT is on the way, and knows of its considerable delays in implementation. So if we get the new rides, it will not be for a long while. In the meantime, a substantial portion of the community feel limited rather than liberated.
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Simaril,
I respect your opinions. However, as the above post underline, AH2 was not ready for such a change. Not enuff aircraft and tanks to fill at least two of the three arenas, no answer to many changes requested by players for years (diving level bombers, weird ack-ack, weird bomber gunners firing under high g's .... etc.etc.).
This "stagnant player base" thing is not convincing me at all. I smell something else: perhaps a lack of resources to develop new aircraft/variants and tactic/strategic issues to solve the old MA issues.
I dont say the old MA had not problems, just the opposite. But they could be solved maybe with a good RPS (if we had the right a/c), maybe with more well managed scenarios, maybe with the TOD, maybe introducing something against kamikaze toolshedders. What about a "localized" RPS: Battle of France, then Battle of Britain, then North Africa, then Pacific .... think about the marketing power of such solutions ... THERE you could introduce restrictions, caps and ENY, as in good scenarios. Yes, we'd need real maps (not pizzas) and aircraft, and manpower ... those are perhaps the real problems.
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Originally posted by SlapShot
And you really think that this so called new politeness, 's and knowing some more players in the three arenas ... really will bring new customers?
That won't necessarily bring them ... marketing and word of mouth does that ... but it sure won't drive them away ... and that is what I beleive HT and Co. is trying to do.
HT said that they look at statistics such as ...
number of downloads of the game
|
V
numbers of 2 week trials
|
V
numbers of 2 week trials that sign up
|
V
number of 2 weel trials that DON'T sign up (very important number)
|
V
numbers of subscribers that un-subscribe (very important number)
So they must look at the reason as to why 2-weekers don't sign up and why are current subscribers leaving. I believe that the changes that were made were made because the "very important numbers" weren't showing any growth, but rather decline.
Were the 400 players during EURO (peak) time and 700 during USA-Pacific (average) so stagnant to make this revolution the way to develop the player base?
I think the obvious answer is YES ... else they would not have made the change.
We are a little mid war aircraft squad, we fly mainly C.205, 109 and 190. We are almost all discussing about cancelling our accounts becouse we have no fun entering these new arenas with low numbers and finding these ENY things. With the old MA and all her problems I've never thought about cancelling my account, nor inviting others to do it. Never. I've been supporting this team for 6-7 years no matter how slow was the development in some years and even if the TOD was-is 3 years late.
If that what you and yours want to do ... then so be it ... I doubt that all those who are threatening to quit will make HT change his mind. He is betting that this change will increase his customer base, and don't think for one second that they haven't considered the fallout and people cancelling their accounts because they are unhappy with the change.
I believe that we will see further changes/tweaks in the near future, for the better, but only once the dust/ripples settle down a little bit.
Obviously only HT knows how many long timers have cancelled their accounts, but I know of more than 'a few'.
On another thread Kak has announced he is leaving, that's a 6 year vet gone.
I'm sure your right, 'he's betting', big chance to take considering the amount of people who are just downright very unhappy.
Wonder how many 3,4,5,6 year paying guys he is willing to lose?
On the chance of a 2 week newb joining up.
He has also said numbers have risen since the changes, sorry don't see it.
Sat night used to average 600-700 players in the MA, last night across all arenas was around 450-475.
A squaddie who still has a WB account conversely says the their arenas HAVE grown in numbers since this.
Time will tell I guess, lose enough long timers, not only does it affect the game overall, wonder what it would do to C.T. release date?
I'm personally gonna hang on for the time being, but am also downloading targetware as I have been asked to do some skins for it.
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Longtimer?
I was here when Beta opened. This has given me a reason to stay. I'd about had it with the old MA.
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I dont say the old MA had not problems, just the opposite. But they could be solved maybe with a good RPS (if we had the right a/c),
Nope: Been there done that.
The cost of aircraft devlopement is non trivial.
And it still dosn't address the basic issue.
maybe with more well managed scenarios,
Wouldn't effect the MA at all
maybe with the TOD,
Wouldn't effect the MA at all
maybe introducing something against kamikaze toolshedders.
Fixing symptom not the problem.
What about a "localized" RPS: Battle of France, then Battle of Britain, then North Africa, then Pacific .... think about the marketing power of such solutions ... THERE you could introduce restrictions, caps and ENY, as in good scenarios.
If you have unlimited funds to produce those things please give them to me and ill implement them. Plus some of what you describe is what Combat Tour is aimed at, but once again it realy has nothing to do with the MA.
Yes, we'd need real maps (not pizzas) and aircraft, and manpower ... those are perhaps the real problems.
Adds to game play, realy dosn't effect community issues.
And once again, manpower is a fact, not a problem.
HiTech
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Originally posted by Toad
Longtimer?
I was here when Beta opened. This has given me a reason to stay. I'd about had it with the old MA.
How many have gone though?
Wouldn't ask or expect HT to post figures, so we can only guess, as I said I know of more than a few, with others posting (like Kak) to say they are leaving.
Hope this all works out, this is the only online one I've flown in, haven't really got an interest in any other.
Although if the squad moved to another, so would I.
[edit] The one guy I will miss is GHI, his wacky missions were a blast, a loss to the Bish and to AH as a whole. (never forget his IL2 mission that took a base).
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I haven't bothered to count but it seems like I've seen as many old timers...real old timers that go back to AW/WB/AH... returning as I have seen newer folk leaving AH.
In any event, HT knows how many have left and how many have returned and whether total hours played are up or down.
I'm sure he'll adjust as necessary to ensure the best business plan for HTC.
Right now, I'm happy and along for the ride. Like I said, it's been a breath of fresh air for me. Good fights now; that's all I ask anyway.
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Like I said can only go on last nights figures for all arenas, they were down on the old MA.
Not asking for a return of the old MA, just a cap raise on the LW arena so that rather than 2 widely unbalanced LW arenas, there might be one closer balanced LW arena.
Isn't that what this whole thing is for anyway?
Both arenas total around 300 ish player, so a cap of 350-400 would allow everyone in who wants to be there and provide room for growth.
Would also be a good indicator on numbers, if it got full there had to be influx of new players.
If not, well you know the answer.
Hope he does adjust, things are way outta whack (LW) at the moment.
Can actually get a good gauge from current usage -
1) Majority prefer LW (numbers always 2x (min) the combined EW and MW).
2) Even with spawned LW2, people still try to enter LW1.
3) Majority prefer large numbers in an arena, to low numbers.
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Originally posted by Kev367th
Obviously only HT knows how many long timers have cancelled their accounts, but I know of more than 'a few'.
On another thread Kak has announced he is leaving, that's a 6 year vet gone.
I'm sure your right, 'he's betting', big chance to take considering the amount of people who are just downright very unhappy.
Wonder how many 3,4,5,6 year paying guys he is willing to lose?
On the chance of a 2 week newb joining up.
He has also said numbers have risen since the changes, sorry don't see it.
Sat night used to average 600-700 players in the MA, last night across all arenas was around 450-475.
A squaddie who still has a WB account conversely says the their arenas HAVE grown in numbers since this.
Time will tell I guess, lose enough long timers, not only does it affect the game overall, wonder what it would do to C.T. release date?
I'm personally gonna hang on for the time being, but am also downloading targetware as I have been asked to do some skins for it.
Prior to the change and what I believe was the beginning of the wave that caused this change we lost people like ...
The total loss the the 13th TAS ... all of them vets ...
Rude (he now emerges with the changes)
Toad (popped in now and again, but appears to have resurfaced)
Milo
Stringer
Zippatuh
Thunder
Fish
Sax
Beemer
CPig
Yeager (I think he has resurfaced with the changes)
When was the last time you saw these FDBs vets ...
Furious
myelo
SOB
MiniD
Fatty
Mathman
Where have vets such as ...
Fester
Shane
40DogMAW
propMAW
redMAW
Paint
crowMAW
AKNimitz
AKcurly
AKIron
AKSwulfe
Drex
Nopoop
Hooligan
Pirate
DipStick
Redd
Swoop
Grim
gone ... these were the "vets" and the people that I learned from when I first started this game ... and there are more that I cannot remember at the moment.
Did the previous gameplay drive them from the game ... I would say YES to the majority of them ... and this is when gameplay continued to sprial downward.
HT wants to get things back to when we had vets like these guys, fights, and comraderie ruled.
If you look at the current player playlist ... there really are only a handfull that could replace all those that I listed above.
If we lose some of the current vets ... well so be it ... it's sad to see them not try and wait it out ... but I sure would love to see a lot of those listed above come back to this game.
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I don't want to play in a 60 player arena either. I'm logging in, looking around, giving a couple of arena's a shot, and logging out in 1/3 the time I used to spend in this game.
My biggest problem is my squad was the "community" I cared about in this game. The new setup has trashed our squad cammaraderie. I hardly ever fly with my squadmates anymore. None of us are playing as much as we used to.
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Funny thing is the almighty quest for 'fairness and balance' is unachievable.
Whats next -
Each 'pilot' in the game has some sort of 'skill level' applied to him.
This dictates which country he can login under.
Unless you think (at the extreme) -
50 per side, one newbs the other all vets is "fair".
Hell you could make it 100 newbs, 50 vets, the newbs would still get hammered.
"Fairness and balance" - Nice goal, shame it's totally fantasy.
[edit] Ah, light dawns - Maybe this is why some people are all for it, equal sides, unequal skill levels = lots of ego stroking for the vets.
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I guess since HT said it wasnt server related, then i guess change was game play relate (want to change how we play).
well if anything it has made it 5x worse.
the Horde is still here and even bigger. suicider porkers are still here.
diving buffs still here.
now add the low # arena score padders and milkrunners. you have guys paddin thier rank in low # arenas. If you up to fight them they just switch to hitting the other side or log off or to another arena.
1 arena EW i think, is constantly unballanced with Rooks usually 15 to 40 pilots more then both Knits/Bish combined. MW is usually Knits or BIsh with #s over the other 2.
LW is ok, but Bish seem to keep a 30 to 40 pilot advantage. and its hard to balance the #s cause with a low arena cap # , if Knits or Rooks try to log in, more then likely its to a 2nd Lw cauSe 1st is full.
ht said he didnt want anything to slip the community, well he did it, and even worse. He even had destroyed squad continuity. i used to see 5 or so of my squaddies daily, all day. now im lucky if i see 1 squaddie in a week.
if i wanted to play without sqauddies, in a low # populated, plane limited arena, id go play H2H or AvA.
we dont have pilot #s for 3 seperate arenas, epecially during weekdays.
avg Arena #s during the 11am to 5pm eastern US time is usually
EW 30-50 total MW 10 - 30 total and LW 100 total. with all 3 having lopsided #s for 1 country.
lol wanted to change game play, well you didnt do anything to change it, you made it EASIER for them to do the same way.
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Ditto Whels -
We used to get maybe 10-15 on a squad night, down to 6-7 now. (our few non US players are well t'eed off it's even worse for them).
Everything you said is SPOT ON.
For something that had been "thought about for a while" the problems/results of it are horrendous.
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Low numbers in a specific arena isn't necessarily an issue if the game overall has a healthy player base. I remember arenas in AW that were lots of fun with only 20 or 30 people.
The problem is, typically, Aces High terrains aren't really designed to be much fun with 50 people in an arena. There are too many fields, and they're too far apart. Some new terrains would go a long way to cure this particular issue.
Another problem is if a company doesn't meet demand for a popular product and instead tries to force people into an undesireable alternative. Early-war arenas in MMO flightsims historically have never been very popular. Trying to force people into these arenas by limiting access to the popular late-war setup seems like a decision designed to breed resentment.
J_A_B
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The gameplay is not what necessarily drives people away from the game.
After playing the same game for 6 years it can start to feel quite trivial to you. Many people started playing while they were bachelors and in 5-6 years they might have married, got kids and a life to live. I've played a ridiculous number of hours lately with some months subscribed with no logged hours.
It's not that I don't like the game anymore, I'm swamped with work and have 2 small children. I've been thinking to unsubscribe but it's not because the game sucks, it's because I have other priorities.
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I used to see 6-8 squadies on daily. Since the change I'm lucky to see one.
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Originally posted by hitech
Nope: Been there done that.
The cost of aircraft devlopement is non trivial.
And it still dosn't address the basic issue.
Wouldn't effect the MA at all
Wouldn't effect the MA at all
Fixing symptom not the problem.
If you have unlimited funds to produce those things please give them to me and ill implement them. Plus some of what you describe is what Combat Tour is aimed at, but once again it realy has nothing to do with the MA.
Adds to game play, realy dosn't effect community issues.
And once again, manpower is a fact, not a problem.
HiTech
With all respect, those are all things that could and should affect the old MA we knew. Even the player base. During the last years, after the TOD announcement, many felt the lack of the historical side of the sim. That is, big scenarios, historical maps, a good RPS try, a balanced and complete plane set. Our Main with everything from 1940 to 1945 without any rule or limitation made it the big gigantic kamikaze furball we all know.
Now, the new solution appears, IMHO, weaker than the old situation. To the point that is pissing off many players.
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if u want to fly a certain arena..u should be able to..regardless of #'s..that is why we have eny limiter.
get rid of eny limiter or bump the arena limit.
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I agree with a lot of you....I find myself logging in to an arena, looking at 15+ ENY and a massive hoard, and just logging out without fighting...It's just become stale and boring to me....
I think the BBS has also gone down hill since the change...O Club is the only thing half way interesting to read anymore, and 75% of the people in there are jerks! lmao....
AH...gotta love it :noid
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Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Thats the beauty of early war arena, no base porking hordes run amuck there.
I just logged into EW, Mindanao, amd switched to knights to even out the numbers. knit base 46 was flashing. I up a Hurri IIC and get vulched by KITE777. I try again -- same results. So I watched from the tower as about 5-6 bish make repeated vulches. When they left I upped, only 2 buildings were down in the town. No bombers inbound, nada. The same punk BS they do in all arenas. Then I noticed one knight fighting two bish and went to help him. He broke away, out of ammo and tried to make it to the field to land. Both pursued him blasting away just as he landed. They couldn't beat him so they vulched him on landing. :)
You aren't going to get it with our current subscriber population.
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the main reason there hasn't been any increases in customer base is the total utter lack of new stuff, and the much promised TOD etc.
I've been hearing this "2 weeks" bull for the last 3 year and its old.
through 2002-2004 AH changed a lot, improved a lot, and moved into AHII. this is why the customer base increased.
Now, we have a game that is the EXACT same as it was almost 2 years ago, with almost no updates, but little tweaks here or there, and one Massive mistake of splitting the MA because its "broke".
Whatever. the 3 MA's are now broken even worse.
If HTC isn't seeing a massive dive in player numbers then it must not be opening its eyes, during the morning, I've gone from seeing 60-80 playing, to less and 40 (spread between 3 as well).
Vets leaving.... well maybe they just getting tired of the game they've played for so long. I for one think its an achievement for them to have played so long. People move on, people change tastes, its just the way it goes.
One way i make this game different every month, is to do different things. Some weeks i will furball, some weeks i will bomb, some weeks i will GV, some weeks i will help try take bases.
However a few of these have become hard work.
furballing: With who exactly? the servers are empty.
bombing: whats the point now? furballers moaned so much back in 2004, that every conceivable target is now harden, or disabled from porking. Now bombers can only suicide bomb GV's, and people complain about that.
GV: no problem here, except it was never AH's strong point, leave this to WWIIOL.
take bases: well, again, same as furballing. With who and against who? And even if i did try to take a base, the furballers will moan that its not AH. AH is not warbirds. AH is AH.
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Originally posted by Overlag
If HTC isn't seeing a massive dive in player numbers then it must not be opening its eyes, during the morning, I've gone from seeing 60-80 playing, to less and 40 (spread between 3 as well).
Unless those people are actually cancelling subscriptions, then the numbers flying should mean very little to the "business" side of HTC. That is, if I enjoy myself less, and therefore play 40 hrs per month instead of 80, but continue to subscribe, this is actually a good thing for HTC as fewer resources are consumed, yet the income stays the same.
So there is your basic quandry. Has your enjoyment dropped so low that you will actually quit? If not, then you might as well accept the current situation and make the best of it, because nothing short of a substantial number of account cancellations will make it go back (and even then it might not).
I would assume HTC is betting that despite the unhappiness out there, most will continue to subscribe, even if they play less.
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Originally posted by E25280
Unless those people are actually cancelling subscriptions, then the numbers flying should mean very little to the "business" side of HTC. That is, if I enjoy myself less, and therefore play 40 hrs per month instead of 80, but continue to subscribe, this is actually a good thing for HTC as fewer resources are consumed, yet the income stays the same.
So there is your basic quandry. Has your enjoyment dropped so low that you will actually quit? If not, then you might as well accept the current situation and make the best of it, because nothing short of a substantial number of account cancellations will make it go back (and even then it might not).
I would assume HTC is betting that despite the unhappiness out there, most will continue to subscribe, even if they play less.
Very good point. One thing I think is that we need to simply wish, and STOP INSULTING HTC!!! Out of the goodness of his heart, and thee deepness of his wallet he has given us this GREAT game. If he has made any changes, he has his reasons. Ask nicely, and wish, and leave it at that. Lets not get demanding, please people. And this is still a very new change! 3 arenas are like marajuana. They are a gateway to either great things, or the devil's work depending on your point of view.
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One thing a lot of folks really don't understand about HT is that it isn't just about the money. It is also about HIS vision of what the game should be. He has consistantly stated for years that he did not want to split the community with multiple arenas. Welp, the way the community has gone in the last few years, he changed his mind. Heck give the guy credit for seeing that something was out of wack and trying to do something about it.
For me, yes...sometimes the availability of opponents is not as great as it once was. However, the fights that I find are so much more satisfying than those from the last couple of years. Personally, I won't miss the days of the "Great Hordes". While it may be "realistic" tactics....it makes for very lame gameplay.
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Originally posted by NoBaddy
One thing a lot of folks really don't understand about HT is that it isn't just about the money. It is also about HIS vision of what the game should be. He has consistantly stated for years that he did not want to split the community with multiple arenas. Welp, the way the community has gone in the last few years, he changed his mind. Heck give the guy credit for seeing that something was out of wack and trying to do something about it.
For me, yes...sometimes the availability of opponents is not as great as it once was. However, the fights that I find are so much more satisfying than those from the last couple of years. Personally, I won't miss the days of the "Great Hordes". While it may be "realistic" tactics....it makes for very lame gameplay.
Hit the nail RIGHT on the head.
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Originally posted by E25280
Unless those people are actually cancelling subscriptions, then the numbers flying should mean very little to the "business" side of HTC. That is, if I enjoy myself less, and therefore play 40 hrs per month instead of 80, but continue to subscribe, this is actually a good thing for HTC as fewer resources are consumed, yet the income stays the same.
So there is your basic quandry. Has your enjoyment dropped so low that you will actually quit? If not, then you might as well accept the current situation and make the best of it, because nothing short of a substantial number of account cancellations will make it go back (and even then it might not).
I would assume HTC is betting that despite the unhappiness out there, most will continue to subscribe, even if they play less.
Exactly, he's lucky there isn't really any real competition out there.
If there was..........
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Thing is I didnt always go to where the horde was and still had alot of fun. There were enough people to let me seek them out for smaller fights. Now there seems to be JUST a horde where the players congregate, and there arent enough leftovers to find those small fights. The best arena is LW1...its fine..its just needs a higher limit.