Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Old Sport on June 09, 2011, 11:35:59 PM

Title: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Old Sport on June 09, 2011, 11:35:59 PM: A few threads are currently discussing how to retain new visitors to AH...

I suggest opening one very limited, free visitors arena to let the inquisitive public get a better taste of AH. Others have mentioned that two weeks is not a lot of time to make a decision about a subscription, or about shelling out cash for a better PC and sim gear.

The arena could be based on the following specs:

Only two sides to the arena.

Only two iconic aircraft available from around the Mid War era, e.g. Spit 5 on one side, and 109 F on the other side (or whatever matches up pretty well).

The arena only supports air to air combat, no land grabbing.

No perks awarded, but name in lights would appear.

No stop in the hangar, just an automatic spawn with max load fuel and ammo (perhaps even an air spawn).

No bombs, rockets or DTs.

General functions like clipboard and com could still be available.

This arena would be perpetual free advertising without giving away the store.

Free arena players who do not subscribe cannot access any other AH activities.

Best.

[EDIT: Now that I think about it, might as well put two tanks in the arena as well, with the same kind of limitations.]
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: MachFly on June 09, 2011, 11:42:37 PM: If two weeks are not enough than perhaps HTC should extend it to a month but putting all those limitations would turn people away.

So why do you think two weeks are not enough? It was more than enough for me.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Old Sport on June 10, 2011, 12:14:15 AM: Currently the strategy with two weeks free is:

Unlimited access - limited time

I'm suggesting that in addition to two free weeks there be:

Limited access - unlimited time

Not all people are alike Mach. Some may find the two week restriction a bit daunting, if they have other committments in life that allow precious little free time. This would allow those people the opportunity to try out the main aspects of the game over a longer time. It boils down to whether or not hosting such an arena is likely to produce a suitable return. Maybe it won't. But it might be worth considering.

Best.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: MachFly on June 10, 2011, 12:16:36 AM: Quote from: Old Sport on June 10, 2011, 12:14:15 AM
Currently the strategy with two weeks free is:

Unlimited access - limited time

I'm suggesting that in addition to two free weeks there be:

Limited access - unlimited time

Not all people are alike Mach. Some may find the two week restriction a bit daunting, if they have other committments in life that allow precious little free time. This would allow those people the opportunity to try out the main aspects of the game over a longer time. It boils down to whether or not hosting such an arena is likely to produce a suitable return. Maybe it won't. But it might be worth considering.

Best.

I see, perhaps instead of the who weeks give people a certain amount of hours?
Or have them choose what they want, two weeks of unlimited time of 12 (random number) hours of AH that does not expire.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Bruv119 on June 10, 2011, 12:17:58 AM: Maybe put an hour cap on the freeloaders that would end up inhabiting such an arena.

Or make them buy chunks of hours for $5 or something.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: jimson on June 10, 2011, 01:59:27 AM: Not a terrible idea, give em bologna and dangle filet minion in front of them. Maybe Spitfires for both sides to prepare them for what they will see in game.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: muzik on June 10, 2011, 02:16:41 AM: The issue of free stuff has been suggested before. While your idea is a decent one, the problem I see with it is that they dont see enough of what they are missing out on.

I personally liked the suggestion of making the WW1 arena free because of it's horribly low numbers even though i have no interest in that arena. And possibly some variation of that idea with the early and mid war arenas.

Also letting free users have unlimited access to shore batteries, field guns, and resupply vehicles in the MA would be wise.

Now just an FYI, this thread goes in the wish list. Please put them there, your throwing my general discussion groove off!
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Rob52240 on June 10, 2011, 02:20:13 AM: I just had a thought:

Maybe the trial period should be measured in hours spent in the online areas.
Real flight time is measured in hours spent in the cockpit, maybe Aces High should look at it the same way.

I was also thinking that maybe HTC could include some of the community's actual military pilots could give their testimonials while promoting the game.

One more thing, I think adding the M-18 would also bring more players to the game as well as retain current players.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: BowHTR on June 10, 2011, 05:17:38 AM: Quote from: Rob52240 on June 10, 2011, 02:20:13 AM
I just had a thought:

Maybe the trial period should be measured in hours spent in the online areas.
Real flight time is measured in hours spent in the cockpit, maybe Aces High should look at it the same way.

I was also thinking that maybe HTC could include some of the community's actual military pilots could give their testimonials while promoting the game.

One more thing, I think adding the M-18 would also bring more players to the game as well as retain current players.

you've been hanging out with BAR too much but +1
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Plawranc on June 10, 2011, 05:32:37 AM: Quote from: jimson on June 10, 2011, 01:59:27 AM
Not a terrible idea, give em bologna and dangle filet minion in front of them. Maybe Spitfires for both sides to prepare them for what they will see in game.

Now Now luftweenie, don't get your knickers in a twist :devil

+1 for free targe... I mean new players.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: flatiron1 on June 10, 2011, 07:09:37 AM: how about some type of basic training component being available. Such as how to set up vox, stick, takeoff etc.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: gyrene81 on June 10, 2011, 08:18:38 AM: Quote from: flatiron1 on June 10, 2011, 07:09:37 AM
how about some type of basic training component being available. Such as how to set up vox, stick, takeoff etc.
you're talking about interactive tutorial...not a bad idea but, it would have to be an offline option. something that could be done much easier is tutorial videos posted somewhere and linked on the ah website with a reference line at the top of the motd in all arenas...perhaps a message in the text box when a player enters an arena.

maybe have the trainers or htc staff create the tutorial videos...one tutorial could be a composite of player submitted clips showing what sticks they use and how they have them setup.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: edge12674 on June 10, 2011, 08:24:43 AM: Quote from: flatiron1 on June 10, 2011, 07:09:37 AM
how about some type of basic training component being available. Such as how to set up vox, stick, takeoff etc.

Good point. The biggest turnoff is the steep learning curve combined with noobs getting their butt handed to them as soon as they roll. Some offline training missions would help as well as drones that do more than just fly in circles. If you can teach a noob some basic SA and ACM then they just might stay on long enough to get hooked on the sim.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: ImADot on June 10, 2011, 09:05:48 AM: I spent a few weeks offline learning WWII flying instead of modern jets (falcon 4.0). When I went online, I was hooked the first day...after landing 3 kills in a P-39.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: bangsbox on June 10, 2011, 11:45:49 AM: i needed more then two weeks to switch from fighter ace, it was 4 to be exact. this was many many moons ago about 8 or 10yrs...how i made a new email and used different computer lol but that trick only worked with a whole new PC i think reinstalling windows worked too lol.
i wouldnt mind letting the 2weeks getting 1 plane type for longer then 2 weeks say like p-38g/ m8/ pt boat. and manned ack for a bit longer.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: ImADot on June 10, 2011, 11:53:57 AM: I think HTC's idea for full access to all planes and arenas is a good one; let the prospective new customer play with all the toys in the sandbox. I'd even suggest giving them 50 perks in each category so they can try the perk items too.

But I like the suggestion of having the trial period be "online time" instead of real-world calendar time. Give them 60 "in-game" hours to play with. If it takes them two weeks or two months, then so be it; not everyone has 4 hours every day to play a game.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: TeeArr on June 10, 2011, 12:10:54 PM: For those of us who are old enough to remember, AcesHigh used to be available for free in an 8 Player arena, 4 on a side. It was free, and it was online. You had all the vehicles and planes that the Subscription had and many different maps to choose from.
It was stopped by HiTech after repeatedly being hacked and the hackers then using those cheats they created in the MA. The Hackers had hours of free time to develop and test their cheats.
I don't think HiTech will, nor wants to go through that again.
That's just my 2 cents.
TeeArr
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: oboe on June 10, 2011, 12:12:16 PM: Quote from: ImADot on June 10, 2011, 09:05:48 AM
I spent a few weeks offline learning WWII flying instead of modern jets (falcon 4.0). When I went online, I was hooked the first day...after landing 3 kills in a P-39.

Now that's a noob with class! :rock

Actually I think holding something back from the potential subscribers is a better idea. Might be harder to implement coding-wise, but psychologically I think you want to hold something back that potential subscribers need to subscribe and pay for to get.

Maybe its that two weekers can't earn perks; something simple like that. (But then I'd be for lightly perking the top aircraft across the board - e.g. you want a P-51, fine - fly the 'B'. But you gotta pay up and earn a perk point to get in the 'D' - same for Spits, FWs, 109s, etc.)

That would really be a incentive to get them to subscribe.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: grizz441 on June 10, 2011, 12:25:17 PM: What's wrong with giving 1 month free instead of 2 weeks? Probably takes at the very least two weeks to figure out what is going on anyways. I also like the idea of making the WW1 arena free.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: ImADot on June 10, 2011, 12:48:47 PM: Quote from: TeeArr on June 10, 2011, 12:10:54 PM
For those of us who are old enough to remember, AcesHigh used to be available for free in an 8 Player arena, 4 on a side. It was free, and it was online. You had all the vehicles and planes that the Subscription had and many different maps to choose from.
It was stopped by HiTech after repeatedly being hacked and the hackers then using those cheats they created in the MA. The Hackers had hours of free time to develop and test their cheats.
I don't think HiTech will, nor wants to go through that again.
That's just my 2 cents.
TeeArr

:headscratch:
What does the old free H2H have to do with the subject?
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: SEseph on June 10, 2011, 12:52:01 PM: Quote from: grizz441 on June 10, 2011, 12:25:17 PM
What's wrong with giving 1 month free instead of 2 weeks? Probably takes at the very least two weeks to figure out what is going on anyways.
+1000
Quote
I also like the idea of making the WW1 arena free.
-1 not a fan of this idea
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: oboe on June 10, 2011, 02:38:22 PM: I edited my post with additional content but I think it might've been too far up the list for people to see.

As much as I appreciated having full access to all the planes when I was a two-weeker, I think you could create more desire in people to subscribe if you held some planes and vehicles back from them during their free period, and used teaser-type popups when they logged in. Imagine this MOTD for two-weekers:

(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd148/tjlaven/AH-Tower-intro.jpg)

Who's gonna say no to $14.95 for a bubble-top Pony, after being pounded on in the MA everytime they log in? It's mean, it's evil...but I think it'd work to increase subscription rates after the two weeks. In fact, I think people would click 'subscribe' before the two weeks is even finished.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Krusty on June 10, 2011, 03:52:58 PM: Limiting stuff is too much like the DLC crap that game consoles have been pulling for years. People hate it with a passion and it makes for crappy gameplay IMO. Has to be full access or nothing.

I would agree 1 month free trial. Hell in 2 weeks I barely had time to find a fight when I started! I also didn't realize it started the second I chose a name, even if I didn't enter the server right away and lost some of my time :D
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: oboe on June 10, 2011, 04:25:31 PM: What's DLC? I don't do consoles, except I was hooked on the early Madden playstation games.

Have to say I do like the way HTC does it now - you get full access to everything and can make a fair evaluation. After the free period expires, you choose to subscribe or not. Simple and straightforward.

Human nature being what it is though, I suspect you could get more people to subscribe and start paying by withholding a few desirable rides during the free trial. I do think the percentage of two-weekers who convert to subscribers would increase - people would tend to blame their lack of success on not having access to one of the monster planes. But I also think the number of subscribers who cancel after the first month would probably go up, when these players learn the desirable planes aren't helping their flying any.

I like the way the mini screenshot looks in the MOTD flip-out though. You could use a feature like that to introduce players to the different aircraft and briefly point out their in-game strengths and weaknesses.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Krusty on June 10, 2011, 04:41:57 PM: DLC = DownLoadable Content, usually associated with fees.

MW2 map release for $15 more. Can't play those maps unless you pay. BFBC2 extra skins and weapons and "achievements" (already in the game but *gasp* now you can play as character so and so!) available for $15. Halo3, play as Master Cheif, $10 preorder!

Stupid stuff like that. Sadly, even Valve is going this route, it seems. They've gone so far as to allow game-play-changing things in the game "store" -- stupid lousy gits! They ruined a good game, basically!

:furious :furious :furious

I hope AH never goes that way. Ever. :pray

EDIT: In short, DLC = paid unlocks.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: oboe on June 10, 2011, 04:46:10 PM: Ah, but they do it because it works, no?
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: lyric1 on June 10, 2011, 04:51:22 PM: Quote from: muzik on June 10, 2011, 02:16:41 AM
The issue of free stuff has been suggested before. While your idea is a decent one, the problem I see with it is that they dont see enough of what they are missing out on.

I personally liked the suggestion of making the WW1 arena free because of it's horribly low numbers even though i have no interest in that arena. Yes. :aok And possibly some variation of that idea with the early and mid war arenas. Not sure. :headscratch:

Also letting free users have unlimited access to shore batteries,NO. :old: field guns,NO. :old: and resupply vehicles in the MA would be wise.Yes. :aok

Now just an FYI, this thread goes in the wish list. Please put them there, your throwing my general discussion groove off!
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Babalonian on June 10, 2011, 04:54:39 PM: I really like the idea of the WWI arena, as it is, to be made free as an incentive for lureing in subscribers.

I also think upping the 2-week free trial to a month is a good idea. This game has a huge learning curve, and it also caters to a crowd that may not have the free time needed to devote to learn the game within two weeks of available play time.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: falcon23 on June 10, 2011, 05:31:13 PM: How about one month free..BUT whenever one is in the TA ONLY,it does NOT count torwards the month trial..AND,and this just came to me..The D.A. costs 1/2 of time torwards the month..that may be a bbit much..

but the TA no time cost torwards the month free, I think, would go along way to getting someone half way decent and wanting to stick around..They get killed in the MA's and hey go train in the TA get better,then go fly around the MA's.We all know time goes very fast in this game.

And maybe the hourly set time,instead of a flat month,would better utilize this scheme..
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: lyric1 on June 10, 2011, 05:32:23 PM: Quote from: Babalonian on June 10, 2011, 04:54:39 PM
I really like the idea of the WWI arena, as it is, to be made free as an incentive for lureing in subscribers.

I also think upping the 2-week free trial to a month is a good idea. This game has a huge learning curve, and it also caters to a crowd that may not have the free time needed to devote to learn the game within two weeks of available play time.
:aok WW1 a gate way drug so to speak :)
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Babalonian on June 10, 2011, 05:44:46 PM: Quote from: lyric1 on June 10, 2011, 05:32:23 PM
:aok WW1 a gate way drug so to speak :)

Yeah, or something. As it is the WWI arena sees minimal to no use, but it's overal pretty great, I don't see how it wouldn't hurt to use it as a marketing tool.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: passssao on June 11, 2011, 01:20:46 AM: Return of h2h?
It was a good way to hook players and also a very good method of trainning
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: Traveler on June 11, 2011, 02:07:59 PM: Quote from: Old Sport on June 10, 2011, 12:14:15 AM
Currently the strategy with two weeks free is:

Unlimited access - limited time

I'm suggesting that in addition to two free weeks there be:

Limited access - unlimited time

Not all people are alike Mach. Some may find the two week restriction a bit daunting, if they have other committments in life that allow precious little free time. This would allow those people the opportunity to try out the main aspects of the game over a longer time. It boils down to whether or not hosting such an arena is likely to produce a suitable return. Maybe it won't. But it might be worth considering.

Best.

Maybe HTC already considered this and many other approaches to the trial period and the current configuration is what HTC felt worked best? I don’t think a limited arena with air spawns or other such things would be good for new customer retention. What HTC offers now is a game trial period. The potential customer gets exposure to the actual game with all it has to offer both good and bad. This allows the customer to make an informed choice.

Despite what our government would like us to believe, the US economy is in very poor shape and may collapse. People don’t have that extra fifteen bucks and if the do some can’t afford the internet connection. That might well be the true cause of customer fall off.
Title: Re: Alternative Sales Hook Idea for AH
Post by: muzik on June 12, 2011, 03:44:32 AM: Quote from: oboe on June 10, 2011, 02:38:22 PM
As much as I appreciated having full access to all the planes when I was a two-weeker, I think you could create more desire in people to subscribe if you held some planes and vehicles back from them during their free period, and used teaser-type popups when they logged in. Imagine this MOTD for two-weekers:

(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd148/tjlaven/AH-Tower-intro.jpg)

Who's gonna say no to $14.95 for a bubble-top Pony, after being pounded on in the MA everytime they log in? It's mean, it's evil...but I think it'd work to increase subscription rates after the two weeks. In fact, I think people would click 'subscribe' before the two weeks is even finished.

very nice idea.

As for increasing the two weeks. I think that is about as good an idea as the two weeks was to begin with. I remember thinking the first time I came to AH, that it should have been free number of hours. Just like it's been said already, not everyone can find a lot of available time within two weeks. They are fishing for customers, trying to set the hook too soon.