Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: seano on November 01, 2011, 02:56:43 AM
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you guys better get it together. the main arena should not be this dead at this time of night. reminds me of air warrior.
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Seano,
Known you for a number of years. It has always been pleasant no matter whether combatants of wingmen. :salute
It is hard to describe in terms that anyone who doesn't have the schedule that we do, can understand.
This is a list of things that can attribute to the lack luster game play at times.
Large maps with smaller participants, scatters an already depleted force.
Player based criticism of players not country loyal.
Win the war objectives that are not shared by an overwhelming majority.
Only the individuals who pay for the privileges to play have control over their actions.
CONCLUSION:
Dusting off a new shiny toy here and there, will keep some interested for a short time.
Until a new "version" of Main Arena play evolves, the popularity will continue to slide.
Given the addition of the custom arenas, I would maintain my subscription even if the only action during Euro time came from these player based servers.
Other than the friendships that I have developed over the years, I find too often others don't behave the way I wish they would.
The dynamic with large maps, no clear leaders and 3 countries is too complicated for the average player to conform to a set of pre conceived ideas about winning. Thus a third country will continue to fight another country to the demise of its own chances of winning. Maybe their definition of winning is being superior to the force they chose to fight, and not being superior in tactics. Basically, some folks are purely interested in their scores, k/d ratios, possibly ability to fly with an advantage, and not interested in the least what happens to the war.
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Chili - I think it's simply a matter of timing for Seano. :noid
3:40am CST... the only ones on now are the late west coasters and the pacific: aussies, kiwis and japanese. :joystick:
Everyone else is in bed. :old:
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Two years ago twice as more people were playing the game in this time zone. It's pretty obvious that the game is dieing slowly and in next two years will become quite a miserable place ... This is not because now-days people are not interested in WWII combat flying games. Many people like to play Il-2 but do not have intention to play AH. In 10+ years of development AH gameplay (which was built around Main Arena) was not improved enough to keep customer base growing. HTC did not give motivations for people to fly early war planes in MA and as a result was not motivated to model these planes. The pricing plan which was probably good 10 years ago is not flexible today and makes situation even worse. Many online games now-days give the opportunity to play online with basic features for free or for a single payment like a boxed games and if the customers want more they can purchase advanced features by additional payments.
This could be implemented in AH with early war planeset as basic setup - and mid/ later war - as advanced. This could save the situation and bring the numbers back. It must be done ASAP or it will be too late. It is not a secret that IL-2 is going to become a mass multiplayer game in quite a nearest future and if they introduce such setup I can not see the way for AH to survive.
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Two years ago twice as more people were playing the game in this time zone. It's pretty obvious that the game is dieing slowly and in next two years will become quite a miserable place ... This is not because now-days people are not interested in WWII combat flying games. Many people like to play Il-2 but do not have intention to play AH. In 10+ years of development AH gameplay (which was built around Main Arena) was not improved enough to keep customer base growing. HTC did not give motivations for people to fly early war planes in MA and as a result was not motivated to model these planes. The pricing plan which was probably good 10 years ago is not flexible today and makes situation even worse. Many online games now-days give the opportunity to play online with basic features for free or for a single payment like a boxed games and if the customers want more they can purchase advanced features by additional payments.
This could be implemented in AH with early war planeset as basic setup - and mid/ later war - as advanced. This could save the situation and bring the numbers back. It must be done ASAP or it will be too late. It is not a secret that IL-2 is going to become a mass multiplayer game in quite a nearest future and if they introduce such setup I can not see the way for AH to survive.
oh look, another flight sim marketing expert. i have no idea how htc has gotten by for so long without such expertise.
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oh look, another flight sim marketing expert. i have no idea how htc has gotten by for so long without such expertise.
I echo the same sentiment. The "the sky is falling" crowd just may want to sit back and relax and enjoy the game and let HTC worry about marketing and expansion. Perhaps AH is right where they want it, perhaps not. I know I wouldn't want all that many more players under some of the current situations.
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I don't know about others, but my loyalties are with AH2, and unless a great deal of my friends went someplace else, I wouldn't have any interest in any of HTC's competitors as a replacement. I think that Seano's writing on the wall was only meant as a catalyst to promote conversation about whatever a "together act" should be.
I don't have statistics on any other gaming platform so I have nothing to compare it to for early morning and other hemisphere time zones. What I do believe to be true is that the numbers have seemed to hit the lows more so, when the map, group or players, or the moon is out of alignment. A night or two later the numbers are back and even more robust than before.
My point is that some set of experiences are more gratifying than others. Flying around with squad mates, and chewing the fat seems to go a long way. This time of day squad mates are few and far in between. Add to that the few players that do not cooperate with each other and grief their own wingmen and countrymen, and it is better to log off and come here and say something is not clicking with the game play anymore.
I have tried to insert my views on what is or isn't fun online, and often it gets ugly. "It" being my conversations with those that are not wanting to hear any debate about how their game play effects others.
The perfect example at the moment seems to be the large squads that work together to win. They do what the game is designed for them to do. For the rest it is hit or miss with getting a group interested in the game designed for them. It all goes back to the statement that the war was meant to be a back drop to bring air combat to the game. In fact, it brings less and less air combat, unless there is a fleet parked outside of an enemy field. Then you will see some air combat, until the lanc-stukas arrive.
The bottom line is don't look for any big bump in new subscriptions, until the player base is ready to be more welcoming and not just for cannon fodder. :noid
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Two years ago twice as more people were playing the game in this time zone. It's pretty obvious that the game is dieing slowly and in next two years will become quite a miserable place ... This is not because now-days people are not interested in WWII combat flying games. Many people like to play Il-2 but do not have intention to play AH. In 10+ years of development AH gameplay (which was built around Main Arena) was not improved enough to keep customer base growing. HTC did not give motivations for people to fly early war planes in MA and as a result was not motivated to model these planes. The pricing plan which was probably good 10 years ago is not flexible today and makes situation even worse. Many online games now-days give the opportunity to play online with basic features for free or for a single payment like a boxed games and if the customers want more they can purchase advanced features by additional payments.
This could be implemented in AH with early war planeset as basic setup - and mid/ later war - as advanced. This could save the situation and bring the numbers back. It must be done ASAP or it will be too late. It is not a secret that IL-2 is going to become a mass multiplayer game in quite a nearest future and if they introduce such setup I can not see the way for AH to survive.
lol How is your flight sim coming along. Your post is full of holes.
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The maps are too big for late night. Small maps promote fights...well atleast some human contact. And Big maps promote sneaking and milking.
Also I think the game is just uninteresting at times. If they had some kind of strat/HQ capture objectives or something. Last night 3am, was flying over city and factories and thought to myself "what a waste of space". All those roads and buildings to hide around would make for some fun fights! But it just sits there :frown: I miss the ack trains. I'd like to see those back and in some of the towns.
I'd like to see varied rebuild times on supplies and buildings, all dependant on factory status.
I liked the ability to pork fuel at a base to 25% too. I liked muli scattered factories instead of 1 glob seventeen sectors away.....sheep! i liked the sheep
Build it and they will come :old:
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lol How is your flight sim coming along. Your post is full of holes.
But that means it IS holey, which means it's religous and religion is based on faith. There for... You have to have faith that it's right! :angel:
I sure can't wait for his uber new sim to the shelves. Should be freaking awesome. :rock
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The game is 90% great - and all credit to HTC. As a lifelong aircraft and military history enthusiast, I could not be happier to find properly modeled historical planes. I'm in this largely for the planes, so I'm happy.
The gameplay, on the other hand, could be improved. It is asinine to say "I can't wait to see his uber sim...", as though his opinion doesn't count and AH2 is beyond criticism. I'm sure that HTC can take constructive criticism. Any business must engage in constant analysis of its product(s) - if it wants to stay in business.
Many players are really focused on gaming and scores. If HTC is to maintain its position relative to current and future combat sims/games, then the gameplay should be a focus. Clearly, there should be a link between the state of your country/supplies and the quantity of aircraft that might be available at a certain field. Do you realize that causing players to up from more distant bases would result in more high alt battles and strategic movement of aircraft? What about supply ships? Couldn't they be introduced relatively easily? I could sit here and think of a hundred ways to improve the gameplay. If the possible improvements are that obvious to me, then they must be very frustrating to the many pure gamers that inhabit AH2.
I'm going to end by (once again) thanking HTC for creating a marvellous product. Hopefully, the constructive criticism is well taken.
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grundle, unfortunately any time someone mentions il2, it's the eye candy they are looking at, nothing more.
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Clearly, there should be a link between the state of your country/supplies and the quantity of aircraft that might be available at a certain field. Do you realize that causing players to up from more distant bases would result in more high alt battles and strategic movement of aircraft?
Yes, I do. However, while giving players incentive to lift from remote bases is fine, doing so by removing the ability to get in the fight quickly and with relative ease won't exactly help AH's overall appeal. Many players are casual ones, having just a limited amount of time to have fun each time they log on. So introducing additional restrictions is always a very tenuous thing.
And there are quite many players who do actually frown upon high alt combat ;)
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Hats off to Hitech, fantastic game! I have played for a fair number of years as have most of the die hard players, who by and large are aviation and history buffs. AH is not an arcade game by any means and never will be, that is what has and will keep it going. Prophets of doom who think the game structure and gameplay are stale and not attractive to new players ought to switch to xbox or ps3 and let us have our fun. That said, I recall a couple times a year that I have seen AH commercials over the years and around those times their have always been an influx of new players. Some of them are looking for a shoot em up eye candy arcade style game and dont stay around long, but we always get those who share the fascination with history and ww2 like most of us. Advertising on History channel or the Military channel would net us the players I think Hitech has geared itself to. Now, some people might not like what I say next but oh well Ill say it anyway. If someone is bored or thinks the action is lacking at times Maybe they ought to try something in the game other than a pick/run aproach in a pony with a gazillion hours of fuel in it used to avoid anything close to the "fight" they claim to want. ( running from anything within 5k that has similar alt/e and threatens your grazing area isnt my personal idea of "combat" ) Try doing something without needing to hold all the advantages to commit. Im not pointing fingers but if running away from anything thats not an easy pick is the focus of your play your the root cause of the "old and boring, stale and so on" story the nay sayers prattle on about. Again, this is not directed at any specific players and is just my opinion on an old rehashed portion of the gameplay. I would be happy if they perked everything under 25 eny even if it was only a point for the higher eny planes and only like 3 perks for a 5 eny plane. Again, well done Hitech and keep up the good work.
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The maps are too big for late night. Small maps promote fights...well atleast some human contact. And Big maps promote sneaking and milking.
It's more likely that many players don't WANT to fight. A big map just makes it easier for them to avoid it. They'll still do it on a small map, they just can't run too far to hide.
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This game has many, many strengths. The training resources, the gobs full of vehicles and planes, the comms are 1st rate, the controller support, the fine conditions for improving skill sets, the team play opportunities, the historical recreations.
But without better graphics and damage engines, new and better maps, and more dynamic gameplay rules, its going to end uo like Battleground Europe. Already AH has 1/2 the players it used to. Sadly I think the entire WW2 flight genre is suffering from the new wiz bang games, BF3/COD/IL2...ect, that are far behind a game like AH in many ways except for the graphics and damage models.
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Already AH has 1/2 the players it used to. .
I wonder where you got this number from?
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I still believe that capturing the two week trial players is key. IMO The lobby needs a window on the tower at A1 in the training arena along with a button to direct them there so the new player is nudged into learning how to get off the ground.
And yes, I hear lots of comments about the dated eye candy, strat system and capture setup.
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I dont think this business has ever been about keeping customers. Most People just burn out after a hardcore year and half to two years. Where HTC has always been successful is in bringing fresh blood in on a pretty constant basis, replacing the old burned out and stale accounts with new ones.
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I wonder where you got this number from?
I remember some very high MA ranks of well over 5,000, several years back.
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I remember some very high MA ranks of well over 5,000, several years back.
Oh. there is no doubt the player numbers went down, but I was just wondering about the relatively precise and huge number of "50% less" which doesn't exactly match my tediously collected data. So I just wanted to know the source for that claim to compare it with my numbers and to correct them, if necessary :)
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The maps are too big for late night. Small maps promote fights...well atleast some human contact. And Big maps promote sneaking and milking.
Also I think the game is just uninteresting at times. If they had some kind of strat/HQ capture objectives or something. Last night 3am, was flying over city and factories and thought to myself "what a waste of space". All those roads and buildings to hide around would make for some fun fights! But it just sits there :frown: I miss the ack trains. I'd like to see those back and in some of the towns.
I'd like to see varied rebuild times on supplies and buildings, all dependant on factory status.
I liked the ability to pork fuel at a base to 25% too. I liked muli scattered factories instead of 1 glob seventeen sectors away.....sheep! i liked the sheep
Build it and they will come :old:
:aok I would like 1 day/week the MA arena split in 2 teams axis vs alies : chasing Spits in P51 is getting old.
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:aok I would like 1 day/week the MA arena split in 2 teams axis vs alies : chasing Spits in P51 is getting old.
AvA is open 7 days/week :P
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I think a good indication of the situation is to check the fighter/etc ranks for the past consecutive TODs. During the decline of HT's previous games (after IEN took over) it was quite common for the same people to be on top. It is usually a conclusive sign of that there has been little new blood, or that the quality of the new players in attitude and personality has declined.
Putting aside the unavoidable issues of a game that is really old (in the reality of the games industry), it is amazing that it has done so well for so long.
I think the biggest threat to AH is the community itself. There seems be a growing sense of intolerance among alot players and HTC has become an unwilling victim in the mess. An intolerance to Trash talk, to insulting someone in a challenging manner, intolerance of the younger players and a general festering judge-mental/control-freakish attitude that is growing among the older players that is toxifying the MA. The turning point in all this probably would of had to be when they changed channel 100 to 200 cut down perceived immaturity and allowed muting/reporting of other players on a whim, also as well; when they added the special salute channel (never understood that).
Basically its all about communication, and when an external body starts moderating people's ability to communicate, they stop moderating themselves and stop doing the things humans normally do (like practicing self-control). Instead of people being ostracised by groups and forcing to deal with their mistakes by social means, they simply become the victim of the functions of the system and deep down don't feel properly respected.
So, in giving people the power to *not* have to deal with others around them, HTC have actually started a downward spiral of social collapse in the community.
Want a fix?
- Make 100 default main channel again.
- Remove ability to mute/report.
- Only perform investigations into *EXTREME* cases of harassment, recommend people to log off/mentally ignore or tell others about bad apples.
Let the community start to assert itself again and it will grow, let the old control-freaks and the people with emotional problems feel powerless and have to deal with eachother again and things will get better.
People find each-other because of the game, but stay because of the people.
Peace out yo.
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The drop in numbers is directly related to the economic downturn. No busuness is exempt from some form of loss of business, especially a recreation based business. That is one of the first things people begin to cut when the money supply gets reduced. The numbers will increase when the economy improves. Overall I think the game is the best of its kind, and comparing to the xbox types is like apples/oranges. different markets and different engines. the xbox types are great for those unwilling or unable to learn the complexities of a large number of control options, just to learn to fly, let alone avoid somebody trying to shoot you down , just for starters.
XBOX = instant gratification
ACES HIGH = long term learning process and enjoyment
just my 2 cents
68valu
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First person shooters (the popular titles) have moved on past WWII and it's obvious. We need to do the same a little. Korean war era maybe add some graphics and use the WWI damage model. World of planes is on the horizon, not going to play out like world of tanks. We going to lose more to the guys who want the eye candy and pc's that can run it.? Computers can handle alot more these days. Yes might mean some people need to get rid of the old clunker yes I know not everyone can get that. No I won't buy you a new one, but it's a matter of need to keep ahead of the xbox kid. Not saying trash the WWII Main arena. <--- READ THAT ONCE MORE BEFORE CONTINUING. Just thinking out loud. It doesn't take a lusche graph to tell that the numbers have decreased since last year. I'm sure hitech has things like true numbers in a much more accurate graph anyway though.
We as a community could at least knock it off with things like the ALT+F4 jokes and maybe help the new guys along a little better instead of berating them every chance we get. Let them at least get used to us before we start kicking them around in here as well as in the game.
If you have been here for a long time playing and it annoys you that new ideas might put a chip on your shoulder please remember it is a game and no one owes you anything. You are simply one more person who pays to play a game like everyone else because the new guy doesn't know who you are and people like me can care less who you are, it's a game. The chest thumping of some of the grown ups in the game or in here (the bbs) makes my 11 year old seem more mature some times. When it comes to our two weekers knock off the BS with them. The playnet WWII online crowd treats their new guys great most of the time. There's nothing but help pouring out of most of the players with a big fat welcome! That sucks because i'd think we would be better since the community here likes to think of itself as tighter knit no? Where do some of you guys think their first stop was? Right here. Let's try and keep some of them around so we can at least get them to subscribe and shoot them down repeatedly the following month? I shall now go back to my corner and don my super secret flame proof suit. Flame on, and see you later if i'm not png'd. :salute
P.s. http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,322983.0.html <----- This was not a HO
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One good point to add about the all channel, no one can be certain that another player from another country can hear you (see your text). Yesterday morning I saw a new name when I shot that player down with very little resistance, I saluted the player and then sent a personal message to offer some assistance if they were new. The problem with all this channel 200 and personal text, how would a new person even know how to answer me? On top of the "must tune to 200" cross channel "club", we assume that the player is fluent in English.
Didn't get a reply..... nada
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Lots of good, relevant stuff in this thread that I wholeheartedly agree with
The gameplay, on the other hand, could be improved. It is asinine to say "I can't wait to see his uber sim...", as though his opinion doesn't count and AH2 is beyond criticism.
It is asinine, but sadly it's a pretty typical example of the weak minded bandwagonning and backslapping that we see so much of on these forums (especially in Midway threads :D ). Now, on to the constructive criticism stuff...
It's pretty obvious that the game is dieing slowly...AH gameplay (which was built around Main Arena) was not improved enough to keep customer base growing.
Small maps promote fights...well atleast some human contact. And Big maps promote sneaking and milking. ...I think the game is just uninteresting at times. If they had some kind of strat/HQ capture objectives or something. Last night 3am, was flying over city and factories and thought to myself "what a waste of space". All those roads and buildings to hide around would make for some fun fights! But it just sits there :frown: I miss the ack trains. I'd like to see those back and in some of the towns.
Build it and they will come
many players don't WANT to fight. A big map just makes it easier for them to avoid it.
The perfect example at the moment seems to be the large squads that work together to win. They do what the game is designed for them to do.
:aok Yes, unfortunately the way the game works promotes hordeing, running away, avoiding the opposition entirely to take undefended bases while they do they same to your undefended bases (!!!!) and spawn camping (in the case of GVs).
Don't blame the players for their lame behaviour (although I agree, it IS lame), the majority of people will always behave as badly as they can possibly get away with. The fault is with the game design that encourages and rewards these playstyles.
With all these excellently modelled planes and tanks in the game, it's a real shame that we (currently) don't have a more interesting, exciting playground to use them in.
without better graphics...new and better maps, and more dynamic gameplay rules, its going to end up like Battleground Europe. Already AH has 1/2 the players it used to.
I hear lots of comments about the dated eye candy, strat system and capture setup.
Indeed, I've only been playing for a relatively short amount of time and it's already a bit stale...and I imagine there are many other squads in the game that have a similar proportion of totally inactive members who are just plain bored with the game (not with flight sims, with AH), as we do
Flying around with squad mates, and chewing the fat seems to go a long way.
Absolutely agree, I am convinced I would not have enjoyed the game enough to subscribe if I hadn't been taken under the wing of a squad when I was completely green.
I think the biggest threat to AH is the community itself. There seems be a growing sense of intolerance among alot players...
The bottom line is don't look for any big bump in new subscriptions, until the player base is ready to be more welcoming and not just for cannon fodder. :noid
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I wonder where you got this number from?
Look at the K/Ds from the game at its height and look at them now. Not scientific but one gets the idea, and I doubt anyone from HiTec is going to give the official amount.
And I'll ask does anyone here really think there has not been a large reduction in both memberships AND flight time by those who have chosen to stay? And there are reasons to stay, plenty of them. Im not bashing here simply stating the obvious. Thats what struck me first when I came back after a year. The lack of numbers. That and it was tougher to find quality fights.
AH went above and beyond introducing new planes and vehicles but they need a huge graphics engine update, new maps, new gameplay rules.
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somebody forgets that lots of people who quit, quit because they lost their jobs. economy went to crap a few years back and still hasnt recovered. so for some people having money to play is still tough.
I mostly play at night and even when we had 2 arenas back in the day, there would be less than 100 after 12 am pst. normally would be one with about 20 and another with around 60. which is what we have now, except for the weekends when there's a couple of hundred people playing till morning. log in on Thursdays and it is normally dead as dead. but what do you really expect at 12 am or later pst.
semp
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somebody forgets that lots of people who quit, quit because they lost their jobs. economy went to crap a few years back and still hasnt recovered. so for some people having money to play is still tough.
pff come on seriously, $15 a month is next to nothing, I know there are some of you fat slobs who spend that much just for your lunch ;) We all saw those Dayton gathering pics of the last few years
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pff come on seriously, $15 a month is next to nothing, I know there are some of you fat slobs who spend that much just for your lunch ;) We all saw those Dayton gathering pics of the last few years
might as well be a billion dollars if you have nothing. dont forget those 15 bucks also need an internet connection which is another 30 bucks. plus they also need electricity which also adds another 20 or so bucks a month. plus you also need to maintain your puter which on the low end adds another 10 to 15 bucks a month. so those 15 bucks you say is nothing pretty much adds up to 50 or 60 a month. which is a lot of money for some.
semp
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(http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/images/smilies/boohoo.gif) my heart bleeds.
does this have anything to do with AH gameplay or do we really want to turn the thread into a whine about how hard life is in the 'economic downturn'??
McDonalds are always hiring afaik
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Look at the K/Ds from the game at its height and look at them now. Not scientific but one gets the idea
It's actually quite useful.
Total kills for a given arena, especially LW, tracked over time gives a very good indication of activity, played time (as K/H is remarkably stable over the years) and thus a good assessment on average number of players online. Of course you have to take into account the varying tour lengths, so it's better to calculate a moving average or to sum up the kills per quarter. All of which I have done for all main arenas 2001- to now, as well as determined the # of scoring (= at least one kill or one death) pilot id's per tour and (most of) their scores (and thus hours played - that's why I can comment on the k/h factor)).
Right now, we have roughly about 58%-67% of the activity (depending on which indicator you chose) in the LW MA compared to to 3-4 years ago - but the time around 2007 had been very exceptional for AH in the first place, and not the "standard".
And while I'm far from trying to argue monocausally, I find it interesting that the drop of numbers was very much matching the rise of US unemployment rates at the same time... :old:
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does this have anything to do with AH gameplay
Quite a lot. Significant less players do have an effect on gameplay ;)
pff come on seriously, $15 a month is next to nothing,
When money is getting tight, it's the "unnecessary" expenses that people are going to drop fist - and more often than not it's not the actual player alone who determines if AH is necessary or not :uhoh
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I miss the days when the old Main Arena had 700+ players. :(
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I miss the days when the old Main Arena had 700+ players. :(
I'm just glad I was there :rock :cry
For who now want to say "that was too bloody much for one arena!" - that number meant also that offpeak numbers also hardy ever dropped below 100 players online. ;)
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Quite a lot. Significant less players do have an effect on gameplay ;)
True, this is nothing that wasn't already mentioned by myself and others on pages 1 and 2 though... :headscratch:
When money is getting tight, it's the "unnecessary" expenses that people are going to drop fist - and more often than not it's not the actual player alone who determines if AH is necessary or not :uhoh
I agree, but we can probably keep the topic on the rails more easily if we don't get sidetracked bewailing the fate of those unfortunate individuals who can't afford a subscription right now...in order to discuss possibilities for improving the game for those of us who can!
I'll undertake not to take the piss out of people who can't afford $15 a month if others will agree not to use the low player numbers as an excuse for the bland gameplay in the Main Arenas ;)
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..in order to discuss possibilities for improving the game for those of us who can!
And for a small fee of just 15$/month I can present all the charts and tables which are absolutely needed for a constructive debate about the possibilities and the future of AH :old: :devil
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reading between the lines, has your Mrs forbidden your AH subscription? :neener: :D
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reading between the lines, has your Mrs forbidden your AH subscription? :neener: :D
LOL
Not yet... right now I still have my account (if not for playing I need it for a few more surveys), but it's future is very uncertain ;)
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somebody forgets that lots of people who quit, quit because they lost their jobs. economy went to crap a few years back and still hasnt recovered. so for some people having money to play is still tough.
I mostly play at night and even when we had 2 arenas back in the day, there would be less than 100 after 12 am pst. normally would be one with about 20 and another with around 60. which is what we have now, except for the weekends when there's a couple of hundred people playing till morning. log in on Thursdays and it is normally dead as dead. but what do you really expect at 12 am or later pst.
semp
Semp has a point about the economy and jobs. I used to play lots more and I've been here for years but those of us that are lucky enough to still have our jobs are covering for those whose jobs were eliminated. I am now doing the workload that three of us did a few years back. I think my combined play time for last tour was just over 12 hours and that is with AFK time when I was online. I used to average 4-5 times that.
All the Best...
Jay
awDoc1
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I second Doc's sentiment... I've even cancelled my sub due to income problems. Thankfully I have it back (for now). Our economy really is in the crapper. Don't believe the press that we've rebounded, our unemployment is still the highest since ... what was it? Since the Great Depression? (or was it a different one in the '80s?)
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:aok Yes, unfortunately the way the game works promotes hordeing, running away, avoiding the opposition entirely to take undefended bases while they do they same to your undefended bases (!!!!) and spawn camping (in the case of GVs).
I mean no disrespect, but with regard to promoting hording, how is it possible to design the game around not hording? The game ultimately boils down to two things: Blowing stuff up and shooting stuff down. What measures can be put in place to make a job that can be done with one plane harder to do with two, or five, or fifty?
Spawn camping is a bit different, I have seen a couple suggestions I think would work, but it would be a PITA to make maps that accounted for it.
Wiley.
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I mean no disrespect, but with regard to promoting hording, how is it possible to design the game around not hording?
I haven't given it much thought...but at the very least there should be some kind of game mechanic or facet of the design which would prohibit the hordes from just ignoring each other while they attack scantly defended bases...perhaps smaller maps to go with the newly diminished player base, with unavoidable action packed choke points! :)
In my opinion there isn't anything inherently wrong (in online gaming in general) with bands of lower skilled players banding together to acheive something for once, i,.e. hordeing or 'zerging', as long as you get some fun gameplay from it (i.e. killing 40+ man groups with 8 guys in the old fantasy mmo DAoC :aok )
In fact, two large groups of planes clashing sounds like a jolly good time to me. The problem is that there is nothing pushing players in this direction (the direction of action, competition and in my opinion, fun)...
It's too easy to just avoid combat or any kind of test of skill all together, and that to me speaks of poor game design - unless of course you are designing a game for the kind of people that play WoW pve and stuff like that...
...come to think of it a lot of the AH player base probably does fit into that kind of category (casual, non-competitive), just with added aviation enthusiasm...so perhaps the problem is that two different breeds of flight sim pilot are being forced into the same arena? Thoughts? :)
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I haven't given it much thought...but at the very least there should be some kind of game mechanic or facet of the design which would prohibit the hordes from just ignoring each other while they attack scantly defended bases...perhaps smaller maps to go with the newly diminished player base, with unavoidable action packed choke points! :)
We had one system tested that was actually trying for this. The base capture order, where only 1-2 bases per frontline could be captured at all.
Was the most horrific thing I have seen in my AH days, even surpassing the arena caps :noid
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Snailman don't be a Debbie Downer :D you have a wealth of AH experience to draw on, any thoughts on how you would tackle the stale gameplay? Do you think it would all be better again if we magically got double the current player base? Or do you think that the problems run deeper than that (i.e. game design promoting boring gameplay as I have opined)...?
or do you disagree that it's stale in the first place? ;o
:)
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or do you disagree that it's stale in the first place? ;o
:)
Lol, that's a tricky question, because it's a highly subjective matter. If you play for long enough, about any game will get stale. ;)
But I do think there is room for improvement, and a need to increase the appeal both for long time players (not as important tho) as well as new players (utmost important). But then this applies to every game on the market, all the time. :)
And for ideas.., yes I have plenty ideas all the time, but most of them simply would not work at all :lol
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Quite a lot. Significant less players do have an effect on gameplay ;)
When money is getting tight, it's the "unnecessary" expenses that people are going to drop fist - and more often than not it's not the actual player alone who determines if AH is necessary or not :uhoh
Yeah but at the same time, bad economy and all, new wiz bang titles are selling by the zillions at $50 to $60 a pop. The fact is $15 is a single trip to MacDonalds, and let me tell you somthing about Yanks. The last thing on our list for "cutting expenses" is cable TV and Internet. We will fry rats for dinner before doing so, unless that is the particular app has become boring and not worth the $$. Like Aces High has.
Dont get me wrong. Even tho I dont play this game anymore I dont want to see it fail. The WW-2 flight genre holds a place in my heart and for years I loved getting slaughtered in my bombers by guys like you and flying my beloved Yak-9. But the game has not changed with the times and it just became stale. I lost my overtime due to health issues and my wife lost her job however money is not the reason I left AH. And I truly wish the game well but one graphics upgrade in all these years just isnt going to cut it.
And frankly I find the Hitech crowd to be a little to much on the arrogant and elitest side. They take their customers for granted.
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The game should be captivating enough to get higher money priority. Good games are addictive by definition and people subscribe despite common sense.
for starters get rid of the large maps.
then get us new maps AT LEAST
and third introduce a new game play mechanism, something really new not just a larger town or another useless thing. The game needs rhythm, objectives, adrenaline rushes and teamplay!
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I haven't given it much thought...but at the very least there should be some kind of game mechanic or facet of the design which would prohibit the hordes from just ignoring each other while they attack scantly defended bases...perhaps smaller maps to go with the newly diminished player base, with unavoidable action packed choke points! :)
Easy to say, but as Lusche mentioned, one implementation of that kind of scenario failed spectacularly. I wasn't there for it, but from what I've read on the forums, blood flowed freely from the monitors of the players, brimstone fell from the skies... the oceans boiled... etc.
In my opinion there isn't anything inherently wrong (in online gaming in general) with bands of lower skilled players banding together to acheive something for once, i,.e. hordeing or 'zerging', as long as you get some fun gameplay from it (i.e. killing 40+ man groups with 8 guys in the old fantasy mmo DAoC :aok )
We're on the same page there. My game sessions pretty much revolve around defending a front somewhere.
In fact, two large groups of planes clashing sounds like a jolly good time to me. The problem is that there is nothing pushing players in this direction (the direction of action, competition and in my opinion, fun)...
That's the fight I am ideally looking for. Big red bardar vs big green bardar. I come in high and look for red guys doing the same thing. Fun for all.
It's too easy to just avoid combat or any kind of test of skill all together, and that to me speaks of poor game design - unless of course you are designing a game for the kind of people that play WoW pve and stuff like that...
...come to think of it a lot of the AH player base probably does fit into that kind of category (casual, non-competitive), just with added aviation enthusiasm...so perhaps the problem is that two different breeds of flight sim pilot are being forced into the same arena? Thoughts? :)
This is something I have believed for quite some time as well. A lot of people don't look at an online game as something to play for the challenge. Instead, they're looking for something to take the easiest path through to victory. They're basically applying PvE tactics to a PvP environment, and gameplay suffers for it.
One of my favorite things about this game is also what I think causes the main problems. There is no facility to 'balance' things. If the other side sets itself up right, you can wind up in a truly unwinnable situation through no fault of your own.
What I find fun is trying to find a way to prevail against whatever setup they have thrown at me. Large numbers inbound? Up from the next base over in something fast and work the edges of the crowd/go for the highest value targets, like bombers or goons.
The way I see it, the gameplay you get in a large, unrestricted open arena where people can basically do what they like is what we get every day in here. The path of least resistance is sought by the majority, and followed through on. The only 'goal' for goal oriented people to fasten onto is winning the war.
Unfortunately, the most effective way to do this is to roll undefended bases as quickly as possible. Anything people do other than that is only slowing your side down. If one of the other countries is doing the same thing, it is faster to let them take one of your bases and roll it undefended later, than it is to defend it. About the only time defense works to help your side is if relatively few of your people can actually stop a rolling horde cold. That doesn't happen very often.
I can't think of a system of gameplay that retains the open world concept that can get around this. In fact, I believe it is by its very nature what you get with unrestricted side-based combat.
What it seems to me would give a lot of people what they want is some kind of goal-based small arena setup almost like Counterstrike, where you've got a map, and 16 or 32 players on a side, and a time limited goal like capture the field, or defend the bombers through to bomb the airfield, or what have you. It would be a fair fight, people would be assigned sides to ensure numbers, and they'd have some kind of 'bite sized' fun.
If you look to the left, there are custom arenas available that could do just this. Nobody seems to want to set it up and run it. This kind of gameplay is... what's a good word... painful to me. I would rather play pattycake with a grizzly bear than fly in an arena with that much restriction.
People often believe a graphics update is what will fix the game. Graphics upgrades are swell and all, but if the core gameplay doesn't change, how does it extend the life of the game? Fighting in the main arena, you're still doing the same things regardless of how pretty the smoke looks.
It will also shut down a good portion of the client base who aren't running decent rigs. I agree with some of what Rich52 says in his post, but being able to afford internet is one thing. Being able to upgrade your PC to run a game with more modern graphics is another.
And frankly I find the Hitech crowd to be a little to much on the arrogant and elitest side. They take their customers for granted.
About the only criticism I would levy against them is they perhaps don't sugarcoat their disagreement with the playerbase. I personally find it quite refreshing when someone posts a bad idea and gets the response 'That is a bad idea.' Not every idea is valid, or practical. Another thing that quite often happens is, they get a wish for 'something to improve the game' that nobody can adequately define.
They make their choices, and live with them. If an example of a company that doesn't subscribe to that train of thought is desired, take a good look at SOE's MMO division. In particular, take a look at the history of Star Wars Galaxies. Bask in the horror of design by committee.
Wiley.
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you guys better get it together. the main arena should not be this dead at this time of night. reminds me of air warrior.
Ya........it sucks when greens aint around to kill ya at night. sorry bud....I will be back someday...... :confused: i hope..........
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And frankly I find the Hitech crowd to be a little to much on the arrogant and elitest side. They take their customers for granted.
+1 we look like fools when asking for improvements, but that feeling comes partly from the BBS old timers that feel free to lay judgment on anyone that don't agree with them without anyone hint of respect.
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+1 we look like fools when asking for improvements, but that feeling comes partly from the BBS old timers that feel free to lay judgment on anyone that don't agree with them without anyone hint of respect.
Respect? Your post does not show any respect.
As a business you need to know a little about the business side to have a true grasp.
Not all Ah customers are even on the BBS. There is way more to the business of AH than many even think.
I'm sure HiTech is not ignoring anyone. You may feel that way at times but you are not the only one in the game.
This game has ebbed and flowed for all the years I have been a member. It is the nature of the beast trying to keep so many folks entertained. I'm sure there is a lot of thought put in to every change, addition, or deletion. Someone doesn't just all of a sudden say, "hey let's do this".
If your truely at wits end or feel there is something missing that you have some ideas on, you can email HiTech with your concerns/ideas.
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for starters get rid of the large maps.
then get us new maps AT LEAST
and third introduce a new game play mechanism, something really new not just a larger town or another useless thing. The game needs rhythm, objectives, adrenaline rushes and teamplay!
I agree!
over the past years HTC did all its best to make " tolsheders" life harder; huge towns, 40% bases captured needed for reset,this AWACS radar catching even grasshoppers without NOE option, arena split,HQ and strats just useless without any effect on gameplay...... SO,tolsdeders like myself we have to convert to furballism or get lost........ . If a 2 weeker joines the game what's his goal in this gaming without tactic strategic teamplay? getting nailed for next 5 years until becomes a fighter ace ?
It's sad to see on this board and game kind of tacit encouragement in blaming and insulting large better organized SQDs, from MAWs,BOPS,LCA, Vguys..... for their style of playing. Oh, yes, if you are not a skilled fighter furballer you are a tolsheder dweeb.You know what this large organized sqds, the friendship and organizing raids made this game more fun and kept MA full over years.
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I dont think this business has ever been about keeping customers. Most People just burn out after a hardcore year and half to two years. Where HTC has always been successful is in bringing fresh blood in on a pretty constant basis, replacing the old burned out and stale accounts with new ones.
AH was much superior to other mass multiplayer games (WarBirds, Fighter Ace, Air Warrior). These three were like a flight schools for AH. They were bleeding and HTC was receiving a hardcore customers they could only dream about - nicely trained, ready for action. No wonder these people have become an excellent AH players and very loyal AH customers quite soon. But this is over. All the "flight schools" are closed now. The task to get a new player into the game is much harder - the newcomers are helpless - no ACM, no fighting/shooting skills. (Chilli and other people have mentioned it already). In this case after two weeks of a very hard time new people most likely will not accept pay to play offer. And that's how "People now are not interested in combat flight simulators" statement appeared. It is not true. People did not become any dumber (or smarter) in last 10 years.
As an example the boxed game (IL-2) provides the person with "flying school" based on offline game with single missions and campaigns - which can be started from very easy level and improved later on up to quite hardcore sim. If the player is bored with offline game he can go online and play on any of "small-server" free arenas. No need to subscribe - he is IN already. IL-2 developers had grown their community then started to release different boxed games which covered different war theaters effectively filling the planeset with quite amazing variety of war planes from 1939 up to 1946 and as a feedback got more and more customers interested in their game. It was a quite obvious that the next Il-2 development step would be towards mass-multiplayer which is based on quite steady ground (huge number of customers and a flight school behind.)
AH could also got a good flight school. The Combat Tour was in development for 6 or 8 years (correct me if I'am wrong) and within a few conception tweaks could become a good training base for newcomers. Unfortunately the production was halted. It is even more strange that HTC did not use a good features of CT that they have already built. For example HT made and an excellent AI code for drones and it could be used to create training arenas for new people who could play cooperative game against drones even after two weeks trial has expired. Drone Server could check the number of players and send an equal number of drones against them using different random choices of planes: fighters, bombers, attack planes, bombers with escort, etc. There could be tons of options and features even such funny little things like if the player shot down the drone, the drone PM him a message like "was nice HO, spit dweeb " or something like this :) and if the player can figure out how to PM back he can "talk" for a while with a chat bot getting used quickly to the Main Arena common language:)
There are lots of things the could be done but unfortunately were not done despite the game was in development for 10+ years. I believe the three main flaws now are:
1) No flight school, 2) Bad pricing plan 3) Pretty same (old school) gameplay with quite incomplete planeset.
The first two strike newcomers badly, the third one hits existing hardcore players.
As a results we now have a quite sad picture. So far it is for AUS time zone but give it two years...
(http://users.tpg.com.au/mpogosso/ah/ah-screenshot.gif)
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Seano, seen you around since AW. <S>
I couldn't sleep and was off work the night before last. All I did was bomb, bomb, bomb. Bombing is not my thing btw.
Still though I'm happy to see so many on in the evenings, yes even the large herds.
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The game should be captivating enough to get higher money priority. Good games are addictive by definition and people subscribe despite common sense.
for starters get rid of the large maps.
then get us new maps AT LEAST
and third introduce a new game play mechanism, something really new not just a larger town or another useless thing. The game needs rhythm, objectives, adrenaline rushes and teamplay!
:banana: Custom Arenas Y'all :banana: Pyro just introduced a new Terrain Editor..... This month is time for me to hop off the BBs and on the Custom Arena learning curve. So far so good, and must add this feature is just as addicting as the game itself has been. If you build it THEY will come..... :old:
AH was much superior to other mass multiplayer games (WarBirds, Fighter Ace, Air Warrior). These three were like a flight schools for AH. They were bleeding and HTC was receiving a hardcore customers they could only dream about - nicely trained, ready for action. No wonder these people have become an excellent AH players and very loyal AH customers quite soon. But this is over. All the "flight schools" are closed now. The task to get a new player into the game is much harder - the newcomers are helpless - no ACM, no fighting/shooting skills. (Chilli and other people have mentioned it already). In this case after two weeks of a very hard time new people most likely will not accept pay to play offer. And that's how "People now are not interested in combat flight simulators" statement appeared. It is not true. People did not become any dumber (or smarter) in last 10 years.
There is a very functional Training Arena, but newcomers jump right into the more populated arenas and probably learn bad habits. I know that all I did for the first 3 months or so was to go right at my opponent guns blazing.
A revamped perk system of rewards for newcomers, that has to be certified by an actual trainer before receiving their perks (wings), wouldn't make them fighter Aces, but at least they will know to hit "B" to drop a bomb and know how to scissor to avoid an attacker or reverse the attack. AH will definitely benefit from having better trained new subscribers. Even the choice of planes can benefit new subscribers. Every plane has a different learning curve, and some obvious choices could be encouraged to learn on.
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:banana: Custom Arenas Y'all :banana: Pyro just introduced a new Terrain Editor..... This month is time for me to hop off the BBs and on the Custom Arena learning curve. So far so good, and must add this feature is just as addicting as the game itself has been. If you build it THEY will come..... :old:
I was thinking in massively multiplayer terms
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There is a very functional Training Arena, but newcomers jump right into the more populated arenas and probably learn bad habits.
That's because of two reasons. First, we are playing a game for fun and for many, if not most (I include myself in this) the thought of having to train before playing isn't that fun at all. I just wanted to try flying and fighting, not going through any instructional program.
And the other one: Just like with regular arenas - Nobody will go there if nobody is there. That's why I was often rolling my eyes when I read the "go TA" 'advice' on country channel in game, because sending newbs into an empty TA doesn't look very nice to them...
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That's why I was often rolling my eyes when I read the "go TA" 'advice' on country channel in game, because sending newbs into an empty TA doesn't look very nice to them...
Agreed, telling new guys to go to the TA is worthless. The place is empty most of the time. How much help will they get in the TA when there is nobody there to train them? Telling them a reliable method of contacting a Trainer would be more useful.
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Agreed, telling new guys to go to the TA is worthless. The place is empty most of the time. How much help will they get in the TA when there is nobody there to train them? Telling them a reliable method of contacting a Trainer would be more useful.
Or: Go with them. For many things it doesn't need an offical trainer at all. 15 minutes flying around and giving some general hints, or showing them how to jump gunner stations in a buff and how calibrate to calibrate the bombsight can make a big difference. :old:
I think quite a number of us stuck to AH because we found someone taking us under their wings at an early but frustrating point of our career.
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Or: Go with them. For many things it doesn't need an offical trainer at all. 15 minutes flying around and giving some general hints, or showing them how to jump gunner stations in a buff and how calibrate to calibrate the bombsight can make a big difference. :old:
I think quite a number of us stuck to AH because we found someone taking us under their wings at an early but frustrating point of our career.
This. I remember how the light bulb finally went off over my head when Bug and another AW trainer showed me how to do a lead turn in 1996. The AH trainers have all this worked out and can teach many more lessons, but frequently new players just need to see some very basic things to get a start. Takes ten minutes of your own time, a worthy investment.
- oldman
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Agreed, telling new guys to go to the TA is worthless. The place is empty most of the time. How much help will they get in the TA when there is nobody there to train them? Telling them a reliable method of contacting a Trainer would be more useful.
The Official Aces High Trainers
Rolex
AAJagerX
BatfinkV (BBS name: mechanic)
BigRat (BBS name: Big Rat)
Delirium
FLS
Morfiend
Rodent57
Silat
Stogey (BBS name: Stogie)
TC (BBS name: TequilaChaser)
That's because of two reasons. First, we are playing a game for fun and for many, if not most (I include myself in this) the thought of having to train before playing isn't that fun at all. I just wanted to try flying and fighting, not going through any instructional program.
And the other one: Just like with regular arenas - Nobody will go there if nobody is there. That's why I was often rolling my eyes when I read the "go TA" 'advice' on country channel in game, because sending newbs into an empty TA doesn't look very nice to them...
From Vudak - So you're looking to improve.... http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,206017.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,206017.0.html)
There are a few key ways to quickly get better at a sport. I will use hockey as an example because it is my sport and because it is a fairly multinational one at that.
1. You study the terminology of the sport;
2. You watch professional hockey games;
3. You try to emulate what the professionals do;
4. If available, you get a professional to help you one on one;
5. You pay attention to your bad habits the professional points out, and you work to correct them;
6. You practice shooting and skating on your own with a net and some cones;
7. You play against people your own skill level;
8. You play with bigger, better kids as often as you can; and
9. You approach it all with a good attitude.
I was thinking in massively multiplayer terms
Just a heads up. HTC has given everyone an opportunity to design their own server arena. Some (not all) of the things we are debating can be tested online. I was successful already designing a setup where the goal was to resupply bases in a supply line to acheive the tools necessary to cross the "Bridge Too Far".
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If your truely at wits end or feel there is something missing that you have some ideas on, you can email HiTech with your concerns/ideas.
It would only be ignored, and frankly Im not at "wits end" over anything. I have no plans on coming back. Besides Ive heard enough condescension from the guy on these boards to not want to hear any in E-mail. I remember vividly how my warnings about the WW1 arena were not only ignored but bashed by the "HiTech is always right" crowd. So what happens? He actually makes a fine arena and nobody ever went in just like I warned. If all those efforts were instead poured into their bread and butter the game would be much stronger now.
Irregardless I have no bad feelings. The genre needs Aces High and I will always hope the game thrives. But unless there are some major changes and re-writes I dont think it will.
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The Official Aces High Trainers
Rolex
AAJagerX
BatfinkV (BBS name: mechanic)
BigRat (BBS name: Big Rat)
Delirium
FLS
Morfiend
Rodent57
Silat
Stogey (BBS name: Stogie)
TC (BBS name: TequilaChaser)
Yes we have a fine core of trainers. All of who are volunteers with lives OUTSIDE the game. No one could nor should expect to see them flying around in a mostly empty arena on the off chance some one stops by for training.
From Vudak - So you're looking to improve.... http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,206017.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,206017.0.html)
There are a few key ways to quickly get better at a sport. I will use hockey as an example because it is my sport and because it is a fairly multinational one at that.
1. You study the terminology of the sport;
2. You watch professional hockey games;
3. You try to emulate what the professionals do;
4. If available, you get a professional to help you one on one;
5. You pay attention to your bad habits the professional points out, and you work to correct them;
6. You practice shooting and skating on your own with a net and some cones;
7. You play against people your own skill level;
8. You play with bigger, better kids as often as you can; and
9. You approach it all with a good attitude.
For the most part your dealing with kids/gamers here. Have you ever seen a kid/gamer start a new game? They open the package throw the contents on the table/couch/bed grab the CD/DVD insert it into the game system and hit start. If they haven't figured out how and what to do in 15 minutes they hit the "cheat sites" for codes and tips.
Yes there are those that will look up trainers, or read the site first. If they can make it pass the learning curve those are the players that stay a long time, because to them it is an "interest" more so than a game.
Just a heads up. HTC has given everyone an opportunity to design their own server arena. Some (not all) of the things we are debating can be tested online. I was successful already designing a setup where the goal was to resupply bases in a supply line to acheive the tools necessary to cross the "Bridge Too Far".
and how many players where in your arena? Custom arenas are going to run into the same issues EW, MW, and WWI arenas run into nobody there. I'm sure a few will pop up and become squad type arenas, but unfortunately people go where the people are.
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Okay, about custom arenas, and the point that I am not able to get across. At the moment I am more concerned with what I am able to accomplish in SETTING UP the custom arena. My point is that HTC has given us tools similar to what they use to make the game playable (of course we have no where near the control). If we take more time working with these tools and seeing what can and can not be done "easily" we might have better suggestions to offer.
If I did get my server up and left it up, with very little effort I could fill it up. If you haven't noticed there has been an awesome group of guys doing just that. It is called SSO, and was the most fun outside of hanging with my MA friends other than flying some really well put together scenarios and my beloved AvA.
As for the trainers, I usually find 1 of those guys on just about anytime of the day. I thought they had a "bat signal" channel or something setup, to request trainer's attention ( I am probably mistaken).
Back to how all this could be incorporated in the AH2 package, here are just a couple of wild ideas:
When game is first loaded there is an option that asks if this is your first installation. You say yes and it very briefly explains that you will need perks to fly certain highly sought after aircraft in the Main Arena. It then it gives you the opportunity to earn perks by clicking next > you do and you are put into a training environment that explains who and how to get ahold of AH Training Corps. You then achieve more perks for doing any number of things that should be considered essential for beginning the game... Joystick modes and selection, button mapping, mouse and voice options, game sounds and head movements.... so forth and so on.
I think you can see where I am going, by adding perk points any user would feel they are gaining something of value and if they learn something on the way, win win baby. Okay, so you are still headstrong and think you know it all and only grab the initial perk points. You start playing the game and the Tempest is dangled in front of you but, you find out you are a few perks shy. The training options will be there until you complete them all.
Another thing, I had 4 kids and if you want to know, I have found more walkthroughs and code sheets on just about every gaming title they owned. Youth are the masters at exploring the tools for quick learning curves. They were raised in the impatient world of instant gratification, and know a good deal when they see one.
This is how you encourage even the most resistant player to actually read the training notes instead of clicking and receiving the rewards. You give them a specific word located in a specific phrase to gain the password to release their perks. For example the 10 th word in the fifth step for joystick calibration. The amount of time they take to locate the specific password will attract almost any eye to some useful information. << Sneaky huh? :D
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It would only be ignored, and frankly Im not at "wits end" over anything.
Well your loss. You should never assume anything.
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Well your loss. You should never assume anything.
I don't mean it as a slap against Rich, but when the gist of your standpoint is 'completely redo most of the game', I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation that you will be ignored.
The WWI was doomed from the start, but I do like the idea behind implementing it. I just wish they'd bring the better damage model into the WWII arena.
Wiley.
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Hmp. Doublepost. First time for everything, sorry folks.
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Bring in the Zeppellin to wake up WWI.
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It's more likely that many players don't WANT to fight.
This is the problem, and their lacks enough incentives to encourage players to take the risk to fight other players. For many, they achieve the same sense of accomplishment if they milk run as they receive from taking a defended base.
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This is the problem, and their lacks enough incentives to encourage players to take the risk to fight other players. For many, they achieve the same sense of accomplishment if they milk run as they receive from taking a defended base.
If they receive the same sense of accomplishment from a milk run as a fight..... then they are the problem not the game.
They should be playing MSFS. :)
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I don't mean it as a slap against Rich, but when the gist of your standpoint is 'completely redo most of the game', I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation that you will be ignored.
The WWI was doomed from the start, but I do like the idea behind implementing it. I just wish they'd bring the better damage model into the WWII arena.
Wiley.
Its been my experience, and Ive been around a fairly long time, that any input I put in would be ignored.
They did a major graphics redo 3 years ago so why not another one in the next year ? 3 or 4 years is an eternity in PC gaming and I dont think just introducing new vehicles is enough. Ahhhh, its terrible what the console crowd is doing to the flight componant in many games. There are only a few where you can actually fly against others in multi-player, and of them all AH is unique. It would be a dang shame to see it sink even lower player base-wise. Where else can you find so much of WW2 history sitting in the hangars ?
A new look, a new engine, some new maps, and new energy? I'd bet it would draw the old crowds back.