Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Traveler on January 18, 2012, 03:20:14 PM

Title: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Traveler on January 18, 2012, 03:20:14 PM
It’s a two edge sword  to wish for something that may help retain hundreds of addition player beyond the two week free trial.  New Players on one side, an endless set of newbie questions on the other.

When someone downloads the game for the two week free trial.  Give them  enough perks to use any ride they so chose.  Say 400 fighter perks and 200 bomber perks.

Enough so that they can use any vehicle they want.  If  they subscribe they keep the perks they didn’t use.  This way they get to really try the game with all of it’s elements.   
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: guncrasher on January 18, 2012, 03:39:42 PM
never heard of any player quitting because he didnt have perks.  most players cant realy fly anything much less a 262.  and if they really wanted to try one they can do it in the TA.


semp
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: grumpy37 on January 18, 2012, 03:55:32 PM
+1  this would give them a chance to really try the game out.  If they blow all the perks and get hooked it will make them more apt to stay and actually want to learn so they can earn the points back. 
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: tmetal on January 18, 2012, 03:59:38 PM
All good dealers give new clients a free taste of the product to get them hooked, why not the same with perkies.  :D
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Tank-Ace on January 18, 2012, 04:16:11 PM
Can we have a gag message appear if they do something stupid like crash their perk plane instead of being shot down in it?
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: ImADot on January 18, 2012, 04:22:49 PM
This sounds more like a wish for easier kills of perk planes so you can earn more perks FOR YOURSELF.

There are enough un-perked planes available for a two-weeker to get a very good taste of the full game.  Not having free and instant access to perked planes doesn't sound like a deal-breaker for someone with enough interest in WWII to have downloaded, installed and learned the basics of the game.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Butcher on January 18, 2012, 04:33:55 PM
This sounds more like a wish for easier kills of perk planes so you can earn more perks FOR YOURSELF.

There are enough un-perked planes available for a two-weeker to get a very good taste of the full game.  Not having free and instant access to perked planes doesn't sound like a deal-breaker for someone with enough interest in WWII to have downloaded, installed and learned the basics of the game.

I agree, if someone can't fly a P51D, whats going to help them fly a 262 any better? Training Arena offers the experience to fly/use all the equipment in the game without cost.

If they really want to continue playing and earn perks, then they can pay and earn them like the rest of us - perks are not hard to get. It might even become a double whammy, because if a new player is given 500 fighter perks and takes up a 262 thats 250 perks and dies (most likely) he will most likely not be to interested in trying to rebuild his perks back, rather just use them up and leave.

There are plenty of trainers, veteran players available to teach, I notice more players simply don't use these options. We have the forums, training arena available, and a good portion rather come into the late war arena "How do I take off? how do I fire maverick missiles?"..

I believe most are looking for an "arcade" simulator, where you only need 1 button to fire, without learning the rest - Aces high is a cross between Arcade and simulator, which is a balance to help newer players, and still be competitive in terms of realism.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: SmokinLoon on January 18, 2012, 04:44:09 PM
I would start each new *paying* player out with a few perks just so they see what they are not missing.  Say 30 GV (for Tiger I and Panther), 30 fighter (anything but Tempest, 163, and 262), and 60 bomber (just enough to fly a single Mossi B Mk 16).  
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Butcher on January 18, 2012, 04:46:35 PM
I would start each new *paying* player out with a few perks just so they see what they are not missing.  Say 30 GV (for Tiger I and Panther), 30 fighter (anything but Tempest, 163, and 262), and 60 bomber (just enough to fly a single Mossi B Mk 16).  

That amount of perks I'd vote for, no 262s or King tigers starting out, 30/60/30 sounds fair enough, plenty of low perk items to choose from.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Babalonian on January 18, 2012, 04:55:38 PM
There are some cons and pros to this.  I don't think it should be enough for a 262 or B-29, but enough for an Ar234 or tempest/spit14/163 could be reasonable and seen as selling points.  But I also agree, nobody is gonna decide weather or not to go beyond two-weeks weather they have enough perks to fly a XXX or not.  It could also be exploitable, but won't be so long as you can't make a new account and get your freebie trial perks easier than sticking with an account and gradualy earning them up....

I have an idea though that's a spin-off of yours, how about a trial-account perk-gain-multiplier?  Say you earn 2-5X as many perks during your two-week trial period, that way, it's a real "nifty" incentive to get over that initial learning curve/hump.  This could be utilised in other areas for marketing or promotional applications... say bonuses to current customers for some apropriate reason (maybe a 2x bonus for 2-4 weeks for a current customer who recommended AH to a new trial customer that then eventually created a full paying account, or 0x for when special but rare "toybox" events happen in the arenas" - like, whoknows, maybe the day HiTech's youngest kid gets accepted to college, that could potentialy be a two-30mm-gattling-gun armed RV8 day in the arenas.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: zippo on January 18, 2012, 05:12:10 PM
downloaded, installed and learned the basics of the game.

There are plenty of trainers, veteran players available to teach, I notice more players simply don't use these options. We have the forums, training arena available, and a good portion rather come into the late war arena "How do I take off? how do I fire maverick missilles?

  I think most would agree that there is a steep learning curve for a noob here.  Is tough to learn ACM in a furball/gangbang....sometimes it seems that there is red coming at you no matter which way you turn.
  Most have probably seen the issues that Butcher is referring to.
 
  I have seen it requested on the forums that noobs have to complete some sort of mandatory training before they can access the main arenas.  Some sort of basic training ....Basic ACM, how to use the radio, what killshooter is, what the icons are for, what the different colors mean,  how to start engines, how to zoom views, set up views,  how to drop bombs, etc.  Think of all the things that experienced players do automatically that the noobs don't have a clue about.  Maybe if they had some training, they would enjoy their 2 weeks more and hang around longer.

They often get a ration of $H*t when the ask a question on the radio (once they figure it out)...You know..alt f4, go the the training area, stfu noob, we've all heard a bunch of them.  And some come to the forums looking for help and get a lot of wise prettythang answers on the forums.

  Seems to me that if you want these noobs to stick around, the AH community should try a little harder at helping 2 weekers learn.
 
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Traveler on January 18, 2012, 05:13:42 PM
This sounds more like a wish for easier kills of perk planes so you can earn more perks FOR YOURSELF.

There are enough un-perked planes available for a two-weeker to get a very good taste of the full game.  Not having free and instant access to perked planes doesn't sound like a deal-breaker for someone with enough interest in WWII to have downloaded, installed and learned the basics of the game.

Your wrong on two counts, it was not my intention to kill to kill perked plans of newbies and  most new players will not earn enough perks in the two week trial to allow them a chance to fly a 262.  If they become a paying customer, they get to keep what ever perks are left, perhaps all of them.

The purpose of the wish was help retain new players.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: B-17 on January 18, 2012, 10:28:48 PM
  I think most would agree that there is a steep learning curve for a noob here.  Is tough to learn ACM in a furball/gangbang....sometimes it seems that there is red coming at you no matter which way you turn.
  Most have probably seen the issues that Butcher is referring to.
 
  I have seen it requested on the forums that noobs have to complete some sort of mandatory training before they can access the main arenas.  Some sort of basic training ....Basic ACM, how to use the radio, what killshooter is, what the icons are for, what the different colors mean,  how to start engines, how to zoom views, set up views,  how to drop bombs, etc.  Think of all the things that experienced players do automatically that the noobs don't have a clue about.  Maybe if they had some training, they would enjoy their 2 weeks more and hang around longer.

They often get a ration of $H*t when the ask a question on the radio (once they figure it out)...You know..alt f4, go the the training area, stfu noob, we've all heard a bunch of them.  And some come to the forums looking for help and get a lot of wise prettythang answers on the forums.

  Seems to me that if you want these noobs to stick around, the AH community should try a little harder at helping 2 weekers learn.
 

I like that one :) :aok

It's a nice, happy solution to something. When I logged in for the first time in December, and over the next two days, I flew with/gunned for 4 or 5 new guys/girls...

Every single one of them asked something alone the lines of "How do I drop my bombs" "how to I tune to a private person" (in some cases) "How do I bail out"

I think I saw 1 LEGITIMATE response in my whole text buffer... I was the one giving them an answer...

This place is wierd. Like, I love it, it's a place where I can talk about things I can't talk about with my friends/family (they don't know/dont care) but when you guys are asking for 2 weekers/fresh accounts to get some weird thing/whatever, you're awfully hypocritical :bolt want them to stay? Be smart...
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Butcher on January 18, 2012, 10:48:53 PM
  Seems to me that if you want these noobs to stick around, the AH community should try a little harder at helping 2 weekers learn.
 

And some veterans have, myself for example I try to spend 2 hours every other night trying to help out best I can. One question can sometimes take 2 hours to answer, for example trying to help someone with basic ACM - some simply don't realize its not a "15 minute" learn everything and you are ready to go. I have yet to have one person ask "I have a pen and paper ready, can you talk to me about ACM?"

I try to help, but a good portion of the 2 weeker's I have run into, are not ready for the commitment of learning such a steep learning curve.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: grumpy37 on January 19, 2012, 06:10:52 AM
has pen and pad of paper ready to go.................
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: TheMercinary60 on January 19, 2012, 06:48:57 AM
And some veterans have, myself for example I try to spend 2 hours every other night trying to help out best I can. One question can sometimes take 2 hours to answer, for example trying to help someone with basic ACM - some simply don't realize its not a "15 minute" learn everything and you are ready to go. I have yet to have one person ask "I have a pen and paper ready, can you talk to me about ACM?"

I try to help, but a good portion of the 2 weeker's I have run into, are not ready for the commitment of learning such a steep learning curve.

alright i got a pen and paper somewhere, tell me how to kill in a fighter, ive gotten more kills in my b-17
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: ImADot on January 19, 2012, 08:46:41 AM
alright i got a pen and paper somewhere, tell me how to kill in a fighter, ive gotten more kills in my b-17

 :lol

If you're serious, contact someone from the AH Training Corps - the official trainers who are volunteering their time for exactly this reason.

If you're like 90% of the people that can't get kills in a fighter, don't keep trying to yank your plane around in an attempt to point your nose at them at any cost. Learn to see where they are, where they're going, and how fast they're moving. Then fly your plane somewhere away from their nose and keep adjusting your course to get behind their wings. At that point you should be able to continue to creep around on them and get your guns in front of their nose while keeping your plane behind their wings - then blast them out of the sky.

Take crossing snapshots as you're maneuvering, if the opportunity presents itself. But resist the urge to pull max G's at that point in a feeble attempt to try to keep your nose pointed at them. Instead, continue with your strategy of staying behind them until you can put a steady stream of lead in their crate.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: B-17 on February 04, 2012, 04:17:06 PM
alright i got a pen and paper somewhere, tell me how to kill in a fighter, ive gotten more kills in my b-17

:rofl :rofl :D me too!!
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: guncrasher on February 04, 2012, 11:17:45 PM
:rofl :rofl :D me too!!

you just came back from vacation and punted a 3 week old thread just for the hell of it?  man you never learn.


semp
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: matt on February 05, 2012, 11:31:41 AM
+1 limited perks something they can build on..and maybe 3 week free trial
i remember when it was 4 week trial got me hooked.

Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Infidelz on February 05, 2012, 11:58:30 AM
Make it harder so they have to rank up. Two weeks, two months,  to two years.
 :bolt:
Infidelz
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: coombz on February 05, 2012, 03:02:01 PM
Seems to me that if you want these noobs to stick around, the AH community should try a little harder at helping 2 weekers learn.

+10000

I wouldn't have continued playing the game past the 2 weeks (and subsequently spending hundreds on flight sim peripherals), if I hadn't been taken in and helped/advised by a good squad of nice guys.

I was very lucky. I imagine most new players either give up, or continue to suck forever. Then you get the whines are about people who can only HO or horde ;<
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Darkdiz on February 05, 2012, 03:42:46 PM
If I may weigh in here...

As a noob (I joined just over a month ago), I think the way to go might be to give perks on say your second or third month renew.  This way, at least you get a feel for the aircraft, don't blow the perks because you can't fly an aircraft properly, and would then get to use them as they were intended.

my 2 cenbts

Darkdiz
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Jayhawk on February 05, 2012, 04:42:11 PM
-1

Remember, they can fly these planes offline and get a feel for them.  Earning the points to fly them in the MA is a motivator to play more.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Traveler on February 05, 2012, 04:58:04 PM
-1

Remember, they can fly these planes offline and get a feel for them.  Earning the points to fly them in the MA is a motivator to play more.


The object of the exercise is to motivate the two week player to become a subscriber, which many fail to do.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Jayhawk on February 05, 2012, 05:57:32 PM
which many fail to do.

How do you know this, do you have access to HTC's records?  Furthermore, even HTC doesn't know the primary reason 2-weekers don't subscribe.  I just don't that having access to perks is going to keep them any more than the current method.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: icepac on February 05, 2012, 06:28:55 PM
How about unperking planes for the 2 weekers?
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Rob52240 on February 05, 2012, 07:13:00 PM
+1 noobs with more perks than they know what to do with :)

as long as the perks expire before the trial is up.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: B-17 on February 05, 2012, 07:22:52 PM
How about unperking planes for the 2 weekers?

Like the DA?
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: The Fugitive on February 05, 2012, 08:37:14 PM
The object of the exercise is to motivate the two week player to become a subscriber, which many fail to do.

I doubt they fail to subscribe because they can't up a 262 in the main arena.

My "guess" is the don't subscribe for a number of reasons...

It's too hard ! I think a training arena with set goals and missions that new players have to "pass" would help. Give them the first month at half price if they join the training arena and complete the course.

Toxic atmosphere in the arenas.  Hire MODs, give then their subscriptions for free. Give the the power to police the arenas with guide lines written down and published in the TOS so everyone knows whats allowed and what isn't. This way the MODS can control the arenas and remove that "toxic" issue. Much like a club that has a bouncer as apposed to one that doesn't.

Just not their kind of game. Many come in thinking it's a game like many of the other MMOs and FPS out there and soon realize that it takes some time and effort to even become average here. Not much you can do for that other than opening up variety. The tanks and "ground war" have started that. Take about eventale FPS style play would add more. Being a small company it will take time, but I think this crew is up to the challenge. 
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Jayhawk on February 05, 2012, 08:38:29 PM
I doubt they fail to subscribe because they can't up a 262 in the main arena.

My "guess" is the don't subscribe for a number of reasons...

It's too hard ! I think a training arena with set goals and missions that new players have to "pass" would help. Give them the first month at half price if they join the training arena and complete the course.

Toxic atmosphere in the arenas.  Hire MODs, give then their subscriptions for free. Give the the power to police the arenas with guide lines written down and published in the TOS so everyone knows whats allowed and what isn't. This way the MODS can control the arenas and remove that "toxic" issue. Much like a club that has a bouncer as apposed to one that doesn't.

Just not their kind of game. Many come in thinking it's a game like many of the other MMOs and FPS out there and soon realize that it takes some time and effort to even become average here. Not much you can do for that other than opening up variety. The tanks and "ground war" have started that. Take about eventale FPS style play would add more. Being a small company it will take time, but I think this crew is up to the challenge. 

+1 for increasing MOD presence in MA.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: grumpy37 on February 06, 2012, 01:30:33 PM
wouldnt surprise me that HTC saw the number of current subscribers go down if there were MOD's in the arena at all times.  If you start telling these guys how they can and cant play the game a certain number of them would quit al together,  not saying that would be a bad thing.....  I would be in favor the them myself.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Jayhawk on February 06, 2012, 02:52:38 PM
wouldnt surprise me that HTC saw the number of current subscribers go down if there were MOD's in the arena at all times.  If you start telling these guys how they can and cant play the game a certain number of them would quit al together,  not saying that would be a bad thing.....  I would be in favor the them myself.

It's not a matter of telling people how to play, it's just lowering the sometimes very aggressive rhetoric.
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: Darkdiz on February 06, 2012, 04:12:44 PM
Concur with more moderators, some of the quite personal cr@p I see/hear has no place here, or anywhere elso for that matter.

DD (now up to 4 cents)
Title: Re: Profit, the land beyond the Two Week Free Trial
Post by: The Fugitive on February 06, 2012, 06:10:18 PM
wouldnt surprise me that HTC saw the number of current subscribers go down if there were MOD's in the arena at all times.  If you start telling these guys how they can and cant play the game a certain number of them would quit al together,  not saying that would be a bad thing.....  I would be in favor the them myself.

It's not a matter of telling people how to play, it's just lowering the sometimes very aggressive rhetoric.

exactly!Good natured taunting and teasing is all well and good, but too many players cross the line and the next thing you know there are people throwing insults and worst across the radios. If there are MODs there to stop it BEFORE people blow their tops everyone has more fun and gets along better.

It's already been proven, it's human nature that people can NOT police themselves, they have to have some one do it for them.