Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Ripsnort on January 29, 2001, 09:11:00 AM

Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Ripsnort on January 29, 2001, 09:11:00 AM
Just curious how many of you are really dedicated to Aces High and its survival in the future...

I think Aces High needs a Mac version to stay competitive, so, what if we all payed $50 a month to help HTC pay for a Mac programmer for a Mac version of the game?

(Patiently holds the line steady, waiting for the slightest 'bump' on the line)

In all seriousness, we do need a Mac version...would bring more in the game, no?
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Cobra on January 29, 2001, 09:19:00 AM
Those who want to pay $50 a month, please do so immediately and voluntarily.

I don't mind $30.  $50 I would mind alot!

Ofcourse, I really don't mind less than $30.

Maybe treat it like tipping, Rip.  You big tippers out there can pay as much over $30 as you like.  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

Cobra
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: 1776 on January 29, 2001, 09:19:00 AM
MAC, Smak, how can a MAC puter keep up with what is going on in the PC world.  Mac is a very small portion of the market.  Why would HTC wanta waste time with MAC support when they could be working on the game!!

MAC ppl can just go out and buy a real puter instead of adding to the work load at HTC!!

<slaps Rips hand>  heheeee can't wait for macboy to read this  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Ice on January 29, 2001, 09:21:00 AM
I'm in on this...not so sure that a Mac version would make an appreciable difference to HTC's bottom line, however, cash is the lifeblood of every business and if HTC could grow that much faster ie, more staff, better equipment, etc., I would gladly pay $50.00 a month.

Ice
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Xjazz on January 29, 2001, 09:27:00 AM
Terve!

Why MAC? I think Linux would be better choice.

Xjazz
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: 1776 on January 29, 2001, 09:28:00 AM
More staff and more equipment=headaches

Keep company small for better customer service.  A bigger company will see less contact with customers and produce separation of upper management and the customer base.  It seems the bigger ya are the less you do.

I love "the fire in the belly" HTC exhibits now and would hate to see it lost (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Moose11 on January 29, 2001, 09:48:00 AM
I would probably pay $50 a month, but it would be tough to keep it up for too long with all the other bills.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Sancho on January 29, 2001, 10:29:00 AM
I used to be a real mac zealot.  My immediate family has owned no fewer 6 Apples and 1 Mac clone (the first computer I bought with my own money) over the years.  They are great machines and they definitely have their uses.  My Mac runs Linux great and is my house's fileserver.  The new G4s are really slick machines too.

The truth is though, Apple is becoming ever more of a niche market, and almost all Mac games are ports of only the most popular PC games that come often come out on Mac a year or more after release on the PC side.  Gaming isn't the Mac's strongpoint--despite what Steve Jobs would want you to believe.  This is not to say that Apple's hardware isn't up to the task--rather the market isn't.  People don't buy Macs just to game.  People who are serious about gaming buy PCs.

Sure, there are Mac flight simmers, and a Mac version would bring more customers into Aces High.  But is it worth the effort on HTC's part to develop for another platform for what will probably be very small returns?  Of course, I speculate that it wouldn't be worth it... I could be wrong.  But then why haven't they gone cross-platform sooner if they didn't think it would be worth it?  It's not as simple as just throwing a Mac programmer at the code... the whole Aces High source code for Pcs would need significant reworking to be made easily cross-platform.  We're not talking about porting the game once, like most Mac game ports.  You've got to port it every time there is an upgrade to Aces High.  Adding another platform is going to slow development on the PC side as well--meaning more time between versions.  You really want that??

As to Rip's question, no I'm not going to pay $50 extra just for a Mac version.  Why would I pay extra for something that isn't benefitting me directly and I'm not going to use?  As much as I like Aces High and want to see it succeed, I'm a customer of HTC.  HTC is not some charity I give money to.  I might bribe them for a P-47M though--that I *would* use!  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
 (http://www.jump.net/~cs3/sigs/uns_sig.jpg)  (http://www.jump.net/~cs3)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Sancho on January 29, 2001, 10:39:00 AM
 
Quote
Originally posted by Xjazz:
Terve!

Why MAC? I think Linux would be better choice.

Xjazz

Now you're talking.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)  Gimme a working DVD player and Aces High in Linux and I'll say goodbye to Windows permanently.  But here again, I think the market wouldn't quite justify the effort... yet.  Whereas MacOS is becoming increasingly marginalized, Linux marketshare is growing like crazy.  It is destined to be the next mainstream desktop OS.  That's what Miss Cleo told me anyways.  The cards never lie!   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
  (http://www.jump.net/~cs3/sigs/uns_sig.jpg)   (http://www.jump.net/~cs3)


[This message has been edited by Sancho (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: NHFoxtro on January 29, 2001, 10:43:00 AM
Thirty is ok with me, I don't know about 50. You would have to show me alot of additives.(infintry missions-snypers-supply trucks-roads-bridges)Some Historical Arenas' would be nice also.

Yesturday before the Super Bowl when I was on I saw someone Ranked above 2100. I never saw the number that High before. 20 bucks extra a month a person would be alot of money to get these programs and staff to run them.

[This message has been edited by NHFoxtro (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: danish on January 29, 2001, 10:52:00 AM
Well AH is the best at the moment.So at the moment Id pay 50$ no problem.
But when/if the competition catches up?

danish
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Dux on January 29, 2001, 10:56:00 AM
I don't think they should bother with a Mac version... PCs are for games and gamers; Macs are for doing real work.

$50 would hurt but I'd probably do it. I think $30 is perfectly fine right now.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Zippatuh on January 29, 2001, 11:03:00 AM
Hmmmmmm……


<Pondering>   “Kick back for old Ripsnort maybe”   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)

Anyway are you kidding.  I have enough problems justifying $30 to the ball and chain.  Could I afford $50 yes, justify it no.  I would assume that other players would have some type of justifying issues also, which would result in some attrition.  The population of players would drop, the income level staying relatively the same.  It just becomes a push.  So… are you trying to say you don’t want me!  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)

Zippatuh
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: LePaul on January 29, 2001, 11:15:00 AM
 
Quote
Just curious how many of you are really dedicated to Aces High and its survival in the future...

Oh so now we have to go above and beyond the $29.95 to help them make ends meet?  Come on!  Reality check.  I think a modest reduction, like $25 is more of what is needed.  And my research is simply from talking to others who have downloaded and been impressed with the game.  Its just too mcuh per month.

If you guys want the price driven up higher, go for it.  At your rate of inflation, you'll have the arena *all to yourself*   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

As for a Mac version....look, I don't wanna offend you Mac guys.  But at the computer stores I'm at, there is this teeeny little shelf full of Mac stuff....while 99% of the store is chock full of Windows stuff.  Now its not my decision to make, but I think HTC would be wasting their time crafting a Mac version.

Plus, there are Windows emulators for Mac, can't they run Aces in that?

Paul
 www.checksix.net (http://www.checksix.net)




[This message has been edited by LePaul (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Kieren on January 29, 2001, 11:18:00 AM
No. This is my limit. I will happily pay this price regardless of what others pay, but no more.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Saintaw on January 29, 2001, 11:20:00 AM
hmmm, nope. Sorry. 30$ is a good price for me
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Ripsnort on January 29, 2001, 11:22:00 AM
Did you all miss the "(Patiently holds the line steady, waiting for the slightest 'bump' on the line)" ???

Actually, the post is asking, would HTC benefit from having a MAC version?
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Uzzi on January 29, 2001, 11:25:00 AM
Would it be worth it? Yea probably, could I afford that? No.

I don't think jacking up prices to $50 would save AH if it were in trouble, probably would sink it instead.

I gladly pay $19.99 though.... :-)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Sunchaser on January 29, 2001, 11:51:00 AM
....Grabs the hook,line AND sinker and pulls Rip off the dock into the waiting Jaws of his pet, very large shark!

------------------
When did they put this thing in here and WTF is it for?
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: rosco- on January 29, 2001, 11:57:00 AM
  Actually I already pay 50 bucks a month. My last cc bill had a charge from htc for 54 bucks and some change.

 Sorry, but this is my limit as well. Any more and I would have to find another way to waste time, like online bingo or something.

Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Lephturn on January 29, 2001, 12:01:00 PM

Don't forget, Pyro and HT did Warbirds when it supported Mac, so they know very well what the additional costs and benefits are.  We can speculate all we like, but they've got experience to help them decide.  Obviously, it isn't worth doing.

Now as for Linux... not a chance.  What a complete waste of time that would be.  Linux is not even close to being a decent desktop OS.  It makes a fine server OS, but the lack of any standardization kills it as a desktop gaming platform.  You don't even have to get into it's tiny installed base.

Oh and btw, it's easy to grow your market share by huge % numbers when it's tiny to begin with.  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)  Until Linux doubles Mac's market share as a desktop OS I don't know why anybody would consider it.  Nevermind the obvious problems with standardization that the Linux inherited from it's Unix roots.  IMHO doing anything other than pure Windows would be a complete waste of resources.  There isn't nearly enough folks out there running anything else to make it worthwhile.

------------------
Lephturn - Chief Trainer
A member of The Flying Pigs  http://www.flyingpigs.com (http://www.flyingpigs.com)
 
"A pig is a jolly companion, Boar, sow, barrow, or gilt --
A pig is a pal, who'll boost your morale, Though mountains may topple and tilt.
When they've blackballed, bamboozled, and burned you, When they've turned on you, Tory and Whig,
Though you may be thrown over by Tabby and Rover, You'll never go wrong with a pig, a pig,
You'll never go wrong with a pig!" -- Thomas Pynchon, "Gravity's Rainbow"
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: BigBen on January 29, 2001, 12:07:00 PM
Problem 1- $50 a month is too high a price point for a monthly service.  Remember the average US consumer is already paying $20-$60 per month just for internet access.  That's a big chunk of change in total for online entertainment.

Problem 2- imagine trying to patch TWO platforms simultaneously at the pace HTC currently follows.  Either the response time will suffer or the rate of improvement & addons will slow down.  

Problem 3- imagine the warps we'll see when all of those "new" users try to furball through the smoke with their clunky iMacs.  I bet overall gameplay would suffer badly.

BB

[This message has been edited by BigBen (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Jimdandy on January 29, 2001, 12:14:00 PM
I mind $30 but not enough not to pay obviously. But if your looking for donations to such a WORTHY cause well I'll pay $1000/month!   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/rolleyes.gif) LOL! I think you got the big hook out today Rip. What are you fishing for. It looks like you have some bites.

[This message has been edited by Jimdandy (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Jimdandy on January 29, 2001, 12:16:00 PM
AHHHHHHH!

[This message has been edited by Jimdandy (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Jimdandy on January 29, 2001, 12:17:00 PM
oops
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: CyranoAH on January 29, 2001, 12:41:00 PM
Yeah, and let's start thinking about the XBox version, huh? XD

Daniel, aka CyranoDB
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: 1776 on January 29, 2001, 12:46:00 PM
I wonder if not having a MAC version would violate the American's Disability Act?
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Wardog on January 29, 2001, 12:46:00 PM
I would gladly pay $50.00 a month for AH. My highest WBs bill was over $350.00 1 month.

If it a hobbie your interested in, you will pay the price for it. Look at it this way, how much do you spend on you Car a month? How much do you spend in the Bars a month?

Dont go out drinking 1 friday night a month and your cost for AH is covered. These guys whining about the cost of AH and how it should be $10.00 are to lazy to stay indoor 1 night a month. AH offers more than any Flight sim on the market today.. I have no problem paying whats needed to keep this product going. Also $50.00 a month would most likely keep some of the idiots out that ive seen here lately.

In almost 7 years of flying Warbirds ive run into 2 people there that totally ruined the community.

In a little over a year ive seen 20 idiots in AH that dont belong in a community like this and they ruin it for everyone else. So those who say price doesnt make the difference are wrong.

Now that WBs has gone to flat rate, more and more idiots are logging in there now as well. To bad the Quakers are out numbering the simmers. Ive said it since Beta that flat rate was not the way to go. I still think hourly is the way to keep the simmers active and the Quakers out.

Dog out......
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Mighty1 on January 29, 2001, 12:52:00 PM
$50 a month is waaay to much for me. I can afford it but I couldn't justify it to myself.

AH do Mac?!! Are you nuts? Then we would have morons like ** to deal with everyday.


**= You fill in the letters of any 2 letter dick you know.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Mighty1 on January 29, 2001, 12:59:00 PM
Wardog hourly rate only means the Quakies will only be on a few hours a month but you will see more of them on.

I never liked the hourly rate in WB and I wouldn't pay it here.

I used to hear the same stuff over in WB and it never did make sense. If a kid can afford $30 a month flat fee then why couldn't he be able to afford $30 worth in hourly fees?
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: bigUC on January 29, 2001, 01:01:00 PM
A one-time donation of $10 from everyone would probably buy the two remaining Mac gamers/simmers a decent PC each.  But NO WAY would I pay extra to keep desktop publishers/web surfers in the gaming market....
   
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: AcId on January 29, 2001, 01:05:00 PM
IMHO the amount of time and energy to produce a MAC ver. may not be worth the added subscriptions. Lemme put it this way I don't think there would be a enough new (MAC based) subscriptions to be able to justify the work, but thats just my 2 cents.

$50......I've been reading alot about the so-called pricing issue in these boards, frankly I could care less what the "business model" says, and what the prices you all are willing to individualy pay are. What matters to me is one thing and one thing only.
Can I justify it to my wife?
nuff said
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Gunthr on January 29, 2001, 01:10:00 PM
I wouldn't have a problem with Mac people paying $50/month to cover the expense...

 (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Gunthr
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: AKSeaWulfe on January 29, 2001, 01:12:00 PM
Oh sure Rip, all we need to top off the quitting threads and whining threads is MG and a bunch of his half wit children running around the arena.

-SW
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Ripsnort on January 29, 2001, 01:16:00 PM
Please don't base all Mac pilots as the mold cast by our infamous MG!

I'm actually curious as to whether or not HTC will ever tap this market...
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: DR00 on January 29, 2001, 01:19:00 PM
Since my younger brother ONLY has Mac's, he has had to stick with Warbirds. I know there is a sizable group of WBers who are Mac fanatics, question is how many would jump ship. While it would be worth it to me to spend a few bucks more for the pleasure of again whippin baby bro's butt again (I'm 48, he's 47), would suspect that HTC looked at the issue and concluded the investment wouldn't produce enough of a return. You would have to expect to lose some customers, which may exceed the number of Mac customers you would likely gain. After all, most "Mac-ers" are tighter than a bulls -ss at fly-time. That's why they continue to cling to the "beta-max" technology of the Mac. (ah the fun we could have pullin that groups chain)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: AKSeaWulfe on January 29, 2001, 01:21:00 PM
 
Quote
Originally posted by Ripsnort:
Please don't base all Mac pilots as the mold cast by our infamous MG!

Oh, I'm not. I just fear that MG is capable of breeding and we'd see more MGs than we need to.
-SW

Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Cobra on January 29, 2001, 01:25:00 PM
 
Quote
Originally posted by Wardog:
I would gladly pay $50.00 a month for AH. My highest WBs bill was over $350.00 1 month.

If it a hobbie your interested in, you will pay the price for it.  
Dog out......


Dog, no one is stopping you from paying $50 a month now!!  If you would gladly do it, then by all means, pay HTC what ever you want over the $29.95.  

I'm not trying to be a wise a** here, but everyone who said they are willing to pay more to help HTC program, why don't you just do it anyway.  Why do you need  to stick to the monthly minimum?  Put your money where your generosity mouth is now.

Cobra


Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: K-KEN on January 29, 2001, 01:32:00 PM
For my part, $30.00 is more than I have spent, most months, in AW.  In the early days for me in 1996, $100.00 was not uncommon.  I am not that addicted to AW or AH to go there again. I have a bunch of folks in AW who like the looks of AH, but can't even swing the cost now.  <well wont>  Some of my AW squad mates are here now, and I wish we could move lock, stock, and 20MM.  <we also have a large cache of rum and sheep>   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)  
Our Canadian and non-US contingent of fliers are some of the finest folks around, they are Gentlemen, not troublemakers, and yet I wish that THEY could get a price break, considering the exchange rate.  Like in a previous reply, Canadians already pay over $50.00 a month.
   Scrap the MAC idea, it would, like many have said, be non-profitable.  Those of you who want to donate the extra $20.00 a month, then apply it to the foreign players fund.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)  
    Bottom line for me, $30.00 is max I can afford.  <can't really afford that, but make it anyway>  HTC under any other pricing..above that, will lose valuable customers and eventually needed revenue. IMHO.
My answer:  NO and NO

K-KEN

 http://www.cutthroats.com/ (http://www.cutthroats.com/)


 (http://www.cutthroats.com/art/buttons/on_patch8Xs.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: SOB on January 29, 2001, 01:39:00 PM
 
Quote
Originally posted by Sancho:
...  That's what Miss Cleo told me anyways.  The cards never lie!    (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

Ok, not many would pay $50/mo for AH, but who would pay $50 to see Miss Cleo recieve a severe beating???  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)


SOB
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: SOB on January 29, 2001, 01:43:00 PM
Oh, and if the price was $50/mo, I'd still be playing...I'm not itching to pay more tho'.

As for charity, I bless HTC & thier customer base with my presence in the arenas and on this BB.  And really, isn't that worth more than an extra $20 a month?  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/cool.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Nash on January 29, 2001, 01:43:00 PM
 
Quote
I think Aces High needs a Mac version to stay competitive, so, what if we all payed $50 a month to help HTC pay for a Mac programmer for a Mac version of the game?

Or how about just doing what I did? Get yerself a PC if ya wanna fly PC sims. Hows about THEM apples, eh? EH? I've got both computers now and everything is dandy. One I used to draw stuff on, and the other I use to blow stuff up. So anyways, like hell would I donate cash on top of all that for the Mac-only guys.

Good troll though Rip! Rolling the contentious but always entertaining issues as Macs and Pricing into one subject was a real doozy.... Suprised this thing hasn't  completely inferno'd..... yet  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Quiet109 on January 29, 2001, 01:50:00 PM
 
Quote
Originally posted by Ice:
...if HTC could grow that much faster ie, more staff, better equipment, etc., I would gladly pay $50.00 a month.

I agree, although, I dislike Mac[intrashes] with a passion.

go for it

quiet

 (http://www.aviatorart.com/buckland/images/b-pack.jpg)  

[This message has been edited by Quiet109 (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Moose11 on January 29, 2001, 01:56:00 PM
Doh! I swallowed the bait completely.

And here is a spin on this issue - how many people in here *got* the $10 or $20 a month feature? I haven't seen anyone own up to that but you've got to wonder if one of the people complaining about the price is one of the lucky few that HTC picked out of a hat.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Maverick on January 29, 2001, 02:04:00 PM
Pointless "poll"
As for me and $50.00, absolutely not

My cancellation would be sent upon notification of the increase.

Mav
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Tac on January 29, 2001, 02:25:00 PM
Heh, let the mac users pay the 50 bucks. I own no mac  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: popeye on January 29, 2001, 03:11:00 PM
Since the Republicans will drop the anti-trust action against MickeySoft, Bill Gates will not need to prop up Apple, and the Mac will soon be extinct.


 (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: jato757 on January 29, 2001, 07:19:00 PM
nope, i cant afford that, ill be in h2h if this happens

------------------
 (http://www.user.shentel.net/vonz/jato.JPG)

[This message has been edited by jato757 (edited 01-29-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: funked on January 29, 2001, 07:57:00 PM
$50 a month?
I paid several times as much for an inferior product a couple of years ago.  I'm afraid to think about how much I would pay for AH if HTC really raised the bar.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: K-KEN on January 29, 2001, 10:02:00 PM
First, ya have to be able to take off!!
Standing Vulch Orders are Written
8=X CUTTHROATS X=8  works for hire in AW, and we can surely do it here!   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

 
Quote
Originally posted by funked:
$50 a month?
I paid several times as much for an inferior product a couple of years ago.  I'm afraid to think about how much I would pay for AH if HTC really raised the bar.    (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

K-KEN

 http://www.cutthroats.com/ (http://www.cutthroats.com/)


 (http://www.cutthroats.com/art/buttons/on_patch8Xs.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: BUG_EAF322 on January 30, 2001, 02:31:00 AM
When the Chog and nik is perked ill be paying 100$  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

when they fix my P38 150 $

I'm gonna do online flightsimming so i buy a Mac  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/rolleyes.gif)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: BMF on January 30, 2001, 02:35:00 AM
Anybody got the coordinates for the Mac factory? I want to save us some money!  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

------------------
Bare*Metal*Finish
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Jekyll on January 30, 2001, 02:37:00 AM
Just curious how many of you are really dedicated to 3DFX and its survival in the future...
I think 3DFX needs a new version to stay competitive, so, what if we all payed $500 a card to help 3DFX pay for a video driver programmer for a new version of their video card?

Good businesses survive.  Bad businesses fail.  Supply and demand determine the winners and losers.  It'll be the same for AH and its competitors.

I wonder how many Aussie pilots will happily fork over $100 a month for Aces High?

Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Spitboy on January 30, 2001, 07:49:00 AM
AH Mac version?

Well, I doubt we'll see one. And to be honest, I doubt it would significantly help HTC at this point. It would take away resources they need to keep up the fast pace of AH development for little gain.

The only way to do Mac is to do it from the get-go. I still say it would have only taken one additional staffer, a firm commitment to cross-platform design and maybe an extra month to have Mac and PC AH from the start. And in THAT case, I *do* think HTC would have benefited, especially with no "real" competition on the market in the form of a cutting-edge Mac sim.

But a Mac AH version right now would be a port - compared to ground-up Mac builds of WB3 and WW2OL. AH Mac would be just like WB Mac - always playing catchup, and always behind on features. That's what happens when you follow a port strategy. And a port is not going to gain interest in the Mac market. Sure, there'd be some players, but by and large the Mac folk will dance with those that show faith in 'em.

As to $50 - nope. Too much. I just recently cancelled my AH account, since I found myself with no time to fly lately. A $9.95 account I can let ride, but $30/month is too steep if I'm not able to fly a lot.

Spitboy -SW-

Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: LePaul on January 30, 2001, 10:55:00 AM
 
Quote
As to $50 - nope. Too much. I just recently cancelled my AH account, since I found myself with no time to fly lately. A $9.95 account I can let ride, but $30/month is too steep if I'm not able to fly a lot.

Well said, I fall into this category as well.  I recently upgraded my computer and cancelled my AH subscription since intial versions of 1.05 really creamed my frame rates and thus playability.

If I had the time to play nightly like it seems most do, I would.  But between having a girlfriend to appease, an airplane almost finished building and several programming projects I have going, I can't.

Its too bad the pricing is what it is.  I understand their reasoning for it being that way.  And I also hope they understand that because it is that way, a lot of good pilots have to politely decline and use H2H.

HTC:  If you guys ever given thought to a one-month special or the sort?  All of us arm chair experts can think we know what would bring in more people.  We think a slight cut in the monthly price would do it.  Ever consider something along these lines?

Thanks for listening.

Paul

(BTW:  The airplane is still 90% done...still sitting in its frigid hangar.  On the warmer days, I do manage to get a few things done to it...then hypothermia sets in!)
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: J_A_B on January 30, 2001, 11:55:00 AM
At 50 bucks a month, I think AH would stagnate very quickly.   A lot of people would leave over it, but VERY few people would be inclined to begin subscribing to the game at that price--especially with AH's main competitor (WB's) costing exactly HALF that amount.

Nor do I think a small price reduction would change much, except it would reduce HTC's revenue.  There is so little difference between $25 and $30 that price becomes a non-issue.  For a price reduction to make a signifigant impact on the player base, it would have to be a massive reduction--to $15 or $10.  Since HTC has NOT dropped the price to that level, I must assume that it would not be profitable for them to do so. (And I wish that weren't the case!)

One thing that most current AH players seem to forget is, to an outsider, there is very little difference between AH and WB's.  Gameplay is identical (with WB's offering more arenas).  Scenarios are typically set up the same.  Heck, even the games "feel" similar to me.  AH has better graphics and a more modern flight model, but that's about it.  A lot of people were turned off by the WB's community--but that doesn't change the underlying similarity of the two games.  AH took quite a bit of market share from WB's, but at double the price of WB's they would probably give a lot of market share back.

The bottom line is 50 bucks a month, even for a MAC version, would hurt HTC more then help them.  That is why AH costs $30 and not $50.

J_A_B

The very bottom line is--anyone who is willing to pay HUNDREDS of $$$ per month for an online game when much cheaper alternatives are available, is either very rich or addicted.  Not a bad thing, but don't forget most people aren't that "involved".
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Fariz on January 30, 2001, 12:51:00 PM
It is not a mac/pc problem, it is pc/console problem right now. Evry month more and more hardcore pc game developers switch to consols, stops supporting pc as a game platform etc. and the only port which we will face soon is to consoles. How soon? No idea, 2-3 years, I guess.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: -towd_ on January 31, 2001, 11:23:00 AM
htc please raise the rates of the apropriate appologists  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) the list is above.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Westy on January 31, 2001, 12:07:00 PM
 HTC, please charge $20/mo for full ubb board access to non-paying AH subscribers. Otherwise read only access.

 -Westy
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Sandman_SBM on January 31, 2001, 04:10:00 PM
Macs? Right... One, it's a small market. Two, the dialup open transport is a kluge. I suffered more discos on a Mac than I ever have on PC. So... that leaves DSL and CableModem Macs, further reducing an already small market. And you want PC users to pay for it. Psshaw... let 'em buy PC's if they want to game it.

FWIW... I pay $20 a month and I like it that way.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Fatty on January 31, 2001, 04:17:00 PM
I would probably stay at $50, it's not a definate though, I can't say for sure if I'd commit to it.

For that much per month, if I was paying, Nate and SF better be designing in some nudie pics under the cockpit seat for the long flights though.
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Lephturn on January 31, 2001, 04:26:00 PM
Fariz,

Reports of PC gaming's death are highly overrated.  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/cool.gif)

Seriously, I've been around long enough to see this cycle come around about every five years or so.  PC's have some advantages that consoles do not, and it will continue to be that way.  There will always be PC gaming.  There will always be console gaming.  Both markets ebb and flow, but both always survive despite periodic forecasts of doom for one sector or the other.  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)



------------------
Lephturn - Chief Trainer
A member of The Flying Pigs  http://www.flyingpigs.com (http://www.flyingpigs.com)
 
"A pig is a jolly companion, Boar, sow, barrow, or gilt --
A pig is a pal, who'll boost your morale, Though mountains may topple and tilt.
When they've blackballed, bamboozled, and burned you, When they've turned on you, Tory and Whig,
Though you may be thrown over by Tabby and Rover, You'll never go wrong with a pig, a pig,
You'll never go wrong with a pig!" -- Thomas Pynchon, "Gravity's Rainbow"
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: Beegerite on January 31, 2001, 07:06:00 PM
Confession time, I happen to be somewhat of an authority on the workings of the addictive mind.  Guess, what?  We've got a lot of died in the wool addicts in here.  Rationalization is one of the biggest tools of the addict.  We can rationalize anything including the fact that playing AH only costs me $29.95 per month.  WRONG!!! Here's my sad story
Initial expense when I started flight simming $9.95 x 12 = $119.40 per year and because the game wasn't all that good I only toyed at it maybe an hour per day.

Pssst, I know where you can get a really good high!

Move to AH (Good Mooove) $20.00 additional x 12 =  $ 240.00
Upgrade to ISDN line to see if score improves with better connection (it didn't) $70.00 x 12 = $ 840.00
ISDN ISP cost additional $ 25.00 x 12 = $ 300.00

Costs of additional peripherals e.g. Saitek joystick, Pedals, Hardback books on tactics and maneuvering, WWII videos and assorted other roadkill items  $200.00 per year

Total additional cost to play AH as of today = $ 1580.00

Now the REAL cost 3 hours per day x 7 x 52 = 1092 hours spent away from my family.

Now the last lesson that those addicts lucky enough to survive an addiction must encounter - BOTTOM!!! That point at which things look so bleak that you just give up and surrender.  Guess what, I might be an addict but I ain't stupid nor naive, $1580 I can rationalize as a cheaper past time than hanging around bars as long as I keep my head buried in the sand and ignore my families cries for more time with me.

Cross that line in the sand and you're going to find out that in the last 19 years I've regenerated more than a few brain cells.  
$29.95 that's it, Ain't paying no more and if that ain't enough to keep the ship afloat then tough cookies.  Wonder what kind of new diversion I can have for $1580 a year?
Addition: I forgot the interest on the new uber computer I brought on time as a direct result of needing SPEED/POWER over what I used to need.  Add $20.00 per month or $240.00 year for a total addl expenses $1820.00 per year.

Beeg

P.S. When planning for this don't forget to factor in the cost of a good divorce lawyer or what a 12 gauge might cost you should you need one to scare the milkman.

[This message has been edited by Beegerite (edited 02-03-2001).]
Title: Would you be willing to pay $50 a month?
Post by: StSanta on February 01, 2001, 12:05:00 AM
$50 would make in financially impossible for me. I'd be struggling with food if they were to raise the price.

Tummie usually wins such battles  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif).



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Baron Claus "StSanta" Von Ribbentroppen
9./JG 54 "Grünherz"
(http://store4.yimg.com/I/demotivators_1619_3845234)
"I don't necessarily agree with everything I think." - A. Eldritch