Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Blagard on March 06, 2016, 11:08:06 AM
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I have just left Aces High. Having been around for more than a few years I decided to give it some thought on why. You must appreciate this is just a personal perspective and it will be different to each player. - There is no right or wrong, just my own thoughts.
First and foremost what was it I did enjoy - Simple, the fight and by this I mean even when grossly outnumbered having enough fighting on your side to deny the enemy a victory was as much fun as winning. Interaction was the key element.
If you were to ask me did I enjoy being part of a hoard to steamroller over an virtually undefended base to take it in record time the answer is no, been there done that, great that we win a base but that's it, no satisfaction in it though. - This does happen from time to time, it is part of the game like it or not. This is not a reason for leaving, but part of the game I did not enjoy. Like wise I did not enjoy being on the receiving end when the numbers differential is extreme to the point of no defense possible. I would simple leave the hoard to it and look for a fight elsewhere.
As I started to log on less frequently it seemed to me very hard to find a fight so I find myself doing a lot of time flying and not finding the fights. If a large arena was up I would simply log off if the fighting was too hard to find.
So for me the interaction simply was not there any more. I need to add that I simply do not have the time to commit to the organised events where it must be virtually guaranteed.
I have the Beta as well and the graphics are great, but you know, it really is the game play that is important (to me). Yes there is a need to improve graphics to keep up with the times but unfortunately it seemed to me that is all it is. I could not see the changes having any significant impact on the game play, only to make it visually more attractive.
I did try to see if I could suspend my account, take a break if you see what I mean, but for whatever reason the absence of a response to a couple of emails meant that I ended up hitting the delete account button which also permanently removes your game ID from future use. It is probably just silly of me, but knowing that means that, it is less likely I would bother to return. I have no idea what impact this would have on others but somehow it is like losing your other self for good.
The selection of reasons for leaving when deleting the account did not seem fitting after being around so long I felt it deserved something more.
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Just FYI, Blagard - I have come and gone to AH several times since I started back in 2000 or 2001, and I have been more or less able to get "oboe" back. Not because I like the handle, but because it just feels like my identity here. HTC occasionally cleans out the game ID database and so they become available again.
btw, HTC keeps referring to Road/train development as coming - depending on what this is, it could really expand game play I think. Interdiction, supply, etc. Perhaps destroyable bridges? I dunno, I sure would like them to reveal in more detail what the plans are...
I have high hopes when AH3 goes live there will be a crush of players returning to check it out; I hope you are one of them. <S>
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HTC occasionally cleans out the game ID database and so they become available again.
Well, that's good to know. I haven't been able to get 'Arlo' back from my original incarnation or 'Guthrie' back from my recent health related sabbatical.
-Guthr1e
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You can always call Skuzzy or ht staff will be able to assist
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if you want to leave then leave. not need to explain why.
semp
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I never had to. Granted, I've always been supportive of the game and community and still enjoy both. I always know the door's open and the bar's still there. I even intended to leave my account open while gone (I lost track). :D
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Well, that's good to know. I haven't been able to get 'Arlo' back from my original incarnation or 'Guthrie' back from my recent health related sabbatical.
-Guthr1e
While they do clean out the old names now and then, I don't think it's a priority. Give them a call and if the name you want is not attached to an active account, they will clear it to make it available to you. I've seen it happen a number of times.
if you want to leave then leave. not need to explain why.
semp
Once again, things aren't all about you. HTC may be very interested in why people leave. I'm glad Blagard took the time to spell out what he feels are his reasons for leaving. Im too stubborn to leave but have many of the same feelings toward which way the game play has gone. Just because your still happy playing the way you do doesn't mean there isn't a problem. If everyone thought the way you do about game play we would still have over 800 players playing on a Saturday night US prime time.
I hope there are changes that adjust game play when the new version goes live. I don't see much hope in that. They seem to be looking to cater toward stealing away WOT players by adding the "tank arena" but this could dilute an already low numbered population in the main arena. I don't know how it will all turn out, but like I said Im too stubborn to quit. This is the only game I like and the only game I make time to play. I'll be sticking around to see how it ll turns out.
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If I was to leave it would be due to financial reasons...I can't stand some of the game play of late (years) but there are still those gems that remind me of the awesomeness that is AH for me...
I had until AH never been totally hooked on a game....many times I have considered leaving because of frustration at something or other but on reflection it happened because of my stupidity (trusting the other player has the same mindset as myself)
I can't even leave for a holiday without the thoughts of withdrawal setting in...this game is a mindflip( ;))
As with all good things Indy....unlike a Hollywood blockbuster .... the attraction is the immersion not the fancy fluff...AH stands out for me in this way like no other.... that is the reason I will continue to pay and play till I can no more..... It is stupid that a game can have such an attraction...but hey...keeps me out of trouble so that is a big positive.....Well that's how I sell it to the missus anyway hahahaha
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While they do clean out the old names now and then, I don't think it's a priority. Give them a call and if the name you want is not attached to an active account, they will clear it to make it available to you. I've seen it happen a number of times.
Once again, things aren't all about you. HTC may be very interested in why people leave. I'm glad Blagard took the time to spell out what he feels are his reasons for leaving. Im too stubborn to leave but have many of the same feelings toward which way the game play has gone. Just because your still happy playing the way you do doesn't mean there isn't a problem. If everyone thought the way you do about game play we would still have over 800 players playing on a Saturday night US prime time.
I hope there are changes that adjust game play when the new version goes live. I don't see much hope in that. They seem to be looking to cater toward stealing away WOT players by adding the "tank arena" but this could dilute an already low numbered population in the main arena. I don't know how it will all turn out, but like I said Im too stubborn to quit. This is the only game I like and the only game I make time to play. I'll be sticking around to see how it ll turns out.
fugitive all you have done for the 10 years I have been here is beotch. head to the biggest dar bar you can find, and I can guarantee you you will find a fight. head to the middle of nowhere and you wont find any fights. it is just that simple.
nobody will fight, your fight. but you can always fight your fight. if you know how to find your fight.
semp
semp
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fugitive all you have done for the 10 years I have been here is beotch. head to the biggest dar bar you can find, and I can guarantee you you will find a fight. head to the middle of nowhere and you wont find any fights. it is just that simple.
nobody will fight, your fight. but you can always fight your fight. if you know how to find your fight.
semp
semp
More nonsensical diatribe, but please continue as I know many find your postings hilarious. :rolleyes:
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fugitive all you have done for the 10 years I have been here is beotch. head to the biggest dar bar you can find, and I can guarantee you you will find a fight. head to the middle of nowhere and you wont find any fights. it is just that simple.
nobody will fight, your fight. but you can always fight your fight. if you know how to find your fight.
semp
:rofl :aok
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GameID's are cleaned every week day on deleted or inactive free time accounts accounts.
HiTech
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That makes my previous cpids hot commodities it seems. :D
Of course, guess that's 2 different things.
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I think a lot of people started leaving when the updates steadily came to a halt, as HTC continued work on their updated engine. This, paired with others leaving for personal reasons, a lack of steady stream of new players, and the overall result of fewer numbers leading to fewer fights and even more people leaving started a slow decent into what we have today. I thoroughly believe that once the engine is released officially, the bugs are hammered out, and advertising picks up (hopefully heavily), numbers will pick up once again. Just my 2 cents.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
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People leave because after playing the same video game for some time they get bored of it and find something else to do. That's normal. You weirdos that stick around for years are the exception not the norm.
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While I haven't left, I haven't been logging in to fly simply because there's only so many hours available in the day, and so much other stuff I have to squeeze into it. Often what time I'm not spending at work is given over to eating, working out, and writing, with about 6-7 hours for sleep. It doesn't leave much time for ANY gaming. :-\
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People leave because after playing the same video game for some time they get bored of it and find something else to do. That's normal. You weirdos that stick around for years are the exception not the norm.
Going to save this quote ;) :D
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Your not new to this game, you write all that analysis on a game you are new to :old:
YOU lot man up!
Defo a feminist or someone who has been shat in his sandbox :old:
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People leave because after playing the same video game for some time they get bored of it and find something else to do. That's normal. You weirdos that stick around for years are the exception not the norm.
This is sig worthy...
This weirdo ain't leaving till they turn the lights off... :rofl :aok
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HT posted HTC's data on why players leave, as well as some pretty well reasoned opinions on the matter. I don't agree with all of the reasons they stated, but certainly do agree with some. HTC has stated that they survive off of a 1 to 2 year player shelf life, and grow through having more "ins" than "outs" in that period, at least that's how I read it. The problem that happened once blue/orange arenas were cancelled and the 800 player Titanic Tuesday numbers started dropping, is obviously the outs were outnumbering the ins.
Why the leaving rate started edging out the joining rate - who knows. There are many factors I'm sure, the economy, the graphics becoming a bit old, etc. One thing I've never done is criticize the original game formula. It's a winner, always has been, and will continue to be, even with tweaks and changes. I firmly believe this company is the only one that has ever gotten this part RIGHT, and will continue to defend this part of HTC. Some of the bbs/forum rules, issues, actions, and other things, not so much, but IMO while it can appear that arguments between HTC and p/o'd players leaving has an effect on the numbers, reality is that it probably isn't that crucial, it just looks that way to those that peruse the forums often. I'd prefer a different PR angle with non-confrontation, but it's HT's company and if he wants to rake someone being an idiot over the coals, it's his place to do so after all. Skuzzy has been quoted as saying "the forum argument, followed by nasty posts, then nastier phone calls and emails, followed by the account cancellation and a REALLY nasty email". It's unfortunate this happens, but I think they probably account for like 1% of the overall numbers problem.
There is much potential here now, I can feel it - the new version coming sooner than later now - it'll take a subtle and intelligent plan IMO, but it's not rocket science, in order to bring some of the millions of WW2 online gamers over here - just pick off a small fraction of them, and 800 number nights will be here to stay for a long time.
One thing I'd like to use as an example - Countersrike. I know the original creator, I interviewed him back in the early 2000s when it was a new mod for Half Life. It's risen and fallen many times. Two large pro gaming companies went bust over it. The last CS GO nearly failed too. Then the creators started this "weapons and knifes" skin collection stuff - something I believed to be nonsense. It not only saved the game, but now it's one of the most played games every day, top 1,2,3 depending on the day. Mainly due to one little change that allows collection and trade of items of value that make your graphic guns and knives look...goofy.
My point is the internet can be a fickle place, and it's difficult to put your finger on why something works and doesn't, and thus just as hard to figure out why players leave. There are hundreds of reasons for departing players, I'm certain. What's important now is to understand what will make new players JOIN, and stick it out for that 2 years or so at least, so HTC can see some revenue for the long work they've put in, and so us players/users can be more entertained by having a larger game, and all the + that comes with it.
I helped Dolby make a quick AH3 youtube promo vid. Flying around in 1440p and 4k with my higher end Gsync LCDs, I got a good idea of how much better it looks than AH2 - they are on to something here, again, I can start to feel it already.
I think the whole beta thing just needs a strike on the match, once it's burning, things are going to get exciting here pretty fast. That match is out of the box now, and it'll be lit soon IMO. Every time I load it now I'm more and more impressed.
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People leave because after playing the same video game for some time they get bored of it and find something else to do. That's normal. You weirdos that stick around for years are the exception not the norm.
This. It has a shelf life, and IMO for every player it's different. For some it's months, some a few years, some many years.
I also think the ones that don't get bored with it for years have a tendency to explode bigger when they quit, I think because they had made a much larger investment in time and personal investment than those who quit relatively quickly.
Wiley.
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Gman, remember this http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,334552.msg4672676.html#msg4672676
It's like the CS GO gun skins ;)
Personal modification of an aircraft would go down well
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Gman, remember this http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,334552.msg4672676.html#msg4672676
It's like the CS GO gun skins ;)
Personal modification of an aircraft would go down well
If I ignore the technical end of it, I think personalized skins would be awesome as long as there was an option to turn them off from the other side so you'd just see default skins on other people if you liked. That way, people that would get thrown off by a pink MLP themed P51D wouldn't have to look at it.
Wiley.
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I think you keep getting the wrong end of the stick. Like bright red tanks;
The base skin is historical camo only, its the nose art and insignias that change. Have nosey at some WarThunder to get an idea,My addition to the base skin are the Red Heart the 5 on the tail and the victory mark by the canopy
(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/621848412075165744/DFB8A07820B33A041DF30719075F32DD8F5BE62D/)
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I think you keep getting the wrong end of the stick. Like bright red tanks;
The base skin is historical camo only, its the nose art and insignias that change. Have nosey at some WarThunder to get an idea,My addition to the base skin are the Red Heart the 5 on the tail and the victory mark by the canopy
(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/621848412075165744/DFB8A07820B33A041DF30719075F32DD8F5BE62D/)
Well, obviously you shouldn't be able to change the other guys' skins to something custom to prevent blaze orange enemy dweebery. I was just thinking the only quasi-legit complaint people could have about it would be their sense of immersion is ruined by nonhistorical stuff.
I was thinking of a couple custom planes I'd seen in WT a while ago that looked to me a lot more heavily modified than that one.
I wonder if it might be viable to at least have custom fuselage numbers and tail markings.
Wiley.
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It certainly could work - I mean look at the numbers and data from the skins in CS Go - there are many articles, some by the creators themselves, who credit this one single decision and addition to the game with completely saving it, and turning it into a wildly successful product.
While every game and community has differences, I think and hope HTC is observing these little things that have made HUGE differences with other online games, and come up with their own ideas how to spin some of that into the new product. It's their game to win, I fully believe that, I've stated it dozens of times, the HUGE numbers of WW2 gamers from WT, IL2 BoS, so many others - the interest is there, it's just setting the right hook with the right bait, and dropping it in the water at the right time. I've still never played any other WW2 game which at its corps I feel is better than this, therefore WE should have the numbers we want here - just need to take them.
If personal skins, pilots, whatever else, could help do that, two thumbs up, absolutely. Heck, incorporate the "star" ranking system on the clipboard to open up new skins, make them trade-able, or purchasable with perk points - give players rabbits like that to chase. Worked real well with CS Go, for certain, and I'd have bet against that, big time, but the proof is in the pudding.
I think it's also a retention tool - when people build collections of stuff like that, they feel very protective of it, thus staying in the game is the highest priority, and extends beyond just the "fun" and quality of the game product, and adds an entirely different dimension in terms of earning and trading stuff like this.
I like the idea Dolby. A lot.
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Well I really like the game but some time a month or two ago its like a switch went off in my head and I just had no desire to play it, it is weird. It isn't really boredom just a sudden total lack of interest. I've still got my account, I still think its a great idiosyncratic niche game just not interested, like I said it feels weird. I imagine some time in the future I'll feel like logging on but if its AH3 I probably won't be able to, (too cheap to spend the money on hardware.) So regardless of what happens I'm glad I got to experience it when I did. I appreciate the attempts at flight fidelity/flyability, the open persistent sandbox design, the big plane set, the absence of rules, the ease of use, and the fact that it didn't make my computer crash.
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Dolby Warthunder is kak and you know it :old:
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zack if you take all the good points from all of the other simulators/combat games, and put them in your game, you'd have one unbeatable product.
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I've always argued that some degree of personalization while still remaining within the realms of what would be appropriate would be a great bonus.
Apply some of the same standards for historicity as we have now — so no fluorescent pink, can't have swastikas to conform with the legal issues, etc. — but allow things like custom numbers, nose art, and squadron markings.
Another possibility is to make it a decal system. Say for example:
A player wants to customize an F4U-1A. They go into the hangar screen and there's a "Customize" option. They're then presented with options:
Base Camoflage:
USN Tricolor
USN Dark Sea Blue
RN Camoflage
RNZAF Tricolor
Roundel:
US Blue (Star and Bar with blue surrounds)
US Red (Star and Bar with red surrounds)
RN
RNZAF
Fuselage Number Style:
USN
USMC
RN
RNZAF
Number:
[Text Entry Field]
Personal Art Position:
Cowl
Forward Fuselage
Stabilizer
[File Upload Button]
Squadron Art Position:
Cowl
Forward Fuselage
Stabilizer
[File Upload Button]
So, rather than having to make a skin that then has to be reviewed and approved, the player would instead use Radio Buttons to select their camo type, roundel type, number style, and where to place personal/squadron art (linked to the camo type, so USN camo gives you US roundel options, etc). The base skin and roundel could all be stock art already built into the game.
And you could then have different options for different types of aircraft. IE P-51s could be in BMF or olive drab, options for invasion stripes (both surfaces, under surfaces only, none), glare panel color if applicable, etc.
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People leave because they are forced to or because they want to. There really are no other reasons.
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I'll be here till they pry my pony from my dead cold hands. eny permitting.
semp
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True, oh king of oinks, very true. Within those two reasons though, there are many, many sub folders, but yes, I agree, it comes down to being either of those two.
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People leave because after playing the same video game for some time they get bored of it and find something else to do. That's normal. You weirdos that stick around for years are the exception not the norm.
:x
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Zack,
FLOOB has been around about as long as I can remember. Guess he's a weirdo too.
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Zack,
FLOOB has been around about as long as I can remember. Guess he's a weirdo too.
Floob doesn't have to be around long for folks to figure that out! :old: :neener: :D
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They'll be back. Anyone who loves the competitiveness of WW2 combat will be back. AH is currently the only WW2 online combat with massive persistent arena, and player score rankings, very unique. That's the key ingredients. War Thunder is not massive persistent. Although I do love the graphics and flight models, there is very little in competitiveness.
How do I know? Well I've been here and gone several times since 1999. I think my first nickname was corn, but it was several things through the several times I signed back up. All these years later, I'm still at it. I'll cancel in a few months, then be back in a year or two. That's just the way it goes.
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I once deleted my Hitech account and someone else got it.
Hehe I been Shuffler all along.
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Your all weird :old:
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YOU'RE dammit, YOU'RE! No pie for you! :banana:
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They'll be back. Anyone who loves the competitiveness of WW2 combat will be back. AH is currently the only WW2 online combat with massive persistent arena, and player score rankings, very unique. That's the key ingredients. War Thunder is not massive persistent. Although I do love the graphics and flight models, there is very little in competitiveness.
I stopped messing with world of Planes / now called War Thunder, after Alpha testing , then closed Beta testing, and what you have posted above that is bolded and underlined.....
I guess I might should check their flight model out if they figured out how to fix the issues back then...
25+ years of online gaming and modem to modem 1 vs 1 playing before that...... we old farts finally get burnt completely out, on trying to keep up with the game one loves most, and testing any thing that might be a competitor game, to compare them, over all these years....
I have yet to find anything close to AH though, in flight model comparison, except for AW and WB, in which , the creator/owner worked for AW and created WB before creating AH.....
you could say I am a bit biased probably, heh
TC
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I guess I might should check their flight model out if they figured out how to fix the issues back then...
TC
The FM is still a joke at WT
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GameID's are cleaned every week day on deleted or inactive free time accounts accounts.
HiTech
My gameID seems to have too much starch lately, where to we complain about this cleaning???
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Because spring and then summer arrives and some people would rather be outdoors :bolt:
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The FM is still a joke at WT
Thanks for the heads up AKAK, saved me from wasting my time. much appreciated
<S>
TC
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mostly cause of the lifer players they tend to rub people the wrong way and Skuzzy caiters to them cause they are the companies paycheck so he does what he can to make them happy instead of the whole community as a whole.
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Watched a WT BF109 film of it chasing a very maneuverable con. High speed climbs, dives, barrel rolls and loops. When he finally smoked the con after a lot of ACM and got up close as it was falling away, it was an IL2.
Any chance we can get that version of the IL2 in AH3....... :O
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mostly cause of the lifer players they tend to rub people the wrong way and Skuzzy caiters to them cause they are the companies paycheck so he does what he can to make them happy instead of the whole community as a whole.
Hey it's POTW squad night and we fly knights. Why don't you come find us and we will gladly rub your ride the wrong way as many times as you can stand it. I'll let all the oldies on the knights flying with us know you want special treatment tonight. I'll leave it up to each to decide what special means for you..... :O
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YOU'RE dammit, YOU'RE! No pie for you! :banana:
Your too sensitive. :bolt:
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I've not left, merely taking an extended hiatus - will be back some day giving away easy kills, dying in ways that amuse me.
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I now rarely spend any time in the MA. Last month I think it was a whole 7 hours. However I did spend 12 hours in the scenario with some very good squad mates.
I prefer the virtual realism of a Scenario. Most times it involves flying in a campaign with the actual plane set of that time opposing one another. It immerses me
more and I find myself more involved in the fight then I do in the MA where a P47 fights a P51 and a 109G2 fights a K4. I also put forth a better effort in a scenario
then the "I don't care" attitude I have in the MA. Frankly for me the Scenario is much more enjoyable to me. So one could say I basically stay for the events and not
the MA. Two differing styles of gameplay all in all. I prefer the organized version.
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Players leave for reasons.
Why ask why, just go fly :airplane:
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The FM is still a joke at WT
Flew some bi plane and hit hard right rudder and held it and I kept going up and up and up without stalling. Wasn't really moving forwards. Was quite entertaining
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I've not left, merely taking an extended hiatus - will be back some day giving away easy kills, dying in ways that amuse me.
When are you up for parole?
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Players leave for reasons.
Why ask why, just go fly :airplane:
Because if some of the reasons/issues can be solved, those players might stay and increase the fun for everyone.
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When are you up for parole?
:rofl
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I leave when I get bored, or need to get things done. I come back when I get bored of doing productive things. AH is the ultimate lazy-dude thing. :airplane:
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Because if some of the reasons/issues can be solved, those players might stay and increase the fun for everyone.
rage quit #1 reason (i got my feelings hurt).
semp
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<< has seen semp rage quit...
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Because if some of the reasons/issues can be solved, those players might stay and increase the fun for everyone.
But what if one of the reasons/issues is because people ask questions like this?:)
HiTech
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But what if one of the reasons/issues is because people ask questions like this?:)
HiTech
so true, we keep crying the sky is falling, the sky is falling, instead of concentrating on having fun. instead of pointing out the negative we should point out the positive.
semp
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I think you have to put a £50 deposit that you lose if you leave after a month :old:
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Self-fulfilling prophesies.
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I now rarely spend any time in the MA. Last month I think it was a whole 7 hours. However I did spend 12 hours in the scenario with some very good squad mates.
I prefer the virtual realism of a Scenario. Most times it involves flying in a campaign with the actual plane set of that time opposing one another. It immerses me
more and I find myself more involved in the fight then I do in the MA where a P47 fights a P51 and a 109G2 fights a K4. I also put forth a better effort in a scenario
then the "I don't care" attitude I have in the MA. Frankly for me the Scenario is much more enjoyable to me. So one could say I basically stay for the events and not
the MA. Two differing styles of gameplay all in all. I prefer the organized version.
This is me also, I doubt I've spent more than 6 or 7 hours in the MA in the last couple of years, but I never miss FSO / Scenario, for all the reasons Hajo has mentioned.
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I think despite how we all try to find the reasons for not playing, in the end it's as simple as just losing the desire. I haven't flown in forever, and despite getting a new machine to handle the new version and even installing it, I just don't have the itch to fly. Over the years it's always come back, but right now I just don't have it. Don't really have much interest in the boards too. This is the first time in a while I've taken a look.
Would I like the game to be what my memory tells me it was when I was really into it? Sure. Was the game really that different then? Nah. I'm the bit that changed.
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Self-fulfilling prophesies.
Your from Norway so wear daft hats :old:
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I think despite how we all try to find the reasons for not playing, in the end it's as simple as just losing the desire. I haven't flown in forever, and despite getting a new machine to handle the new version and even installing it, I just don't have the itch to fly.
It's kinda like a wasps nest... you get so you don't know it's there unless you poke it.
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I think despite how we all try to find the reasons for not playing, in the end it's as simple as just losing the desire. I haven't flown in forever, and despite getting a new machine to handle the new version and even installing it, I just don't have the itch to fly. Over the years it's always come back, but right now I just don't have it. Don't really have much interest in the boards too. This is the first time in a while I've taken a look.
Would I like the game to be what my memory tells me it was when I was really into it? Sure. Was the game really that different then? Nah. I'm the bit that changed.
Dan/Tiff/CorkyJr 's post above is the simple truth of the matter for most.....
I, going off of memory, think the worst time that really hit the attendance started hitting near end of 2008 ( election year ) and the following year of 2009 where the economy tanked... here in the US, people were losing their job's or taking pay cuts, losing their homes, losing family members due to 2 war fronts being fought..... it wasn't pretty and it lasted for years
but times are a changing ( always are , everyday, actually )
This is also an election year, 8 years later... HTC is well into the Open Beta and I am witnessing the return of players I haven't seen in 6 to 12 years...... hoping things keep picking up for HTC/Aces High steadily, like has been happening for the past year or more......
*seeing more new players
*seeing old friends return that have been gone for a while
*seeing different Events beginning to pick up in attendance
*watching/seeing HTC's AH ver. 3 Open Beta improving/advancing at a quick steady rate
*observing the AH CM Staff & AH AvsA Staff and AH Trainers, very motivated in keeping the events going strong, or bringing new events to the community
*seeing individual players stepping up and creating weekly regular events ( AvsA Monday night Madness (or Mayhem ) and the AH Community attending and supporting
*seeing less pessimism from players, and observing more optimism
*"It's Getting Better Everyday"
I know I don't fly/play as regularly as I did 10 years ago, but it isn't because I don't want to..... I myself have been playing AH with injuries compounded on top of each other since Oct. 2003....so I actually sit in my chair in pain, just to play AH and to fly with my friends, and bare the pain for as long as I can until I simply have to log off....
desire/burn out, comes and goes.... and every individuals limit is different............so you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave! :old: :D
Real Life always comes first, before the game...... but aside that, and a players desire to play or being burnt out, is about the only reasons I see someone hang up their hat and eject themselves from the game...... I just hate seeing players I have known or played alongside or against for over 20+ years simply disappear to never be heard from again.....
I hope to keep seeing more New Players and Old Long time friends, keep returning.....as has been the case lately......
Sincerely,
TC / Johnny
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I'll toss my hat in the ring, copy pasted from the shade infestation thread.
I feel I may be on the fringe here, and I'll admit I can't really say much as I haven't played for any regular amount of time in I don't know how long. I'll pop in here and there, fly a few sorties. Once upon a time, handles were part of the fun, but the game grew to meet the new era. Since flying an account with a high score became a risk for those obsessed with the scoring system on something bordering addiction, having second or third accounts became typical.
Then, at what seems to me came after the announcement that the combat tour(if memory serves that's what it was called) was being dissolved, what should have been a new beginning, for me was the beginning of the end. Development slowed to a snails pace. Corporate politics found it's teeth sank firmly and the invasion came. This led to a fracture in the community, and the high-lighting of how it was falling behind technologically.
The dominant personalities of ole (Shane, FDB's etc.,) we all lament about like a cantankerous slobber donkey/kastrati you couldn't help but love it, if even only for a while. Started to leave. The people who nurtured the game's development from early on started moving on to other things. As the player base grew, it became harder to stand out from the crowd. So, the few personalities that remained added color more than character to the game.
Having said all that, some of my longest friendships have been with people I met playing AH. And that is what makes the current state of affairs all the more tragic. The lack of comprehension, understanding or perhaps even give a damn of online communities within the very companies that create the games is appalling. In online gaming, the players ARE the game. The product that they use to play is just the vessel, the medium. I sincerely hope some day, more game companies will along that understands this like the HTC crew does.
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See Rule #4
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See Rule #4
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See rule #4
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I think despite how we all try to find the reasons for not playing, in the end it's as simple as just losing the desire. I haven't flown in forever, and despite getting a new machine to handle the new version and even installing it, I just don't have the itch to fly. Over the years it's always come back, but right now I just don't have it. Don't really have much interest in the boards too. This is the first time in a while I've taken a look.
Would I like the game to be what my memory tells me it was when I was really into it? Sure. Was the game really that different then? Nah. I'm the bit that changed.
This basically sums it up for me, ill be back eventually but i just dont have the desire right now
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Because if some of the reasons/issues can be solved, those players might stay and increase the fun for everyone.
No, they can't be solved. Your comment suggests HTC has come magical way to code the game so everyone enjoys it.
This is not going to happen, people come and go. HTC designs the chess board, play the game. I left, got busy, life intruded, had to make a choice between playing and working. Almost 20 years of playing and this year, work intruded. My reasons, my business, not one single thing HTC can do to change that.
Play The Game. The game is what you make of it, nothing else. People sit in here and complain about so many things that are 100% absolutely their issues to solve but expect the coders to fix it. Not going to happen :) Every single person has their expectation of what the game "should" be and it is physically impossible for HTC to code it to fix it for everyone. People complain about the scoring, HTC fixes it, and those who were not complaining are now complaining about what was changed that they thought was fine. I'm not surprised HTC and company drink, I'm surprised at how LITTLE they drink!
You cannot code something to increase the fun for everyone because everyone has something uniquely different they think is fun.
They built a pretty nice game board. Go play the game. I'll be back later, when I can. Might even shake off the dust and CO an event but not right now. When I do it will be for my reasons, on my time, when I feel like it, regardless of the status of the new version, because the community around this game is as much, if not more than, the game itself.
But my original point stands, people leave for reasons, and there are as many reasons as there are people.
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I played for a very long time, but I left because it got boring. They took away tank town, moved airfields further apart, seemed like every time I logged on there was an ENY issue.
I'd fly 5-10 minutes to find a fight - it was like commuting. Finally, I figured I could spend my time better elsewhere and started playing offline sims until eventually I realized I just wasn't logging into AH at all.
I miss my squad mates, but the game has to be fun to play.
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No, they can't be solved. Your comment suggests HTC has come magical way to code the game so everyone enjoys it.
This is not going to happen, people come and go. HTC designs the chess board, play the game. I left, got busy, life intruded, had to make a choice between playing and working. Almost 20 years of playing and this year, work intruded. My reasons, my business, not one single thing HTC can do to change that.
Play The Game. The game is what you make of it, nothing else. People sit in here and complain about so many things that are 100% absolutely their issues to solve but expect the coders to fix it. Not going to happen :) Every single person has their expectation of what the game "should" be and it is physically impossible for HTC to code it to fix it for everyone. People complain about the scoring, HTC fixes it, and those who were not complaining are now complaining about what was changed that they thought was fine. I'm not surprised HTC and company drink, I'm surprised at how LITTLE they drink!
You cannot code something to increase the fun for everyone because everyone has something uniquely different they think is fun.
They built a pretty nice game board. Go play the game. I'll be back later, when I can. Might even shake off the dust and CO an event but not right now. When I do it will be for my reasons, on my time, when I feel like it, regardless of the status of the new version, because the community around this game is as much, if not more than, the game itself.
But my original point stands, people leave for reasons, and there are as many reasons as there are people.
I would say any reason someone has for leaving is a valid reason.
My point is that some things can be adjusted. A few years back NOEs were rampant. It seemed like 8 out of 10 missions were NOE. Game play was basically "wack a mole" in jumping from base to base to defend. HTC adjusted the DAR and the number of NOE have decreased. The NOE wasn't REMOVED from the game but it was made a bit harder and so it wasn't the quickest easiest way to grab a base any more.
An adjustment made, and a larger portion of the subscribers are happy.
What if a way was made that the number of attacker inside a DAR circle adjusted the percentage of buildings that have to be dropped to make the town go to a white flag? If it was under 10, you needed 50% and for every player over 10 it adds another 5 buildings. The larger the "horde" attacking the more buildings you need for a white flag, but if you use a small force you need much less. Would you see the "hordes" split up and work 2 or 3 bases at once?
Could it be abused by some players to aggravate others by flying in the circle and not helping out? Sure about as much as a player popping DAR on an NOE mission. And the good thing about something like this is it isn't taking AWAY the horde mission. That is still there and in most cases they bring enough ord to flatten a whole town , FH, BH, VH, ammo, etc, etc. It does open up missions to small crews that would not like to fly in a horde as well as adding more places for defenders to find fights.
A change to code to enhance game play. Thats the kind of stuff Im talking about. Everyone has a valid reason for leaving, but again some of those reasons/issues could be solved. Heck if there was a pool of money we could donate to to augment subscriptions for those hitting hard times it would be another solution to a "reason" some people have to quit. Sure there are a number of reasons/issues that cant be "fixed", but is that a good reason to NOT look at the reason/issues people quit?
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In my case money . Bummer when you can not work and draw 600 a month to live on .