Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: cav58d on November 05, 2016, 11:54:05 AM

Title: How large is active community?
Post by: cav58d on November 05, 2016, 11:54:05 AM
Hi All,

Looking at making a return after a long break from the game and I was wondering how many players are currently active?  I'd be buying or building a PC specifically to play AH, and I just want to make sure this game is still popular, being supported and has longevity before making that financial investment.

Thanks!
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Shuffler on November 05, 2016, 11:56:57 AM
LOL plenty play. You sure do not need any special computer to play.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: The Fugitive on November 05, 2016, 12:07:40 PM
The game is growing again. Numbers week nights US prime are over 100, weekends 200. US day time suffers a bit due to lower numbers.

AH3 was just released and is a whole new game with much better graphics and many options for play.

You don't need a super computer to run it, tho laptops still have trouble running it with all the bells and whistles. Post in the tech section for help on which computer/parts to buy. Lots of great minds in there.

Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Rich46yo on November 05, 2016, 12:20:24 PM
Since III came out I got a sense of growth in the game. Ive also been hearing more noob questions in the comms.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Marco on November 05, 2016, 12:29:22 PM
I returned about a month or so ago after a 10 year break. So far so good, still hoping to see a lot more veterans return to the skies too.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: USCH on November 05, 2016, 12:34:26 PM
Close to 230 in FSO Last night.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: cav58d on November 05, 2016, 12:46:41 PM
I'm glad that game is still going strong but I'm somewhat surprised to hear the active community is only in the hundreds.  I feel like the last time I played the servers would consistently be 300+?  I may be remembering incorrectly.

Can someone give me an idea of the day time server numbers?

Thanks for all the responses!
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: SlipKnt on November 05, 2016, 01:01:57 PM
I have 3 squaddies hat have been gone a year or more just start back up this week. 

Certainly growing again.

 :rock
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: puller on November 05, 2016, 01:23:40 PM
50 to 70 on during day...
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Shuffler on November 05, 2016, 02:28:31 PM
I'm glad that game is still going strong but I'm somewhat surprised to hear the active community is only in the hundreds.  I feel like the last time I played the servers would consistently be 300+?  I may be remembering incorrectly.

Can someone give me an idea of the day time server numbers?

Thanks for all the responses!

You have two weeks to see for yourself.  ;)
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Traveler on November 05, 2016, 03:09:39 PM
Hi All,

Looking at making a return after a long break from the game and I was wondering how many players are currently active?  I'd be buying or building a PC specifically to play AH, and I just want to make sure this game is still popular, being supported and has longevity before making that financial investment.

Thanks!

Don't waste your money building a PC for AH.  You don't need the lastest and greatest to play AH, It's circa 2010/2011.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: DaddyAce on November 05, 2016, 03:17:33 PM
You might want to post specs on your existing machine to get an opinion on whether it will run AH3.  As I mentioned in another post I recently built a new machine, but prior to that, I was surprised that my old machine would run AH3, albeit with graphics settings turned way down.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: cav58d on November 05, 2016, 03:43:28 PM
You might want to post specs on your existing machine to get an opinion on whether it will run AH3.  As I mentioned in another post I recently built a new machine, but prior to that, I was surprised that my old machine would run AH3, albeit with graphics settings turned way down.

Non-Existant.  I haven't owned a desktop since early 2000's.  I need to get everything from scratch!
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: EskimoJoe on November 05, 2016, 05:08:37 PM
I'm glad that game is still going strong but I'm somewhat surprised to hear the active community is only in the hundreds.  I feel like the last time I played the servers would consistently be 300+?  I may be remembering incorrectly.

Can someone give me an idea of the day time server numbers?

Thanks for all the responses!

Well, you're not wrong. In it's prime, there were about 700-800 players online fridays/weekends from what I recall. Then some changes happened that weren't very popular, and over the years it seems numbers have gotten pretty low. I think over the next few years there will be a greater focus on advertising now that the graphics update, or AH v.3 is released, and the community might once again grow. Time will tell.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: cav58d on November 05, 2016, 06:11:27 PM
Well, you're not wrong. In it's prime, there were about 700-800 players online fridays/weekends from what I recall. Then some changes happened that weren't very popular, and over the years it seems numbers have gotten pretty low. I think over the next few years there will be a greater focus on advertising now that the graphics update, or AH v.3 is released, and the community might once again grow. Time will tell.

Those were the days, thats for sure!  I'll likely come back, but the numbers do make me a little apprehensive on spending $1k+ on equipment for the sole purpose of playing this game. 
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: EskimoJoe on November 05, 2016, 06:33:10 PM
You shouldn't need 1k plus. With about 850 bucks and some black friday / cyber monday + holiday deals coming up, you might be able to build something that exceeds AH3 standards with everything you need.  Plus, if it doesn't pan out, I'm sure you could either sell it to another player looking to upgrade here, or maybe try to get into some other games.

Ultimately, I understand your apprehension. But there's always options, and it might be worth your investment if you're looking for the addiction again  :aok
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Bruv119 on November 05, 2016, 06:57:07 PM
hey cav good to see your still about.

numbers are enough for some good battles in your time zone.   Off hours or Euro times are pretty bad.   However that being said you can still get some good fights.  I do think we have hit rock bottom and are building it back up again.   Small maps definitely helping and just need side switch down to one hour.   
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Traveler on November 05, 2016, 06:57:15 PM
Those were the days, thats for sure!  I'll likely come back, but the numbers do make me a little apprehensive on spending $1k+ on equipment for the sole purpose of playing this game.

You can buy a gaming machine for under $800.00.  Computers are really cheap right now.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: 68Raptor on November 05, 2016, 09:03:03 PM
You can buy a gaming machine for under $800.00.  Computers are really cheap right now.
Forgive the ignorance but do you have a link or where I could buy one? Looking to add a new one. Thanks!
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: cav58d on November 05, 2016, 09:32:04 PM
Forgive the ignorance but do you have a link or where I could buy one? Looking to add a new one. Thanks!

Me too!  Find me a rig for $800 or less and I'm back tomorrow! :salute
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Bizman on November 06, 2016, 02:22:58 AM
Actually, if you can find a little older system with an Intel i3 or i5 processor running at 3 GHz or more and a motherboard with a free PCI-e 16x slot, all you'd need is a decent video card like a GeForce GTX 1060 plus possibly a better power supply. That combination shouldn't be more than 400 or so.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: EskimoJoe on November 06, 2016, 06:18:05 AM
Forgive the ignorance but do you have a link or where I could buy one? Looking to add a new one. Thanks!

There's a few good threads in the Hardware section of the forum.

The popular pre-built one is about 830 bucks, plus probably shipping and any extras you want.

http://www.digitalstorm.com/vanquish-5.asp
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: JunkyII on November 06, 2016, 07:43:28 AM
hey cav good to see your still about.

numbers are enough for some good battles in your time zone.   Off hours or Euro times are pretty bad.   However that being said you can still get some good fights.  I do think we have hit rock bottom and are building it back up again.   Small maps definitely helping and just need side switch down to one hour.   
For sure side switch needs to go down even in peak times...People also need to stop flying like little women these days....swear the bish attacking A69 last night...maybe 1 out of 10 of them would actually fight the others would just sit on their perch waiting for you to not be looking.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Traveler on November 06, 2016, 08:37:45 AM
Forgive the ignorance but do you have a link or where I could buy one? Looking to add a new one. Thanks!

Just go into google and search for Gaming computers, you get about 10 links on the first page.
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: GScholz on November 06, 2016, 09:18:10 AM
Here is a build that would run AH3 just fine: http://www.pcgamer.com/pc-build-guide-budget-gaming-pc/
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Rebel28 on November 06, 2016, 09:37:44 AM
I purchased mine off the Bay from this company http://www.ebay.com/sch/magic-micro/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from= (http://www.ebay.com/sch/magic-micro/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=) The price was $639 this did not include a video card as I already had one (purchased also on EBay second hand). Here is a list of the system specs. it runs the game at a solid 60 frames with all details maxed NEVER DROPS. You can build it anyway you like with the drop down choices and the system was well put together with all cables well routed and dressed out inside.

Intel 6th Gen "SkyLake" CPUs:
    Intel Core i3-6100 SkyLake 3.7GHz Dual Core

Intel i3/i5/ i7 CPU Fans:
    Intel Socket 1150/1155 CPU fan

Intel 6th Gen "Skylake" Motherboards:
    Asus H110M-A , Onboard Video HDMI, DVI, GB LAN, DDR4, USB 3.0

DDR4 System memory:
    16GB (2x8GB) PC4-17000 DDR4 2133MHz Dual Channel

Hard Drives & SSDs:
    1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM SATA3 6GB/s 64m Cache

Optical Drives:
    ASUS 24x SATA DVD Recorder +R/RW -R/RW

Sound Cards:
    Realtek HD digital audio (onboard)

Network Cards:
    Ethernet network adapter (onboard)

Cases:
    Thermaltake Versa H21 black, front USB 2.0 & 3.0

Power Supply:
    Thermaltake TR2 700W ultra quiet ATX Power Supply, SLI & X-fire ready

Operating Systems:
    Microsoft Windows 10 64-Bit DVD
 

Warranty:
   1 Year Limited with Lifetime toll free Technical support.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: DmonSlyr on November 06, 2016, 02:46:16 PM
hey cav good to see your still about.

numbers are enough for some good battles in your time zone.   Off hours or Euro times are pretty bad.   However that being said you can still get some good fights.  I do think we have hit rock bottom and are building it back up again.   Small maps definitely helping and just need side switch down to one hour.   

Yup, quicker small maps with shorter base distances make the fights more actionable and easy to find.

I think 3 hour switch times would be the right compromise. It would make it hard to spy and switch, while still allowing for players to even out if need be. Side switching is crucial to keeping the #s and fights even.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: 38ruk on November 07, 2016, 03:22:21 AM
I saw this on newegg for $699, and it would run AH3 just fine .Its a factory refurb from asus

Intel Core i7 6th Gen 6700 (3.4 GHz)
16 GB Ram
AMD Radeon R9 370
Windows 10 Home 64-Bit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883221275
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: BBQsam on November 07, 2016, 12:43:55 PM
Prime time USA main arena pushing 200 and often exceeds it.  From what I understand HT will continue fixing bugs then will spend advertising dollars then it should really climb!
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: NatCigg on November 07, 2016, 01:34:18 PM
anyone wanting to buy a computer or computer parts remember we are thee weeks away from big sales.  now's the time for research so you can make a educated decision on black friday and cyber monday.  :old: 

 :salute
Title: This is a really reliable site for cheap to high end builds as low as 500 dollor
Post by: yipi on November 07, 2016, 10:17:24 PM
http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/gaming-desktop-computer.html
the low end 500 dollor computer will play the game fine depending on your monitor resolution 1080 is good. and set texture to 2k
You can email me if you have a question but I am not an expert builder but I am an expert researcher of components compatibility.
Title: Re: How large is active community?
Post by: Sloehand on November 07, 2016, 11:46:18 PM
Non-Existant.  I haven't owned a desktop since early 2000's.  I need to get everything from scratch!
FYI
Just before AHIII came online my video card started to fritz out on me.  Reading a thread by Skuzzy concerning viable computer components that could be updated for optimum play, he stated that with the new game engine, the emphasis would be on the video memory, more than it was in AH2.  The recommendation was getting a video card with 4G of memory.  I bought the NVidia GTX980 with 4 GBs.  I get 60+ fps all the time with all the eye candy, etc.