Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: lefty2 on December 26, 2016, 01:04:33 AM
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So I'm watching the military channel in the background and twice in one hour an ad comes on world of tanks we have 100 million players. I pulled up the roster and looked we had 50 players on at the time. Ya, ya, I'm sure 100 million is a little bit of a stretch of advertising imagination, but whatever it is I'm sure it's a lot better than 50. Who would've guessed it would appear that if you advertise people find your game and play. Imagine that. Advertising equals players think of it, it must be rocket science.
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AH3 actually has 200 million subscribers. Twice as much as WoT.
8 actual humans and 199,999,992 shade accounts.
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now thats funny!
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I've figured that WoT is a "free" game where you have to register in order to play. My question is, does anyone ever unregister from WoT? Or are the only losses in the player count those that have been permanently banned for cheating?
Knowing the number of paying subscribers is the only valid method to compare the real player count. The monthly fee for AH is an easy way to tell the number of active subscribers, for WoT you'd have to keep score about players making upgrades to their vehicles by using credits, bought or earned, during a relatively short time. A year might be too long a period considering the amount of early teenagers who'd download the game, die a lot, pay for the best gear, die still a lot, quit for frustration.
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Here's the thing about the WoT numbers, they only count registered accounts and not the actual numbers that play the game. It's a common marketing gimmick.
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Anything you can play on a phone, like angry birds, is going to have a huge player base. I play wot while waiting to get a haircut.
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1. Free to play
2. Easy to play
3. Much bigger investment capital for non stop commercials
4. What AKAK said
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1. Free to play
That sort of business model has been taking over in recent years. Unfortunately AH isn't set up very well to use that business model.
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And let us hope it never does. While it is great for generating income over the short haul, eventually it catches up and then you have to charge for upgrades and any services you offer.
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the main reason I started playing this all those many years ago was a commercial I saw on the Military Channel... was a good commercial.... Maybe HT would do a contest like he had a few years ago, and let the customer base create a commercial.....
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the main reason I started playing this all those many years ago was a commercial I saw on the Military Channel... was a good commercial.... Maybe HT would do a contest like he had a few years ago, and let the customer base create a commercial.....
The problem is that Hitech said the commercial didn't generate enough interest to cover the investment made to make/air the commercial. Which is why I think he may be a bit gun shy to do it again.
However there are many other options. Advertising in Model makers magazines, flying magazines and so on. The social media angle is a huge opportunity if used properly. In a few months the WWII air shows will start back up again. What if HTC built a booth and shipped it around the country to players that would volunteer to run it at each show. HTC pays for literature and fees, maybe a computer with an air card and a login to let people give it a try at the shows, volunteers sign a contract to setup and break down the booth. Heck give the "volunteers" 6 months or a year free to do it. All of these things are much cheaper than making and airing a TV commercial.
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The problem is that Hitech said the commercial didn't generate enough interest to cover the investment made to make/air the commercial. Which is why I think he may be a bit gun shy to do it again.
However there are many other options. Advertising in Model makers magazines, flying magazines and so on. The social media angle is a huge opportunity if used properly. In a few months the WWII air shows will start back up again. What if HTC built a booth and shipped it around the country to players that would volunteer to run it at each show. HTC pays for literature and fees, maybe a computer with an air card and a login to let people give it a try at the shows, volunteers sign a contract to setup and break down the booth. Heck give the "volunteers" 6 months or a year free to do it. All of these things are much cheaper than making and airing a TV commercial.
That could work, I do believe. When I was in Ca. last year, I got to got down to an Air Museum in Palm Springs I believe it was :headscratch: They had a flight sim visitors could play, several actually, Microsoft Flight Sim and Combat Flight Simulator 2 the Pacific theater. There were about 5o visitors at the time, and 30 of them were in line to try the simulators.
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I don't understand how the military channel commercials didn't work...I for one saw it in 05 and am still here and as I have seen many many more saw this same commercial and are still here... How much could a commercial on an obscure cable channel cost... Well its affiliated with discovery so it might be alot
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I don't understand how the military channel commercials didn't work...I for one saw it in 05 and am still here and as I have seen many many more saw this same commercial and are still here... How much could a commercial on an obscure cable channel cost... Well its affiliated with discovery so it might be alot
The military channel didn't have a broad enough base really. Commercials are expensive so I understand. I think there would prolly be a much larger attraction if it were on comedy Central, fox, history channel, AMC, ect. If you had a really kick bellybutton commercial on a bigger name channel it would probably bring a lot of new comers at least for the 2 week (month, I think) trial.
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One issue is that many people don't actually watch TV any more in the way people used to. No more reading the program list on the daily paper, no more sitting in front of the telly at a given time. They rather use online services or record the programs so they can skip the ads. This is true especially among the young professionals who like to control their spare time to the max. What, where, when... They are hard to reach but they tend to spend the most money for their leisure.
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The problem is that Hitech said the commercial didn't generate enough interest to cover the investment made to make/air the commercial. Which is why I think he may be a bit gun shy to do it again.
What decade was that ? Years ago when my squad had it’s largest number of players, an official survey of our membership conducted by our squad XO, showed that 70% of our members had been attracted to AH by the commercials they saw.
However there are many other options. Advertising in Model makers magazines, flying magazines and so on. The social media angle is a huge opportunity if used properly. In a few months the WWII air shows will start back up again. What if HTC built a booth and shipped it around the country to players that would volunteer to run it at each show. HTC pays for literature and fees, maybe a computer with an air card and a login to let people give it a try at the shows, volunteers sign a contract to setup and break down the booth. Heck give the "volunteers" 6 months or a year free to do it. All of these things are much cheaper than making and airing a TV commercial.
After 40 years in the business world, I learned that one thing is true: “you get what you pay for”.
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IIRC the statements some have made here about HTs comments regarding the lacking response to advertising was about the most recent HTC adds. Again, IIRC, the add was placed in a Canadian history channel special about WW2 air combat aces. It was a decent program, but I'm not sure if it aired in Canada only - the wiki for it says it did air in the UK and the US, but I have no idea the metrics of the add campaign. There aren't that many people, much less gamers up here. So, before throwing advertising success under the bus, it'd be best to be sure specifically what HT was talking about. I'm pretty sure the recent add campaign that HT spoke about not long ago, and how they didn't get many, if any customers from it, was from an add placed in a mostly Canadian market in terms of how the program aired, and the adds along with it.
I believe it was this program that HTC last ran an add on - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Aces
HT posted specifically in 2014 that they had ran an add on this program, and that it had little success. IMO that's not due to the add, or HTC's product, but just the market, I wouldn't believe for one second the CPM numbers the channel gave HTC either, having some experience with how they did business in the past. Very, very few eyes, and those eyes are NOT potential WW2 online gamer eyes.
As others have said, the former add that ran on the US military channel/etc back in the 2000s, I think every 2nd player I talked to back in those days came from that commercial. Bizman makes a good point, it isn't the 2000s anymore and regular old TV adds aren't what they used to be. There are other areas HTC could blitz, Youtube adds on gamer channels, YT gaming channel reviews, Twitch, etc. Also, getting their website back up in the search rankings. Every social media platform. Etc.
.WoT, WT, WofWarships, and so forth, there are millions of people familiar with these games, and even if HTC only captures a fraction of 1 percent of these potential customers, we'll be back to the 1st world problem of having to have an Orange/Blue type deal. Advertising anywhere these potential customers may look, anywhere, will work.
I believe HTC knows this, and has a plan for advertising, if they plan on doing so. HT has posted before many of the metric they look at to factor in where, and of course with the new version WHEN, they plan to do so.
How many new people come to our internet sight each day.
How many people visit our download page every day?
How many people downloaded the game every day?
How many people created an account but did not enter the game?
How many people created an account ?
How many days does the average person who creates an account play?
How many people created an account who subscribed before.
How many people who try our game become subscribers.
How much advertising have we done this month.
How many people deleted there accounts this month.
How many people's credit cards were declined this month?
How many people have an account but did not play this month.
How many hours did the average person play last month?
What is the average life span of a subscriber?
What % of subscribers delete in the first month?
These are some of the metrics we look at. And even the simple metric you are using shows growth right after the change.
So yes , you are really viewing things with almost zero data.
HiTech
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Quantity of players is useless, quality of players is all that matters. Adding 100 million iPhone generation players would not make AH fun. Conscious effort by 400 AH vets to improve gameplay would. *shrug*
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If you wish to expand your clientele...... then somehow you have to communicate to your target market that you actually exist and that you have a product they want.
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Do ANY trade publications, video game equipment makers, etc pull up Aces High in the results list when you google them?
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Remember how AOL got started, they gave the disk away, everywhere.
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The problem is that Hitech said the commercial didn't generate enough interest to cover the investment made to make/air the commercial. Which is why I think he may be a bit gun shy to do it again.
However there are many other options. Advertising in Model makers magazines, flying magazines and so on. The social media angle is a huge opportunity if used properly. In a few months the WWII air shows will start back up again. What if HTC built a booth and shipped it around the country to players that would volunteer to run it at each show. HTC pays for literature and fees, maybe a computer with an air card and a login to let people give it a try at the shows, volunteers sign a contract to setup and break down the booth. Heck give the "volunteers" 6 months or a year free to do it. All of these things are much cheaper than making and airing a TV commercial.
yes yes yes! I couldnt think of any better place to find players interested in our game. Advertising at air shows and like is exactly the target audience we are trying to reach.
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I would utilize the social media as it is free advertising.
perhaps even more exposure on the flight sim sites.
and with the flight controller companies.
I wouldn't wanna see 100 million baby seals.... I mean people but I would like to see an increase in numbers for sure.
damn you all are good! I tell my son all the time that if he wants to fly with some excellent pilots then he needs to leave WT and come here and play.
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That free WoT game cost me about 400 bucks in the first 6 months...I stopped playing when AH3 came out
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Mass media advertising for a niche genre is a waste of money. Social media is too broad to be effective with the audience being conditioned for $0.99 mobile games with short attention spans.
We need to reach the casual and mature gamers who don't have patience to endure the typical chaos most MMOGs present, but have a fascination with WW2 and aviation.
Alluding to the average age of the community being in their 40s would certainly cause me to take interest, and a 'no squeakers' banner would seal the deal.
I'm sure these have been brought up before but old school methods such as coupons with flight sticks and a booth with a big screen at air shows might pique the interest of those like minded folks who would never click on a facebook ad.
Either that or troll the other games' forums like Bruv used to do at Fighter Ace ;) :bolt:
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HTC first has to do something about how well they fare in a web search. Bring up your favorit browser and enter "WWII aviation games" tell me on which page Aces High is listed? Trick question, it's not.
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Ask TotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTFohR7GUZYcD8t4bbSKYpnsjMWf19Qgo (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTFohR7GUZYcD8t4bbSKYpnsjMWf19Qgo)
to do a review.
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Either that or troll the other games' forums like Bruv used to do at Fighter Ace ;) :bolt:
who are you pps? they got modded before the day was out.
hehe
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I was attracted by that commercial on the military channel that made me join AH. A good time to launch a commercial will be when a sports game is on, baseball, basketball, football etc. It's a good way to attract adults and veterans. I say this because I do not think most teenagers will be interested in a game like this. They are usually playing the Xbox/ps3 games. Also the communication/player personalities are way mature compared to other games.
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the commercial on the Military channel got me started in 2012.
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Ask TotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTFohR7GUZYcD8t4bbSKYpnsjMWf19Qgo (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTFohR7GUZYcD8t4bbSKYpnsjMWf19Qgo)
to do a review.
I've had the same thought, tb even likes this type of game. But back on topic, I only seen the commercial when someone posted it here. I found AH through a family member who I played AW with long ago.
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One issue is that many people don't actually watch TV any more in the way people used to. No more reading the program list on the daily paper, no more sitting in front of the telly at a given time. They rather use online services or record the programs so they can skip the ads. This is true especially among the young professionals who like to control their spare time to the max. What, where, when... They are hard to reach but they tend to spend the most money for their leisure.
that's me! I found the game via a google search back in 2001
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I like this thread as it has ideas. Some have been tried and some not. You can't go wrong with ideas.
We know the boards are watched.
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AH3 actually has 200 million subscribers. Twice as much as WoT.
8 actual humans and 199,999,992 shade accounts.
Well you know that was going to happen when the introduced the GV icon...........I mean really? what do we need that for.?
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Well you know that was going to happen when the introduced the GV icon...........I mean really? what do we need that for.?
Not to mention the CV being wrecked by several upping planes, when it's not even near the shore of a base, it's almost as if they knew... somehow... :bolt:
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Answer to the advertising issue: Post more Movies on Social Media.
When friends see me play this game, with Track IR in a dog fight, they are mesmerized by it. Replicating that look in a AH film however is very difficult because Track IR POV is not captured in the film file. This means the film maker has to generate all the camera POV in post and simulate the head movement of the pilot, which is pretty complicated. Capturing in Fraps or similar software solves that problem but at the cost of Frame rate which makes for other film problems.
Movies are our best chance to create lots of free buzz. Perhaps HTC could upgrade the film recorder viewer to make it easier to make quality films. So much great action out there, right on my screen! Just need an easier way to capture it.
Speaking of which..I have Fraps but it's hard to run it and the game on my rig. I have been pondering getting a new rig since mine is 8 years old now. Is there a way to split the output signal from the new rig and import it to the old rig and set up the old rig as a Fraps recorder? Or would that require producing double the video output for the new rig and put me right back where I started?
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Answer to the advertising issue: Post more Movies on Social Media.
When friends see me play this game, with Track IR in a dog fight, they are mesmerized by it. Replicating that look in a AH film however is very difficult because Track IR POV is not captured in the film file. This means the film maker has to generate all the camera POV in post and simulate the head movement of the pilot, which is pretty complicated. Capturing in Fraps or similar software solves that problem but at the cost of Frame rate which makes for other film problems.
Movies are our best chance to create lots of free buzz. Perhaps HTC could upgrade the film recorder viewer to make it easier to make quality films. So much great action out there, right on my screen! Just need an easier way to capture it.
Speaking of which..I have Fraps but it's hard to run it and the game on my rig. I have been pondering getting a new rig since mine is 8 years old now. Is there a way to split the output signal from the new rig and import it to the old rig and set up the old rig as a Fraps recorder? Or would that require producing double the video output for the new rig and put me right back where I started?
Have you tried other screen capture software? I use shadow play and get excellent quality, better than Fraps and Bandicam, and its free. There are a lot of better options out there.
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In.
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Have you tried other screen capture software? I use shadow play and get excellent quality, better than Fraps and Bandicam, and its free. There are a lot of better options out there.
Never heard of shadow play. when you say excellent Quality does that mean you don;t suffer framerate loss when running it?
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Have you tried other screen capture software? I use shadow play and get excellent quality, better than Fraps and Bandicam, and its free. There are a lot of better options out there.
Shaddow play is a great program, I'm grateful for BowHTR suggesting I get it....it captures in what has to be HD...the videos are high quality
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Never heard of shadow play. when you say excellent Quality does that mean you don;t suffer framerate loss when running it?
I only suffer FR loss when using the Shadow Record feature. Shadow Record allows you to play and not have to record the entire time. If you were just in a great fight, you can hit your Shadow record button and it will automatically record the previous X amount of time. I have mine set for 20 min. Have great fight, once the fight is over, press the button. Boom, the last 20 min was just recorded. I only suffer FR loss for about 3 seconds and then back to normal. When doing a constant record, I only lose maybe 1-2 FR.
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I only suffer FR loss when using the Shadow Record feature. Shadow Record allows you to play and not have to record the entire time. If you were just in a great fight, you can hit your Shadow record button and it will automatically record the previous X amount of time. I have mine set for 20 min. Have great fight, once the fight is over, press the button. Boom, the last 20 min was just recorded. I only suffer FR loss for about 3 seconds and then back to normal. When doing a constant record, I only lose maybe 1-2 FR.
Thanks to you and Dundee for the info. I'll look into it. :salute
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That sort of business model has been taking over in recent years. Unfortunately AH isn't set up very well to use that business model.
F2P business model isn't taking over, in fact it's so saturated with F2P games that the majority fail within the first year, if they see a release at all. F2P business model has only been really successful in the mobile/social game market.
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HTC first has to do something about how well they fare in a web search. Bring up your favorit browser and enter "WWII aviation games" tell me on which page Aces High is listed? Trick question, it's not.
Do a search for "WWII online aviation games" and AH shows up in the first page. Your search term is so broad that not even games like BoS show up on the first page.
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F2P business model isn't taking over, in fact it's so saturated with F2P games that the majority fail within the first year, if they see a release at all. F2P business model has only been really successful in the mobile/social game market.
CSGO/LEAGE/DOTA/WOT/WARTHUNDER/GTA ONLINE/project reality
it is extremely successful
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CSGO/LEAGE/DOTA/WOT/WARTHUNDER/GTA ONLINE/project reality
it is extremely successful
GTA Online is not a free to play game. You have to buy the original product to play the game, you just can't download GTA V for free and then play GTA Online.
Those others (with the exception of Project Reality, which is pretty much on life support, having to cancel the latest version to run on ARMA3.) are an exception, rather than the rule. Just look at the over all state of the F2P games, instead of just cherry picking a few.
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GTA Online is not a free to play game. You have to buy the original product to play the game, you just can't download GTA V for free and then play GTA Online.
Those others (with the exception of Project Reality, which is pretty much on life support, having to cancel the latest version to run on ARMA3.) are an exception, rather than the rule. Just look at the over all state of the F2P games, instead of just cherry picking a few.
I've got no dog in this fight, but is the success rate of F2P really much different from the success rate of all games? Seems to me there's plenty of dreck regardless of whether it's F2P or not.
Wiley.
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CSGO/LEAGE/DOTA/WOT/WARTHUNDER/GTA ONLINE/project reality
it is extremely successful
A few of those are not F2P
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Can you play AH3 free? Yes :banana:
Maybe increase it to 1 month free to really hook the customer. :joystick:
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ONLY in the spirit of putting an idea out there for discussion...
Not sure if it would be a programming nightmare or not. Probably but use this as a base line.
Offer up 1 free month.
But, while you are on a free month, you can't control CVs. You can only take EW & MW planes, etc... Basically restrict access to some things they can see but not touch until they are a paid up member.
Gives the noob an opportunity to train and learn by doing a month. May fill the TA a bit more. Will likely draw more into the DA and possible WW1.
Just a thought.
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Isn't the fact that desktops are far less prominent now opposed to 2005 be the biggest barrier to a modern commercial? Circa early 2000's everyone had a desktop in their household, and it was usually enough to at least download and try out Aces High. I just don't think thats the case now a days? Unless your a gamer, do people still buy desk tops? Serious question.
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GTA Online is not a free to play game. You have to buy the original product to play the game, you just can't download GTA V for free and then play GTA Online.
Those others (with the exception of Project Reality, which is pretty much on life support, having to cancel the latest version to run on ARMA3.) are an exception, rather than the rule. Just look at the over all state of the F2P games, instead of just cherry picking a few.
after the initial investment no further payment is necessary, I wouldn't mind paying a one stop cost for AH but the monthly subscription is a bit much to me, and to a new player the other options available are both cheaper and more engaging.
on the project reality (which is totally free there is nothing you could buy and has more players than this) the arma version is still in the works but its being developed by BlueDrake42 with other developers (forum link here: https://forum.bluedrake42.com/index.php?/gc/8-project-reality-arma-iii/ )
play sessions are announced on discord https://discord.gg/dVy4A
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looking at steams top games (most revenue)
3 are in some way f2p either totally or with an extremely cheap upfront cost (below $20 generally to discourage cheating).
Defense of the Ancients 2
Counterstrike: Global Offensive
Team Fortress 2
but then there is War thunder and World of Tanks both of which are rolling in cash (only a portion of there users are on steam).
the real question is how many new games still use a subscription system.
for AH i wouldn't be against a freemium system one that allows newer players to play for free indefintely but encourages them to play for benefits (ability to fly all planes, use GVs, cap bases etc.)
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I do wonder if AH3 would benefit from a temporary blended deal, with some FTP options as a form of advertising the game. IE have the open slots in the server be able to be filled up with FTP accounts where free players only get a very slow/crappy/whatever plane and tank, just to introduce them to what the game is like. Even if only a single digit percentage wise decided to join and buy a full account, would the game not be ahead? I personally don't think this would jeopardize current account holders, nobody would drop their payed account to get a "free" one limited to a single plane like a Hurricane or something like that. There would be more numbers, more interest, etc, and if it did work, and numbers climbed, FTP could just go away once the numbers were back up. If it didn't work, just eliminate it and try something else.
Perhaps create a ground unit which represents little groups of infantry, controllable like the tanks/GVs now, various unit types like MG, anti tank, mortars, etc. Let some of these be FTP too, it'd introduce people to the game, them seeing planes and tanks zooming around, many would want to try that part of the game out I would think, plus it'd give the MGs on tanks/gvs some purpose and targets, and give a2g planes more stuff to strafe and fight as well.
That's the only version of anything FTP-ish I'd like to see. Either way, HTC is working on their front page and is hiring to create a newer help/how to section, that's all really good to see. It'd be great to see Titanic Tuesday numbers again some day, regardless of how that's achieved.
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100 million players, I believe they play on very limited player servers, 16 or 32 maximums.
So its really misleading advertising. AH is very unique in that they have 400 player servers, 600 player servers.
Makes a big difference IMO.
Also these are freemium games. AH has 1 price and done.
:salute
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totally agree with gman.
all it needs is the eny 45-60 aircraft or bombers to be free. or the TA / WW1 / DA. We need a better hook because the 2 week trial in the deep end Main arena will put people off just as much as it gets in.
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If then DA was free I'd cancel my sub and fly in there all the time. I'd sacrifice the ma to save $180 per year without question.
The current model keeps out the pay to win rif raf.
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I'm sure HT gets some value out of these threads, but I have been playing this game since AW, quit several times because I was obsessive about it, joined and left squads, etc. Moreover, I still suck very bad in dogfighting (but I can resupply the hell out of something). The most frustrating part of this game is getting a cool tag name and that damn ENY for knights (do new players still default to knights? Is that causing ENY?). Anyway, I too notice user numbers falling off sometimes, but then they pick back up. When I came back 6 months ago it was way down and people were talking about the games decline, but I see almost 200 on sometimes now and over 100 in the off hours sometimes and the game is better than ever. It is cyclic and will always be. I don't think we as users have a clue what works for advertisement, what business model works, etc. But I can tell you this game has grabbed my attention and held it for 20 or more years? I can't even remember how long. None of the other games mention come close to simulation like AH.
All respectfully IMHO.
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totally agree with gman.
all it needs is the eny 45-60 aircraft or bombers to be free.
Has there been a major ENY overhaul in the past 4 months?
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Has there been a major ENY overhaul in the past 4 months?
Nope. Not a bit. Highest ENY plane is still 40.
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totally agree with gman.
all it needs is the eny 45-60 aircraft or bombers to be free. or the TA / WW1 / DA. We need a better hook because the 2 week trial in the deep end Main arena will put people off just as much as it gets in.
There's an idea.
Or let Spit I, Hurricane I, and 109E be free for all. Something like that.
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There was from steam playing in AVA free last Monday. He said he could not go to other rooms as they were not free.
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We need a better hook
This is it in a nutshell IMO. I mean, getting online gamers to look at the site/game is one thing, but capturing them - ie getting them to sub - is another. The game has to be fun enough, not frustrating enough, etc enough, to get them to stay past 2 weeks, for the free trial to mean anything. Extending that free trial beyond 2 weeks, with limited options, I think would be a sharper hook than what exists now. First 2 weeks, new players get access to everything, but then can stay, but only get what Bruv described. That will create a need/want, and that's how you entice new customers IMO, make them feel like they are missing out on something others who are subbing for $15 have, but they don't. The extra time will also give new players some more time in the oven, let them learn the game through observation and participation while in the FTP planes/etc.
I think this idea will benefit everyone, as it'll fill up the arenas, albeit some players won't be all that great, but that's fine, they'll learn, and in the meantime it'll be more targets, more red guys in the air for everyone, and so forth. I think through cooperation between the community as is, and the current great trainers, getting a lot of the new/ftp/etc players that would be in game spun up and interested would pay off quickly. And all of this is at no real cost to HTC, other than more bandwidth being used, and the cost/time to set up the game so it would work this way. No advert costs is what I'm saying.
Combine such an effort with a blitz on all social media platforms, have the new guy hired to do the help/website/whatever start working the phones/net contacting all the larger (and smaller) gaming web channels on Youtube and Twtich, hand out a couple dozen free accounts for a few months time and have them play and do reviews. Also, contact the few remaining print mags, such as PG Gamer, and get them to do a review, as well as a story on HTC (HTC's story is worth such an article, having lasted SO long, nearly 20 years now, I can't think of but a couple of other online games that have lasted this long, also, HT having started the Massively Multiplayer term/effects as well). I would bet $ that within just a month or so, the MA would be bursting, and within a few months we would know how its working, ie how many new sub/full players are "upgrading" from the FTP option. Even getting 2 or 3% of those doing the FTP thing would start growing the game again.
I really hope HTC starts making moves like this, it doesn't even have to be such as the above, just doing something aggressive to get more players. The game is great, it always has been, I have stuck to my theory that the original game and model works, and that it just needs fine tuning here and there due to time having passed by. The new AH3 is very good, the only issue is #s right now, and IMO many of the the major gripes many have are by and large solved with more numbers.
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Just remember, advertising cost B I G bucks.
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You're right, which is why I suggest using alternative methods. Having a review/story done on PC Gamer wouldn't cost HTC anything, there are lots of writers that would like to interview HT/ETC based on the longevity of the game, and a good one/two page piece on that and the game would be easy to have slid in there. Advertising in the print mag would cost, but IMO that's wasted $ for HTC. Blitzing the free avenues available, all the social media platforms, but especially the online game reviewers that populate Youtube and all the other spaces, would not only be free, but would pay off in terms of the effort it would take to arrange.
Total Biscuit - one example. A well respected, talented, fair, and interesting reviewer/channel, who has credibility (being a Pro gamer and a very diverse interest in games). He would do a pretty in depth review including gaming video on AH3, would interview HT, and get a lot of eyes on the game here from the hundreds of thousands who watch his stuff. All for the cost of a few emails/calls, and a review account that'd be active for a month or two. There are many, many others, lots of 50k to 1mil subscribed channels of gamers who haven't even heard of Aces High - DevilDogGamer, an X-Marine vet with 3/4 of a million subs, and all he does is review/stream/play military games, and AH3 would fit right in on his channel, but he's not covered AH3. He did a quick review of AH2 a year ago, and 76 thousand people watched it. There are many, many like that channel, opportunities for AH3 to get a lot of coverage and exposure.
A near 20 year old product which has survived where as SO many other excellent games eventually die off - it's something every gaming media person would like a shot at covering, and that's not even taking the fun part, the game, into consideration.
Once the "help/how to" parts of the front page are good to go, IE everything in terms of how to learn and play this game is all in one sock, with a good flow chart/chain of how-to YT videos, and the entire gaming manual contents all in one PDF/whatever in an easy to find location, all it would take is a bit of time for someone to work the phones/email/social media in order to contact the gaming media out there. Boom, in a month or less, there would be piles of coverage happening. All without any advertising/CPM rates or cost. If an FTP blended concept trial idea was established and ready for that, this game's numbers problems would be a thing of the past IMO.
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after the initial investment no further payment is necessary, I wouldn't mind paying a one stop cost for AH but the monthly subscription is a bit much to me, and to a new player the other options available are both cheaper and more engaging.
Really!? 15 bucks a month, and thats too much?? Dang the country must be worse off than I realized. I spend more than that on toilet paper every month. No way the 15 bucks a month is keeping players away, it has to be something else. :O
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I go to the other games that hook you in for free and get crappy equipment. Then once they say will for x amount of dollars you can get this plane or this tank etc. Once that happens I am out of there. Piss on the pay to get to a higher tier. $14.95 is not to much to pay a month for a good fun game.
totally agree with gman.
all it needs is the eny 45-60 aircraft or bombers to be free. or the TA / WW1 / DA. We need a better hook because the 2 week trial in the deep end Main arena will put people off just as much as it gets in.
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Really!? 15 bucks a month, and thats too much?? Dang the country must be worse off than I realized. I spend more than that on toilet paper every month. No way the 15 bucks a month is keeping players away, it has to be something else. :O
The sad thing is, that is an issue. I've shown the game to multiple friends and they love the concept, but after their 2 weeks is up they run for the hills complaining about the "$15 a month". However, it's not the price... $15/month is nothing, but the problem is the "idea" of the subscription. Even though they got more from their $15 here than they do from the $60 they spend on the "flavour of the month", it's the idea that they have to pay a monthly fee to play the game that turns them away.
I agree that the game could use more advertisement, but in the end people are turned away simply because they do not like subscriptions; regardless of the actual cost. It's the simple fact that a one time fee "feels" better than a monthly fee. The average person is not calculating their overall cost/benefit for the year (if they did, I'd be out of a job being an accountant).
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What does HTC have to say?
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The sad thing is, that is an issue. I've shown the game to multiple friends and they love the concept, but after their 2 weeks is up they run for the hills complaining about the "$15 a month". However, it's not the price... $15/month is nothing, but the problem is the "idea" of the subscription. Even though they got more from their $15 here than they do from the $60 they spend on the "flavour of the month", it's the idea that they have to pay a monthly fee to play the game that turns them away.
I agree that the game could use more advertisement, but in the end people are turned away simply because they do not like subscriptions; regardless of the actual cost. It's the simple fact that a one time fee "feels" better than a monthly fee. The average person is not calculating their overall cost/benefit for the year (if they did, I'd be out of a job being an accountant).
I have to agree that this is pretty much how most young 12-30 year olds think. When I tell my friends I pay $15 a month, they all laugh at me.
It really isn't that much, but it just sounds like much to many broke college or high school students. I do agree that it's a phycological thing in most cases.
I do like the idea that early war planes should be free. It would let new people see and understand the game for as long as they like. 2 weeks free sub with all the planes. After 2 weeks, they fly early war planes only if they don't subscribe. At least it would create more players and people to interact with.
It would make a lot of people have to fly early war planes which would create better fights.
It would encourage them to pay the subscription for better planes.
It would bring a lot of new players to the game and help them grow without a time constraint.
Starting in a early war plane would help these players learn to fight a lot better and won't be so prone to the 190D BnZ run timidly type of fights.
This would actually IMO go a long way to promote action.
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What does HTC have to say?
If I was ever to do a WOT type payment system, I sure would not choose a realism base WWII aircraft to do it with.
HiTech
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That's just it though, HTC could incorporate some FTP options without changing their payment system, at all. Other than having it being used more often.
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That's just it though, HTC could incorporate some FTP options without changing their payment system, at all. Other than having it being used more often.
User arenas are already free.
HiTech
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Not sure I understand that - which arenas are free? Do you mean the arenas are free for users, as in users = subscribers? That's obvious, but not sure what it has to do with what I said.
What I meant was that having free accounts with limited access to planes/gvs/etc - ftp essentially - wouldn't have to change the current payment system for access to the full game, the structure, or rate, and that the payment system would end up being used more, as some of the FTP players would subscribe.
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custom arenas are free. a subscriber bas to set it up, but then anyone can log into it a play for free
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custom arenas are free. a subscriber bas to set it up, but then anyone can log into it a play for free
If they're on a 2 week trial, yes? Or can anyone log in indefinitely?
Wiley.
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Indefinitely as i understand it
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Yes, but again, what does that have to do with anything I said - you still have to be a subscriber to use the "free" custom arenas, so they aren't really free then, are they?
What I've said, several times, is that letting new players withOUT full subscriptions have limited access to a few high ENY planes/gvs, and let them INTO the arenas - which are NOT free, but cost a subscription to be able to enter - would have the effect of both filling up the game arenas, as well as letting new players have more time to both figure out the game, as well as be hooked into buying it monthly based on experiencing it for longer than 2 weeks.
edit - maybe I'm missing something here - Fugitive/HT, are you saying that players with no sub/payed account can set up custom arenas and play indefinitely? I can't be the only one who didn't know this was possible (cough, manual). Even if that can be done, it's not the same as what I propose in the MA - the MA is where the game happens, everything else, except maybe events/FSO, is a pretty small sideshow. Having FTP in the MA wouldn't benefit just the new players either, IMO as I said it would benefit everyone in the MA, more targets, more going on, less "numbers" related problems (map size, etc).
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i agree gman, i would love to see a limited plane set in the ma for none paying players.
the custom arenas are set up to allow none paying players now as long as a paying subscriber sets up the arena
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Wow, OK, I had NO idea that was possible. I like that, a lot, but still, as you said, it needs a paying sub at least to set it up, that'd be not a bad way to have a member get friends interested or train as a group prior to them committing to post-2 week subs, but compared to letting FTP players fill up the empty MA slots, it'd have 1/1000th the effect IMO in terms of helping the game grow.
I just spent the last 5 minutes trying to find game info/faq/manual on that custom arena capability, and haven't so far.
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Wow, OK, I had NO idea that was possible. I like that, a lot, but still, as you said, it needs a paying sub at least to set it up, that'd be not a bad way to have a member get friends interested or train as a group prior to them committing to post-2 week subs, but compared to letting FTP players fill up the empty MA slots, it'd have 1/1000th the effect IMO in terms of helping the game grow.
I just spent the last 5 minutes trying to find game info/faq/manual on that custom arena capability, and haven't so far.
Considering they are working on all kinds of help content, I'm sure its coming. I have seen HiTech (or maybe Skuzzy?) post a couple times stating that the custom arenas are free to enter, but not to setup.
The customs are pretty easy to run, its just a matter of doing it.
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The custom area are cool in all, but there is a not a custom room that is always open and reliable, then on top that, fun to play in. New players might not even see or recongnize the tab.
I wish there were open FFA and team deathmatch custom arenas, but there is never one that is always open or realibly open at certain times when I know the arena will be open. Thats why I think the furball lake in the DA needs to be completely remodeled. It's not exciting or fun, and thus people don't use it for fast action fighting, which people do want.
I really like the idea about early war planes being free. Having more people fill up the MA for a while in early way planes would encourage players to the learn the game and crave to fly the good ones, which they will pay the subscription for it.
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I wish there were open FFA and team deathmatch custom arenas, but there is never one that is always open or realibly open at certain times when I know the arena will be open. Thats why I think the furball lake in the DA needs to be completely remodeled. It's not exciting or fun, and thus people don't use it for fast action fighting, which people do want.
If you want a FFA/TD custom arena all you have to do is create one.
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If you want a FFA/TD custom arena all you have to do is create one.
That's true. But I don't have the time. I don't even get to play the game as much as I wish anymore. Also wish I had time to create maps. I can't really leave my comp running all day either. I wish there were players that hosted rooms like in H2H, where they'd leave the game playing for a while... for some reason you just don't see that consistently in the custom arenas or even at all. if there were rooms that were consistently open, I think it would work out.
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I don't want a FTP/Custom arena though, I want the MA, where I and 99% of others spend 99% of their time, to grow, and be back to the "good old days" of the blue/orange split and TT, to return. A quick way to do that, and also get more players interested in full subs, IMO is to fill the current 50% + of the slots which are empty in the MA with FTP limited accounts (going by a 600 player cap, with 800 like the old TT it's more like 66% empty slots most nights).
I'm sure there are negatives to doing this, I know every "big idea" brought forward by members has holes rapidly punched in them by HTC, as they've got data and experience/time to have considered the negs, but it's a question of do such negatives outweigh the positives. Worst case scenario, if something like this didn't work, just end it and return to the status quo, of the numbers not increasing, or at least only increasing agonizingly slowly.
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If AH got back to mid-late-2000s, numbers I would not hesitate to keep a subscription going. I know it's sort of a catch-22 and others have said the same though.
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I don't want a FTP/Custom arena though, I want the MA, where I and 99% of others spend 99% of their time, to grow, and be back to the "good old days" of the blue/orange split and TT, to return. A quick way to do that, and also get more players interested in full subs, IMO is to fill the current 50% + of the slots which are empty in the MA with FTP limited accounts (going by a 600 player cap, with 800 like the old TT it's more like 66% empty slots most nights).
I'm sure there are negatives to doing this, I know every "big idea" brought forward by members has holes rapidly punched in them by HTC, as they've got data and experience/time to have considered the negs, but it's a question of do such negatives outweigh the positives. Worst case scenario, if something like this didn't work, just end it and return to the status quo, of the numbers not increasing, or at least only increasing agonizingly slowly.
One of the things about the MA is that is doesn't cover every persons interest in fighter combat. I really do love the MA, but I find it can be slow and time consuming and take a lot of patience, which is tough when I'm trying to fly for a 15-40 minute time span. It's even harder for new players. Especially when action is not condensed on the map. It sucks for a new player to up off a base, realize how far the base distance is in Actuality, then not be able to find action after 30 minutes of flying. I believe the #s will increase as soon as the maps provide quicker access to action, without pushing a TT or FT concept. I'm starting to think some of these fast runner planes need to be perked. 190Ds and La7s specifically. These planes are just too much of a nussance and are ruining the fights with boring pick and run game play.
I think having 1 or 2 FFAs/deathmatch arenas with a 12 - 16 player limit, on a small map would help a lot of new players understand the game better, create an arena for quick non rank fighting.
The problem I see is that the game structure is designed for 1 type of game play, MMO style, which turns away the impatient quick action type of players. When the MMO style gets slow because of a bad map layout, it can turn even more players off, especially new players just looking for action!
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That's true. But I don't have the time. I don't even get to play the game as much as I wish anymore. Also wish I had time to create maps. I can't really leave my comp running all day either. I wish there were players that hosted rooms like in H2H, where they'd leave the game playing for a while... for some reason you just don't see that consistently in the custom arenas or even at all. if there were rooms that were consistently open, I think it would work out.
I used to host H2H arenas and keep the room up for days. The problem here is that you have to fly in that arena if you want to fly. You can't have that arena up and fly in the MA. At least I do not believe you can.
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If AH got back to mid-late-2000s, numbers I would not hesitate to keep a subscription going. I know it's sort of a catch-22 and others have said the same though.
Come on... you know you are just scared of running into me.....
and following me into the trees again. :neener:
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I used to host H2H arenas and keep the room up for days. The problem here is that you have to fly in that arena if you want to fly. You can't have that arena up and fly in the MA. At least I do not believe you can.
Once you start an arena, as long as some one is in it, if you leave it stays open and you can play where you wish.
HiTech
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Once you start an arena, as long as some one is in it, if you leave it stays open and you can play where you wish.
HiTech
Ahhhh nice touch. I'll have to give that a go.
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The WoT US server right now has 16,000
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The WoT US server right now has 16,000
:confused:
Wow. Imaging if Aces High had around 20,000 subscribed and players... it would be incredible...
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I'm going to backup GMAN and promote his idea. Open up the game for free-for-fall.
What you do get:
- Hurri I
- Spit I
- Zero
- C202
- Bf-109E-4
- access to the MA arena only
What you don't get...
- no access to the AvA
- no access to SEA events
- no access to bombers
- no access to vehicles or tanks
- no access to PT boats or any ship position
- no access to AAA guns on airfields
- no access to join or create squads
- no access to MA missions
- no access to the mission arenas
What all that? It $14.95 a month... or tier it to what you get...
What do the paying members get?
- apart from the plethora of new targets, we potentially get a huge influx of players who will want to expand their experience. Aces High has a lot to offer - and by letting it be free to fly the easy/older planes is just an expansion on a test model that works - 'try before you buy'. 2 weeks isn't enough - for some, trying to learn just how to fly 'ok' takes two weeks alone. But give them something to try for free - if they like what the see, they'll pay the $15 a month.
What's the harm? Try it - if the model doesn't work, go back to the two-weeks free trial.
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I'm going to backup GMAN and promote his idea. Open up the game for free-for-fall.
What you do get:
- Hurri I
- Spit I
- Zero
- C202
- Bf-109E-4
- access to the MA arena only
What you don't get...
- no access to the AvA
- no access to SEA events
- no access to bombers
- no access to vehicles or tanks
- no access to PT boats or any ship position
- no access to AAA guns on airfields
- no access to join or create squads
- no access to MA missions
- no access to the mission arenas
What all that? It $14.95 a month... or tier it to what you get...
What do the paying members get?
- apart from the plethora of new targets, we potentially get a huge influx of players who will want to expand their experience. Aces High has a lot to offer - and by letting it be free to fly the easy/older planes is just an expansion on a test model that works - 'try before you buy'. 2 weeks isn't enough - for some, trying to learn just how to fly 'ok' takes two weeks alone. But give them something to try for free - if they like what the see, they'll pay the $15 a month.
What's the harm? Try it - if the model doesn't work, go back to the two-weeks free trial.
Don't see why you wouldn't include a vehicle or bomber. Add the TBM and the Panzer. Some players have been here for years and never up a fighter.
Fighters may be the primary draw but no reason to not expand the bomber and tanker player base too.
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That sort of business model has been taking over in recent years. Unfortunately AH isn't set up very well to use that business model.
AH is not setup for that at all. First, AH is a continuous first-person shooter/simulation game, while WoT and WoWplanes, and WoWships are arcade-style games, played in 15 minute or less increments. Further, it is actually free to play, however, significant advantages can be had simply by forking over many dollars. I've played WoT in the past, and currently play WoWs. They are fun. For awhile. But it soon gets repetitious and boring. At this moment there are 15,455 players playing on the North American server. There is also an EU server as well. So these games are startlingly popular. The graphics are great, and the concept of building your own stable of tanks or warships is fun for awhile. I hate that all the money is going to Russia though.
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Don't see why you wouldn't include a vehicle or bomber. Add the TBM and the Panzer. Some players have been here for years and never up a fighter.
Fighters may be the primary draw but no reason to not expand the bomber and tanker player base too.
Good idea - give them the He-111 and the Sherman (Panzer is too cool to be free). Might as well throw in AAA as well... :D
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Obviously the game isn't setup for free to play, but if you can manage to greatly increase player base by going free to play you will have more pockets to pick for minor things that would likely add up to more revenue that is brought in currently.
For example, open up a rotating collection of planes/vehicles (not just early war crap that will drive them away), but don't allow players to earn perk points, thus eliminating the ability to fly perk planes.
You'll take a hit on subscriptions right away until the numbers climb, i'm sure many vets have no problem with not being able to fly perk planes or any of the other benefits of subscribing, however they will have more ammo to bring their friends over from other games. I know my brother and best friend refuse to play this game because of the idea of a monthly fee. You may say, well if they come to the game they still will not bring any income to HT...but the fact that they refuse to play this game pulls me away from the game to play the games that they are willing to play, losing my subscription often.
Some of the benefits can include petty stuff like skins, squads, perks, rankings, all planes/vehicles. Reduce monthly fee to a more realistic $10/month. I'm a cheapskate and even I spend more than that on WoT type games for no good reason, give people microtransactions that aren't pay to win and there are enough people out there that will hand over plenty of money.
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I'm going to backup GMAN and promote his idea. Open up the game for free-for-fall.
What you do get:
- Hurri I
- Spit I
- Zero
- C202
- Bf-109E-4
- access to the MA arena only
What you don't get...
- no access to the AvA
- no access to SEA events
- no access to bombers
- no access to vehicles or tanks
- no access to PT boats or any ship position
- no access to AAA guns on airfields
- no access to join or create squads
- no access to MA missions
- no access to the mission arenas
What all that? It $14.95 a month... or tier it to what you get...
What do the paying members get?
- apart from the plethora of new targets, we potentially get a huge influx of players who will want to expand their experience. Aces High has a lot to offer - and by letting it be free to fly the easy/older planes is just an expansion on a test model that works - 'try before you buy'. 2 weeks isn't enough - for some, trying to learn just how to fly 'ok' takes two weeks alone. But give them something to try for free - if they like what the see, they'll pay the $15 a month.
What's the harm? Try it - if the model doesn't work, go back to the two-weeks free trial.
Some of this is really not a bad idea. Seems like it would be a programmer's nightmare though.
But lets say this was possible. I think you still give the standard free 2 week trial so they get a taste of the MW and later planes. But would be pretty cool to allow access to the EW planes.
Personally I like things the way they are, but this idea isn't half bad...
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I guess HiTech's comments about using a F2P business model for AH went over everyone's head.
ack-ack
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It's not a F2P model at all, to be precise, it's a change to the "trial" system, changing it from a 2 week full access trial account, to a long term/indefinite limited access account. There is no FTP for the regular game involved in my idea, never has been, nothing would need to change in terms of how the subscription system works now, including the rate.
HT only made comments on a completely F2P model - I'm not suggesting a FTP game, I made it very clear 10x now that the current sub system and rate could stay the same, and that the only "free to play" would be the open slots in the MA (which is 99 percent of the game, including scenarios) being filled up with free trial accounts with limited plane/gv/etc capability. Since those slots are empty now and not drawing in any revenue, and since that a huge swath of the "problems" with the game are directly related to low numbers, what would the harm be in having them filled up with POTENTIAL additional new full accounts. Again, it would benefit the regular pay/sub system as a percentage would subscribe to get access to what they are seeing yet not getting to use, while giving those who already sub to the game more targets, a full arena, etc.
The major problem I see with this idea is that the game would be so popular that the free trial players would be fighting over the available empty slots, and HTC would be faced with either having to expand the arena sizes, or do splits into blue/orange and have to add a bunch more colors to that, in order to fulfill the demand. I have no idea what the cost is to HTC in terms of bandwidth per player, or how that affects the game in terms of it working well still and being lag/etc free, but this seems like a 1st world problem to me.
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Trying to imagine playing on a team of 50 subscribers, and 150 people who don't think the game is worth $15 per month....
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Trying to imagine playing on a team of 50 subscribers, and 150 people who don't think the game is worth $15 per month....
I dont think it would ever get that way. Once the "free loaders" play for a bit with the restricted equipment they would get to the point of either subscribing, or leaving. After all, out of all the people that have played this game over the years I can think of only one player that is happy to stick to all the low eny planes, Snuggie :D
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Trying to imagine playing on a team of 50 subscribers, and 150 people who don't think the game is worth $15 per month....
Well, with the aircraft available to them in the proposal above, the avalanche of HOs won't be that tremendously effective. They won't be able to run. I'm just envisioning airfields that you can't see due to the amount of aircraft circling in the ack. Err... Moreso.
It would just become a world of ganging early war planes. Myself, I'm not tremendously interested in having a ton of targets that have no real chance unless I hobble myself down to their level of available planes.
Fugi, I believe you vastly underestimate how long people will play something that's free before becoming bored, especially when you have an opportunity to tick off other players.
Wiley.
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Well, with the aircraft available to them in the proposal above, the avalanche of HOs won't be that tremendously effective. They won't be able to run. I'm just envisioning airfields that you can't see due to the amount of aircraft circling in the ack. Err... Moreso.
It would just become a world of ganging early war planes. Myself, I'm not tremendously interested in having a ton of targets that have no real chance unless I hobble myself down to their level of available planes.
Fugi, I believe you vastly underestimate how long people will play something that's free before becoming bored, especially when you have an opportunity to tick off other players.
Wiley.
Im not counting on boredom, Im counting on the frustration level of getting killing often and quickly. Thats how the F2P games work. Players get frustrated and dump money into the game for the little upgrades figuring that will make them elite.
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Im not counting on boredom, Im counting on the frustration level of getting killing often and quickly. Thats how the F2P games work. Players get frustrated and dump money into the game for the little upgrades figuring that will make them elite.
Even with limited aircraft, they understand that more friendlies than enemies in a game like this works extremely well. I really don't think it would end well.
Wiley.
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Do you think going from 4000 accounts that are checkable in the scores page (which was already a number that had been fallen to), to under 2000, in just a couple/few years, is going to end well?
Something needs to be done, obviously just a new version (Ah3) hasn't done much, if anything at all, to boost numbers. Every night I look during primetime, it's usually around 200, to 250 max, just as it has been for a few years now.
Continued inaction regarding new players - THAT isn't going to end well.
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Continued inaction regarding new players - THAT isn't going to end well.
Agreed. I just don't think that particular idea would be fun for many people.
Wiley.
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Do people in the US have the disposable income yet?
I froze a 104K account in 2007 by accident and not knowing it. I got a look at it this year because the company needs my share holder vote. Today by not doing anything since 2007, it has 30% more worth in it than many others who didn't have my accident. So I suspect the prime player group late 20's to 50's has not had money to spend on games these past 8 years. And for many millennials and younger game players today, they are used to freeplay or some variation as a norm.
I understand trying to build a fire under someone with dystopian imagery in a large spitball consensus group. Being an open to the public forum, I wonder how many potential new players this spitball group scares away because they translate your dystopian imagery into: this game is about to close shop and disappear, it must be a really sucky game.
I have always wondered why Hitech allows you guys to do this when it makes the game look worse than it is to the unsuspecting passer by.
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One of the things I would do was introduce a buddy pass. An active subscriber could request a buddy pass for a friend that would grant the "buddy" a 30 day unrestricted free trial instead of the standard 2 week free trial. Buddy Passes for MMO games are a proven way to introduce new players and retain them after the free period.
ack-ack
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Scantly clad women with aces high 3 tattoos on their buttocks during the super bowl would help a lot.
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I like the buddy pass idea, especially if it's had success in other games.
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One of the things I would do was introduce a buddy pass. An active subscriber could request a buddy pass for a friend that would grant the "buddy" a 30 day unrestricted free trial instead of the standard 2 week free trial. Buddy Passes for MMO games are a proven way to introduce new players and retain them after the free period.
ack-ack
That wouldn't hurt! Plus it would teach them the game a little easier! You might be able to get them to subscribe if they become really interested and know the basics already.
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I like the buddy pass idea, especially if it's had success in other games.
As a further incentive, a reward of a certain amount of perk points is given to the player that has had a buddy subscribe to the game after their 30 day trial is over.
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I'm less concerned by the numbers than the unchanging gameplay that makes this game so boring with so few pilots in the air.
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One of the things I would do was introduce a buddy pass. An active subscriber could request a buddy pass for a friend that would grant the "buddy" a 30 day unrestricted free trial instead of the standard 2 week free trial. Buddy Passes for MMO games are a proven way to introduce new players and retain them after the free period.
ack-ack
That is a good idea. A new player that has a friend to show him the ropes seems more likely to stick around than someone who is starting solo from scratch.
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I'm less concerned by the numbers than the unchanging gameplay that makes this game so boring with so few pilots in the air.
I think it's rational to consider both. There really needs to be a map making team to create different maps. There could be votes on maps to see which ones create the most excitement. Maybe even change the map from 2am-10AM eastern to a smaller map that condenses the players. In my opinion the maps and base distance make all the difference in the world in terms of making the action a little quicker and easier to find.
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I wonder how many potential new players this spitball group scares away because they translate your dystopian imagery into: this game is about to close shop and disappear, it must be a really sucky game.
That's hilarious. So it's no longer the politics, the swear words, the religion, or the laws - forum topics that have "scared away" customers, it's now players' conjecture about what to do about the numbers being 1/3 of what they were a few years ago. Yep, this discussion must be to blame. Ridiculous. 2/3s of the players being gone now has NOTHING to do with players discussing why, and possible solutions to that. In fact, it's just as likely that random passers by would think that the remaining players in the game are very dedicated, and are willing to discuss and try any option in order to increase the numbers, which have been at their current sub 300 levels now, for years, despite a great new version having been recently released.
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If you make it free unlimited play for a Panzer....are you ready for 1000 Tank players? Isn't the Arena limit 500 players?
If you want to get the numbers up, How about everyone go out and recruit one new player? Back in the AW days, a co-worker introduced me to the game and I've been hooked for 20 years.
I personally feel that it's the hardware cost side of the game that limits it's access, not the monthly fee. You need a descent computer, and at least some dedicated peripherals, which many coming to investigate won't have. The game doesn't play well if you are new and trying to use a keyboard. So you have to buy enough equipment to make it playable...BEFORE you play it. Very few are going to go out buy a twisty stick with hat switches just so they can try AH3.
You can't take a guy to the top of a ski lift and tell him to slide his way down the mountain on the soles of his tennis shoes and think he's going to get hooked on Skiing.
We...as a community....need to reach out and recruit people, sit them in your chair get the headset and your TrackIR on them let them play around and see how cool it is. Then fly and let them watch a quality dog fight, or other in game action. Get 'em hooked and sign 'em up.
Recruit people that have a descent PC, and a love of WWII, or planes...or even a love of gaming.
Good luck!! :salute
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If you make it free unlimited play for a Panzer....are you ready for 1000 Tank players? Isn't the Arena limit 500 players?
We had far more players than that in a single arena back in the day :old:
If you want to get the numbers up, How about everyone go out and recruit one new player?
If it were that easy, AH would be a crowded place.
Recruit people that have a descent PC, and a love of WWII, or planes...or even a love of gaming.
Been there, tried that. Never worked.
In the end, it's all in the hands of the creators/publishers if a game appeals to the people, or not.
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We had far more players than that in a single arena back in the day :old:
If it were that easy, AH would be a crowded place.
Been there, tried that. Never worked.
In the end, it's all in the hands of the creators/publishers if a game appeals to the people, or not.
This is the country club of games, not the McDonalds. Country clubs don't advertise, they recruit people from their social interactions and make them members.
You tried signing people up and you couldn't do it, so that model won't work? You have a high opinion of your salesmanship and social networking to declare failure for all. :salute
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This is the country club of games, not the McDonalds. Country clubs don't advertise, they recruit people from their social interactions and make them members.
You tried signing people up and you couldn't do it, so that model won't work? You have a high opinion of your salesmanship and social networking to declare failure for all. :salute
(http://i.makeagif.com/media/1-25-2014/su3EdW.gif)
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(http://i.makeagif.com/media/1-25-2014/su3EdW.gif)
So smug.
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Two 15 tank teams can go head to head!?
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Two 15 tank teams can go head to head!?
I saw three tank trucks on the highway this morning. I squawked them on radio (breaker one nine) then told them to keep the little one in their britches and the big one between the ditches.
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So for you it is the eye candy? Just how many ways do you think you can play a WWll style game and keep it somewhat realistic? What is boring about it to yo and what would you change to make it not boring to you?
I think it's rational to consider both. There really needs to be a map making team to create different maps. There could be votes on maps to see which ones create the most excitement. Maybe even change the map from 2am-10AM eastern to a smaller map that condenses the players. In my opinion the maps and base distance make all the difference in the world in terms of making the action a little quicker and easier to find.
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So for you it is the eye candy? Just how many ways do you think you can play a WWll style game and keep it somewhat realistic? What is boring about it to yo and what would you change to make it not boring to you?
The"boring" part of AH for the majority of players who enjoy fighter combat is the tempo of the action. Rolling from a base that takes 20 minutes to get into the action is slow. Especially if there are only 2-3 players to fight agaisnt. If most of the players are scattered around a large map during low #s, the fights will be slower. If there are a lot of players on the map but the bases are too far away in most areas, it causes hoarding and lack of defense participation. When bases are too far away in some areas it causes no fights in those areas, which would be important areas for fights to happen. Take a look at how Montis creates 4-6 good fights around the map most of the time. Thats because the front's arent too far away and the map is compact so people can easily find action around the map on all 3 sides. There's simply no reason a large spread out map should be on during Euro hours when there's no condensed action or directional game play for players to get excited about the fights.
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If Getting to a base takes time it opens up different options..
You could meet Co alt in the middle..could be met on route with them at alt or you could get to their base with alt advantage..
These things change with the fluidness of the battle and numbers on both sides..
It creates more options and different game play which are all fun..if you have the advantage or not..
Also makes you fight for the advantage in the battle..not just the individual fight..
Base separation does create more options for game play..
I think there should be a mix of base distances ..mix it up a tad..