General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: salt101 on September 10, 2017, 02:29:09 PM
Title: How are the numbers now?
Post by: salt101 on September 10, 2017, 02:29:09 PM
How much have the player numbers changed since AH went on steam? Is it over 300 consistently during peak now?
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 10, 2017, 03:40:34 PM
I don't think so, though I'm not a US primetime player. But you could check the numbers at any given time yourself by making an account (no paid subscription necessary) and going online.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 10, 2017, 03:56:09 PM
It's definitely better. Much more action.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: saggs on September 10, 2017, 04:03:12 PM
How much have the player numbers changed since AH went on steam? Is it over 300 consistently during peak now?
Doesn't seem to have had much effect really. I came back after the steam announcement hoping for more action. Was on for a few hours last night (Saturday evening Alaska time/ primetime for west coast USA) and the most I saw was around 170. Found one good fight for a few minutes. The rest of the night was to put it bluntly; very, very boring as far as the air war goes. Every dar bar on the map was horribly lopsided, so you could either fly around with a bunch of other friendlies just waiting to vulch... or up to a field and be outnumbered 10 to 1.
I'm nostalgic for the "good old days" or 400-600 players on a single map. (Titanic Tuesday used to be my favorite day). But I'm afraid it seems those days are gone forever. :(
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: JimmyC on September 10, 2017, 04:06:57 PM
I ve seen a huge upturn in air fights and numbers..been quite exhausted trying to kill em all..and jinx outta trouble..things are looking up...
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: saggs on September 10, 2017, 04:15:59 PM
Wow... if what I saw last night was "much more action" then things must have been much worse then I thought for the months I was away.
Last night pretty much every promising dar bar I saw, by the time I reached the area, had turned into an all green no red lopsided vulch-fest.
I hope it improves, I really do. But AH today is a far cry from where it was 10 years ago.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: The Fugitive on September 10, 2017, 04:48:42 PM
It is a far cry, but I also think it is coming back. With the added numbers from Steam and as the word gets out on Steam I think more and more will move in. Once the numbers start to climb again the numbers and types of fight should go up as well.
Paying attention and moving around I had plenty of fights last night calling it quits around 1 AM eastern. Im hoping it continues. I still think HTC needs to do some more pushing be it social media, Steam, or advertising. Only time will tell.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Ack-Ack on September 10, 2017, 04:54:00 PM
It would be interesting to see the conversion rate from free account to paying account for those that have had their 2 week trial expire after the Steam launch.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: saggs on September 10, 2017, 05:10:35 PM
Just logged in now.
Less then 120, BUT... I found a good fight right away, whereas last night it took me all night before a good fight happened.
So, moral of the story is... I don't know. I guess it's hit or miss right now as far as action goes, regardless of the numbers.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: 1stpar3 on September 10, 2017, 05:18:00 PM
Nothing is ever as good as it is remembered to be,in my opinion. Every thing changes. Just have to make the most out of what you have in the present. Its not really fair to compare 10 years ago game play with todays. Folk move on, grow up, have jobs ect. For me however,not coming from any older perspective, is THE MOST FUN I have just about any given day. Some days better than others sure, but if you are looking for the good ole days, you may never find it, at least not as you remembered it :old:
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: NatCigg on September 10, 2017, 05:41:34 PM
BBS shows 96 for today. That's the most in years, up 20%. :old: :banana:
In game I have noticed more fighters, and new names. Best fight is still one vs. One. Like the old days, log on, find biggest Dar bar, analyze plan execute.
:salute :joystick: :airplane:
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 10, 2017, 05:50:04 PM
Less then 120, BUT... I found a good fight right away, whereas last night it took me all night before a good fight happened.
So, moral of the story is... I don't know. I guess it's hit or miss right now as far as action goes, regardless of the numbers.
yesterday's map blew. I didn't had fun either. today however it was great! did we fight each other I'm not sure? hmm oh well ups and downs. remember this, every single player that comes back is 1 more and that includes you :)
see you in the sky <S>
DutchVII
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: NatCigg on September 10, 2017, 07:49:10 PM
AH BBS: Most online today: 96 Most online this year = 102 (January) Most online last year: 119 Most online 2015: 169
And so on...
I'm sure I have seen 200+ online on Friday nights this year. It was recently, maybe within the last couple of weeks. I've been keeping tracking of numbers myself whenever I login.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 10, 2017, 08:04:06 PM
I'm sure I have seen 200+ online on Friday nights this year. It was recently, maybe within the last couple of weeks. I've been keeping tracking of numbers myself whenever I login.
AH BBS
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: The Fugitive on September 10, 2017, 09:10:45 PM
10 PM eastern, pretty big battle going on between the bish and the knight at A5 - A4 area. Things are heating up in the NE where the rooks are pushing across the water On the Montis map. 169 players now, join the fun!
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: BiPoLaR on September 10, 2017, 10:54:52 PM
There is a very few that is willing to pay 15 a month these days. People want a one time price and done with it.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: TequilaChaser on September 12, 2017, 01:19:21 PM
Seen player scores in the 2,700 range for rank last night....
Not sure how many will stay...but is awesome to see all the new gameid's
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Mano on September 12, 2017, 02:36:57 PM
Favorite new callsign?
First time I saw Butthurt made me laugh? :D :D
Suspect he is not new to online flight sims.
:salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 12, 2017, 09:27:51 PM
'Butthurt' is a pretty universal term in most MMOs now .... so he/she still could be (but he/she appears to have a SOH .... hope it lasts). :)
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: 1stpar3 on September 12, 2017, 11:16:45 PM
Oh yes, Butthurt is no noob. No idea who it is, but noob...UH UH
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lyme on September 12, 2017, 11:18:24 PM
Buzzsaw is up so expect the numbers to drop while this awful map is active.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: JimmyC on September 12, 2017, 11:40:31 PM
:confused: Buzzkill :furious
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Devil 505 on September 13, 2017, 12:02:44 AM
I concur! Seems numbers have settled a bit. Most complaints that I have heard from the Steamers was the subscription cost. Guess Steamers are more of a "pay once" and play whenever type? Plus, most were fairly young, at least the ones I came across. !5 bucks can be a lot of money, especially for kids. I am hoping that it is just due to the recent hurricanes and alot dont have power or internet! Hey, a guy can dream! :uhoh
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 13, 2017, 08:28:51 AM
Buzz has just been reset, you folks can get back online again :noid
:banana: :x :cheers: :aok :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: cav58d on September 13, 2017, 12:02:27 PM
As long as buzzkill takes place between 1-7am on a single morning I can live with it. Otherwise burn it down!
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: thrila on September 13, 2017, 03:23:08 PM
All large maps have a detrimental impact on gameplay at the times I am online in my opinion. Crater MA is currently up and there is little action along the knit front line, the same with yesterday's map for the most part I was on.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 13, 2017, 04:43:59 PM
Give them a Spit V for free or Early War planes for $15 A year. Something. Drive critical mass and the subscriptions will follow.
Anything but 15$ a month. Sure it's not a bad price point but you ain't gonna hang on to many steam players. I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the game. However, I've talked to a new steam guy or 2 and they said the same thing what !? 15$ a month guess I'm done after two weeks :/
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Zoney on September 14, 2017, 02:16:44 PM
Anything but 15$ a month. Sure it's not a bad price point but you ain't gonna hang on to many steam players. I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the game. However, I've talked to a new steam guy or 2 and they said the same thing what !? 15$ a month guess I'm done after two weeks :/
Of course we aren't going to keep them all, but it's my guess that many of these guys will "get it", come to understand the game, then learn to love the game like we all do and then stay. To those guys the 15 bucks will mean nothing, just like it does to all of us.
I look at Steam as advertising. No matter where you advertised there will always be guys that try the 2 week thingy and move on, others will become addicts just like us.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Wiley on September 14, 2017, 02:18:46 PM
Clearly the solution is to make the game free. :D :bolt:
Wiley.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: popeye on September 14, 2017, 02:22:02 PM
I look at Steam as advertising. No matter where you advertised there will always be guys that try the 2 week thingy and move on, others will become addicts just like us.
But what if the rate of addicts is extremely low? For the record, in the last days, the numbers of players online is back the old pre-steam levels in my timezone.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Zoney on September 14, 2017, 02:56:49 PM
But what if the rate of addicts is extremely low? For the record, in the last days, the numbers of players online is back the old pre-steam levels in my timezone.
The rate of addicts will be whatever it is. The mass numbers available from Steam will certainly get us some new players. Some new players are better than no new players. Steam does not have to be the only source of new players either, but it is a source.
Snail, I know how much you love this game, just like I do. i want you to be happy here and have lots of euro time zone players to smite thusly. Steam will help, how much we have yet to see but it certainly is not hurting.
Do you know, is Steam an American centric kind of thing or are there lots of euro players there too? Is there another source, like Steam that is more likely to pull euro players in?
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 14, 2017, 03:22:30 PM
Do you know, is Steam an American centric kind of thing or are there lots of euro players there too?
Lots of them, and also Russia and China.
My point was rather: When the marketing succeeds in exposing many potential customers to AH, but they don't hook up at all... then it might not just be the advertisement. It's the product which the customer doesn't seem to be worth to pay a certain price for. What his exact reasons would be for such an opinion is a different matter.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: ACE on September 14, 2017, 04:34:43 PM
My point was rather: When the marketing succeeds in exposing many potential customers to AH, but they don't hook up at all... then it might not just be the advertisement. It's the product which the customer doesn't seem to be worth to pay a certain price for. What his exact reasons would be for such an opinion is a different matter.
Yup. This guy gets it. I'm not saying the products not worth 15$ a month cause I've paid it a lot over the years. But if you want shear numbers it ain't gonna happen at that price point in this day and age. Obviously numbers show that considering what Snailman has said.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 14, 2017, 05:22:49 PM
Anything but 15$ a month. Sure it's not a bad price point but you ain't gonna hang on to many steam players. I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the game. However, I've talked to a new steam guy or 2 and they said the same thing what !? 15$ a month guess I'm done after two weeks :/
It takes longer than two weeks to hook most people. That's my guess. I was in the 8-player free arenas longer than two weeks before I dove in, and that was with a few years of Warbirds under my belt.
If you can get the two-weekers to stay longer with a limited planeset some will pony up the full fare. The more targets the more appeal. If you can get that cycle going it will drive itself.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 14, 2017, 05:46:06 PM
Fine. Give them a limited MA plane set after two weeks, then. (I'm not sure how HT and co would program such.)
The 'dirty dozen':
C-47A P-40B F4F-4 A-20G Boston Mk III Hurricane Mk I Spitfire Mk I Bf 109E-4 Fi 156 D3A1 I-16
Jeep
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lyme on September 14, 2017, 09:06:20 PM
The real concern should be .... will the A20 make a player stick around ad infinitum and not want an account to play with even better toys? :cool:
They would rather fly real MA monsters like the D3A and B5N with the updated cockpits, while aircraft like the A20 that actually see action are passed upon again and again.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: 38ruk on September 15, 2017, 11:15:16 AM
They would rather fly real MA monsters like the D3A and B5N with the updated cockpits, while aircraft like the A20 that actually see action are passed upon again and again.
I've also wondered why some of the more under utilized planes have had their updates before some of the more popular ( and often used ) planes have not been updated . I'm sure there is a method to the madness .... like some were still in AH1 standard vs others that are in atleast ah2 . From a players viewpoint , most comments ive heard have been critical about the order in which the updates are being done .
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 15, 2017, 11:26:58 AM
What's your preferred order, specifically? There may even be varying mileage there.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: oboe on September 15, 2017, 12:09:19 PM
By my estimate, these are the planes left to do:
Ar.234 Me.163 A-20G / Boston III Ju.88 Tempest Ki.67
I think the A-20G is by far the most used among these, plus you get most of the way to finishing the Boston III when you update it. It's the last two-for-one.
Probably the Tempest is the next most used, and then either the Ju.88 or the Ki.67. I think these are all AH1-era cockpits, without the moving flight controls.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Krusty on September 15, 2017, 12:30:55 PM
I'd say Ju88 sees more use than the A20G, but it would be close. Most people would take a B-25H or Tu2 for single-bomber attack (or hell, a Mossie) and if you want formations to hit fields/targets the B-26 is infinitely more survivable.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: waystin2 on September 15, 2017, 12:36:21 PM
As a long term player I am interested in a large player base. As a business person I abhor the thought of giving away product for free that I know has value. Tough call but definitely believe Hitech will keep the ship headed the right direction.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: wil3ur on September 15, 2017, 12:42:40 PM
I thought the Typhoon and Tempest were updated a couple years ago...
I still dig the KI61 revamp. It's a blast.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: oboe on September 15, 2017, 12:45:31 PM
Typhoon was, but not the Tempest.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 15, 2017, 06:00:19 PM
As a long term player I am interested in a large player base. As a business person I abhor the thought of giving away product for free that I know has value. Tough call but definitely believe Hitech will keep the ship headed the right direction.
Many businesses give things away to spur demand. It's not like he's giving away the entire game.
If HTC gave a small set of planes (two or three even) away and it drove even a tiny fraction of players to subscribe it would be a win. Full arenas create interest. Providing targets for paying customers is a good thing if it keeps them paying.
It's his decision. But I'd rather have some of those Steam noobs in here for free with a limited planeset than virtually zero paying for a full one.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Simon on September 16, 2017, 11:11:17 AM
I've always thought 2 weeks was way too short to get anyone hooked on such a challenging game. Maybe a 3 (6?) months free Steam promo?
Not sure of the economics of that, but I think having more targets, especially "killable" ones, might also reduce overall attrition.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 16, 2017, 11:59:53 AM
I've always thought 2 weeks was way too short to get anyone hooked on such a challenging game. Maybe a 3 (6?) months free Steam promo? Not sure of the economics of that
In that case, HTC might as well make the game totally free, I'm afraid ;)
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 16, 2017, 12:41:13 PM
In that case, HTC might as well make the game totally free, I'm afraid ;)
There's no need for that.
The issue is getting the two-weekers to stay long enough to become paying customers. A highly limited set of free airplanes is chum for the sharks. Eventually they'll want to upgrade. I did.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 16, 2017, 02:29:46 PM
From another thread.
Here's a thought. A rotating 'free plane of the week.' No, wait .... think about it. It doesn't open everything to the wind (so to speak). Post-2-weekers then still have a taste of this or that and we know some of them will get addicted to one model or another (we also know that they probably won't like some models). So ... for a week they can up P-51Ds without an active account. Next week they get P-40Bs. That P-51D won't likely make the free rotation very often.
Having said that, I have no idea (as usual) how easy that would be to implement on HT's part. I know how I'd market the poop out of it on STEAM, though.
(https://i.imgur.com/Pzf19Xq.png)
(And I'd still recommend C-47s and Jeeps as always free.)
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lazerr on September 16, 2017, 03:40:13 PM
1 month seems right... i sometimes get one chance a week to play games.. im sure millions of others are in the same boat.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vinkman on September 16, 2017, 05:04:19 PM
Free plane of the week means people will just rotate and plane for free with the free plane. 1 month means the guys setting up new accounts to keep playing the two week trial will have to do it less often.
Try recruiting. If everyone signed up 1 new player, we'd double our numbers and be back to 400 people in the MA at peek hours. :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 16, 2017, 05:09:57 PM
Free plane of the week means people will just rotate and plane for free with the free plane. 1 month means the guys setting up new accounts to keep playing the two week trial will have to do it less often.
Try recruiting. If everyone signed up 1 new player, we'd double our numbers and be back to 400 people in the MA at peek hours. :salute
The plane of the month is free for that month to non-paying players. Next month it's a different plane. No need or requirement to change subscriptions. You show up and get a designated ride or rides for a month then they rotate to something else. Eventually they'll upgrade. If they don't, so what? It's better for those who are paying *NOW*.
The point is to get get butts into the seats. If people aren't going to pay any way I'd at least like them here to shoot down for the rest of us that *DO* pay. Stick them in a P-40B/C or Spit V and let them dodge the rest of us. Eventually they'll get tired of that and hopefully upgrade. Either way they'll last longer than two weeks. Paying customers want targets. Nobody in a P-51 is going to begrudge some poor guy buzzing around haplessly in his free-for-a-month F4F-3.
Filling the bucket with water is counterproductive if you don't plug the holes.
I've tried recruiting. I got one guy to play for two weeks and he moved on. It's not that easy. Get the Steam Squeakers to stick around and it will be incentive for old sticks to return and current sticks to stay.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: DaddyAce on September 16, 2017, 07:41:14 PM
I think your "plane of the week" idea is a good one Arlo, and had been thinking along the same lines, but "plane of the day". I think "plane of the week", assuming it's practical for HTC to program in, is better. Perhaps it could be limited to 6 months per player, assuming HTC decides it's a worthwhile venture.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lyme on September 16, 2017, 11:51:47 PM
I like the plane of the week/month idea, but I think a functioning tutorial/flight school is equally as important for booking the noobs.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 17, 2017, 12:20:25 AM
Free plane of the week means people will just rotate and plane for free with the free plane.
Sure they could. But will they? Would you avoid an account because a B-17 fulfills your fighter itch? Or a Sherman tank? Or even a fighter but it's a Spit I? There's 93 Planes and vehicles if we exclude the C-47, Storch, and Jeep (letting them be free all the time) and 52 weeks in the year. Granted, we should also exclude the Me-262, the Me-163 and Ar-234. That's still a rotation of 90 if we allow for every variant within every model (but not in predictable order - let HTC randomize somewhat). That'll be a long wait for the hot rides if the rotation follows an E/M/L war plane/vehicle rotation (again with a degree of randomness). Even the 1944-45 equipment could still be excluded and there'd be a fair amount of free toys to rotate.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 17, 2017, 12:40:40 AM
+1 on the rotation plane, best idea to draw in players
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 17, 2017, 12:42:14 AM
+1 on the rotation plane, best idea to draw in players
You aren't actually helping.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 17, 2017, 12:49:46 AM
:D
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: TDeacon on September 17, 2017, 10:08:26 AM
As I suggested in another thread, people don't care if the plane is "free" if they die over and over. Except for unemployed adolescents, $15. per month is pocket change, so saving someone that amount isn't likely to work if they don't enjoy the game, or have future prospects of doing so.
As just one example person, my wife wouldn't want to play AH for just that reason.
MH
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 17, 2017, 10:20:52 AM
As I suggested in another thread, people don't care if the plane is "free" if they die over and over. Except for unemployed adolescents, $15. per month is pocket change, so saving someone that amount isn't likely to work if they don't enjoy the game, or have future prospects of doing so.
As just one example person, my wife wouldn't want to play AH for just that reason.
MH
They die over and over any way. It's called a learning curve. They're gonna' be more frustrated paying to die. Who knows if anyone is even bothering to pay to die? I don't have that data. Maybe they are. People can succeed just fine in a Spit V. It's easy to fly and they can yank and bank like most noobs do any way.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lyme on September 17, 2017, 10:27:46 AM
As I suggested in another thread, people don't care if the plane is "free" if they die over and over. Except for unemployed adolescents, $15. per month is pocket change, so saving someone that amount isn't likely to work if they don't enjoy the game, or have future prospects of doing so.
As just one example person, my wife wouldn't want to play AH for just that reason.
MH
$15/month is a fart in the wind, but for many it's the principal of it. $180 per year, every year, for a game that has little to no change. Or you can go out and buy GTA, Battlefield or COD and have every expansion pack, at least equal amount of fun and fun a lesser price. Hard market right now.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 17, 2017, 10:42:16 AM
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Slate on September 17, 2017, 10:54:40 AM
Um I joined this game because of an ad I saw on the History Channel. Steam players have essentially responded to advertising. Some will buy the product and most will not. We need more advertising and not just on steam. :old:
I do not know HTC's business model or how much they have budgeted for advertising as it may be cost prohibitive in some areas. :headscratch:
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: OOZ662 on September 17, 2017, 01:34:09 PM
I've been sitting around wondering if I should join back in recently. The biggest thing keeping me from doing so are memories of the account management system. It used to be that if you wanted to stop paying for a month, your account was permanently locked. You come back, you have to create a new account, lose all your perk points, and e-mail support to get your GameID transferred. If they revamped the system to where it worked like every other subscription out there where all your details were stored but your access to the game (or it's "paying members only" features) were turned on and off based on account status, I'd probably give things another go.
So, has it?
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: wil3ur on September 17, 2017, 02:28:31 PM
I've been sitting around wondering if I should join back in recently. The biggest thing keeping me from doing so are memories of the account management system. It used to be that if you wanted to stop paying for a month, your account was permanently locked. You come back, you have to create a new account, lose all your perk points, and e-mail support to get your GameID transferred. If they revamped the system to where it worked like every other subscription out there where all your details were stored but your access to the game (or it's "paying members only" features) were turned on and off based on account status, I'd probably give things another go.
So, has it?
As far as I know... no, it has not changed.
Fly KI61's and get your perks back quickly!
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: FLS on September 17, 2017, 05:45:26 PM
I like the plane of the week/month idea, but I think a functioning tutorial/flight school is equally as important for booking the noobs.
If we could have a training arena that would be awesome. :D
We could have trainers that offer individually tailored instruction to anyone who requested help. :aok
It could even be free for all but that's just crazy talk. :devil
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: saggs on September 18, 2017, 11:06:44 PM
Just for a data point:
I just logged in, 8pm Alaska time, 9pm Pacific... should be a popular hour methinks. Approximately 110 in the arena. I'm a knight. There is not a single red dar bar ANYWHERE on the knights front, none, zip, nada... not an enemy plane ANYWHERE. There was one bish V base flashing where some GVs were, and a knight horde rolling bish bases, that's it.
I think this is the first time I have ever logged in at a primetime hour to find not a single red guy to shoot at anywhere, it's sad, very sad. :cry
Needless to say I straight logged off.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Wiley on September 18, 2017, 11:09:04 PM
This isn't primetime. There is a sharp drop-off between 11 and 12 eastern on weekdays. But you are correct. 1 or 2 enemy planes in the air.
Wiley.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 18, 2017, 11:14:36 PM
I just logged in, 8pm Alaska time, 9pm Pacific... should be a popular hour methinks. Approximately 110 in the arena. I'm a knight. There is not a single red dar bar ANYWHERE on the knights front, none, zip, nada... not an enemy plane ANYWHERE. There was one bish V base flashing where some GVs were, and a knight horde rolling bish bases, that's it.
I think this is the first time I have ever logged in at a primetime hour to find not a single red guy to shoot at anywhere, it's sad, very sad. :cry
Needless to say I straight logged off.
Straight logging off can be your own downfall. I find it take some minutes before my tower clipboard gives a fully accurate picture AND sometimes I log in right after an arena terrain change.
(https://i.imgur.com/r7kP2fn.png)
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: saggs on September 18, 2017, 11:24:33 PM
Straight logging off can be your own downfall. I find it take some minutes before my tower clipboard gives a fully accurate picture AND sometimes I log in right after an arena terrain change.
I scanned the map for a good 8-10 minutes looking for a fight. Was on long enough to see a knight horde roll 2 undefended bish bases. Did not find any red dar bar at all.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Wiley on September 18, 2017, 11:33:27 PM
Look, Saggs. There are 2 whole enemies in the air on your fronts that aren't over by the Knight horde. Clearly everything's fine.
Wiley.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 18, 2017, 11:38:01 PM
I scanned the map for a good 8-10 minutes looking for a fight. Was on long enough to see a knight horde roll 2 undefended bish bases. Did not find any red dar bar at all.
When my map started to populate date - in less than a minute there were dar bars all over. Type on radio?
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 18, 2017, 11:41:59 PM
Look, Saggs. There are 2 whole enemies in the air on your fronts that aren't over by the Knight horde. Clearly everything's fine.
Wiley.
Having players flying on a different front than you want is not 'nobody flying.' Whole accurate stories serve the community better. Saggs either is having the weirdest bad luck (everyone lands and hides when he logs on) or a bad connection to the game if he's seeing no dar, whatsoever while I see it all over.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Wiley on September 18, 2017, 11:56:22 PM
Approximately 110 in the arena. I'm a knight. There is not a single red dar bar ANYWHERE on the knights front, none, zip, nada... not an enemy plane ANYWHERE.
Yeah, I know, he can side switch because that's what everybody does in this game when they can't find a fight, right?
I was on while he was on as well. I saw a couple of enemy planes, but it's entirely possible he hit the period when there was literally nothing.
Wiley.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: saggs on September 19, 2017, 12:00:31 AM
Having players flying on a different front than you want is not 'nobody flying.' Whole accurate stories serve the community better. Saggs either is having the weirdest bad luck (everyone lands and hides when he logs on) or a bad connection to the game if he's seeing no dar, whatsoever while I see it all over.
Connection was fine, of course there was a huge friendly green dar bar, where knight where taking undefended bish bases, and red dar on the rook/bish front. But I promise you, as I stated for at least 5 minutes I could not find a single red dar on the knight front.
I know it's unusual, that's why I posted...
Even on the screenshot you posted (taken about half hour after I logged) it looks very dead on the knight front. I see 3 dar bars of 1/4 sector or less. So that's what... at most 2-3 enemy planes in each of those sectors. Probably 5-10 total enemies, spread over 3 sectors....
As I said, just a data point, playing this game off and on for 12 years and that was a first for me.
I should add that I played a bit yesterday, and found some good fights, had fun for a couple hours. So it seems the weekends are still viable, but weekdays after the east coast logs off are pretty much dead.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 19, 2017, 01:48:55 AM
3 sides work with 200-500 people logged at same time.
3 sides do not work with below 100 people logged on.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: scott66 on September 19, 2017, 02:16:55 AM
I log in between 8 and midnight about every other night Pacific time and really never have a hard time getting airborne and finding someone to kick by bellybutton in but that's just my experience
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: JimmyC on September 19, 2017, 02:31:12 AM
To be honest ..you only need 2 or 3 guys to fight at one time..its not the same as a jam packed furball for sure.. but attack a base..deack town..i play in off hours and more often than not we have some epic action Be the red dar bar you want to see..others will see it and come..make the action
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 19, 2017, 02:40:41 AM
I log in between 8 and midnight about every other night Pacific time and really never have a hard time getting airborne and finding someone to kick by bellybutton in but that's just my experience
At this moment as I'm typing this there are 29 people logged in.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: JimmyC on September 19, 2017, 03:01:13 AM
10 to fight ..go get em in your spit1 They will up think your easy and be surprised when you beat em down..rinse repeat..till you want to up another bird..enjoy
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: BBQsam on September 19, 2017, 03:35:43 AM
Monday evening, sorry not sure of the time, max I saw in melee/ma was right at 180
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: oboe on September 19, 2017, 04:31:47 AM
To be honest ..you only need 2 or 3 guys to fight at one time..its not the same as a jam packed furball for sure.. but attack a base..deack town..i play in off hours and more often than not we have some epic action Be the red dar bar you want to see..others will see it and come..make the action
I really think JimmyC is right on the money here. It doesn't help the game if you logoff. Go create a fight somewhere. A lone P-40E deacking a base almost always gets a response, I find.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 19, 2017, 04:52:14 AM
10 to fight ..go get em in your spit1 They will up think your easy and be surprised when you beat em down..rinse repeat..till you want to up another bird..enjoy
If I can find them
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: 38ruk on September 19, 2017, 05:11:49 AM
Late night tonight knits were roll bases spoiling for a fight and nothing. 11 pm est 93 players and dropping. I was always a firm believer of the " start taking their bases " camp , but from what I see that doesn't do it any more. That's why I believe something has to change to keep people's interest, if it's a few free planes in the MA that helps boost numbers and keep the paying players , playing, its a start.
In my mind its kinda like a bar scene.... the place that give the girls a few free drinks and have 20 of them inside , will have 60 cover paying dudes gladly hand over their cash compared to a place that doesn't.
Maybe there is a downside to this I haven't thought of, so please point it out. But in my non game owner mind , what would it hurt to try over an fso by week?
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 19, 2017, 05:16:42 AM
Late night tonight knits were roll bases spoiling for a fight and nothing. 11 pm est 93 players and dropping. I was always a firm believer of the " start taking their bases " camp , but from what I see that doesn't do it any more. That's why I believe something has to change to keep people's interest, if it's a few free planes in the MA that helps boost numbers and keep the paying players , playing, its a start.
In my mind its kinda like a bar scene.... the place that give the girls a few free drinks and have 20 of them inside , will have 60 cover paying dudes gladly hand over their cash compared to a place that doesn't.
Maybe there is a downside to this I haven't thought of, so please point it out. But in my non game owner mind , what would it hurt to try over an fso by week?
I like this man :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lusche on September 19, 2017, 06:28:49 AM
Late night tonight knits were roll bases spoiling for a fight and nothing. 11 pm est 93 players and dropping. I was always a firm believer of the " start taking their bases " camp , but from what I see that doesn't do it any more. That's why I believe something has to change to keep people's interest [...]
I found last night to be very eerie on the knight side. Not only just because of having relatively little action here & there... but because of the silence. Silence on country channel, a lot of silence on range vox even when half a dozen people around going to a hostile base.
And that's what struck me the most in the past four weeks I've been here: The lack of communication. The lack of enthusiasm. Not my personal one, I've been here for 12 years and 'seen it all', so it's all too natural my personal enthusiasm has waned. No, on a global scale. Public missions stopped a long time ago (and we all know how important these were to get new players hooked!). It's like a bunch of old guys doing 'their stuff' with only greeting an old acquaintance every once in a while. Little 'joining up' beyond the small remnants of what used to be large squads, little chatter on the channels, no fuss about the strategy my country should employ. Once I was gone for 15 minutes with ~30 players on my side. When I came back, I did not find a single new line of text on my country channel.
Now I have been a 'lone wolf' all the time, but once I was an exception. I have the feeling today's arena is full of lone wolves (just look at all those squadless players on the roster), or some very tight small squads/groups of player.
I have the feeling the game is getting old, literally. How do you hook new players in a lukewarm environment, even when they get their (technical) questions answered on the Help Channel?.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: zack1234 on September 19, 2017, 07:30:41 AM
Knights is the equivalent of Iceland... Nothing happens there :old:
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: thndregg on September 19, 2017, 07:49:32 AM
I found last night to be very eerie on the knight side. Not only just because of having relatively little action here & there... but because of the silence. Silence on country channel, a lot of silence on range vox even when half a dozen people around going to a hostile base.
And that's what struck me the most in the past four weeks I've been here: The lack of communication. The lack of enthusiasm. Not my personal one, I've been here for 12 years and 'seen it all', so it's all too natural my personal enthusiasm has waned. No, on a global scale. Public missions stopped a long time ago (and we all know how important these were to get new players hooked!). It's like a bunch of old guys doing 'their stuff' with only greeting an old acquaintance every once in a while. Little 'joining up' beyond the small remnants of what used to be large squads, little chatter on the channels, no fuss about the strategy my country should employ. Once I was gone for 15 minutes with ~30 players on my side. When I came back, I did not find a single new line of text on my country channel.
Now I have been a 'lone wolf' all the time, but once I was an exception. I have the feeling today's arena is full of lone wolves (just look at all those squadless players on the roster), or some very tight small squads/groups of player.
I have the feeling the game is getting old, literally. How do you hook new players in a lukewarm environment, even when they get their (technical) questions answered on the Help Channel?.
I would agree with you. The tenor, or the atmosphere of this game has changed. I find there is little patience for a realistic organized group effort in this version, especially in my niche of heavy bombing.
By the way, it's been a treat trading bullets with you again, Lusche. :D :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: popeye on September 19, 2017, 08:49:26 AM
I really think JimmyC is right on the money here. It doesn't help the game if you logoff. Go create a fight somewhere. A lone P-40E deacking a base almost always gets a response, I find.
Yes. A response which generally results in a series of attempted ack drags. Whee.
Wiley.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: FLS on September 19, 2017, 09:43:55 AM
Seems like nobody from Houston, Florida, or Puerto Rico is flying.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 19, 2017, 09:48:39 AM
Yes. A response which generally results in a series of attempted ack drags. Whee.
Wiley.
A whine has been recorded. The game .... is. Logging off apparently is 'the answer' ..... for some. For me, I log (on or off) because of life's demands or lack of. Time to whine on the AHBBS is time I can best spend elsewhere. Faux macho teardrops never impressed me. :ahand
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Wiley on September 19, 2017, 09:54:16 AM
A whine has been recorded. The game .... is. Logging off apparently is 'the answer' ..... for some. For me, I log (on or off) because of life's demands or lack of. Time to whine on the AHBBS is time I can best spend elsewhere. Faux macho teardrops never impressed me. :ahand
Yup. But my point is it's not as simple as "just do". If you want to interact with enemy aircraft in a way that doesn't involve a virtually undefended green horde or them dragging you repeatedly through their ack, there are times when that is simply not an option.
Wiley.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 19, 2017, 10:21:34 AM
Yup. But my point is it's not as simple as "just do". If you want to interact with enemy aircraft in a way that doesn't involve a virtually undefended green horde or them dragging you repeatedly through their ack, there are times when that is simply not an option.
Wiley.
It's all just an excuse to whine. The game is never going to be strictly on your terms 100% of the time (especially when your terms have a thousand reasons to complain incorporated).
Caveats to support a 'game broken' whine:
1) The other guy(s) drag me through their ack. 2) But ... I'd have to change sides. 3) I only use part of the game. Those players are using parts I don't like/don't do well in. 4) They sunk my CV. 5) I don't get enough salutes.
Phfffft. Just do. Or don't. Or .... you can just bore the rest of us with all the times you're bored and not having fun in AH and give us all your expert advice on how to 'fix' things before the sky falls (like the 'new' guy).
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Wiley on September 19, 2017, 10:36:54 AM
It's all just an excuse to whine. The game is never going to be strictly on your terms 100% of the time (especially when your terms have a thousand reasons to complain incorporated).
Caveats to support a 'game broken' whine:
1) The other guy(s) drag me through their ack. 2) But ... I'd have to change sides. 3) I only use part of the game. Those players are using parts I don't like/don't do well in. 4) They sunk my CV. 5) I don't get enough salutes.
Phfffft. Just do. Or don't. Or .... you can just bore the rest of us with all the times you're bored and not having fun in AH and give us all your expert advice on how to 'fix' things before the sky falls (like the 'new' guy).
At the end of the day it just comes down to numbers. Below a certain threshold, people stop flying aircraft. For some people no enemy aircraft means no game. The guys that propose whatever fix they think will bring the numbers up just want enemies to work against.
But the whole "just go toolshed or jump in a GV" crap is not a solution for many. Many of them have voted with their feet. Others have stuck around frustrated.
During east coast primetime the game generally supports pretty much everybody, but outside of that time, the arena is not so good.
Wiley.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lazerr on September 19, 2017, 11:27:19 AM
Pretty obvious three countries speads players too thin for the games average population.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Slate on September 19, 2017, 11:30:05 AM
3 countries makes it easier to find a fight, You have 2 out of 3 people to fight with 3 countries vs 1 out of 2 people to fight with 2 counties.
Think of the extreme, if each player was a country do you think it would be easier or harder to find a fight then 2 countries?
HiTech
How about you try something different? Just see what happens for a week? What's it gonna hurt? We do this all the time in our business to grow and see where we can adapt.
Try 2 countries for a week or so. Try the limited plane set for a week. Get some data then make a decision rather than leaving it "stale".
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lazerr on September 19, 2017, 12:24:41 PM
3 countries makes it easier to find a fight, You have 2 out of 3 people to fight with 3 countries vs 1 out of 2 people to fight with 2 counties.
Think of the extreme, if each player was a country do you think it would be easier or harder to find a fight then 2 countries?
HiTech
Three countries spreads it out. To often its two teams beating one like a seal. What should I do then.. go shoot some acks guns and hope a fight kicks up? I cant go start taking the other countries bases.. the game mechanics dont allow it. I could try and beg for help on country to start fighting the other front.. will they come? Probably not.. they have a nice hoard assembled and are rolling bases. Id rather have 1 in two odds of winning a jackpot than 1 in 3.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 19, 2017, 12:35:54 PM
3 countries makes it easier to find a fight, You have 2 out of 3 people to fight with 3 countries vs 1 out of 2 people to fight with 2 counties.
Think of the extreme, if each player was a country do you think it would be easier or harder to find a fight then 2 countries?
HiTech
I think with two countries you'll drive the action closer. The front will always be on your country--and theirs--unlike how it happens sometimes now. Example: Knits and Bish fighting on their side of the map and nothing happening on the Rook side.
60 players split three ways vs two. Seems to me you would concentrate the action.
When numbers recover you could always go back to three countries. :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 19, 2017, 12:37:33 PM
How about you try something different? Just see what happens for a week? What's it gonna hurt? We do this all the time in our business to grow and see where we can adapt.
Try 2 countries for a week or so. Try the limited plane set for a week. Get some data then make a decision rather than leaving it "stale".
Would be nice. Might cause some chaos initially but I think that would work itself out.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: hitech on September 19, 2017, 12:59:07 PM
How about you try something different? Just see what happens for a week? What's it gonna hurt? We do this all the time in our business to grow and see where we can adapt.
Try 2 countries for a week or so. Try the limited plane set for a week. Get some data then make a decision rather than leaving it "stale".
Hmm you believe I don't have data, I have tried 2 countries previously. Limited plane set, yep tried that also.
Quote
What's it gonna hurt?
Lots and lots of pissed off customers.
HiTech
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 19, 2017, 01:13:53 PM
The AvA (formerly CA) still exists, I believe. Great 2 sided, historical terrain, matched planesets. Arena holds as many players as the MA, if I'm not mistaken. The majority of the player population still logs onto MA. Tis a mystery.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 19, 2017, 01:19:21 PM
The AvA (formerly CA) still exists, I believe. Great 2 sided, historical terrain, matched planesets. Arena holds as many players as the MA, if I'm not mistaken. The majority of the player population still logs onto MA. Tis a mystery.
I know! One would expect that those bored of the ole-3 sided war/base capture strategy wouldn't like to take a historical approach to combat against a real foe. Instead - everyone runs to hop into their Spit-XIV, La-7, P-51/47M, or Yak-3 so they can fight against similarly late-model aircraft.
In the AvA, you hop into a Spit-V, fly across the channel and drop in on a Luftwaffe airfield to engage a BF-109F, or a formation of Ju-88 or He-111 bombers bombing London or a British port. Conversely, fly a La-5 against a Bf-109G2 over Russia, or hop in a FM-2 and mess around with a Zeke or Zero over the Philippine islands. Or from a carrier in a F4F to intercept Zero's from their carrier over the Midway islands!!! That, to me, is exciting and has a huge cool factor.
But what do I know? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: bustr on September 19, 2017, 01:37:46 PM
My terrain BowlMA has a tests built into it because I wanted to see what is attractive and creates activity.
Groups or hoards form to attack the least defendable bases all night. Those three on the tip of each island, are closer than 25 miles from each other along with many other airfeilds. No GV spawns for M3s to interrupt the fun to those three, and no shore batteries to stop the carrier hoard at two of them. Just attrition in favor of the attacking hoard unless the defenders really fight tooth and nail to the bitter end. I see it go 50\50, the hoards win or the defenders bloody their noses. The furball guys hate it because it's "The Hoard" and the GV guys have to get in planes or wirbles to fight and get bombed. But, a lot of guys show up to that spot and fight. Unfortunately, those fights don't really drag out all night and go nowhere like on our AH2 converted terrains, so new fights get picked all the time around the terrain. Not setting every single airfield 25 miles away helps.
The next test has to do with vBases and GV spawns. You can see the terrain is not saturated with vBases and no airfeild\port\vBase have more than two GV spawns. The defenders can manage the incoming GVs if their fighters don't mindlessly furball, so far I have yet to not see that happen. :rofl If the attacking planes get the upper hand, the GVs end up on the airfield, game over. The capture invigorates the attackers and they up and attack the next airfield generating activity. I gave the Gvers the center island and three spawns to the strats on each island if all they want is to tank furball and not be part of the general activity. The center island seems to be a cricket farm while the GVers all want to follow the hoard around the map to be in the activity locus.
I don't see any of this audience except for the game creator and maybe a few terrain builders who remain silent, testing the community to see how they really utilize the sandbox. Being on the stinky end of the stick in our game really sucks and even makes people log off. Being on the clean end sticking it to the other guys is what most customers are paying for. And it's intoxicating to the point of running out of control. We insult that condition by calling it a hoard. It cannot be controlled without Hitech killing his game by driving customers away with forced and coercive external forces. And a small vocal group of players keep saying the game will die unless Hitech does exactly this to his customer base thinking it will force them to play in the Melee arena the way they want to play.
I've taken my lessons from BowlMA and incorporated them into Oceania which I'm in the last phases of tweaking. I've added some new things along with a better understanding of how our terrains are utilized today. The vast majority of our converted AH2 to AH3 terrains want to slow down the hoard and give Gvers their own special places. That had to be done years ago because Hoards blew through the arena like unstoppable floods almost every night. Still there was no end to fodder for the furballers "because of only the numbers".
Today, the terrain builder has to bring players together and accept that will create hoards because everyone wants to be on the end of the stinky stick that makes the other guys cry. You disperse players by not building terrains to match how the current population utilizes the arena. Right now short distances to a fight keeps the players in motion which generates activity and opportunities as a group to break things and win fights.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 19, 2017, 01:50:53 PM
I know! One would expect that those bored of the ole-3 sided war/base capture strategy wouldn't like to take a historical approach to combat against a real foe. Instead - everyone runs to hop into their Spit-XIV, La-7, P-51/47M, or Yak-3 so they can fight against similarly late-model aircraft.
In the AvA, you hop into a Spit-V, fly across the channel and drop in on a Luftwaffe airfield to engage a BF-109F, or a formation of Ju-88 or He-111 bombers bombing London or a British port. Conversely, fly a La-5 against a Bf-109G2 over Russia, or hop in a FM-2 and mess around with a Zeke or Zero over the Philippine islands. Or from a carrier in a F4F to intercept Zero's from their carrier over the Midway islands!!! That, to me, is exciting and has a huge cool factor.
But what do I know? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
On occasion .... there's Corsairs! Back in my CA CM days we even tried an alternate reality late war Pac setup with the Japanese getting to fly the Kikka (262) and the Shusui (Komet) and all their late war rides (and earlier stuff, as well, I believe). "Second Wind." This was pre B-29 so I came up with a backstory that involved both the B-29 project not overcoming its initial teething problems and the Manhattan Project suffering a catastrophic event that killed everyone working on it.
Sure ... there were some complaints about going out of historical boundaries. I fully admitted that this was the only way to get late war Corsairs in the CA. There were just as many players enjoying the setup as there were BBS spoilers.
So, yes, there IS an arena that implements all the 'new ideas' being shoveled here right now. There's even some leeway to 'try new things' there. I really don't understand the 'fixers' demanding the MA clone of it.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: bustr on September 19, 2017, 01:54:43 PM
The best alternate thing tried in the MA was Claw day.......
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 19, 2017, 01:58:05 PM
Go invest a few million, build your own game, run your own test and you too can have the answers.
HiTech
Well, in order to have a few million I'll need to start with double that much.
It's not about me. It's about you. Fresh eye concept. You might consider going back and re-testing your hypotheses on these things. Times have changed.
Good luck regardless. We all want the best for AH3. :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: TheBug on September 19, 2017, 02:02:42 PM
Back in my CA CM days we even tried an alternate reality late war Pac setup with the Japanese getting to fly the Kikka (262) and the Shusui (Komet) and all their late war rides (and earlier stuff, as well, I believe). "Second Wind." This was pre B-29 so I came up with a backstory that involved both the B-29 project not overcoming its initial teething problems and the Manhattan Project suffering a catastrophic event that killed everyone working on it.
God, that set-up sucked.
:P
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: bustr on September 19, 2017, 02:24:29 PM
I think Vraciu is addicted to poking Hitech in the eye in public any way he can get away with it including burning the house down to kill rats while he burns up with them. Otherwise his last zinger is straight out of the 3rd graders handbook to impress 4th graders when you don't have any way to save face but accuse the 4th grader of being some kind of a flute player. Only the stupidest 4th graders would fall for it and not see how lame the face saving attempt is.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: hitech on September 19, 2017, 02:31:52 PM
Like I said, we all want the best for AH3. Well, except for Dolby perhaps. :rofl :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lyme on September 19, 2017, 02:58:33 PM
I for one think Vraciu is genuine in his requests and suggestions. Whatever, Hitech doesn't wan't to do it, his million dollar investment and virtual living room, so be it.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Vraciu on September 19, 2017, 03:02:29 PM
I for one think Vraciu is genuine in his requests and suggestions. Whatever, Hitech doesn't wan't to do it, his million dollar investment and virtual living room, so be it.
Thanks man. They are genuine. I don't have all the data, or as we pilots say, "The Big Picture." But as we learn in CRM two heads are better than one. If anything I write just happens to spark a good idea for Hitech or Skuzzy then I will be thrilled.
If I didn't care I wouldn't still be here. I certainly wouldn't have given myself carpal tunnel syndrome (LITERALLY) making skins for free to help make the game better.
I'm on Hitech's side. He sometimes thinks otherwise it seems. No offense is intended or implied toward him or anyone else.
:salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: ACE on September 19, 2017, 03:35:55 PM
That million dollar investment brought me tons of fun. Times have changed. The game hasn't. Obviously the numbers declining has proved that. Letting the game sit here like it is now will only dwindle the customer base. It's your money we are jus suggesting ideas. I thank you for your responses Hitech. Good luck.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: hitech on September 19, 2017, 03:56:31 PM
That million dollar investment brought me tons of fun. Times have changed. The game hasn't. Obviously the numbers declining has proved that. Letting the game sit here like it is now will only dwindle the customer base. It's your money we are jus suggesting ideas. I thank you for your responses Hitech. Good luck.
There is no basis in reality that we let the "Game sit here like it is now".
By making that statement you are insulting the thing i do day in and day out.
Go suck an egg.
HiTech
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Shuffler on September 19, 2017, 04:23:08 PM
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: TequilaChaser on September 19, 2017, 05:27:20 PM
Yep, but it still gives an approximation of sorts as to how many are playing in the MA. If one checks it throughout each coming month, you can get an idea of if people are subscribing or not.....nothing exact or guaranteed, but similar to say a barometer of fluctuation in players playing in the MA....
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 20, 2017, 12:49:39 AM
There is no basis in reality that we let the "Game sit here like it is now".
Sir, I know you are working hard behind the scenes, but us players who like your game sometimes need a visible morale boost, and the low player numbers on arena is not exactly a morale booster.
That's why we - the players, are giving you suggestions, we are also the paying customers, the paying customers of today and not the ones from 10 years ago who are already not subscribed and not playing.I'm sure the old timers who were supporting you for this whole time would still continue to support you on this endeavor. While they are here, you have to remember that we 'new players' are also here, and if the game is to have more players, there needs to be more new players.
I'm positive if new things were tried on a weekly basis on arena, for a short period of time, no one would 'unsubscribe' but people would be logging in, to check those changes, and giving you feedback on it - to make the game better, we all play it after all.
If people would not like the changes whatever they might be, everything can be rolled back, no harm done, but a lot can be gained.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: TequilaChaser on September 20, 2017, 05:38:43 AM
No offense nugetx,
How ever way you think your last post above about trying new things because of new players (subscribed) is telling of your true lack of knowledge about this particular type of mmo genre of WWII Air Combat and land/sea battles
HiTech as you should already know has been in the WWII air combat mmog business for over 30+ years and has seen every idea posted most tested and he knows what his subscribing customers want/desire and what ideas don't work
As for giving moral boost to this game's community, Hitech and HTC have never stopped giving moral boost since he opened Aces High for open beta in mid/late 1999
Cheers
TC
Edit: I wonder how many people would subscribe if they had the preference/option to open a small window for their Facebook and/or another small window for twitter or Instagram
People these days are addicted to Social media like a drug addict to heroine...everyone you see has some type of device in hand or on their computer and constantly on Social media, 24/7 even while they are working and playing games...heh
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nugetx on September 20, 2017, 06:18:46 AM
he knows what his subscribing customers want/desire and what ideas don't work
The players that are posting those ideas are the subscribed customers, and it's what we would like to see and not only me but plenty others posting on bbs.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: TequilaChaser on September 20, 2017, 07:03:12 AM
The players that are posting those ideas are the subscribed customers, and it's what we would like to see and not only me but plenty others posting on bbs.
You do realize that less than a 1/4 of the subscribing customers actually read and post to these AH message boards and this small 1/4 are and have always been very vocal about what they think will be a good idea or change
You are now included in with all the others that have posted repeatedly non stop about what you think HTC should do for whatever end result that "You" are hoping for....
There is nothing new under the sun
TC
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: asterix on September 20, 2017, 07:20:37 AM
To be honest ..you only need 2 or 3 guys to fight at one time..its not the same as a jam packed furball for sure.. but attack a base..deack town..i play in off hours and more often than not we have some epic action Be the red dar bar you want to see..others will see it and come..make the action
:aok
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Lyme on September 20, 2017, 09:14:21 AM
How ever way you think your last post above about trying new things because of new players (subscribed) is telling of your true lack of knowledge about this particular type of mmo genre of WWII Air Combat and land/sea battles
HiTech as you should already know has been in the WWII air combat mmog business for over 30+ years and has seen every idea posted most tested and he knows what his subscribing customers want/desire and what ideas don't work
As for giving moral boost to this game's community, Hitech and HTC have never stopped giving moral boost since he opened Aces High for open beta in mid/late 1999
Cheers
TC
Edit: I wonder how many people would subscribe if they had the preference/option to open a small window for their Facebook and/or another small window for twitter or Instagram
People these days are addicted to Social media like a drug addict to heroine...everyone you see has some type of device in hand or on their computer and constantly on Social media, 24/7 even while they are working and playing games...heh
[/b]
I want the NHC or tropical tidbits :)
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 20, 2017, 10:39:03 AM
The players that are posting those ideas are the subscribed customers, and it's what we would like to see and not only me but plenty others posting on bbs.
We've gotten to the 'we' stage where interest is inflated by the 'idea' poster.
5-6 people jumping on a bandwagon does not exemplify overwhelming support by the player community to make goofy changes. :D
Support the Spanish Civil War.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: wil3ur on September 20, 2017, 11:07:41 AM
This is how this should have gone...
Wishlist post:
Dear HiTech, please make this game more like WWIIOL that's a failed model and has a horrible community of closed minded players that treat new/free accounts like cannon fodder and amazinhunks while they pretend to be armchair generals.
HiTech responds:
No we won't be doing that here
End of Discussion
Rehashing the same effing thing you've been told NO to a thousand times in every single post across this message board is getting ridiculous.
In fact, you're actually making me want to leave this community with your constant insistence on ruining every post with your drivel. Take a hint, it's not going to happen and move on. Either play the game that you're supposedly subscribed to, or go elsewhere that has the play style you're looking for. But for the love of god, give it a friggen rest!
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Mongoose on September 20, 2017, 11:25:06 AM
The players that are posting those ideas are the subscribed customers, and it's what we would like to see and not only me but plenty others posting on bbs.
Go back and read the quote again. "he knows what his subscribing customers want/desire and what ideas don't work"
That's the part you are missing. He knows what ideas don't work
The things you are suggesting either don't work, or They are not what this game is about!
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: The Fugitive on September 20, 2017, 11:27:14 AM
Wil3er, don't blame the whole AH community for one bad ape. Add him to your ignore list and relaxe.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: wil3ur on September 20, 2017, 12:03:56 PM
Wil3er, don't blame the whole AH community for one bad ape. Add him to your ignore list and relaxe.
Not blaming the whole community, but he hijacks post after post with this crap ideas... and even if I ignore him, others still respond so there's the aftermath of his trolling (which is the only thing I can see it being at this point). But he's going on the ignore list, just hoping we can get the community as a whole to do it, then he can try and hijack whatever post he wants. :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: nrshida on September 20, 2017, 12:09:47 PM
:rofl :aok Poor Nuget. I'm pretty sure he shaves his whole body. Bit harsh Fugitive. :old:
I dont think so, he has already proven he isnt here to discuss things, just spout off the same things over and over again. I've read it so often I could type it out here with out looking any of it up.
If someone tells me he has changed his tune I may check it out, but I'm done re reading hid posts.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: bustr on September 20, 2017, 05:09:36 PM
In the O'Club is a post about the game PUBG. If you read through it and go to the PUBG web site and look around, you will see some of the essence of what drives these requests that Hitech flush the game as is. Then create something out of the 21st century action, graphics and emotional expectations reality.
If you google "Worlds Adrift", the 24x7 full scale world that tracks all changes in a "World Scale Arena" persistently is being worked on. They keep pushing back their release date while making their SDK available instead. In some ways it would be AH5 or 6 where you design, then build your own fighters and bombers along with any changes you make along the way. Nuget would about 60 by that time... :O Many of the things nuget and others like him want in AH won't work because Hitech's world is too big to keep track of all the changes to it's objects. Instead the focus is seat of your pants break things with the available toys as the first person pilot or driver. The more gratuitous the eye candy, the fewer than 32 players who can be in an arena the size of ours at one time.
With all the eyecandy and flashy graphics, the competitors cannot put as many players in their smaller arenas than our game can in it's at the same time. Even at 100 players during our USA daytime. I'm never sure if people like nuget and the others even understand this limitation that Hitech trades off and balances so that our arenas can host up to 1000 players if it ever comes to that. The technology does not exist at this time to do it the way they keep yelling at Hitech that it should, if he would just remake his game to their fantasies.
Keep watching Worlds Adrift and the SpatialOS technology to see if they ever get their 24x7 persistent "World Scale Arena" functioning. It appears they will still make the SDK available when that happens. I bet at 60 nuget's grand kids will be yelling at Hitech's grand kid about programming his full dive game the way they want to see it without knowing how the technology limits the outcomes.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: wil3ur on September 20, 2017, 06:24:22 PM
So just as not to be a complete dick... there are some things I've thrown out there that have been shot down but I still think would be fun and neat. Jeeps with recoiless rifles, and supply convoys like the old truck/train convoys that supplied towns to supply CV's so that if they're too far from port or hidden, it takes longer for them to resupply. Both were shot down and I moved on. That doesn't mean I still don't think they'd be epic editions to the game, I'm just not an ultra melon and don't spam the boards hijacking posts complaining about how no one listens to my ideas. :salute
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: bustr on September 20, 2017, 07:01:20 PM
I find it depressing they don't start with questions that help them understand why one game can support eyecandy and glitz at the expense of limiting the size of the arena and numbers who can play in it at the same time. Most of them have no clue what the limitations are to any other game they play, nor care about the limitations and how Hitech solves for those limitations with his trade offs in this game. Then they argue with him like he has millions of dollars to burn through just because they have a keyboard and can keep haranguing him with it because they think he's holding out on them. And it never seems to work when he asks them if they have ever programmed a computer game let alone several. They just do the usual internet so what, what have you done for me lately, it's the 21st century dont-cha-know.......
Hitech is one strong dude to put up with that insanity year after year.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 20, 2017, 07:09:48 PM
Says the immature, selfish player: Gimme gimme gimme more ... more more .... for your sake .... for everyone else's sake .... look at me playing at 'community' .... to get what I want .... today ..... it will never be enough .... tomorrow. It's all your fault.
Says the grown-up player: Thank you, thank you, thank you. This game has provided more than I imagined possible. Thank you for supporting it still (when you could have just retired and walked away). It's obvious it's your passion. Your commitment to US is obvious. Thank you. The game is still here as is the community. It's all our credit, yours more than anyone.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Mongoose on September 20, 2017, 10:26:05 PM
Says the grown-up player: Thank you, thank you, thank you. This game has provided more than I imagined possible. Thank you for supporting it still (when you could have just retired and walked away). It's obvious it's your passion. Your commitment to US is obvious. Thank you. The game is still here as is the community. It's all our credit, yours more than anyone.
:salute I feel very fortunate to have found this game. I am having way too much fun.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 09:55:27 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/WkxfOMe.png)
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: WEZEL on September 22, 2017, 07:11:00 PM
Go invest a few million, build your own game, run your own test and you too can have the answers.
HiTech
Harsh. :headscratch:
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: ghi on September 22, 2017, 11:42:03 PM
Remember this HQ raids?! my best fun in this game , i enjoyed attacking and defending HQ, it used to happen almost every evening , huge fights 3-4 sectors darbar, was fun ,actually the closest action to real WW2 bombing raids in MA format,( who's got time for Special Events arena tight schedule) ; now are history; Since HQ is a worthless dot of the map , i lost 50% of the appetite for this game. This is what made memories ; I noticed one of the new steam guys last week asking; hey i finally set up my joystick, now what?! i wouldn't know what to tell him, its not the same game; i wonder what the new guys find fun? getting picked at the end of the runway by vets maniacs generated by game rewarding setting obsessed with kills stacking?
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: thndregg on September 23, 2017, 05:03:29 AM
Remember this HQ raids?! my best fun in this game , i enjoyed attacking and defending HQ, it used to happen almost every evening , huge fights 3-4 sectors darbar, was fun ,actually the closest action to real WW2 bombing raids in MA format,( who's got time for Special Events arena tight schedule) ; now are history;
Yeah, it's been a different atmosphere this time around. I loved putting up these kinds of raids, just so we could provoke this kind of fight across the map regardless of whether or not we achieved our target.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Marco on September 23, 2017, 09:07:48 AM
Yeah, it's been a different atmosphere this time around. I loved putting up these kinds of raids, just so we could provoke this kind of fight across the map regardless of whether or not we achieved our target.
My fondest memories in AH2 are of running up several B17's and P51's for some long range destruction ops with Wax.
If we were intercepted, it made for some good high alt dogfights. :joystick:
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: The Fugitive on September 23, 2017, 09:10:20 AM
I think that the game has gotten away from the "history" portion. It is now more a "game" than ever. The majority of the players no longer are looking to emulate some WWII hero, or fight some WWII battle, they are grinding out a bunch of base captures to win the war and get those perkies!.
The 56th had a bunch on last night so ran a few missions. Jabos in P47s of course :D It was fun, target assignments turns called out, the BS on the radio that always seems to cause trouble :P We took two ports and the CVs assigned to them. Not only was it more nostalgic and reminiscent of the "Ol' Days" it was fun, and boy did we stir up a fight!
The action is still there, players have to take the reigns and lead. Show these "new guys" what they are missing.
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: waystin2 on September 23, 2017, 10:08:51 AM
The 56th had a bunch on last night so ran a few missions. Jabos in P47s of course :D It was fun, target assignments turns called out, the BS on the radio that always seems to cause trouble :P We took two ports and the CVs assigned to them. Not only was it more nostalgic and reminiscent of the "Ol' Days" it was fun, and boy did we stir up a fight!
This is what the Pigs have been doing more than anything lately and it rarely fails to stir up a nasty fight. Oh and some great sorties and situations to make fun of squaddies over. :D
Title: Re: How are the numbers now?
Post by: Saito on September 23, 2017, 10:16:34 AM