Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: nrshida on March 19, 2022, 11:39:35 AM

Title: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: nrshida on March 19, 2022, 11:39:35 AM
Not massively thought this through as I've learned not to expend too much energy on this sort of thing but...

If it is apparently the case that Aces High does not appeal to the new generation of gamers, why not see if previous players might be attracted back. Given that a good percentage of those might now be retired, or become bored of other games or hobbies, or grandparents, or otherwise preferring to be more home-based now, why not send an email to everyone who has had a subscription for a year or more and offer a special try-it-again month-free subscription offer?

That would neutralise the learning curve and the players not sticking around for half an hour because they didn't like the interface, controller setup WHY business - they致e already been through that. A month would give them enough time to de-rust and see if they might like to play again. While that is ongoing it would increase the effective number of players in the arena(s) for only the cost of a few Starbuck's cups-worth of extra electrons on the servers. It's win-win! Might even consider doing this in phases: n-number for this month, the next batch for the following month, to preclude a one-time only lump of potential returners. If those players still have old squaddies flying, you might also mention that.

Further, why not have a forum amnesty and do the same. Anyone who has been PNGed for what amounts to a non-death penalty offences could be emailed and invited back, with the similar offer. Possibly some players have stopped playing because of ill-feeling.

Previous-players have probably not been actively courted in the history of AH, if not, might be worth a shot.

Just a thought.   :banana:

Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Frodo on March 19, 2022, 11:43:00 AM
This is a good idea.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Lazerr on March 19, 2022, 12:01:44 PM
99% agree , with the exception of those banned for cheating.  They would likely do it again, and cause more damage than good.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: guncrasher on March 19, 2022, 05:34:12 PM
I believe skuzzy once said that they would send emails to ex players. but some reported them as spam and ah got put into spam categories.

semp
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 19, 2022, 06:49:41 PM


If it is apparently the case that Aces High does not appeal to the new generation of gamers, why not see if previous players might be attracted back.

Some of us have been actively getting the former players back to playing. It is a slow process but effective.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Shuffler on March 20, 2022, 01:09:00 PM
I believe skuzzy once said that they would send emails to ex players. but some reported them as spam and ah got put into spam categories.

semp

I remember Skuzzy saying the same.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Shane on March 20, 2022, 04:22:29 PM
If direct emails are a no-go, there's always facebook (twitter?) and also current players who could pass along (forward) an offer (link) of "remind a friend how great AH is and have them click this link for a free trial..." 

Or something....
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: TequilaChaser on March 20, 2022, 05:31:57 PM
I agree with what Lazer posted and Shane's post is a good idea 💡 👍

<SALUTE>

TC
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: gstelmack on March 23, 2022, 01:21:55 PM
Well, my old email address would bounce, but with any luck I'll be back up soon. I think I've got the basic controls mapped again, but it's soccer season so time to fly is limited through May.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Ramesis on March 23, 2022, 01:46:28 PM
Sorry guys... I quit playing several months ago because of strokes...
Since then I have relegated to the arcade WOWP to get my flying high...
Not that I was any good before the strokes but I really enjoyed the
comrades that all of you are... Hopefully I will get back soon b/c wowp
really sux compared to AH
 :salute
 
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: SpinDoc1 on March 23, 2022, 02:56:40 PM
I'm working on starting a YouTube channel for AHIII in VR. Just currently swamped with work and life responsibilities. But I'd love to amp up the outreach for AH to a new player base. Making fun videos with lots of shenanigans and ridiculous missions. As well as highlighting the fun in this arcade-light/not-quite-sim/but-pretty-authentic flight sim experience.

To that end, does anyone have experience with video graphics and overlays that I could develop for the intro and outro sections? And anyone have experience with music and effects to lay in? I look toward the YouTubers such as PrestonPlays and Mr. Beast Gaming, and DanTDM...all characters that my kids watch on their channels, and they have lots of fantastical and exciting effects in their videos. That's what we need!
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: SpinDoc1 on March 28, 2022, 01:50:31 PM
Apologies for hijacking...but seriously does anyone have recommendations to the questions above?
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: The Fugitive on March 28, 2022, 04:02:57 PM
Apologies for hijacking...but seriously does anyone have recommendations to the questions above?

You might ask Tactus https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,404918.msg5359416.html#msg5359416 he has some intro stuff on his videos. Dolby is still around and he was always pretty good doing films as well.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Max on March 28, 2022, 07:00:14 PM
Not massively thought this through as I've learned not to expend too much energy on this sort of thing but...

<snipped>

I've suggested similar recruitment ideas in recent years. Have never received any response from Dale. Personally I tend to believe he's OK with the current state of the game population. Players come; players go. With no staff or office overhead I'm fairly sure that so long as the current income offsets the expense of the servers...he'll ride that wave as long as possible.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: nrshida on March 29, 2022, 02:02:50 AM
I've suggested similar recruitment ideas in recent years. Have never received any response from Dale. Personally I tend to believe he's OK with the current state of the game population. Players come; players go. With no staff or office overhead I'm fairly sure that so long as the current income offsets the expense of the servers...he'll ride that wave as long as possible.

Yes a reasonable conclusion given the evidence. I was more thinking of the players  :salute

Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: 1stpar3 on March 29, 2022, 03:12:00 AM
I'm working on starting a YouTube channel for AHIII in VR. Just currently swamped with work and life responsibilities. But I'd love to amp up the outreach for AH to a new player base. Making fun videos with lots of shenanigans and ridiculous missions. As well as highlighting the fun in this arcade-light/not-quite-sim/but-pretty-authentic flight sim experience.

To that end, does anyone have experience with video graphics and overlays that I could develop for the intro and outro sections? And anyone have experience with music and effects to lay in? I look toward the YouTubers such as PrestonPlays and Mr. Beast Gaming, and DanTDM...all characters that my kids watch on their channels, and they have lots of fantastical and exciting effects in their videos. That's what we need!
HMMM? I believe I know, yur feller :old:  DM    BTPAGE...ULtactus these days...also Congrexes Prime, for his Youtube channel name. I might be biased though lol  However, He didnt like his VR films'.  Cant remember if it was his Capture Card, or the "Shakiness" of his head head, in the films?  Play one of your VR recordings and we have a "Use Recorded Views", and see if you have better Neck Muscles? :devil  Everything else...he's your Feller :aok
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: oboe on March 29, 2022, 08:57:46 AM
I'm working on starting a YouTube channel for AHIII in VR. Just currently swamped with work and life responsibilities. But I'd love to amp up the outreach for AH to a new player base. Making fun videos with lots of shenanigans and ridiculous missions. As well as highlighting the fun in this arcade-light/not-quite-sim/but-pretty-authentic flight sim experience.

To that end, does anyone have experience with video graphics and overlays that I could develop for the intro and outro sections? And anyone have experience with music and effects to lay in? I look toward the YouTubers such as PrestonPlays and Mr. Beast Gaming, and DanTDM...all characters that my kids watch on their channels, and they have lots of fantastical and exciting effects in their videos. That's what we need!

I made this one using a template from www.renderforest.com (http://www.renderforest.com).   You supply your own graphic images, and you can choose music they provide or provide your own I think.  They have a ton of templates to experiment with; everything is free at low resolution with watermarks included.  To export in 1080p or remove watermarks, its costs $20 I think.  But you can try a lot of different ideas out with the templates they provide.   Wish I could build a preview of the video into this post, unfortunately you just have to follow the link to watch the clip:

Sample Aces High video intro:
https://www.renderforest.com/watch-58990221?quality=0 (https://www.renderforest.com/watch-58990221?quality=0)

Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: waystin2 on March 29, 2022, 12:22:27 PM
It's simple for the POTW. More players and we would return.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Spikes on March 29, 2022, 12:27:27 PM
If everyone who says they would come back if there were more people came back, there would be more people.  :headscratch:
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Shuffler on March 29, 2022, 04:06:57 PM
Coming back to come back in back of coming back is coming back in style.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Arlo on March 29, 2022, 07:41:30 PM
If everyone who says they would come back if there were more people came back, there would be more people.  :headscratch:

Self-unfulfilling prophesy?  :old:
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: SpinDoc1 on March 31, 2022, 01:55:42 PM
HMMM? I believe I know, yur feller :old:  DM    BTPAGE...ULtactus these days...also Congrexes Prime, for his Youtube channel name. I might be biased though lol  However, He didnt like his VR films'.  Cant remember if it was his Capture Card, or the "Shakiness" of his head head, in the films?  Play one of your VR recordings and we have a "Use Recorded Views", and see if you have better Neck Muscles? :devil  Everything else...he's your Feller :aok

Yes I love the VR appearance in Film Viewer. It works great. And I use OBS Studio for screen capture of the fights. I've made a couple videos on my channel (in sig), and need to spice them up. Plus I need to edit with a lot more fun content. I'm looking at getting some equipment (ring light, etc.) to be able to track my head movements in VR during the fights.

I made this one using a template from www.renderforest.com (http://www.renderforest.com).   You supply your own graphic images, and you can choose music they provide or provide your own I think.  They have a ton of templates to experiment with; everything is free at low resolution with watermarks included.  To export in 1080p or remove watermarks, its costs $20 I think.  But you can try a lot of different ideas out with the templates they provide.   Wish I could build a preview of the video into this post, unfortunately you just have to follow the link to watch the clip:

Sample Aces High video intro:
https://www.renderforest.com/watch-58990221?quality=0 (https://www.renderforest.com/watch-58990221?quality=0)



That was awesome. I totally want to use that.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Shuffler on March 31, 2022, 04:09:47 PM
I may get involved in this. I have a few girls in mind for my ground crew.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: oboe on March 31, 2022, 05:03:38 PM
Yes I love the VR appearance in Film Viewer. It works great. And I use OBS Studio for screen capture of the fights. I've made a couple videos on my channel (in sig), and need to spice them up. Plus I need to edit with a lot more fun content. I'm looking at getting some equipment (ring light, etc.) to be able to track my head movements in VR during the fights.

That was awesome. I totally want to use that.

You're welcome to use it!
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: 1stpar3 on April 01, 2022, 06:33:06 AM
Yes I love the VR appearance in Film Viewer. It works great. And I use OBS Studio for screen capture of the fights. I've made a couple videos on my channel (in sig), and need to spice them up. Plus I need to edit with a lot more fun content. I'm looking at getting some equipment (ring light, etc.) to be able to track my head movements in VR during the fights.

That was awesome. I totally want to use that.
AGREE!  I to this day, cant understand, why Tactus doesnt record..in VR?  Is what it is...Didnt "Hook Him UP" for Youtube Views, any how!Of LATE...He hasnt been Recording...because he was in VR.  GD, I love that Feller!  You others, as well!
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Slade on April 01, 2022, 07:22:18 AM
Quote
why not see if previous players might be attracted back.

:aok


I'd like to think that a demographic of new gamers would be interested in a WWII flight sim of this quality.  The challenge is finding where they are and marketing to those mediums.  Dale is that something you are or will be pursuing? 

Thanks,

X15 :salute
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Bopgun on April 01, 2022, 07:31:30 AM
The new HBO series about the 8th air force is bound to draw some players back in I would imagine. I知 not sure when that値l be around though.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: oboe on April 01, 2022, 08:52:52 AM
The new HBO series about the 8th air force is bound to draw some players back in I would imagine. I知 not sure when that値l be around though.

Apple TV now owns the rights to it.  I check on that series, ("Masters of the Air"?), often.  Supposedly it is set to release in 2022.   
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: SpinDoc1 on April 01, 2022, 10:35:46 AM
The new HBO series about the 8th air force is bound to draw some players back in I would imagine. I知 not sure when that値l be around though.

Yeah this is looking really interesting. I saw a site talking about how they film with the scale models suspended in the air from the runway by cranes in England where they're filming. Then digital spinning props added later :-)

You're welcome to use it!

Thanks, Oboe!
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Spikes on April 01, 2022, 01:18:27 PM
To start cutting stuff up you'll need a video editing software of some sort. I use Vegas Pro, other options are Adobe Premier or Power Director. I've never used the built in Video Editor in Windows 10.

I agree that the film viewer VR product is superb. Hoping to do an all VR film soon once I fully jump into using VR.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Reschke on April 01, 2022, 03:26:17 PM
Well as an old timer that just came back I can honestly tell you that I never got any email from HTC asking/offering anything to come back for a trial. It would have been nice to have that but once you click the button to stop your account there is nothing offering you any reasons to just say no.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: The Fugitive on April 01, 2022, 03:51:25 PM
Well as an old timer that just came back I can honestly tell you that I never got any email from HTC asking/offering anything to come back for a trial. It would have been nice to have that but once you click the button to stop your account there is nothing offering you any reasons to just say no.

That was only you, he's still not sure if hes going to let you back in.   :devil


Welcome back Reschke!  <S>
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: The Fugitive on April 01, 2022, 03:52:15 PM
To start cutting stuff up you'll need a video editing software of some sort. I use Vegas Pro, other options are Adobe Premier or Power Director. I've never used the built in Video Editor in Windows 10.

I agree that the film viewer VR product is superb. Hoping to do an all VR film soon once I fully jump into using VR.


I wish there was a way to show the 3d aspect of it.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: 1stpar3 on April 02, 2022, 04:22:49 AM
Self-unfulfilling prophesy?  :old:
How the heck are you doing, Brother?   Long Time-No See!   :rock
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Dichotomy on April 02, 2022, 08:00:48 AM
Well if it helps I'm planning on coming back.  It's going to be a few months though.  Gotta get geared up and practiced. 
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Arlo on April 03, 2022, 05:37:39 PM
How the heck are you doing, Brother?   Long Time-No See!   :rock

Unpacking. Back in my childhood home. It's carthetic. Watching SNL (ep. 2 season 1). Time travel exists. How be thee?
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: 1stpar3 on April 05, 2022, 04:20:52 AM
Unpacking. Back in my childhood home. It's carthetic. Watching SNL (ep. 2 season 1). Time travel exists. How be thee?
I understand! Moved to my Parent's Home town, well to Dad's Home Place, couple of years ago. 2019. That was the ONLY HOME, that was constant, when growing up.  I can't get away with NOTHING, HERE!  "You Marshall's Grand Kid? Stanley's Boy"  YES I AM....we all look alike :rofl Other than that and the BS Multiple Sclerosis, I cant complain!  :rofl Good to see ya, "Top Side"...so to speak :aok
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Arlo on April 05, 2022, 07:11:20 AM
Sorry to hear about the MS. Good to see you, too. :)
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Blakes7 on April 07, 2022, 06:08:24 AM
Counter-Strike 1.6 is an ancient game, older than AH3, but it has enjoyed a new lease of life in Eastern Europe and China.

It's simply a question of marketing and making it accessible.

Old games can be very inaccessilble to new players. Matching novices against people who've been playing for years. The older players sometimes fail to recognize they might have to choose sometimes between playing and winning, or at least playing fairly. In AH3 I don't think that is so much of a problem, I managed to do alright on a clapped out computer with no experience.

This game has a lot of information which is not immediately obvious to a brand new player.

Counter-Strike did so well in Eastern Europe and the Far East because there is not a lot people need to know to match experienced players.

Few thoughts there, food for though.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Arlo on April 07, 2022, 01:45:58 PM
Commie Strike.
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: 1stpar3 on April 10, 2022, 05:19:28 AM
Sorry to hear about the MS. Good to see you, too. :)
Bro, I got that watermelon handled! So far! No 2 Letters of Alphabet can keep me down :devil
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Arlo on April 11, 2022, 01:13:53 PM
Bro, I got that watermelon handled! So far! No 2 Letters of Alphabet can keep me down :devil

Good. Keep on keeping on, sir
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: BAD1051 on April 22, 2022, 08:02:42 PM
Sorry guys... I quit playing several months ago because of strokes...
Since then I have relegated to the arcade WOWP to get my flying high...
Not that I was any good before the strokes but I really enjoyed the
comrades that all of you are... Hopefully I will get back soon b/c wowp
really sux compared to AH
 :salute
Damn Rams im sorry to hear this. I hope they have figured out what is/was causing them. I pray for a speedy and full recovery for you fellow AH brother... and that you return to the game  <S>
Title: Re: Untapped player resources (possibly)
Post by: Dichotomy on April 25, 2022, 07:22:03 AM
Not massively thought this through as I've learned not to expend too much energy on this sort of thing but...

If it is apparently the case that Aces High does not appeal to the new generation of gamers, why not see if previous players might be attracted back. Given that a good percentage of those might now be retired, or become bored of other games or hobbies, or grandparents, or otherwise preferring to be more home-based now, why not send an email to everyone who has had a subscription for a year or more and offer a special try-it-again month-free subscription offer?

That would neutralise the learning curve and the players not sticking around for half an hour because they didn't like the interface, controller setup WHY business - they致e already been through that. A month would give them enough time to de-rust and see if they might like to play again. While that is ongoing it would increase the effective number of players in the arena(s) for only the cost of a few Starbuck's cups-worth of extra electrons on the servers. It's win-win! Might even consider doing this in phases: n-number for this month, the next batch for the following month, to preclude a one-time only lump of potential returners. If those players still have old squaddies flying, you might also mention that.

Further, why not have a forum amnesty and do the same. Anyone who has been PNGed for what amounts to a non-death penalty offences could be emailed and invited back, with the similar offer. Possibly some players have stopped playing because of ill-feeling.

Previous-players have probably not been actively courted in the history of AH, if not, might be worth a shot.

Just a thought.   :banana:

During my hiatus every time i ran across someone online that had an enthusiasm for WWII planes I pointed them to hitechcreations and will continue to do so.