Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: PakRat on March 25, 2001, 08:48:00 AM
-
I still think that the only fair solution is across the board pricing or a tiered structure based on arenas/hours/etc.
There are still a boatload of people out there at $5, $10, $15, $20, and $25 while I pay $30. HTC said they were going to examine the market and implement a new price structure. We have yet to see it or an explanation. It can't take that long to analyze the data.
Troll or no troll, that original post of Myers did remind me about the discrepancies here and my point still stands - It is time for fair and equitable pricing.
[This message has been edited by PakRat (edited 03-25-2001).]
-
Where did anyone post any proof that HTC is even considering this?
If you feel that AH is worth $30/mo, why do you care what anyone else is paying? ...why is it any of your business? If you don't feel that it's worth $30/mo, then why on earth are you subscribing?
SOB
-
I read those other threads, and I don't see where HTC has had anything to do with this.
A bunch of AW guys decided to get together and try to propose something like this to HTC. I don't even think they got that far. Somebody posted that communication to stir up toejam, that's all. Don't go crapping all over HTC when they haven't had anything to do with it. It was a troll to start exactly the kind of thread you just started. Don't believe the hype.
------------------
Sean "Lephturn" Conrad - Aces High Chief Trainer
A proud member of the mighty Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com
Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome (http://users.andara.com/~sconrad/) for AH articles and training info!
-
Sigh.
People can't read.
HTC isn't "soliciting" anyone with a lower rate. It's a bunch of AW guys PLANNING to solicit HTC for a lower rate, which they apparently haven't done yet.
-
So far all I have seen is conjecture based on nothing. I don't think any of this is happening as it is posted on this MB.
Perhaps it would be good to sit back and see what or if ANYTHING developes before making accusations on the lack of any equanimy in the treatment of customers.
Someone comes in here and posts a troll and it seems a bunch of people start jumping to conclusions.
(http://home.att.net/~lmluper/markatsig.jpg) (http://www.jump.net/~cs3)
-
Pakrat? You've been or are a union employee somewhere?
You sound like a union rep.
-Westy
-
I pay a subscription to Aces High and its worth every penny, I don't begrudge them a thing because its a solid product withy regular updates but..........
Pakrat is right, there are some people out there who for whatever reason got offered quite substantially reduced subscriptions to Aces High, even a few guys I know who think of nothing to pick holes in Aces High and have bad mouthed Aces High on other boards and yet they get better rates over any of us? I have only been a subscriber for around 10 months now of an on, had a break during that time of maybe two or three months but that it one cancellation and there are guys here that have stuck by Aces High right from beta the kind of guys that have shown real loyalty and yet these people get better deals over us? I did'nt say much at the time, it did annoy me (especially when deals were offered to those people I mentioned above) but Pyro said it was an experiment to look at better rates for all and so I left the issue alone as he said they were looking into it but HT was on holiday. I really expected an announcement by now but still nothing and still there are some paying much lower rates so come on HTC what's going on? either we all get lower prices from the data you have gained from this experiment which would be great or we all pay the same which is fair
-
This is not intended as a marketing ploy to just bring us new customers, it's to gain information about pricing and some other things. It's something that you as a consumer are subjected to everyday whether you realize it or not. We've selected a group of people based on a number of factors and have used them to test out different price points. We can take that information and crunch the numbers and have a good idea whether a different price point would make more sense for us. If we find that to be the case, then everyone benefits. We didnt' put a limit on the duration of the rate because it's the information that we're after and to do that would taint the results.
We know that it seems exclusionary to our core supporters and that's been our chief concern in doing this, but given the choice of not exploring this or going about it in a reckless manner, we think that this is the best option. The goal is not to have multiple price points, it's to have the best price point. If things work out the way we want them to, we'll all benefit.
------------------
Doug "Pyro" Balmos
HiTech Creations
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/Forum1/HTML/006123.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/Forum1/HTML/006123.html)
Torgo, Westy, Lethturn, SOB, is Pakrat talking about this or I misread your posts?
I also recall Pyro explaining the results of his survey, but I can't find the post.
I'm not participating to the debate, price is not a factor for me. I'm just trying to refresh some memories (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
-
I fly pay one week a month. 3 weeks i fly h2h. I prefer h2h really. You can work on planes and no one counts your score. Its the best training tool in AH.
1 week a month i go to the ma and k/d fly. Its my tour. If you feel 30 usd is too much this is a great way to set up your own priceing plan. Htc is so fast that canceling and opening accounts that there is no down time.
There is no reason to play wb aw or fa if you fly this way. 10 to 15 a month is more than enough play at least for me.
The downside is you have to come up with a new name. Some use a number after their name
to identify themselves.
Ken you flew as rags? That guy was a rr player i thought? You were not Westy from aw?
Also i have had a couple of threats from staff in the past i was very suprised to see you post you had some probs with them. In fact one time the name rags came up in a discussion.If what was said was true i understand your posts about aw.
EYE
-
That's the one I'm thinking of.
Please point out where Pyro said the price would absolutely be lowered and when that price drop would occur.
"A boatload of people" ? Sure. If you're talking an 18' boat perhaps. colorful metaphor from one who has no idea how many people HTC offered a 'special' to in thier market survey. If you took all the posts from people who said a lower price was offered to them or they knew someone who it was offered to then I bet you might be able to outfit two
baseball teasm. Tops.
If you think you're being ripped. Then pull yourselve out from under the repressive capitalist yoke! Save yourselves from 'the man' and reject his "squeezing blood from the stone" oppressive ways.
- Westy
Ken you flew as rags? That guy was a rr player i thought? You were not Westy from aw?
Eye, please don't use my first name. And second that was a joke that Mooddog, and several other 'FR' AWiers who posted here the past couple of days, might have chuckled over. No. I am not Rags. I am the 'Westy' that played AW over a year ago. Although I did test (for an hour) the new AW:MV on EA's beta about three weeks ago and when I did I took RAGS handle so he couldn't have it. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
[This message has been edited by Westy (edited 03-25-2001).]
-
Ok i wont use your first name. I have a ounce of respect for ya!lol (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Yes that guy rags argued alot thats not you in the ma.
Takeing handels can be so fun (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
EYE
-
I have a feeling that when WWII Online releases this June that HTC is gonna wish theyd lowered the price earlier. $30 for the boxed version of WWII Online then $9.99 a month is gonna take a lot of people away from AH, even if the arenas are full of 13 year old qauke punks.
-
HTC said they were going to examine the market and implement a new price structure.
Excellent blend of fact and fiction. Normal text is fact, bold text is fiction.
I want to pay less for this game. I am willing to pay what I am paying. Take that for what its worth.
The "tier" structure you are reffering to is one of the worst community devices that could be implimented. Elitist arenas based on the amount you pay a month. Opinions on the BBS considered based on what tier you fit into.
The unlimmited play combined with time on = more points means that larger numbers are encouraged in the arena. With the exception of those that like sweaping through capturing undefended bases, most people believe more on is better. I'm pretty sure that is the goal HTC is striving for.
Right now, we have a enough of a base to keep one arena pretty busy... but not packed. We don't have the player base to keep multiple arenas stocked with ideal numbers. Every arena would suffer as a result.
So.. one price to play. I understand the evaluation process that involved different offers. What I would hope would come of that would be a lower uniform price for EVERYONE. One price for every player for unlimmited play.
AKDejaVu
-
Now I understand why communism lasted for the whole 70 years.
So what if someone do pay less than you? So what if some people even do not pay at all? The only question is if YOU want to pay $30 a month for playing AH. If you think it is high -- go to another sim. If the price is ok for you -- pay.
Fariz
-
Cookie Wookie I say!
-
Originally posted by SFRT - Frenchy:
Torgo, Westy, Lethturn, SOB, is Pakrat talking about this or I misread your posts?
Pakrat's original post was whining about the AW guys getting a discount from HTC. Then there was a bunch of replies from us over the next hour or so pointing out there was no evidence the AW guys were getting a discount.
So then Pakrat quickly edited his post once he realized he made no sense whatsoever, and changed it to whining about the old issue of HTC's study on different pricing structures.
But now all of the replies to his original post make absolutely no sense since he edited the post starting this thread so much it bears absolutely no resemblance to what was posted originally.
-
oh ok! Rofl! Sneacky Pakrat hehehe.
-
""IF"" wwiionline is what they say it is , Aces is gonna be in big trouble . If there were a sim out there with better graphics , effects , and a good FM for 1/3 the money , or even the same money , why stay here?? If ht guys are giving a select group of people lower pricing , Its their company to do with what they wish . Live with it or cancell . IMHO wwiionline will be a bug-warp-fest (hope I'm wrong)
-
Eh, for quite a long time WWIIOL will have a small VERY early war planeset, and one which has a lot of AC that the "Average Joe" hasn't heard of.
I don't see WWIIOL as any sort of threat at all. It's an entirely different game.
Also, it's not at all clear to me whether you can sign up for WWIIOL and just jump in an airplane, anyway. Mind you, I haven't spent hours laboriously reading their boards, but I'm under the impression that you'll have to toil away for a while as a common footsoldier just to GET a plane...well, at least a good plane.
-
If you live outside Texas, you already are getting AH at a discount rate :P
-
It's not about whether or not I think AH is worth $30, it coems down to, will $30 keep me around as I begin to get tired of the sim?
Admittedly, AH is the only sim to ever keep me interested this long of a time for one duration. The only other sims, was WB, which kept me interested on and off for over 2 years, and Rogue Spear, which kept me going non-stop for 3 months.
AH has now been my past time since Oct. 2000. Six months, but I am getting somwewhat tired of it, and am currently growing restless. I will be trying Operation Flashpoint next, which I hear is the da bomb.
So the question really coems down to what price would keep me as a monthly paying customer, even if I would only fly maybe 2 hours a week or less.
fscott
-
I'd have to say the biggest challenge for me is the found in the extremely high skill level I meet in the arena. I could get bored flying a certain plane (not reeally, but I'm "just saying") but I'll never get bored fighting another human opponant be it one-on-one or ten-on-one.
THAT is the single largest drawing point that MMPG's have for me. AH is the best program/sim for me, to date, that allows me to feel like I'm at the stick of a WWII aircombat aircraft. In other words it's tops for the immersion.
I provide the adrenaline. AcesHigh provides the ride.
I also like that AH has become a huge melting pot where I can fly against folks I'd only read famous tales or stories about, DoK, HiTech/Pryo, (and MANY more, too much to name all), fly against WBers who I'd known from usenet or readin about WB's scenarios, FA guys and many folks from AW that I've known. We've got some growing pains, but we're doing good. I think anyway.
-Westy
-
I think AH is worth $30 BUT i dont think its right players who have played aces high since beta days and so are long term customers have not been rewarded for their loyalty to this product.
This whole thing could be settled if there was even a small reduction.We'd at least feel that HTC is trying to give us the best deal.
If it was my company and i had customers who have been with me over a year id give them something to show i appreciate them being there.
I have nothing personal against the HTC crew and i think they are great guys one and all, but the fact that some people are playing the same game for less money infuriates me!.
I know it shouldnt really,there are legitimate reasons for the 'market research offer',but it still annoyed me.After reading pyros post on how they were looking into reducing price accross the board i felt i could accept it.
I dont understand why nothing more has been said by HTC.
Sorry but if there is the possibility of a lower price id like it.I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would want to pay more.
If HTC were to post a message saying it could not reduce the price and gave us some reasons then fine, at least i have information with which to decide if i feel $30 is fair.At the moment im paying $30 to play AH but this is the only game i pay for to play online when others come along which im sure they will I wont be able to afford to keep 2 games running,simple as that!
This is an expensive hobby for me.
hazed
[This message has been edited by hazed- (edited 03-25-2001).]
-
Hazed it was people like you and other longtime players I had in mind when I made the quote:
there are guys here that have stuck by Aces High right from beta the kind of guys that have shown real loyalty
in my post above, it seems crazy to me that in most other forms of business you get rewarded for your loyalty yet in Aces High they offer reduced rates to people who have gone out of their way to bad mouth Aces High and the community here...If Aces High stays the same I'll still pay $30 because I think its worth it but if it stays $30 then EVERYONE should pay $30, of course if we all get a reduced rate even $5 off the normal rate then thats a bonus.
[This message has been edited by Revvin (edited 03-26-2001).]
-
Originally posted by PakRat:
There are still a boatload of people out there at $5, $10, $15, $20, and $25 while I pay $30. HTC said they were going to examine the market and implement a new price structure. We have yet to see it or an explanation. It can't take that long to analyze the data.
In order to perform a market research HTC crew gave up their money to subsidize some players in return for information - by taking home less money as salaries.
If you do not think AH is worth $30, do not pay it.
If you want to get $5 of $10 a month, go beg on the street, not from Hitech, Pyro and crew. They are not the richest people around. They have business expences, families etc.
miko
-
Bravo Miko! that is the best damn way I think I've ever seen anyone ever put it.
-Westy
-
Originally posted by miko2d:
If you want to get $5 of $10 a month, go beg on the street
But I already do. I stand next to some poor fella that holds up a "Will work for food" sign that he made out of urine soaked card board and used some foul smelling brown stuff to write with. He's in raggity clothes too, he sure knows how to put on a show for people.
Then at the end of the day, I kick his bellybutton and run off with his earnings.
Hey.. I'm an addict and I'll do anything to get my fix.
-SW
[This message has been edited by AKSeaWulfe (edited 03-26-2001).]
-
Great....here we go again.
-
Originally posted by Westy:
[chuckled over. No. I am not Rags. I am the 'Westy' that played AW over a year ago. Although I did test (for an hour) the new AW:MV on EA's beta about three weeks ago and when I did I took RAGS handle so he couldn't have it. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Alright Westy! Damn.. wish I'd thought of that... <G>
-
I still think that the only fair solution is across the board pricing or a tiered structure based on arenas/hours/etc.
Don't like the pricing? Two options...
1. Cancel the subscription.
2. Create your own game and implement any pricing system you desire.
I'm going place a target on my chest and admit that I pay $19.95. Okay... bad juju for the customers paying $29.95 but good biz for HTC. He gets an additional $240 per year from yours truly that he would not have received. I was not willing to try out AH long enough at the full rate but the reduced rate got me in the door. Do I think AH is worth $29.95 a month. Oh yeah... certainly. Am I going to pay that much? I'm not stupid.
No one screams bloody murder at the airlines. On one flight, you can have a difference in fare of 600% or more. Now, that is worth getting angry about.
------------------
cheers,
sand
screamin blue messiahs (http://www.screaminbluemessiahs.org)
The SBM's are hiring! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/Forum11/HTML/000263.html)
-
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM:
...I pay $19.95. Okay... bad juju for the customers paying $29.95 but good biz for HTC. He gets an additional $240 per year...
You are wrong here about the reason - HTC did not offer you the lower rate to get more revenue. If that were the case, they would have offered it to everyone.
They did that to determine how many more people they would get and if the total net profit they would receive that way after additional expences would cover the shortfall in revenue per customer. That is what I understood from their posts. I would venture to say that they were interested to see what kind of quality of people they would get if they lower prices.
Apparently they determined that lowering prices was not worth it - otherwise we would see them lower the price which they (so far) did not. But that is my pure speculation.
So you did not get preferential treatment. While HTC crew can certainly do that, it was not a case. You are just paid $10 month out of HTC pocket for supplying them with information they needed.
Of course it is all the same to you in the end. Just fly and enjoy (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif).
You do not have the best deal - Duma apparently gets his AH flying complimentary - for writing Loose Rivets - where is the next one, BTW, you lazy...!
miko
[This message has been edited by miko2d (edited 03-26-2001).]
-
It's worth every penny. Heck, it's two bottles of my wife's wine which vanishes in less than a week, faster if I help (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif). It value prioritizing. If you can't afford it, try fighter ace ($9.95 a month)and stop your whining.
Thank you
Eagler
pssst AH, can you slip me one of those $4.95 accounts? (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
-
I really hope you're not the same Sandman that ran a Freehost web-site, if you are then perhaps its some kind of macabre humour that somebody that supported the ripping off of others peoples hard work gets reduced rates here, of course if you're no the same person then you have my apologies.
-
It should be obvious considering what happen to AW that pricing alone is not enough. A TRULY competitive sim going for 10 bucks a month would put pressure on HTC. But that has not happened yet.
-
You are wrong here about the reason - HTC did not offer you the lower rate to get more revenue. If that were the case, they would have offered it to everyone.
Nevertheless... increased revenue was the result. All intentions aside. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
somebody that supported the ripping off of others peoples hard work
Not even going to get into that issue here. My opinion of Itmo's Freehost is still posted at Dogfighter.com (http://www.dogfighter.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000018.html). That opinion is unchanged although irrelevant to the current Freehost. The current version is not Itmo's nor have I ever supported it.
A TRULY competitive sim going for 10 bucks a month would put pressure on HTC. But that has not happened yet.
Nor will it any time soon I think. Of course, there's another way to compete against lower prices. That's higher quality. Can't see that kind of competition coming any time soon either. Of course, there is that other arena sim on the horizon... but who knows?
------------------
cheers,
sand
[This message has been edited by Sandman_SBM (edited 03-27-2001).]
-
I guess that Sandman hasn't heard of World War II Online, with its 9.95 a month price, and its incredibly awesome flight sim built in with a tank sim, an infrantry sim, a ship sim, a sub sim... all in the same game. all in the first person. all in a short time.
-
Originally posted by miko2d:
Apparently they determined that lowering prices was not worth it - otherwise we would see them lower the price which they (so far) did not. But that is my pure speculation.
Lack of news on this front should not be construed as bad news. Determining a plan of action and executing it are not always actions that can quickly follow one another. Long term benefits can't be achieved without overcoming the short term obstacles. A lot of companies have died ignominious deaths in the past year hoping for long term windfalls while ignoring short term pitfalls.
------------------
Doug "Pyro" Balmos
HiTech Creations
-
Sandman> Did you or did you not run a web-site giving links to download files for Freehost? was it your site iEN took legal action to shut down? are you the same Sandman that pationately supported Freehost wherever it was discussed on a forum?
Its a simple question, please answer, again my apologies if you are not this scum
-
Err
when you end up with an exchange rate of about A$1 = USD$0.50 ,
and you are paying double because of it...THEN you something to whine about..
Tronsky
486 Sqn (NZ), "hiwa hau maka"
-
Originally posted by Antix:
I guess that Sandman hasn't heard of World War II Online, with its 9.95 a month price, and its incredibly awesome flight sim built in with a tank sim, an infrantry sim, a ship sim, a sub sim... all in the same game. all in the first person. all in a short time.
That would be that other sim on the horizon... It hasn't went past beta right?
-
Antix, many of us are impatiently awaiting for World War 2-ALL Generals Online All the Time too. For reasons other than you might be able to imagine.
'1 5N1p3R u!!"
(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
-Westy
-
Still waiting Sandman answer the question please
-
Sandman> Did you or did you not run a web-site giving links to download files for Freehost? was it your site iEN took legal action to shut down? are you the same Sandman that pationately supported Freehost wherever it was discussed on a forum?
Sometimes the lack of a reply speaks louder than any words could.
AKDejaVu
-
Looks like all links are dead.
http://www.screaminbluemessiahs.org/xarc_9907.html (http://www.screaminbluemessiahs.org/xarc_9907.html)
-
Originally posted by Antix:
I guess that Sandman hasn't heard of World War II Online, with its 9.95 a month price, and its incredibly awesome flight sim built in with a tank sim, an infrantry sim, a ship sim, a sub sim... all in the same game. all in the first person. all in a short time.
Can you say "Vaporware"? I knew ya could.
------------------
Sling322
Not a Monitor!
Fat Drunk Bastards
-
Vapor... yep... got it right next to my copy of IL-2.
[This message has been edited by Sandman_SBM (edited 03-27-2001).]
-
If you are the same Sandman that I believe you are then today Aces High has been tarnished for me..the virtual skies are just a little bit grubbier knowing you share them with the rest of us.
[This message has been edited by Revvin (edited 03-27-2001).]
-
Our squad lost 2 pilots and one recruit this past week.
They quit due to two reasons, cost, and not enough time to fly.
It would be great if there was at least 2 plans, the current one, and one for those who fly only occasionally, even if it was an hourly rate.
gos
-
Howdy all
[This message has been edited by Mystical_SBM (edited 03-27-2001).]