Yanno what this looks like to someone who has just logged in?
It looks like there is nobody playing.
Exactly how is this helpful to the game? It isnt. If anything its counter productive. The numbers are low enough already for those of us with experience to find any kind of fight. Now imagine how it looks to someone who may not have ever played. Again. Looks like nobody is there
What HTC needs to do is eliminate entirely Bombed HQ effects and its rewards for doing so once the numbers drop to a certain number
You are absolutely right. The paradox is that HTCs biggest problem reason are the players themselves. Players are selfishly seeking every form of an advantage they can get without considering the oppositions gameplay experience at all. As long as HTC does nothing to limit this sort of detrimental attitude, it's hurting player numbers.
I remember quitting AH for the first time many years ago in direct response to constant imbalance and hording on my timezone. It just wasn't fun anymore to log on only to see your country was reduced to 2 fields that were vulched by the two other countries non-stop.
If HTC can't see that it has to force the playerbase to play on terms which are fun for both sides, the decline is inevitable. One serious problem is the steep learning curve for new players. They get completely underwhelmed against long timers and what do they do? They seek refuge in numbers, making hordes again bigger. There should be a balancing method to make noobs more competitive. What it is, I have no idea.
