I've truly enjoyed this game for nearly a decade. So much so that I formed a Squad and even had a Squad Page. Over the years there were even many scores of players that learned their bombing skills through the training I offered (both piston and turbine). I say this only to convey the investment of time, effort and heart put into this fun and well thought out game. probably less than a many of you, but more than a lot of others.
When I first found out about AH I didn't even have a computer, I watched the commercials. That was enough, I knew I would be playing it when I got my computer. In fact I purchased my system sooner because of the AH commercials. One thing I remember of the time when I was a nube here was there were between 6 & 7k Subscribers and more than 600 Squads. At times one couldn't just login to the main arena as easily as one wished being that there was room for only 600 players, eventually ushering in the era of the multiple arenas including dual LWAs.
Being in a medical situation that keeps me home 24/7, I found myself logging in from 10 to 20 hours at a stretch. Ya, I was hooked. And for nearly 10 years I've watched a lot of changes occur, some good and some not so good. But nothing so bad that players in the community couldn't come together, petition and get change. Unfortunately, over the last several years, the one change HTC made that no amount of players can do anything about is when HTC began to rest on their laurels and slow the commercials to a stop. No problem, subscribership remained steady! For the time being. Even with Subscribers bringing in new players total numbers began to drop. As subscribership dropped, small issues became larger issues while the needle on the fun meter began to fall for many. Myself included.
So what do I think the problem that has impacted the game more than any other? HTC putting the weight of new subscribership on the shoulders of existing players. Threatening to leave? No. I already have. I will, though, continue to pop in now and then to see what you fine people are saying. What HTC's real longterm intentions are is what's the most puzzling to me. It's appears like they've invested all the big money they intend to and are just coasting to the end. So I don't think it's the game play or the Players. Only time will tell. <(S)> and Good Hunting