HT posted HTC's data on why players leave, as well as some pretty well reasoned opinions on the matter. I don't agree with all of the reasons they stated, but certainly do agree with some. HTC has stated that they survive off of a 1 to 2 year player shelf life, and grow through having more "ins" than "outs" in that period, at least that's how I read it. The problem that happened once blue/orange arenas were cancelled and the 800 player Titanic Tuesday numbers started dropping, is obviously the outs were outnumbering the ins.
Why the leaving rate started edging out the joining rate - who knows. There are many factors I'm sure, the economy, the graphics becoming a bit old, etc. One thing I've never done is criticize the original game formula. It's a winner, always has been, and will continue to be, even with tweaks and changes. I firmly believe this company is the only one that has ever gotten this part RIGHT, and will continue to defend this part of HTC. Some of the bbs/forum rules, issues, actions, and other things, not so much, but IMO while it can appear that arguments between HTC and p/o'd players leaving has an effect on the numbers, reality is that it probably isn't that crucial, it just looks that way to those that peruse the forums often. I'd prefer a different PR angle with non-confrontation, but it's HT's company and if he wants to rake someone being an idiot over the coals, it's his place to do so after all. Skuzzy has been quoted as saying "the forum argument, followed by nasty posts, then nastier phone calls and emails, followed by the account cancellation and a REALLY nasty email". It's unfortunate this happens, but I think they probably account for like 1% of the overall numbers problem.
There is much potential here now, I can feel it - the new version coming sooner than later now - it'll take a subtle and intelligent plan IMO, but it's not rocket science, in order to bring some of the millions of WW2 online gamers over here - just pick off a small fraction of them, and 800 number nights will be here to stay for a long time.
One thing I'd like to use as an example - Countersrike. I know the original creator, I interviewed him back in the early 2000s when it was a new mod for Half Life. It's risen and fallen many times. Two large pro gaming companies went bust over it. The last CS GO nearly failed too. Then the creators started this "weapons and knifes" skin collection stuff - something I believed to be nonsense. It not only saved the game, but now it's one of the most played games every day, top 1,2,3 depending on the day. Mainly due to one little change that allows collection and trade of items of value that make your graphic guns and knives look...goofy.
My point is the internet can be a fickle place, and it's difficult to put your finger on why something works and doesn't, and thus just as hard to figure out why players leave. There are hundreds of reasons for departing players, I'm certain. What's important now is to understand what will make new players JOIN, and stick it out for that 2 years or so at least, so HTC can see some revenue for the long work they've put in, and so us players/users can be more entertained by having a larger game, and all the + that comes with it.
I helped Dolby make a quick AH3 youtube promo vid. Flying around in 1440p and 4k with my higher end Gsync LCDs, I got a good idea of how much better it looks than AH2 - they are on to something here, again, I can start to feel it already.
I think the whole beta thing just needs a strike on the match, once it's burning, things are going to get exciting here pretty fast. That match is out of the box now, and it'll be lit soon IMO. Every time I load it now I'm more and more impressed.
