How have we lost so many people to this wonderful game?

[ccvi]

Perception.   

Just like showing 42/750 makes an arena look emptier than just saying 42 online.

Just amke it always show a flat number slightly higher than current. If there's 5 show max 10, if there's 72 max 100, with 147 show max 200 ... etc. Always looks well-populated.

[Lusche]

I demand a Lusche  Errors-over-Time chart!

classified 

Again?

The last time I was wrong big time was when AH went to Steam. I mean, my pessimism was correct in the end but only because two wrongs made one right 

I thought AH would not be noticed by many and would not generate much interest - Boy, was I wrong!  Tens of thousands of downloads!
But then I thought a good portion those that would find their way to AH would be pleased and subscribe. After all AH, even with all those little faults was a great game, the best I ever played!
Wrong again. They stopped by, shook their heads and moved on. Almost nobody signed up. I would never have thought of a retention rate as low as it finally turned out to be. Never. 

[hitech]

Wrong again. They stopped by, shook their heads and moved on. Almost nobody signed up. I would never have thought of a retention rate as low as it finally turned out to be. Never. 

And this is the nut that needs to be cracked. I haven't found the correct nut cracker yet. But I can show you a huge pile of broken crackers.

HiTech

[ccvi]

Look at nintendo. 5 menus with 3 choices each and you are in the middle of the action.

It might not need to be that extreme, but even simple things like assigning the same button to open chat that is used in every other game out there would help.

[Meatwad]

Would there be anything very wrong in only allowing a free access using just a basic handful of equipment maybe a total of a dozen, but the normal $15 a month to have access to everything else? It could inflate the numbers

[Vraciu]

And this is the nut that needs to be cracked. I haven't found the correct nut cracker yet. But I can show you a huge pile of broken crackers.

HiTech

You gotta get them flying and able to communicate.   Also, why not give them the Spit V or IX free?   Maybe the Lanc with limited fuel as well?     Something to set the hook.   

[Vraciu]

Would there be anything very wrong in only allowing a free access using just a basic handful of equipment maybe a total of a dozen, but the normal $15 a month to have access to everything else? It could inflate the numbers

Yes, something like this.   Just give away a few rides.   Nothing crazy.   Nothing with outstanding performance.    But something relatively easy to fly and at least somewhat competitive.   

[Vraciu]

classified 

The last time I was wrong big time was when AH went to Steam. I mean, my pessimism was correct in the end but only because two wrongs made one right 

I thought AH would not be noticed by many and would not generate much interest - Boy, was I wrong!  Tens of thousands of downloads!
But then I thought a good portion those that would find their way to AH would be pleased and subscribe. After all AH, even with all those little faults was a great game, the best I ever played!
Wrong again. They stopped by, shook their heads and moved on. Almost nobody signed up. I would never have thought of a retention rate as low as it finally turned out to be. Never. 

I wish we had the current far settings back then.   

It wouldn’t hurt to have some drones flying around when numbers drop below X during off peak.    Again, not Uber drones like we see in the Match, but just something to show action.    Maybe some Japanese trainers haplessly flitting about doing stalls and landing practice.   Let everyone be Oscar Perdomo and hose them.

[CptTrips]

I don't think you should change a thing.

Just throw more money at advertising!

Have you thought of advertising?

Why don't you just advertise?

 

[Lusche]

 

[Wiley]

I don't think you should change a thing.

Just throw more money at advertising!

Have you thought of advertising?

Why don't you just advertise?

 

Possibly at airshows?  Or air museums?

Wiley.

[CptTrips]

Possibly at airshows?  Or air museums?

Wiley.

You're going to Hell!

 

[turt21]

The game has never been the same since they stopped posting missions. Now before I have to stand back from the monitor Ive never learned how to post them or put them together, so rather than try to put missions that dont work I never tried.

As for a free trial with limited abilities thats exactly what World of Tanks does. You can play for free forever with great graphics but with only a limited tank set.

[Vraciu]

The game has never been the same since they stopped posting missions. Now before I have to stand back from the monitor Ive never learned how to post them or put them together, so rather than try to put missions that dont work I never tried.

As for a free trial with limited abilities thats exactly what World of Tanks does. You can play for free forever with great graphics but with only a limited tank set.

You don't have enough players to create missions now.    That's why.   At least I think so.

Some missions to escort drones would be fun.   Maybe points for saving a percentage of them?  Airborne invasions of random fields by drones to generate action?

We gotta think outside the box.   

One of the best games out there involves killing AI zombies.    Hours of entertainment.

[Max]

As for a free trial with limited abilities thats exactly what World of Tanks does. You can play for free forever with great graphics but with only a limited tank set.

That's been suggested hundreds of times in the past