What would get AH growing again

[Gman]

Agree with so much said here - Bruv, Spikes, Fugitive, AOM Guy(s), etc and etc.

I've read some of HTC's post on this subject in the past, and wonder if maybe Dale may change his mind on some things.

First you must realize that you and I do not have the same goals. You goal is to maximize players in the arena. The best way to accomplish your goal is to simply make all free. My ultimate goal is to maximize profits.

HTC said that a few years back, and I can completely understand his position.  I just wonder now if converting players from free to paying, in order to maximize current profits, may work better now as a business model for HTC.

I've long been a proponent of adding some sort of long term free access to this game, and keeping it "massively multiplayer 24/7", something no other sim truly does, and HTC does and has always done that part incredibly well.  I think adding to Bruv's list a decent cannon armed plane like the E4 and even Spit5 would keep a lot of the freebies around.  I'd also have the arena set up so that paying customers ALWAYS get a slot over a free player.

I'd also like to see some sort of infantry units added to the ground game.  They wouldn't have to even be complicated, or having moving appendages IMO, just an infantry icon that can have various weapons like MGs, bazookas, mortars, etc.  It'd give the MGs on vehicles something to actually shoot at other than buildings or jeeps, which still take a lot of fire to kill.  Also A2G aircraft would have more targets to strafe and be concerned about.

I sure wish the above and some other suggestions regarding trainers and YT/etc adds and info had been done BEFORE the big Steam thing.  I'd said for years that HTC would be surprised at the amount of players they would reach, and got poo poo'd for years for saying it.  Then when it happened, gee, stunningly 10s of thousands of client downloads in single days for a few weeks, until the new players trying realized that the game was hard and cost 15$ USD a month, and had average graphics. 

I think if as Spikes said some of the smaller graphic issues were improved, the game would look just fine still.  Having a 7.99 or 9.99 price, and a re launch of the Steam endeavor, this time being ready, saying that there is a massively multiplayer WW2 combat simulator available for free with hundreds of players online 24/7, and a couple trainers around to help out new players....IMO keeping the arena full at 600 would NOT ever be an issue, never again.  The ratio of free players to paying ones would increasingly shift IMO, until we had a blue/orange problem (1st world problem) again, needing multiple arenas due to so many players.

I think HTC would be off to the races if a lot of these ideas were tried.  I have NO idea how difficult implementing some of these changes would be for HTC, or even if they are possible, but...it'd sure be nice if it happens.

I know lots of us here are retired/etc, I'm happy to volunteer as well, and help any way I'm able.  I'd love to see this game still around when I'm on the way out of this life, it was such a big part of my online life in my early 20s and forward.

[SuperDud]

Free to play after you've bought multiple expensive modules also isn't acceptable to some demographics of potential players. $15 a month isn't an obstacle to those who might be at a stage of life where that relatively small expense isn't a big deal, nor might they consider themselves as gamers, nor have a gamer's PC. Likely a lot of us came here from the WW2 aviation interest direction, not because we were looking for the next game that happened to be based on that theme.

You haven't established the subscription is what drove people away nor I think could you. There are apparently so many other factors in play.

I just look and see how popular AH is and how popular those others are then ask what's the difference, graphics and payment model.  I'm not going to bother "proving" anything, but i think the proof once again is all the big games are F2P. It's not rocket science. I have seen steam reviews commenting on.... graphics and payment model. You can disagree, but I've not seen any other explanation besides those 2 that would take it from the premiere sim to a largely forgotten and overlooked game. 

No, Dale at this point in his life isn't going to do all of this and that's fine. He's given us 30+ years of fun. But this is a game that is nearing the end.

[Lazerr]

A lot can be done in game... quit running from everything that doesn't include a 5k alt advantage... back off the easy mode rides.. back off the obvious 5 vs 1 400mph 1 pass haul bellybutton tactics.

As far as gameplay is concerned, that's about all we can do unless Dale indicates other changes.

A lot of you guys are shttin where you eat with the timid way you play the game and what appears to be complete fear of having somewhat of a fair fight.

I get some sense of realism and survival can be fun, but the MA... mostly on the Rooks side of the ball, has become straight up sad. 

If someone like me, who has been here 25 years and usually fights these guys from below with quite good success, how do you think newcomers feel going up against your tactics?

Time to adjust.. the tactics used 7 to 10 years ago with a decent player base are now the ones killing the fun here.


If you guys are going to take a base, cool I get it.. but you literally loitering in your own dar ring waiting to pick those of us not so scared, gets pretty old.

[Shuffler]

Many of those looking for more fun just need to get out of their Tempestmustangspixteen262 types and try a early or midwar bird.

 

[Lazerr]

Many of those looking for more fun just need to get out of their Tempestmustangspixteen262 types and try a early or midwar bird.

 

Fly what you want, just fly it in a way that isn't totally timid.

I took up a Tempest last night against the rook just so they couldn't run from me.  A lot of kills from a disadvantage because they thought it was going to be flown the way they typically do.

[Yarbles]

  I do still wonder if enough people actually know about AH before we consider how to make it better.

 I have met loads of people who play on line games but none of them had ever heard of AH.

 It seems to me as simple as: We all love it but can think of ways it could be better. When I looked elsewhere however I never actually found a busier server in any other multi featured WW2 set up. "Hey I just got 5 kills",  "5 ai or five people?"

What AH has and could always benefit from is people and more people. 

 Since hardly anyone else has ever heard of it ...
 :Oh My 

[DmonSlyr]

Fly what you want, just fly it in a way that isn't totally timid.

I took up a Tempest last night against the rook just so they couldn't run from me.  A lot of kills from a disadvantage because they thought it was going to be flown the way they typically do.

I 100% agree with you about the ganging and gameplay. The jump 1 guy 4 on 1 thing doesn't help anyone, especially difficult for noobs. And makes them question if flying out there for 5-7 minutes before any action was worth it.

The thing about runners is that they simply don't know defense ACM so their only tactic is to press X.  Its a lazy style of flying IMO because they chose not to learn to become better. "Smart" some like to call it  . but this type of fighting is very boring to fight against. Every player in La7s,190Ds, and Temps, to compenate, makes for slower boring gameplay.

Tac on huge maps where you may only find 1 or 2 guys to engage  who are flying 190Ds and may BnZ you twice and dissappear... or your only option is to fly into a hoard where 4 Yaks and 190D with a spit16 have to gang you. It makes it very hard for players to want to stick around.

Players haven't decided that they want to get better. That's the real surprise. So it's the same BnZ and run and gang because that's the status quo 

I'm with you on that 

[LilMak]

A lot can be done in game... quit running from everything that doesn't include a 5k alt advantage... back off the easy mode rides.. back off the obvious 5 vs 1 400mph 1 pass haul bellybutton tactics.

As far as gameplay is concerned, that's about all we can do unless Dale indicates other changes.

A lot of you guys are shttin where you eat with the timid way you play the game and what appears to be complete fear of having somewhat of a fair fight.

I get some sense of realism and survival can be fun, but the MA... mostly on the Rooks side of the ball, has become straight up sad. 

If someone like me, who has been here 25 years and usually fights these guys from below with quite good success, how do you think newcomers feel going up against your tactics?

Time to adjust.. the tactics used 7 to 10 years ago with a decent player base are now the ones killing the fun here.


If you guys are going to take a base, cool I get it.. but you literally loitering in your own dar ring waiting to pick those of us not so scared, gets pretty old.

Picking and running will always be a thing…

However, just about every one of your points here is facilitated by the stupid AWACS radar that was shoved down our throats. No one asked for it. It just showed up one day along with “this player killed that player” in some grand idea to make the arena seem busier. Which sent entire groups of long time subscribers out of the game. Simply reverting to radar towers providing radar would probably bring 20+ regular players back in short order.

[nrshida]

I think that is a good demographic to go for and can be reached through U Tube.

Post those videos.

It's a lot of work to upload YouTube videos, even if you do what I do (did) which was essentially render ahf files with little editing. And they hardly get many views and many of those click away part way through. My most popular video was 1000 views and there really wasn't any reason for that at all. Maybe it randomly got put in some people's feed, I certainly can't make sense of how to get them viewed more. Lots of 'content creators' report that.

I don't know if the skinners, map-makers and other contributors get anything from HTC for their work. If they make a meaningful contribution they should. Mr Dolby's cinematography is second to none. HTC should retain him, slip him a bit of dosh and a subscription and set up some page where useful, promotional film stock would be left for him. If it would help I'll post a comprehensive tutorial for existing AH players including how to get the correct game in the sub title. but I bet hardly anyone will do it - no incentive.

I have met loads of people who play on line games but none of them had ever heard of AH.

It is weird. There are a few guys like Steely and Hollywood uploading special events and highlight videos already. I often get recommended videos after watching one of the now plentiful videos on WW2 aircraft or engagements but seldom an AH one and I was a 'content creator' only uploading those!

I'd suggest the following made free for MA access;

A6M2,   Hurricane mk I,  i16, F4F,  109 e-mil,

Early war tank
M16

You are proposing you allow prospective players to fly for free as what amounts to cannon-fodder with their payoff being they'll enjoy the experience so much they'll subscribe or become enraged at being out-equipped and subscribe to fix that? All of those aircraft are easy-meat for any faster aircraft with a risk-averse, experienced MA player. That's not equitable. Many people have unsubscribed in my daytime because they'll be one-of-three trying to defend against often over 20-Bish - J0ker and his hangers-on, for example - and those defenders have the same or better equipment! New, alone, ignorant of exploiting the arena and in inferior equipment and they'll stick around for considerably less than a free trial.

It's the MA gameplay that's unattractive to the un-indoctrinated. THAT is one meaningful weirdness compared to other sims.

[Animl-AW]

My MotA video got 1100 views in 4 mos. Which is not epic, but it still gets 10-15 views per day.
Other vids 150-600.

MotA vid could have been better, but few want to donate films. So far on current scenario I have no other films but my own, which is not vid worthy IMO.

Seems the community wants to post drama, low numbers and settings, which draw no one in, in fact it pushes many away. But want nothing to do with advertising which can draw some in. I’m exhausted trying to get them on board.  All I get is crickets. <shrug>

YKW and his tribe and DCS salesmen with planes that can no longer be supported (snake oil sales) caused great damage to our momentum. Not to mention the 5 undue drama queens who attacked my every word like children do. Attacking ine trying to help, how smart <eye roll> knowing what I had been thro when they did it was well beyond gross and blind hate.

I think we deserve something for that. Whateva.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rQiA2yMiZf0

[popeye]

I used to write down the gameid of new players (that I hadn't seen before and had no scoring history) and later check their stats a few times.  Many only stayed for only 10-15 minutes, a few would stay for an hour or two.  Only a few would continue to play.  I'd often offer to help them when they first appeared, most didn't respond.  They might sit on the runway for a while then be gone forever.  Or, get airborne and crash a few times, then be gone forever.

It clearly wasn't "gameplay" or dar settings that made them quit -- not sure of the reasons, but not those.

[Animl-AW]

I used to write down the gameid of new players (that I hadn't seen before and had no scoring history) and later check their stats a few times.  Many only stayed for only 10-15 minutes, a few would stay for an hour or two.  Only a few would continue to play.  I'd often offer to help them when they first appeared, most didn't respond.  They might sit on the runway for a while then be gone forever.  Or, get airborne and crash a few times, then be gone forever.

It clearly wasn't "gameplay" or dar settings that made them quit -- not sure of the reasons, but not those.

Berating new or return players on their skill level doesn’t help. These are their own worst enemy, then cry about numbers. Well duh! Hard to help those who won’t help themselves “someone else will fix it”

[Eagler]

Yt videos produced in an enticing way showing the new monthly skin releases might stir some interest..

It'd take time and skill to put bits of actual a2a in between the static skin pictures which would have 360 walk around views...make it out like a monthly update to the game

Eagler

[Animl-AW]

Yt videos produced in an enticing way showing the new monthly skin releases might stir some interest..

It'd take time and skill to put bits of actual a2a in between the static skin pictures which would have 360 walk around views...make it out like a monthly update to the game

Eagler

No offense but this community wants to fix everything but the problem. Ya drag players in just to be insulted or read insults. We dragged 60 players into YKW, DCS and insults. I wouldn’t have asked my best friend to play during that garbage, and didn’t. All that work to just be reversed. You can drag players in, but until the community is more forgiving on skill level it will matter not.

[Bruv119]

You can't offer up better aircraft otherwise people will stop paying. 

Would they be cannon fodder yes for sure.   If they want to get better they will ask questions and begin the process of learning behind the pay wall which appears to be the biggest reason for not even considering playing more long term. 

If they can't map controls in the aircraft having them all available serves no purpose.  Ultimately you would hope ten percent would contribute to the MA action levels.  Even hearing range channel can help make them think things are happening other humans about.