More People

[dr. carbon]

Okay guys, with sc2 in the wake, much of the higher echelon of players, plz notice my hackneyed use of hackneyed, have halted play of altitude allowing the lower, but not necessarily low, tiers of players replace them. However, this has left a massive gap in skill level in the society itself. To counter this, altitude, so far, has ingeniously set up schemes like free-weekends etc. that have worked beautifully. However, I suggest we set up a more permanent line of attraction to customers.

There are 2 possible ways:

A. Convince People TO JOIN
B. KEEP the People who HAVE JOINED

A. This falls under two main categories: Get people to acknowledge the game's existence; Get people to BUY the game. The former is much easier to achieve, as Altitude simply has to endeavor more into aggressive advertising. By raising funds through allowing ads to be posted on the "news" pop-up every now and then, altitude can advertise more on youtube, wiki, etc. Now for the latter. Because of community points, I have shared this game with over 7 friends. However, when asked why they did not BUY the game, their answer was simple, the demo did not give them sufficient time to get attached to it. 3hrs is simply not enough, no matter the price, for one to decide whether the game is a good buy. The first 3hrs comprise of the frustration of trying to fly, getting owned by bots, etc. Only till later do people reap the TRUE fruits of the game with more competitive play on official servers, ladder servers, and leagues.



B. This can fall under the main category of in-game change/updates. Pro-leagues etc. have served their purpose; however, there needs to be a more "fun" aspect of the game. Skins and Ace Ranking were great but only served for instant gratification. Therefore, I suggest, either more skin options, or a new concept similar to Ace Ranking like collectable emblems for reaching exp heights, golden tinted jets for over 70k kills etc.

These are just some suggestions...
SSD, as much as you h8 me for whatever reason, plz rage within reason

[[Y]]

How would people feel about reinstating the unlimited demo?

[Tosconi]

nah unlimited demo's a bad idea, lost of people simply won't buy the game. But I really think demo should be extended to about 10-15 hours.

[Evan20000]

Gold planes for 100K players only imo. And only for the plane they have 100K with.

[Greekjr14]

Originally Posted by Evan20000

Gold planes for 100K players only imo. And only for the plane they have 100K with.

Sweet idea is sweet.

[Ajuk999]

Originally Posted by Tosconi

nah unlimited demo's a bad idea, lost of people simply won't buy the game. But I really think demo should be extended to about 10-15 hours.

I agree, there needs to be an incentive, but most people want the other planes too! Maybe make it so people can't ACE or something without the full version!

[[Y]]

Originally Posted by Evan20000

Gold planes for 100K players only imo. And only for the plane they have 100K with.

I was thinking custom afterburner color with customizable skin colors (ex. gold zebra instead of the one we have now). Custom weapon/projectile colors could also be a possibility. I'd always wanted to fire golden HC shots...

[Tosconi]

Ajuk999

well then i'd rather say 2-5 hours free after reaching level 60, this way people can get to experience all the planes and the overall free game time will be about 20 hours.

[innerlyte]

Yeah, I don't think extending the demo would hurt, but the problem seems to be related to exposure, rather than player retention. I've always thought an aggressive marketing campaign would really benefit this game. If the right venues were utilized, the game would speak for itself. Of course, ultimately, it all depends on the direction the devs wanted to pursue.

[lamster]

We're open to specific new ideas for marketing the game -- please share!

[Evan20000]

The PAX interview said something about attempting to get this on XBL but you guys were having difficulties. How was that resolved?

Also, golden trickster bullets would be amazing.

[hurripilot]

So I for one think ads in the news feed would be wonderful, provided we get some nice fetish ads to counter out the boring tooth-whiteners and furniture cleaners

[dr. carbon]

Yea, in accordance to my previous remark, ads in the news feed + 1

Its an easy and efficient way to run ads without being to annoying.

[dr. carbon]

Yo Lam, if your interested I got a good idea.

Are you aware of the MLG society? (Major League Gaming)
Well, they have this huge collection of popular games like Halo, Cod, etc. If you can strike a deal to get altitude in MLG, publicity would automatically sky-rocket. However, the problem is that MLG is still foreign to our genre of games -- that is cartoon-like plane shooters. (there are a few 3rd person shooters in MLG, however.)

So yea, if we can prove to them that our game deserves to be in MLG, we can have more publicity, possibly strike some sponsorships etc., and even host live tournaments at MLG tourneys. This could take Altitude to a whole new level.

However, the aforementioned problem remains, MLG is foreign to our game genre, but if you can figure out a way around that, anything is possible.

[innerlyte]

It may even be worthwhile to hire a marketing consultant. I'm not familiar with the most effective internet marketing strategies, but at the very least, I think banner ads at high traffic sites is a start -- wherever Altitude's potential market lays. I bet even members of the community could help design some. And as much as some people disliked the previous banner (the busty blond pilot), it was actually a sound marketing approach. Whatever draws in traffic is worth consideration.

[innerlyte]

Just thought of something else. I've been reading a little about search engine optimization lately (i.e., strategies to get a website higher search rankings), and although it is not directly related, there are a few things which may help here as well. The basic approach in SEO is getting your link out there. The more sites which link to yours the better. If Altitude partnered with other indie games, then each website could link to the other. And by "partner" I only mean exchanging links. It's simple and mutually beneficial. ^^

[Stormich]

Redshift has the right idea. Also kinda lol at the MLG idea, although it would be awesome if it happened, there's like 0% chance to get a small indie game into a system like that, mainly cause you don't have enough populous. MLG functions cause the games they sponsor have HUGE followings and people watching their stream = money.

[tgleaf]

Originally Posted by dr. carbon

However, when asked why they did not BUY the game, their answer was simple, the demo did not give them sufficient time to get attached to it. 3hrs is simply not enough, no matter the price, for one to decide whether the game is a good buy. The first 3hrs comprise of the frustration of trying to fly, getting owned by bots, etc.

Originally Posted by Tosconi

well then i'd rather say 2-5 hours free after reaching level 60, this way people can get to experience all the planes and the overall free game time will be about 20 hours.

I like this idea. I don't remember exactly when I decided to buy the game (since it was an unlimited demo), but I think it was beyond the 20 hour mark. If I had 3 hours, would I have bought it? Not sure... probably not.

[Ajuk999]

I agree with tgleaf on this one, sometimes it's better to let people get addicted to the game, then give them an irresistible offer like 'the other 3 planes, and the ACE system' etc. If people get addicted to Altitude while having the demo version, there is a large likelihood that they'll want to play with the other planes and start "Acing". You could even go so far as to offer a free skin if they buy the game or even prohibit them in a whole from having skins while they are demo.

[Kuja900]

The trick to getting people to stick around is getting them involved with the community.

[trendy11one]

Little addition to steam version. It steam, when u push News button, u can see news about all games, about their updates and additions. Even if i dont have game, this is always attracts me, coz this means, game improving etc. Nowdays we have only 2 news, news about free weekends. Dunno how, but if add news like "Map Contest just begin, hurry, u still have chance to win XXXX" or "New update just realised:superior mouse control and more added" or "APL playoffs coming soon" etc. This news can attract people.

[Jayfourke]

Originally Posted by Kuja900

The trick to getting people to stick around is getting them involved with the community.

No. best keep em out of the community at first, otherwise they'd encounter you and flee, never to return.

On a more serious note, I agree that more publicity would help. Even google ads might get the word out more.

[Nikon]

I think there shouldn't be a limit to how many links you can give out for CP. That's a great way of spreading the word and getting more people in.

[Demuyt]

You also talked about keeping the people that are already playing. I think I have a decent suggestion: make a better, more complete challenge system.
At the moment the Altitude challenges sum up to multikills and kill rankings with each plane. On games like CoD, there are hundreds of challenges. Some are specific to a weapon, a perk, a powerup and some others are in the overall game (e.g. 'run 10 km on online mode'). This kept me playing for a very long time on CoD 4. I think this sort of addiction would benefit Alty.
However, these achievements would have to be rewarded by a badge or a skin or something like that.
Thoughts?

Also, I agree with Nikon.

[leggomyeggo]

Originally Posted by Jayfourke

On a more serious note, I agree that more publicity would help. Even google ads might get the word out more.

I wonder how much it would take for Google to make one of their logo designs depicting Altitude? Maybe for one of our anniversaries

That would bring loads of money in, imo

[Torrent]

I know a new capturefest would be awesome to showcase the true action and skill involved with altitude. capturefest 09 was so much win and fun.
HOP TO IT!!

[Sunaku]

Originally Posted by lamster

We're open to specific new ideas for marketing the game -- please share!

Not really original, and I don't know if it's due to a lack of advertisement or laziness on the websites' part, but the game could use more online reviews. I was surprised to see major French websites not review it, while they usually get their hands on most polished indie games and Alti is definitely in that category (just nerf EMP please). For example, you can't find it on two of the most visited : www.gamekult.com and www.jeuxvideo.com. And after checking Metacritic, I guess the same could be said about other countries.
But mainly French websites, as the resulting French lessons would help the community to prepare for when we take over the world. Pensez-y.

[MonteCristo]

Originally Posted by Kuja900

The trick to getting people to stick around is getting them involved with the community.

You want people to stick around? Don't insult them!
I will never suggest this game to my nephews (9-11-14 years old) neither will any of my friends.
The language used is unberable (IMO) just like WC3, SC2 and so on...

This is a great game, too bad...

[Pieface]

The great thing about this game is that it appeals to people of all ages. If you think the kids you know would like it if not for the language, you can always turn off chat and choose several other child-safe options when setting up their accounts.

[[Y]]

This is the internet. Insults, anger, cuss words, etc. are commonplace, which is why Altitude has chat filters or even the ability to turn off chat completely. This way, the children won't have to be exposed on the internet to the "foul" language that they learn in school from friends.

[Jayfourke]

I just spent aaaages drooling over new FPA merch on zazzle. T-Shirts, hats, mugs, bumper stickers...

Alty should do something similar. People'd buy it.

[Demuyt]

Originally Posted by Sunaku

Not really original, and I don't know if it's due to a lack of advertisement or laziness on the websites' part, but the game could use more online reviews. I was surprised to see major French websites not review it, while they usually get their hands on most polished indie games and Alti is definitely in that category (just nerf EMP please). For example, you can't find it on two of the most visited : www.gamekult.com and www.jeuxvideo.com. And after checking Metacritic, I guess the same could be said about other countries.
But mainly French websites, as the resulting French lessons would help the community to prepare for when we take over the world. Pensez-y.

+1 to this. I also go to these websites regularly, and I think so do most french-speaking Altitude players.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Sunaku

Not really original, and I don't know if it's due to a lack of advertisement or laziness on the websites' part, but the game could use more online reviews. I was surprised to see major French websites not review it, while they usually get their hands on most polished indie games and Alti is definitely in that category (just nerf EMP please). For example, you can't find it on two of the most visited : www.gamekult.com and www.jeuxvideo.com. And after checking Metacritic, I guess the same could be said about other countries.
But mainly French websites, as the resulting French lessons would help the community to prepare for when we take over the world. Pensez-y.

We have won 2 huge indie game awards (IGC and PAX 10)... Other indie game winners get every reviewer in the world to review their game. Unfortunately reviewers don't like competitive games with server lists (just check giant bomb). Our community even tried emailing reviewers which only resulted in Nimbly Games getting banned from Rock paper shotgun. What's even more sad is I personally met the giantbomb guys at PAX 2010 and they apologized for the crappy preview they gave us... He said something along the lines of "Awe man I feel so bad about our quick look we gave you guys cause the next day everyone in the office starting playing Altitude and we all love it"... but guess what they never gave us an official review on giantbomb...

We have done at least 4 major revisions and hundreds of minor revisions to the website and it makes almost no difference in our conversion ratio... just look at minecraft.net... crappy website insane sales

If you dont believe me about the revisions here's a list of minor ones that happen to still be around:

http://altitudegame.com/index.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_0_0505.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_0_0715.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_0_0720.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_1_0505.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_1_0715.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_1_0720.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_2_0505.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_2_0720.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_3_0505.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_3_0720.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_4_0505.html
http://altitudegame.com/index_4_0720.html
http://altitudegame.com/indexnopromo0422.html
http://altitudegame.com/indexnopromo...nload0422.html
http://altitudegame.com/indextext0422.html
http://altitudegame.com/indextextnotop0422.html
http://altitudegame.com/indextextscreen0422.html

We have also tried internet advertising (thousands of dollars spent) and got something like 4 sales out of it...

Long story short it's all about the Altitude community there's a reason we made Community Points, they actually work at spreading the game! Altitude's future is in your hands... go forth and spread the Altitude love.

Actually while I'm being honest the only reason we're still around is because of Steam promotions. We were fortunate enough to meet those wonderful Valve employees in person at PAX and personally thank them for using extremely valuable promotion slots and free weekends on our little indie game. Thanks for helping us make our dreams come true.

[Mt.Vesuvius]

Karl we appreciate u and lam