Free to Play Version, or Demo Version.

[Riderocket]

Rise of flights mostly negative reviews on steam are due to it being advertised as a free to play game, then u having to buy planes (no pun intended) except for the 3 standard free ones.

 

I guess the majority of players would have played the famous war thunder, which makes people think they should be able to grind points and earn free planes.

 

However, rise of flight is more like DCS, and IL2, you can't really "grind" in a true flight sim.

 

That being said!....

 

Here's what i propose for IL2.

 

I think if they ever make.. Say.. The LaGG3 and 109F4 Free (similar to rise of flights Spad and Alb) They shouldn't advertise the game as free to play, instead use steams "demo" mode instead, this will get rid of the "free to play" mind set, and make it more, "free to play demo" and the actual game cost money.

 

That way there wouldn't be any negative reviews saying how its not actually free to play etc etc...

 

Because it won't be, it'll be a full game you have to pay for, with a free "demo" mode.

 

This will also, hopefully, help introduce more players into this wonderful sim! (because let's face it, once you're hooked, you're stuck here)

Edited June 30, 2017 by Riderocket

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

No thanks.

[216th_Jordan]

I'm all for it, but with mud movers instead. I'm thinking of it as 'start low, work up'. When you give new players fighters already they will have little chance against seasoned pilots and they can really mostly try the fighter side without seeing how nice groundattack can really be. Also frustration is rather high as a fighter pilot, at least that is my experience.

 

However it would be done I think it would be a good choice and I am all with you with the importance of how you call it. We can see the problem right now with the 'Il-2' brand and what ridiculously high standards some users apply to it, just because old Il-2 had 200 simple planes.

[Finkeren]

Make that the LaGG-3 and Bf 109E7 and I might be on board. Two very interesting, but not overly capable fighters with some ground attack capability, enabling people to contribute to ground attack in MP.

 

Still, I think the devs are pretty confident in their current business model, so this won't happen anytime soon.

[MrNoice]

no please NO

[Cpt_Cool]

Not nuts about the demo concept. Maybe after Kuban or Midway. but I very much agree that if they do go with a demo, they should present it as a demo - not free to play. 

[keeno]

Nahhh,

 

if you want it...........buy it!

[Danziger]

Demo version should be Ju-87, early Il-2 And the smallest map like lapino. It should be just as it's called. A demo. Enough to see how the game works and nothing more.

[Riderocket]

Exactly, a demo version so curious players can see how it runs, and test out the FM / DM etc etc..

 

It'll be better then a free to play version like rise of flight.

[Jade_Monkey]

Id say make it SP only with 2 planes.

 

You dont want tons of curious people trolling the MP servers.

[Danziger]

Exactly. People who heard about the series already and want to test drive before a final decision.

[Brano]

"Free to play" mindset spoiled prats from steam are not worthy for this game and community. Let them dwell in their misery :D

[Guest deleted@83466]

If some bored kid with no intention of being serious about the game can get online and screw around, even a limited time/limited plane demo is way too much, imho.  I remember how it was in Rise of Flight.  I think even a demo version, not to mention a free-to-play version, would just be a bad thing for everyone.

Edited June 30, 2017 by Iceworm

[LLv24_SukkaVR]

What about free weekends in Steam? Could attract new players. But on the other hand, MP would probably be ruined for the weekend because of newbies shooting down friendlies.

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

Exactly. People who heard about the series already and want to test drive before a final decision.

 

9/10 people who hear about the series and are actually interested in the combat flight sim genre will buy it without a F2P/demo edition.

1/10 people who hear about the series but are not actually interested in the combat flight sim genre and derive an interest based on air quake/arcade/arena/MMO "airplane games" will eventually purchase it after trying a F2P/demo edition.

 

People who are genuinely interested in the genre and product will purchase it on good faith backed by gameplay videos, user testimony, intrinsic interest, historical interest, product comparison, etc.

People who are not genuinely interested in the genre and product will not suddenly purchase it because they were allowed to access a demo edition for a couple of aircraft that especially don't cater to the air quake/arcade/arena/MMO "airplane games" demographic that they generally come from.

 

The point being is that a demo edition doesn't change the demographics to which the product caters to or attempts to cater to. Offering a couple of demo aircraft in IL-2 doesn't address the reason why the air quake/arcade/arena/MMO "airplane games" demographic chooses products like WT, WOT, WWP, etc. and it doesn't explain or address their popularity.

 

Loft's visions for unlocks and a "gamey" IL-2 fell so hard on their face it wasn't funny. You want to talk about a real death knell to the genre? We were damned close... They were supposed to be the answer that engaged and drew in the air quake/arcade/arena/MMO "airplane games" demographic... it did not. What it did do was massively alienate the people who comprise the core of their consumer base and nearly tanked the reputability of their product before BOS was even officially released.

-snip-

 

It'll be better then a free to play version like rise of flight.

 

F2P and demo are completely interchangeable in the case of ROF and they would be too in IL-2. 

Edited June 30, 2017 by Space_Ghost

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

Free to play would be good..

would bring in a lot nicer players (instead of many of these silver spoon spoilt brats :D Joking really i am)

[IRRE_Centx]

A demo with only SP and 2 planes max could be an idea.

 

A demo with MP? Oh hell no... 

A free-to-play? NEVER è_é

[coconut]

Battle of Stalingrad is already some kind of "affordable entry" into the game. I have a feeling that's the more popular edition, even among recent buyers. With it, you get two excellent fighters, and access to all the maps in MP, and many people stay at that. It's a bit sad, actually.

[=gRiJ=Roman-]

I support the idea. 

[wtornado]

I have witnessed the rise and fall of World of Tanks and the Russian way of making a free to play game.

 

Leave it the way it is.

 

P.S.

 

They could give all owners that play their game a FREE Bf-109 G6

 

[SYN_Mike77]

Well, what got me hooked on Rise of Flight was the 2 week demo.  You downloaded a demo version with the Spad 13 and the Albatros Dv and after 2 weeks you would lose access to the game unless you bought the whole thing.  I had just received a new computer and was wondering if this would work.  I think the 2 week demo lasted all of 2 hours on my machine before I bought the whole game.  Then a day later, my first plane pack.  Haven't looked back since.

[Jade_Monkey]

Yes, i think a demo is a better idea than a free permamnent module. It lets people try it without opening the game to all the random trolls.

 

Tbh you can do that now via steam refunds.

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

Well, what got me hooked on Rise of Flight was the 2 week demo.  You downloaded a demo version with the Spad 13 and the Albatros Dv and after 2 weeks you would lose access to the game unless you bought the whole thing.  I had just received a new computer and was wondering if this would work.  I think the 2 week demo lasted all of 2 hours on my machine before I bought the whole game.  Then a day later, my first plane pack.  Haven't looked back since.

Same expirience for me. Have been a supporter of a demo and / or a free to play version of IL-2 ever since.

 

If I had not known RoF before I probably wouldn't have gotten into BoS (back in the day it didnt have the best reputation and was quite expensive for the content offered).

 

Interestingly enought the devs already did sell a cheap "demo" version for 5€ with all but one plane locked and a singleplayer driven grind mechanic for aircrafts and mods (has only been offered on the russian market).

[Danziger]

A two week two plane single map single player demo is all that is needed to hook people. I definitely wouldn't call it free to play but demo.

[Guest deleted@30725]

Most games used to have demos. I discovered a lot of good games by playing the demo version and then wanting more.

 

Make the demo a german fighter and a russian fighter.

 

Single player, no on-line mode, unlocks locked, no campaign, half of Stalingrad.

 

Sign up to play the game for free and get a time based code, say 2 days to a week then when it expires you have to buy the full game.

 

or

 

1 day time based code.

 

Access to everything till code expires and you have to buy the full game.

[OrLoK]

lots of folk I know who dabble in sims were *not* aware of IL2 BoX.

 

I think a demo/limited MP would be a great Idea.

 

As to a Free Weekend, yeah the servers might get a little chaotic for a weekend but thats a small price to pay for more possible users in the long term.

 

I could sacrifice a weekend.

[Rolling_Thunder]

These kind of post always have the same replies "we want more players but we want the right kind of players." It's a shame everybody doesn't have just one internet identity so the community can vet who's allowed to buy the game.   

[Guest deleted@30725]

These kind of post always have the same replies "we want more players but we want the right kind of players." It's a shame everybody doesn't have just one internet identity so the community can vet who's allowed to buy the game. 

 

It's a real shame we all have to constantly put people in boxes. Check, mark, organize, rate.

 

But I understand it. If people are given things for free there is an assumption that person is less invested in the thing because it was free so what have they lost if they lose access to the thing, but their time.

 

Investing, buying, putting money into something potentially means the person has made a decision to part with their money because they want to use the thing they are paying for. Having a price for something gives it a realistic value.

 

We, the people general and vast like to be around nice people and there is nothing wrong with that. People who play this game don't want horrible people who will just ruin the fun. Some people who play free to play games use these free resources as outlets for their own real life problems making the game an unpleasant experience.

 

No one wants to work with people who are constantly aggressive, angry, rude, obnoxious and swear a lot. Such people get fired from their jobs so it's the same when playing a video game.

 

Creating an interview process for video games is not something that will happen, but having an inbuilt voting system where you can kick and ban undesirable users from playing the game is a more realistic approach in the online version of the game.

 

I don't think everyone is expecting anyone who plays this game to be a hardcore plane geek who knows all airport etiquette and is an expert formation flyer. But be a nice, useful member of the community of people that enjoy playing this video game is what a lot of people want from new players. Play the game, have fun and live your life. Don't use the game or the forums as a resource to work out your real world issues or attempt to ruin other peoples experiences.

Edited July 1, 2017 by deleted@30725

[salimliu]

seriously ,I think it's an good idea for a casual game.

 

But,nahh,this is a abnormal game whose tageted customer is only "hardcores".(who named themselves)

)

Thinking about a new warthunder player open up the free version.the first thing he would see is not the attractive story mode(single campaign) nor the detailed flight lessons to welcome them.

 

Even warthunder has got a build-in  turorial.They will start to doubt whether this game is a professional one or a semi-product.

 

 

But only "buzzing everywhere without companies" with F4 and Lagg3?

 

IMHO most of them will feel lone and boring.coz warthunder is focusing online.

 

After all ,lots of  negative comments will be left on steam .

 

That's Jason and 777 would not like to see.

[Ribbon]

Well, what got me hooked on Rise of Flight was the 2 week demo. You downloaded a demo version with the Spad 13 and the Albatros Dv and after 2 weeks you would lose access to the game unless you bought the whole thing. I had just received a new computer and was wondering if this would work. I think the 2 week demo lasted all of 2 hours on my machine before I bought the whole game. Then a day later, my first plane pack. Haven't looked back since.

That could done the job, plus more famous planes like p-51d, bf109k4 or yak-3 set as collectors planes since they don't match historic timeframe we have now.

Btw friend persuade me to try RoF and i did only cos it was free to play, one week later i bought channel map and bunch of planes.

Edited July 2, 2017 by redribbon

[[CPT]CptJackSparrow]

It's a real shame we all have to constantly put people in boxes. Check, mark, organize, rate.

 

But I understand it. If people are given things for free there is an assumption that person is less invested in the thing because it was free so what have they lost if they lose access to the thing, but their time.

 

Investing, buying, putting money into something potentially means the person has made a decision to part with their money because they want to use the thing they are paying for. Having a price for something gives it a realistic value.

 

We, the people general and vast like to be around nice people and there is nothing wrong with that. People who play this game don't want horrible people who will just ruin the fun. Some people who play free to play games use these free resources as outlets for their own real life problems making the game an unpleasant experience.

 

No one wants to work with people who are constantly aggressive, angry, rude, obnoxious and swear a lot. Such people get fired from their jobs so it's the same when playing a video game.

 

Creating an interview process for video games is not something that will happen, but having an inbuilt voting system where you can kick and ban undesirable users from playing the game is a more realistic approach in the online version of the game.

 

I don't think everyone is expecting anyone who plays this game to be a hardcore plane geek who knows all airport etiquette and is an expert formation flyer. But be a nice, useful member of the community of people that enjoy playing this video game is what a lot of people want from new players. Play the game, have fun and live your life. Don't use the game or the forums as a resource to work out your real world issues or attempt to ruin other peoples experiences.

 

This. =)

[6./ZG26_Klaus_Mann]

I started with CFS1 and CFS3, took quite a long hiatus from Combat Flight Sims, in Favour of FSX and WoT. 

 

Got back in with War Thunder Sim Mode and later  Free to Play RoF. Being poor I occassionally added Airplanes as I had the Funds to do so. But really, I played RoF for Months only on Alby and Spad. 

I purchased BoS after learning it would be on the RoF Engine and never turned back. 

 

However, I like the RoF Model and I think it got me back into the Combat Sims. 

 

A Free to Play Version would have to Contain a single Engine All-Rounder, a Yak-7 or I-16 and a 109E-7. 

 

And to be honest, on Wings of Shittery you won't even notice a Difference. On DED Random Expert they would run out of Aircraft in Milliseconds and get lost after Take-Off and on the Normal Servers you have Markers. 

 

I am for:

• I-16 and 109E as Demo Aircraft with all Unlocks.
• Full Multiplayer Access, but lower Bar for Ban/Kick so they don't Gunner Troll etc. and Limited Number of them on MP Servers so Licensed Players always have Priority in the Queueueueueueue. 
• Unlimited Time
• Tutorial Missions and Demo Missions in SP, maybe even with Ground Pounders included as a taster. 
• Full Access to Quick Missions, so they can at least have an External Look at the other Aircraft. 

[Riderocket]

Alot of people for and against this idea, i think if its done right, it can draw in alot of new players! But done wrong, people might get that "free to play" Vibe and leave bad reviews, and become trolls on MP.

 

I think a demo with a couple of SP missions, that involve one with ground pounding and one with fighter escort might be enough.?

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

Alot of people for and against this idea, i think if its done right, it can draw in alot of new players! But done wrong, people might get that "free to play" Vibe and leave bad reviews, and become trolls on MP.

Like the poeple who payed big bucks instead in the early days?

 

Really, there's no such big deal as people make it to believe. Assuming that WT is representative of the average F2P player comunity 75% of them don't even own joysticks and rely on MA making locking them away as simple as enforcing joystick controll.

 

Even if it should happen ocassionally (happens almost daily on WoL already) servers can condem it by punishments (aircraft, death penalty, kick) to eventually turn those people off.

 

If you want this genre to grow you've got to do sth. RoF has it, DCS has it, and it's working fine for both. Why should it be different here?

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

"Free to play" mindset spoiled prats from steam are not worthy for this game and community. Let them dwell in their misery :D

I'm sorry but this is disgusting mindset and one that has little to do with reality, assumption like this about free to play "prats" is just another prejudice. Not to mention that demo version of Il-2 would not ultimately make it free 2 play game, but merely give people from the outside of community a chance to try a new product without necessarily purchasing it. If I remember correctly this matter was discussed on Q&A with Jason last year and he said specifically that before it was not possible with two expansions only, but after BoK and having over 30 playable machines in the game franchise could afford to make two along with a map a small demo bundle. They should also have access to multiplayer to actually see the best side of this game instead of being restricted to quick missions.

Wouldn't hurt anybody but could be benefiting for the product.  

 

These kind of post always have the same replies "we want more players but we want the right kind of players." It's a shame everybody doesn't have just one internet identity so the community can vet who's allowed to buy the game. 

It's just a common elitism among some, worse is only on DCS forums where common acceptance is that modules priced at 50 $ are still too cheap since kids can buy them. 

[216th_Jordan]

Ok so basically the idea of a Demo is what prevails here. Tbh I'm also for either a timed demo of lets say two weeks with locked MP or a demo with 2 planes. But I do agree that there should be some tutorials (I'm working on one introductory mission right now that helps with keybinds and starts with taxiing an Il-2 across an airfield). When I was new to flight sims everything was quite over my head with proper flying and controls.

[J37_Spyboy]

I read a topic like this and wonder if Jason and the team go 'wow we should try that' it is just possible that they have a degree of experience in this particular business model and are happy with the results. So IMHO its not going to change.

[Brano]

I'm sorry but this is disgusting mindset and one that has little to do with reality, assumption like this about free to play "prats" is just another prejudice. Not to mention that demo version of Il-2 would not ultimately make it free 2 play game, but merely give people from the outside of community a chance to try a new product without necessarily purchasing it. If I remember correctly this matter was discussed on Q&A with Jason last year and he said specifically that before it was not possible with two expansions only, but after BoK and having over 30 playable machines in the game franchise could afford to make two along with a map a small demo bundle. They should also have access to multiplayer to actually see the best side of this game instead of being restricted to quick missions.

Wouldn't hurt anybody but could be benefiting for the product.  

 

It's just a common elitism among some, worse is only on DCS forums where common acceptance is that modules priced at 50 $ are still too cheap since kids can buy them. 

 

Overreacting a bit,are we? What I am reffering to is certain group of steam users bashing this game and its developers for being greedy (Oh the game is toooo expensive yada yada),for being unprofessional (Oh dont buy this game,its shait russian bias...) and spreading false informations (This game is a joke still running on DX9 LoL...).Thats what I find disgusting.

I dont want such individuums to get into the game and spoil my experience.And if whatever free-to-play/demo and whatnot activity will make it possible,Im strongly against.

[Riderocket]

 

 

Overreacting a bit,are we? What I am reffering to is certain group of steam users bashing this game and its developers for being greedy (Oh the game is toooo expensive yada yada),for being unprofessional (Oh dont buy this game,its shait russian bias...) and spreading false informations (This game is a joke still running on DX9 LoL...).Thats what I find disgusting.

I dont want such individuums to get into the game and spoil my experience.And if whatever free-to-play/demo and whatnot activity will make it possible,Im strongly against.

And don't forget the post where they complain about how you have to unlock planes first to fly them !? (G2A edition)

[Livai]

Nowadays demos doesn't make any sense! Why?! We have Youtube, We have Let's play videos, thats enough. Free Weekends just cause incoming FF, trolls who just play the game because it's free weekend time again never have interest to buy this game anyway! 

 

We don't need to chase people with Demos, Free Weekends, sales, whatever! The right people - the ones who really belong to this game will come to us. And stay.