A couple of free aircraft and permanent discount

[No.23_Starling]

Given where we are with the development of a new sim I’m wondering if now would be a good time to offer two free aircraft for people to try FC. Rise of Flight offered two free to try planes from fairly early on. Perhaps two relatively straightforward planes like the Alb DVa and the N28 (also a good match up). The former can appear in a fair few multiplayer scenarios too.

 

I also wonder if a permanent discount to make the whole collection the same price as a complete title ($40 or so), or even a bundle deal, might be a good idea now. 
 

Dropping the cost barrier now could breathe some life into the sim as the devs move on to their newer tech and content, and keep FC alive for a few more years whilst we wait for a new ww1 sim. If it stays this cost I can’t see it being anything but a hardcore niche.

 

Just a thought - would love to hear other opinions.

[No.23_Farmer]

The Albatros D.III and the Sopwith Triplane would be a decent matchup for the two free planes. 

[Zooropa_Fly]

They haven't bundled and discounted RoF yet.. so I'd say no chance for FC anytime soon !

[No.23_Starling]

2 hours ago, Zooropa_Fly said:

They haven't bundled and discounted RoF yet.. so I'd say no chance for FC anytime soon !

No but there’s free planes for each side. Perfect to get a feel for ww1 birds 

[ST_Catchov]

 

On 8/2/2025 at 6:17 AM, No.23_Starling said:

Given where we are with the development of a new sim I’m wondering if now would be a good time to offer two free aircraft for people to try FC.

 

Nah not gonna happen. We really need a Spad XII with cannon. Then peeps will sit up, take notice and give it a go.

[No.23_Starling]

5 hours ago, ST_Catchov said:

 

 

Nah not gonna happen. We really need a Spad XII with cannon. Then peeps will sit up, take notice and give it a go.

Why wouldn’t it happen? Rise of Flight had two free planes. 

[LukeFF]

Any more posts made on unfounded speculation will be removed.

[No.23_Starling]

9 hours ago, LukeFF said:

Any more posts made on unfounded speculation will be removed.

Sorry, wasn’t meant as unfounded speculation. Just throwing out ideas to get new people interested. Many of the FC crowd got hooked on Rise of Flight after an initial taster of the handful of free to try planes. Clearly none of us here have the RoF download and sales records to measure conversion 

[LukeFF]

1 hour ago, No.23_Starling said:

Sorry, wasn’t meant as unfounded speculation. Just throwing out ideas to get new people interested. Many of the FC crowd got hooked on Rise of Flight after an initial taster of the handful of free to try planes. Clearly none of us here have the RoF download and sales records to measure conversion 

 

No worries, it wasn't you. 🙂 The topic itself is fine. 

[ST_Catchov]

Hmm a tantalising mystery. I guess we'll never know who the bounder was with the evidence removed. Whoever the cad was needs a good talking to.

 

14 hours ago, No.23_Starling said:

Why wouldn’t it happen? Rise of Flight had two free planes.

 

You know what Starling, I suppose it could happen and it'd be a nice gesture from the devs but I don't want to speculate. I just hope the devs take your suggestion on board.

[Monksilver]

3 hours ago, No.23_Starling said:

Sorry, wasn’t meant as unfounded speculation. Just throwing out ideas to get new people interested. Many of the FC crowd got hooked on Rise of Flight after an initial taster of the handful of free to try planes. Clearly none of us here have the RoF download and sales records to measure conversion 

I was one of those. Free plane on ROF, followed by quite a few purchased planes followed by Great Battles, and Korea when it is released.

[1PL-Sahaj-1Esk]

IMO the lack of free2play aircrafts in FC is one of the main reasons why it was not even close as successful as RoF.

 

SE5a and Alatros DVa - easy to handle (I would avoid rotaries for the beginners) 
My tips for free2play.

 

S!

Edited August 5 by 1PL-Sahaj-1Esk

[ST_Catchov]

35 minutes ago, 1PL-Sahaj-1Esk said:

IMO the lack of free2play aircrafts in FC is one of the main reasons why it was not even close as successful as RoF.

 

SE5a and Alatros DVa - easy to handle (I would avoid rotaries for the beginners) 
My tips for free2play.

 

S!

 

It's a fair point Sahaj. But the two most iconic crates of WW1 were the Camel and the Dr1. Everybody knows them, even the great unwashed hoi polloi who have no idea about rotary engines or WW1 .... (the poor sods.) But if they gave it a go and applied themselves, they may very well experience the pure joy of WW1 aviation. None better in my book. And perhaps, we'll get FC5 and a Zeppelin.

[1PL-Sahaj-1Esk]

Rotaries are very specific and I would not recommend them as WWI-AVIATION-FIRST-IMPRESSIONS-planes. Forget about history arguments in this regard - the goal is to attract and 'fish' new players to get to know this unique aviation era.

[No.23_Starling]

1 hour ago, ST_Catchov said:

 

It's a fair point Sahaj. But the two most iconic crates of WW1 were the Camel and the Dr1. Everybody knows them, even the great unwashed hoi polloi who have no idea about rotary engines or WW1 .... (the poor sods.) But if they gave it a go and applied themselves, they may very well experience the pure joy of WW1 aviation. None better in my book. And perhaps, we'll get FC5 and a Zeppelin.

I agree on the iconic status. Only thing I would say is that new players would get their butts kicked by the rotaries. The Albi is a dream to fly and very competitive. The SE is also easier though the lack of turn make it harder for multiplayer. The Sopwith Triplane is more forgiving and a great match to the Alb.

 

That would also give players a triplane to try as a taster before buying the Fokker.

[ST_Catchov]

13 hours ago, 1PL-Sahaj-1Esk said:

the goal is to attract and 'fish' new players to get to know this unique aviation era.

 

13 hours ago, No.23_Starling said:

Only thing I would say is that new players would get their butts kicked by the rotaries.

 

Good points.

 

Ok, I'd go the Se5a and Fokker D7 then. My personal faves when I was attracted to WW1 aviation as a kid, but also applicable to this conversation.