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Page 1 of 3 Thanks to FlyNCL, this weeks chat was logged and is available for those who were unable to make it. Several great questions were asked, and insight into the future of Airline Empires was given. Read the chat transcript with the developers of Airline Empires on January 9, 2006
#AE ircstaff chat highlights - 09-01-06[18:58] <@AeProjectManage> let me start with a little bit of what's going on right now [18:59] <@AeProjectManage> In the last few months I've spent most of my time working on the new site. Luckily for me, and for us, TorqueWrench has been able to pick up some slack in the development. [19:00] <@AeProjectManage> The new site is primarily to offset the huge cost of running two servers, which is required in order to keep AE from crashing [[19:01] <@AeProjectManage> There are some who've seen a preview, but for most I expect it was a suprise last week when they came to ae.net [19:02] <@AeProjectManage> The game site and the new site are integrated, although only loosely. The are two different sites, and you'll hear me referring to them as the consulting and game sites. [19:02] <@AeProjectManage> Basically the consulting site is a product of my masters work, and [19:03] <@AeProjectManage> The big part of the consulting site is going to be the article repository. ANYONE who wants to write about an airline, its history, aviation news, predictions, etc. you are definitely welcomed to submit [[19:05] <@Tump> about articles, what are the actual requirements? [[19:06] <@AeProjectManage> I want to make the articles a professional resource, rather than a hobbyist resource. Sounds kinda silly, but there won't be any "trip reports" or spotters reports. Just news, profiles, predictions, and even commentary on the industry [19:06] <@Tump> ok. and this has to be about airlines and the industry? [[19:07] <@FlyNCL> is it true you get payed if you write a good article? [19:07] <@AeProjectManage> I've had some great submissions so far with the Pluna article and have an Indian author who's second to none in knowledge of the Indian aviation industry [19:07] <@AeProjectManage> The way I'm working pay is kind of experimental. [19:08] <@Tump> and also, i remember a call for funny pilot stories... is that still in the works too? [19:08] <@Tump> or just 'pilot stories'? [19:08] <@AeProjectManage> There are ads shown on the article pages which will generate revenue for the site. Any revenues those articles generate, the author will receive a percentage. [19:09] <@AeProjectManage> that's how I wanted to do it, but as it turns out, I can't pay out of pocket since the AE pocket is empty, and the wife gets edgy when she sees "website" on the credit card bills [19:09] <@AeProjectManage> so I have to wait until the revenue has been earned and paying out of that [19:10] <@AeProjectManage> To give you guys an idea, Ae is running at around a negative 50% profit margin. [19:10] <@torquewrench> [19:11] <@AeProjectManage> Instead of scaling back to save money, I've decided to push forward and expand to profitability. [19:11] <+drv4truk> I will be happier when AE is making enough to pay for itself, rather then you having to pay for it. I know it has been said a few times about cash donations or paying for a new AE world. [19:11] <@torquewrench> Anyways, here is the answer... the future of the simulation is still in the very early stages... in fact it was only yesterday that i submitted a feature list to miller [19:11] <@AeProjectManage> Thats why torquewrench is working with me. He's doing some great work in the development. [19:11] <@torquewrench> detailing pretty much everything that you will be able to "do" in the new game [[19:12] <+Trans-States> This is similar, do we plan on doing anything about the $1 fares and airlines threatening eachother in PMs? [19:12] <@torquewrench> I've tried to get away from the "Routes" area, that will still be a part, but managing the finances (Engineering, handling, staff etc) will be the main area of focus [19:13] <@AeProjectManage> The good news is that torquewrench actually knows what he's doing with programming, where as I just act like I do. [19:14] <+clegallez> i saw a post in the forums, quite old, but it talked about AE T-shirts for sale like A.net did...did that happen or will it happen? [19:14] <@AeProjectManage> I think so... [19:14] <@Malte89> hm, not a good idea i think personally [19:14] <@AeProjectManage> why's that? [19:14] <@Malte89> well, who will buy it? [19:14] <+Trans-States> Count me in. [19:14] <@Malte89> lol [19:14] <+clegallez> and me [19:14] <+clegallez> lol [[19:15] <@AeProjectManage> If you're familiar with the cafepress site, it would be something very similar [[19:15] <@torquewrench> I'd like to think that website merchansise would be available, but i think we have larger issues at the moment [19:15] <@AeProjectManage> They basically print the shirt on demand, and take a percentage (big percentage). But the good news is that there's nothing out of pocket [19:15] <@Tump> what can we expect of the payversion, how much will it cost and what will the benefits? [19:15] <+clegallez> well i dont like buying from the internet either, i dont trust hackers [19:15] <@torquewrench> I was working on that answer :) [[19:16] <@AeProjectManage> no inventory, or investment. Doesn't have the revenue potential, but there isn't much to invest with |
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