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| Airlne Empires Week in Aviation | ||
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Page 2 of 3
[19:16] <@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 [19:16] <@AeProjectManage> Eventually I'd like to allow players to buy shirts with their own airline logos, cities, and fleet...or something like that. I haven't figured that one out yet [19:17] <@torquewrench> The game wont be as easy for those airlines who attempt at "World Domination" [19:17] <@torquewrench> However... [[19:17] <@torquewrench> The costs will still be there [19:17] <@AeProjectManage> There are some problems with implementing some of the features we'd like to into the free version [19:18] <@torquewrench> you'll just have to manage with our own software managing them [19:18] <@torquewrench> Like, engineering costs for example... you wont be able to build your own maintenance bases [19:18] <@torquewrench> you'll HAVE to use the ones already set up [19:18] <@FlyNCL> with growing competition from other free airline management games will a pay version be feasible and not draw people away from the site [19:18] <@AeProjectManage> The stock market is almost done, as is the market, and other items, but we can't release them in the free game because they can be exploited incredibly by the multiple airline bug [19:18] <@torquewrench> which are more expensive [19:19] <@AeProjectManage> The free version will always be available. I know where AE started, and why its successful, and we wont' get away from that [19:19] <+drv4truk> The stock market will be a big improvement. How about airline brokers or putting in the old aircraft like DC-9, etc.? [19:19] <@Tump> also, is there any idea yet on how much the pay version will cost (monthly?) [19:19] <@AeProjectManage> I've been chastized by local businessmen when they hear what I'll be charging for the first few premium versions. [19:20] <+Bluewings> so talking free version, does it mean it's just going to be the current version while the pay version is the paralell game currently being tested? [19:20] <@AeProjectManage> They think its way too low, and will make some players think its cheap. [19:20] <@torquewrench> I dont think that is up for disclosure at the moment [19:21] <@AeProjectManage> Lucky for me, I KNOW its cheap, and I don't like the idea of charging somebody something they've been able to do for free. [19:21] <@FlyNCL> would it be a pay one time or pay montly/yearly? [19:21] <@AeProjectManage> I'd like to keep it a pay once per game. [19:22] <+Trans-States> What (if anything) do you plan on doing about the $1 fares and airlines threatening eachother in PMs? [19:22] <@AeProjectManage> the games won't last very long, though, probably only three months. We'll introduce different lengths as demand dictates. [19:22] <@torquewrench> I'll answer this one... [19:22] <+Trans-States> It really hurts small airlines [19:22] <@torquewrench> We understand [19:23] <@torquewrench> And although we dont want to stop legitimate $1 airlines, i've devised a method to keep everyone happy... [19:23] <@torquewrench> $1 fares will be attractive and WILL get you more passengers [19:23] <@torquewrench> however [19:23] <@torquewrench> it wont kill the route [19:24] <+drv4truk> That's not right. If you place 4- 5 aircraf tat $1 fares, it will kill most routes [19:24] <@torquewrench> At the moment it will [19:24] <@torquewrench> you wont be able to have multiple aircraft operating $1 routes [19:24] <+drv4truk> The object is to get rid of the excess airlines on the route. [19:24] <@torquewrench> on the same route [19:24] <+Trans-States> What would a legitimate reason for a $1 fare be? I'm sure it happens -- but 95% of $1 fares are just to kill other airlines [19:25] <@FlyNCL> will there be anything to help with the lack of gates to stop another reset soion? [19:25] <+drv4truk> Now, if its done by an airline operating in the negative, then I could see either not allowing it or having no effect,. [19:26] <+clegallez> will there be more gates in the pay as you go version? [19:26] <+clegallez> as in airports not quantity [19:26] <@AeProjectManage> Yes [19:27] <@torquewrench> I'm still thinking this up, i mean literally its currently only on a piece of paper regarding a league based game... [19:27] <@Tump> is there also a posibility that more airports could be added in the current version? [19:27] <+Bluewings> gate shortage is unfortunately "realistic" [19:27] <+drv4truk> What about airlines with negative value? [19:27] <@AeProjectManage> I slowly add to the database, but haven't uploaded it yet [19:27] <@torquewrench> i havent even told miller about this possible idea so i'm sure this will be a shock ;) [19:27] <+Trans-States> Gate shortage is pretty 'realistic', but having gates only in 4 cities thousands of miles from eachother isn't really [19:27] <@AeProjectManage> The gate shortage is an area where we need to relax realism to allow more people to play [19:28] <@torquewrench> Each game will be like a season [19:28] <@torquewrench> airlines will be promoted or demoted at the end [19:28] <+Bluewings> and routes reset? :S [19:29] <@torquewrench> for the winners of the group, they might find a discount on their membership [19:29] <@torquewrench> As a bonus [19:29] <+clegallez> now that is promising [19:29] <@torquewrench> it would also allow the people who are finding ae tough to compete with people of a similar skill level [19:30] <@Tump> you mean with that bonus: - discount on their pay account or...? [19:30] <@torquewrench> Having the largest value wont make you the best [19:31] <@torquewrench> your "customer rating" will also have a bearing on it... [19:31] <@torquewrench> So the largest wont always make you the best [19:32] <@torquewrench> Singapore airlines isnt the best because they're massive, they're the best because they have excellent customer service [19:32] <@AeProjectManage> valuation was used as a ranking parameter simply because I wanted a way to quickly get the script done. That will be changing [19:33] <+drv4truk> multiple categories to be number 1 in? [19:33] <@AeProjectManage> I wanted to talk a bit about the load factor equiations [19:33] <@torquewrench> you'll have to satisfy more than one to be top [[19:33] <@AeProjectManage> The current one is broken. There's no big secret about that [19:34] <@AeProjectManage> There is a totally new algorithm set up and being tested, but it has some different issues itself. It is better than the current, though. [19:34] <+Bluewings> Customer rating - what's the incentive to raise it? Will there be a boost to your LF if you have high ratings? [19:35] <@AeProjectManage> The major difference right now is that it takes all airlines and passengers into account before distributing loads. [[19:35] <@AeProjectManage> This SHOULD mean that you won't have wierd changes in your profits when you change price. [19:36] <@AeProjectManage> it is also superior in how it handles connections, and sets us up for later additions into true passenger distribution like I discussed in that paper. [19:36] <@FlyNCL> will there be any benefits for alliances? [[19:37] <@AeProjectManage> Yes, actually its part of the new loadfactor algorithm [19:37] <@AeProjectManage> or, it will be included after its been tested successfully. [19:37] <@FlyNCL> will it have codeshares and stuff? [19:37] <@AeProjectManage> Basically there's no change in the alliance from what we wanted a few years ago [19:37] <@Tump> and will this also be implented in the free version? [19:38] <@torquewrench> There is a whole brand new website, design and all with the intent of improving the whole experience [19:38] <@torquewrench> coded completely from scratch [19:38] <@AeProjectManage> You can codeshare, but only on flights out of one of your established hubs. [19:39] <@AeProjectManage> However, your loads will be improved by your connections out of that hub, in addition to the connections from the codeshare partner [19:39] <@AeProjectManage> so it would not be in your best interest to get a codeshare partner who competes. [[19:40] <@Tump> ok miller, so basically the whole hub 'n spoke system is being worked out? [19:40] <@AeProjectManage> That's why you don't see Airtran codesharing with Delta, or United codesharing with Frontier. [19:40] <@torquewrench> Another step i'm hoping we will take is that none of the staff members will be in the competition... we'll play, and be competing, but wont affect the listings of other airlines [19:40] <@torquewrench> or rather, i'll play, i'm not aware that miller plays [[19:41] <@AeProjectManage> Your passengers will increase dependent upon how many are connecting, but they will only fill up the plane after all O&D passengers have been accounted for [19:42] <@AeProjectManage> All connecting passengers will have the ticket price divided by 2 as well, since we need to distribute the revenue over two flights instead of one [[19:42] <@AeProjectManage> It follows the same concept of why Southwest and Jetblue are profitable with such low fares [19:42] <+TimS> would that be the sum of both tickets devided by two, or the full of trip number 1 and the half of the second trip? [19:43] <@AeProjectManage> Over 98% of JetBlue passengers do not connect, and 95% of Southwest passengers are O&D as well. [19:43] <@AeProjectManage> Delta? 47% [[19:43] <@AeProjectManage> see how connections affect revenue? We'll simulate that [[19:44] <@AeProjectManage> it will be the one ticket price, divided by two for that flight [[19:44] <@AeProjectManage> Its difficult to explain, but we don't deal in terms of passengers, but rather flights. So the ticket price is what is designated for that flight [19:45] <@Maestro69> AE will be taking a step up this next version :) [[19:45] <+drv4truk> what about gate leasing? [19:45] <+drv4truk> especially from terminals? [19:45] <+clegallez> and a/c leasing? [[19:45] <@torquewrench> Gate leasing wont exist as such [19:45] <@torquewrench> Airlines rent slots [19:46] <@AeProjectManage> leasing of aircraft, gates, etc. is something we can't release in the free version. With no real way to prevent multiple airlines, players could cheat very easily. [19:46] <@torquewrench> you will negotiate a "Gate Fee" [19:46] <@AeProjectManage> Feeder airlines are a real problem [19:47] <@AeProjectManage> I guess that will be the incentive to move to the pay version ;) [19:48] <@Tump> you know, you could also start with letting players fill in a much larger form on registering - where they not have to fill in their personal information and such but also why they want to play ----> some sort of 'screening' can be done by a few members (forum moderators?) - maybe thats an idea? [19:48] <@AeProjectManage> funny you should say that tump [19:49] <@AeProjectManage> Torque just finished the new registration script, and we're gonna have a go at it sometime soon [19:49] <@AeProjectManage> I haven't seen it yet, but he swears its good. [19:54] <@Tump> i asked it on the beginning of this talk, but going back on the articles; shoot me if i missed the awnser, but |
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