Developer's Diary???

[Falco]

Long time since I've checked in - I see there are some new postings concerning Area 51. Does that mean that the previously new postings there will now be made public to the rest of us? It's been so long since I've seen a Developer's Diary that I had to take some time to remember what they're called.

[Bagonous]

Hi Falco,

Please look here:

http://www.fighterops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9467


There has been several Area51 updates covering the progress of the current build. Once the build is finished an update will be posted to the general forums.


--Bagonous

[Bogusheadbox]

I don't mean to sound crass, but you seem to have qouted yourself on a post dated january 2009. I used to visit these boards daily and i can tell you there has been no increase in communication (to non area 51 members), not that you have to anyway, well before and long after your post date.

but when you are ready to show something, i am sure i will hear about it somewhere

I still hope you guys complete your project

[noobie_falcon]

I really want to see this project completed as well. However I'm at a loss as to why you don't want as many people as possible to be interested in this. For the number of people that join the private area 51, how many people have you lost due to lack of current information and the perception that not much is happening? The broad base of flight simmers, are not forum goers. There are tons of people out there who fly sims who just don't care about hanging around forums. So they visit your site hoping to find something new, see something, but also see that there is no new info. Yes, it's their choice to not read the forums, but those people are out there, and they represent real money (either gained or lost) and they will make a judgment about this product based on first impressions. So, someone stumbles onto this site, sees nothing new, assumes that nothing is happening and then -- out sight (and site) out of mind. The product might be amazing but the business model and advertising campaign could be flawed? I appreciate the hard work, and I understand that it takes money to put something like this together. That I'm not opposed to in the least. This is capitalism at its finest! But, may I ask a question? Once FO is released, will Area 51 continue? Or, will you make ALL info concerning the sim available, so people can make an informed decision about purchasing this product? Will post release advertising continue in this same 'behind closed doors' approach? Again, I appreciate all the hard work. There is no disrespect intended here. Just looking for realistic information so as to understand where to set my expectations, and not be one of the many who complain about things because their expectations are not met. Thanks. :)

[Buckshot]

noobie_falcon, you are making a whole lot of assumptions which are based on incorrect information.

Nobody is trying to sell area 51 or anything at the moment for that matter. As has been explained so many times it's not funny, Area 51 came about due to the fact that many flight sim enthusiasts seeing this as the only chance to ever see a new high fidelity simulation wanted to help out and contribute financially. We decided if we were going to allow them to do that, we'd give something back, hence Area 51.

In regards to advertising, there's nothing to advertise right now, one of the things we did decided to do, is to be much more open than other simulation developers who in some cases nobody had heard of until they were ready to release. Some may have preferred us to do that, but there are also quite a large proportion of the community who want to be involved and see what is going on, the thing is this approach gives everyone the opportunity to have what they want. The ones who want to see what is going on can do so, either through Area 51 or just on the general forums where they may not get everything Area 51 gets (obviously, or we are not giving any value to those who are supporting us), and the ones who don't want to know about it till it's ready can just tune out and wait, they'll be sure to hear about it through any site they visit when FO is close to release.

As for Area 51 continuing, yes it will, we'll continue to offer advantages to those who have supported us in the early days, particularly those who have been most loyal. Is it going to affect our marketing, of course not, when the product is ready, all of that information will be released the same way as any other software product, Area 51 will likely gain access to previews of new add-on's, aircraft, content, etc etc.

[Cali]

What will happen is.......when FO is released, people will talk about it on other forums and it will spread. People will see screenshots, video and other info and will want to get it. FO will get reviewed just like any other game out there. If they are doing what they say, then they will not have any problem with bring in the money from people buying it.

A question that many people might have is.....what about bugs? If there are any, how long will it take to get a patch out......like I said IF there are any.

Some people have been waiting around the last 5 years and will continue to wait until it's out.

[Deckerd]

What will happen is.......when FO is released, people will talk about it on other forums and it will spread. People will see screenshots, video and other info and will want to get it. FO will get reviewed just like any other game out there. If they are doing what they say, then they will not have any problem with bring in the money from people buying it.



Theory of markets at its best :thumb:

[noobie_falcon]

I've been one of those who have been waiting in the background since I first saw this website wayyy back when. Maybe I just need to be a little more optimistic about those in my fathers era, who like sims, but will 99% chance never register or visit any Forum in his life. It'll be up to me to pass the word of mouth I guess. Like I said, I just wanted to to get clear answers. Even though I've registered here years ago, I don't read all the forums. I appreciate the candid response, and like I said, I'm 100% behind capitalism. Now that I know area 51 is going to continue...I'm contemplating donating to such a worthy cause... :)

[Revelation]

I've been one of those who have been waiting in the background since I first saw this website wayyy back when. Maybe I just need to be a little more optimistic about those in my fathers era, who like sims, but will 99% chance never register or visit any Forum in his life. It'll be up to me to pass the word of mouth I guess. Like I said, I just wanted to to get clear answers. Even though I've registered here years ago, I don't read all the forums. I appreciate the candid response, and like I said, I'm 100% behind capitalism. Now that I know area 51 is going to continue...I'm contemplating donating to such a worthy cause... :)

The FO Devs don't make money off of A51, most of us hope it covers "some" of their expenses. The updates, lately, have been great and plentiful. There were some times in the past, and probably a few more in the future, where updates were not as regular as we all would have hoped - that's the downside to wanting a high fidelity sim.

The Devs are careful not to release anything too early before they have had a chance to see if it's feasible. Too many times have I seen development studios promise so much, only to deliver so little upon release. There were some great discussions of what we all hoped for in our next study sim, some discussions that the public still has never seen; they are a good read to get a better understanding of what FO is and will be.

[noobie_falcon]

Sometimes it's difficult to get questions answered on certain subjects, because of the nature of the question or because others have beaten it to death, however I'm appreciative of the insight you have all given. Thank you.

[Cali]

The FO Devs don't make money off of A51, most of us hope it covers "some" of their expenses. The updates, lately, have been great and plentiful. There were some times in the past, and probably a few more in the future, where updates were not as regular as we all would have hoped - that's the downside to wanting a high fidelity sim.

The Devs are careful not to release anything too early before they have had a chance to see if it's feasible. Too many times have I seen development studios promise so much, only to deliver so little upon release. There were some great discussions of what we all hoped for in our next study sim, some discussions that the public still has never seen; they are a good read to get a better understanding of what FO is and will be.

Also, A51 members get a discount when FO is released.