Hi all,
I'm currently in Beginner's World 2 in my third (profitable) airline. I played both the previous Beginner's World 2 (pre-cargo) and the Regional Challenge (with cargo), both of which have now ended. I received the announcement that this coming Sunday, April 29th, Game World 4 is opening. From what I've gleaned, it appears that players who join a game world from the very start have a strong advantage over players who join half-way through when most competitors are already well-established. This has given me some desire to join GW4 as soon as it opens.
However, I'm also cautioning myself since I'm still very new to AirwaySim. My question for you all is this: What should a beginner be proficient in before joining a GW? And, if you wouldn't mind answering, what are the major stumbling blocks that beginners don't anticipate upon joining their first GW?
All the best,
Sam
Starting early has its advantages, however, there are also disadvantages. The initial rush to get a foothold and grow quickly can be frustrating as plane availability is often very limited for the first few game years. It's certainly worth a shot to see how you do - just don't get too frustrated if it goes poorly :-).
The other thing you can practice with would be to join an existing game world in a base that is not heavily contested (you can ask others to help you find a good place). That can also help you with the process of getting started.
My advice is there is no substitute for learning, better than hands on experience. I am currently playing my first long game, and the problems I have encountered managing my airline, only became apparent actually playing the game. The forum is a great learning tool, many knowledgeable people post there, and to read the posts each day will help you a lot.
Pretty much what others have said. The full games are cut throat at the beginning, but there are ways to minimize youre exposure to the more experienced players. First, it is not advised to jump into the biggest airports in the game in your first full game world. That does not mean you have to play in some small country that goes overlooked. A couple examples of good starting points that give a lot of upside are samller Chinese cities (basically not Beijing or Shanghai, maybe throw Chengtu in there as well) as you have some shelter to start but the potential to grow into the larger bases later on, or Europe in an EU country that is not Italy, Germany, France, or the UK. AMS is hit and miss, normally plenty of slots but also can have stiff competition. Consider a mid sized Spanish city (not BCN or MAD) for a similar effect to China or maybe Stockholm.
Basically, give it a try. Dont over expand, make sure you have a solid foundation and prepare for competition when it arrives.
Absolutely. I played 20-30 years in GW I joined mid-game as my first GW ever. And still, when I joined current GW#2 I was a little surprised of the harshness of the context (well, I didn't pick an easy place either, the small VKO before the opening of SVO).
So basically yes, either join a game already well advanced and there could be space in a medium airport, or go for a place a little smaller if you want to start in next GW#4. But Europe is a good choice as you could rule in a smaller country, learn to defend yourself in the harder "real" GW, and then expand when Open Skies kicks in. Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Finland. Or as ZS said, a secondary airport in a larger country (UK, Germany, mainly).
Without possibilities of expansion outside of the country but still interesting and usually not overpopulated: Chile, Peru, Santo Domingo, Algeria, Morocco, Israel, etc.
There is always a random element. After 10 days playing in Athens in a beginner's world, there was that GW3 opening, and I went for Glasgow. Didn't have any dangerous opponent, and all my mistakes were forgiven. Some players are not so lucky. Other 2 players in Poland's GW2 and Other player in GW3's Algeria were unlucky to face me, now that I'm a dangerous veteran(not the one with the best killer instinct, but still dangerous). Not counting the 10-12 I defeated in CDG's previous GW3.
That being said, Europe's or China middle airport are indeed OK locations for trying things. In Europe, try to find places in the countries that open skies in 1996. Edinburgh, I think, is even better than Glasgow, because you are not tempted with long haul routes, a dangerous diversion when you are not experienced enough. That kind of airport is excellent. Could be Marseille, Alicante, Hamburg, etc..... USA usually has a bigger churn rate, for a few reasons(including the fact that it attracts more of the best players, and that longer flight distances mean the start is harder), but you might thrive there also, if you are not too ambitious in your starting airport.
Eastern Europe has the problem of extending to open skies only in 2006, but if you are lucky enough not to face a too strong opponent, would be a very good learning ground, especially Warsaw, Prague, or Bucharest.
Still, GW openings are not common, and I'd try, if I were you. 1955 is not crazy as a start as 1950(where there are basically DC3s, and that's all), and at worse, if your company is taken in a death spiral, you can have a look at juicy untapped places before bankrupting and starting again.
Quote from: Tha_Ape on April 27, 2018, 04:24:29 PM
Absolutely. I played 20-30 years in GW I joined mid-game as my first GW ever. And still, when I joined current GW#2 I was a little surprised of the harshness of the context (well, I didn't pick an easy place either, the small VKO before the opening of SVO).
So basically yes, either join a game already well advanced and there could be space in a medium airport, or go for a place a little smaller if you want to start in next GW#4. But Europe is a good choice as you could rule in a smaller country, learn to defend yourself in the harder "real" GW, and then expand when Open Skies kicks in. Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Finland. Or as ZS said, a secondary airport in a larger country (UK, Germany, mainly).
Without possibilities of expansion outside of the country but still interesting and usually not overpopulated: Chile, Peru, Santo Domingo, Algeria, Morocco, Israel, etc.
If you're a beginner, I would start in a country with 1-2 major airports and little competition. That'll force you to focus on one airport and worry less about a competitor opening a new base. I personally like Jordan for that, as it has decent demand to Europe and rest of the Mid East and you get experience switching to a new fleet, which is way harder than you might think.
Quote from: henrikb100 on May 09, 2018, 04:56:28 PM
(.../...)switching to a new fleet, which is way harder than you might think.
this too. Fleet switches have killed countless companies. It's even worse when you're a big boy(because the 4th fleet penalty is really not forgiving at this level), but even for a smaller company, can be a killer. It has to be perfectly planned. Even veterans can be surprised, and be taken pants down(my medium fleet of F28s in GW2 is going to be a problem to me, soon, I'm glad I've got 4B$ in cash, cause the replacement will be bloody)