200 million speak German
500 million - 1.8 billion speak English
The website is strictly German.
- Deters first time viewers from the site because they can't read it. They'll probably leave and realize there is no English website that has any information on the game at all. After that, they'll just drop the game completely from their radar.
- The British Flag which usually means that the website will be readable after clicking it, changes the site into a little bit English but still mostly German (especially News Articles/Polls/Headers)
- To the average first time viewer, many may be unable to locate the Register button. Others may recognize it and push it but won't be able to read the agreement or the two choices they have. If they persevere and pick the right button they might be able to locate the Language drop-down list and change it to English. But I think most people will have given up by then. Afterall...
- ...there is only one small "English Section" (that would have AT2 info in it) which rarely sees activity.
- This can be a bit of a debate. Based on what I've seen, for every 1 tech-savvy person, probably roughly 3 average everyday casual gamer/light internet use/email checker's are roaming around... if you get my drift.
- The translator isn't exactly the best. And although I haven't tried it, I would imagine replying in English or using the translator in reverse in a German sub-forum probably doesn't work all too well.
Perhaps according to some I may have come on too strong with my points. But is it not the time to convert everything over to English? Or is this the German home to AT2 which seems to be housing the game devs for the time being? Based on the PM everybody just got in the past 24hrs, how does the English section collaborate with the German section when the English section is asked to post in a German sub-forum? "und bringt so Eure Ideen ins Spiel ein!"
PS: The only time I saw any copy of Airline Tycoon in stores was in some bargain bin 2-3 years after the game had been made... unfortunately I was younger back then, in high school, had no job, and had no money to buy it. Even then, I stumbled across the game before then and had already downloaded it.