Not Ready For Open Beta:
Matchmaking
This is the big one that's probably hurting them the most right now. There seems to be no separation of higher level players and new players. Even into the next round it does not discern who the best players were and separates them (note: if you're friends it shouldn't separate you). In my experience it puts us on the same team so we can curb stomp noobs again. This is probably putting off many new players.
Not having competent matchmaking or a server list for the games public release is a big misstep. Current gamers expect a matching system so they can jump into a level-appropriate match and have fun. A server list at least with the ability to name it "new players only" would go a long way. (And yes I've read they're going to bring the list back. It's not here yet.)
Customization
If their goal is to make money by selling cosmetic changes than their current system is working against that. Having a bunch of pre-built mechs in the mech shop and parts clearly labeled as part of a set says "this is what the mechs are supposed to look like." When you own a mech it doesn't feel like it's "your mech" it's just "a mech" like everybody elses. What they should have done was let you choose from a large list of parts: Build Your Mech. Maybe for your first free mech there are three sets of parts to choose from, and a load more if you pay. Letting the player decide what their mechs are supposed to look like from the beginning will cement the idea of customization in their minds which will make it more likely for them to buy other parts for their next mech. Funny thing is this is what they were originally going for if you watch their videos.
I understand why we have pre-builts though. From a game design perspective having a distinct look for each playstyle lets you know what to expect on the battlefield. When you see the medium build round-top body you know to duck for cover because missiles will be flying your way soon.
They're also leaving money on the table because the mech editor doesn't let you change more than one item at a time. How are we supposed to know what it all looks like together? How was this not included considering the videos of their previous editor allowing multiple changes?
Changes From Old Builds:
Hovering
Their was a recent thread about the original Hawken videos that went viral and how different the game is now. The biggest difference I saw was the hovering mechanic. Who else wants that game badly? fuzzy bunny. It looked as if there was actually a use for hovering. There appeared to be meaningful physics and aerial control that you could use to your advantage. A mechanic you could work towards mastering and feel badass when you used it correctly. Right now the hovering is useless and slow. It's like a sloth playing with a toy helicopter and has about as much depth.
The thing is those weren't just concept videos. I'm pretty sure they had actual builds that played like that. The PAX11 video was released in a ramp up to their demo debut at the PAX event I believe, and the hovering appeared to be intact in that video.
Sound Design
This one I'm not sure I can fault them entirely. The sound design in the early videos was AMAZING. It felt so right for what they were going for. The reality is the sounds were probably meticulously adjusted and edited for those video, so basically a target they were shooting for. Hopefully they can get to that quality by "full release".
Large Maps
I don't know about you but when I saw large cities in the early videos I imagined we would be playing in large cities. The teams were plodding along, looking at things, activating turrets, not necessarily fighting at all times like it is now. It made me reminisce about playing Mechwarrior 4 online. In the beginning of the match you'd have to walk towards the middle of the usually large map unsure of where the enemy team would be. This could work in Hawken, but obviously it would not be for everyone. The option of playing on big maps would be cool.
Resistance to Logical Change:
Turret Mode
This really, really needs to change. Turret mode is useless in almost all situations. If I ever see a turret I think free kill. Everyone else does too. You're dead in the water if you even have a chance to get past its slow startup animation. Turret mode needs a movement speed increase to become viable. No dashing, boosting or hovering but at least SOME WAY to get to cover. Maybe not full speed walking but like at least half speed. As it is now turrets just eat too much damage, it's not worth it.
EMP
The concept of the EMP, the very idea of it in any form, is just bad. It's like if you were in a boxing match with magical magnetic gloves. Every minute (Seriously, is the cooldown really only a minute? I read this in a thread, that's completely ridiculous.) your opponent can press a button on his belt which automatically locks your hands behind your back for 7 seconds while you run around the ring taking the worst blows possible. That's the EMP. I don't even think there is an equivalent in any respected competitive game (and if you're gonna come in here to give examples think of the ease of use and duration). It's not fun and completely unfair. The proposed idea of an overheat item that is not nearly as powerful would be an acceptable alternative for a "crowd clearing item".
Meteor:
Meteor Points
Seriously? Don't make up an imaginary currency to mask the real cost like Microsofts 360 space bucks. Respect us by putting the real money value.
F2P
Originally Adhesive was shooting for a cross platform 360, PS3, PC release. This implies that they wanted it to be a regular downloadable title you pay for upfront and enjoy its full content. In multiple interviews they said they were in talks with publishers to make it happen, but ultimately I think a compromise had to be made and now Hawken is a F2P game. Other posters have correlated Adhesives/Meteors F2P approach with the dumbing down of customization and mechanics. The idea is since it's free things need to be made easier for people who don't know anything about the game so they can get hooked more easily. Is this the root of the problem? And what about their approach/missing features for OB? Was there a push to get it out before it was ready? (12,12,12? How convenient.)
Edited by superbank, January 04 2013 - 02:04 PM.

 

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			 . Heatbars on cokpit and no duplication of cockpit displays on HUD ! This i want, and no large mark: enemy sight.
. Heatbars on cokpit and no duplication of cockpit displays on HUD ! This i want, and no large mark: enemy sight. Wow.
 Wow.
					
					 
				
				
			









 
								




