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Development Update: 12/13/2013

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#1 [HWK]HUGHES

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:08 PM

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Greetings Pilots!

Here's a development update for the past two weeks. We've certainly been busy with not only the Wreckage release but also the minor update deployed yesterday as well. Speaking of the minor update...

A Minor Update

We posted patch notes for the minor update earlier this week, so make sure you take a look at them if you haven't already! The primary fix was for Last Eco Winter performance issues but we also included a few adjustments to Wreckage collision and base turret placement. A few game balance adjustments were also included to address some of the hot topics within the community. They're small tweaks and and definitely not all we have planned for balance, but they're important and what we were able to include in a relatively short amount of time. Some of the other balance fixes are higher risk and not good to roll out quickly without more testing.

Economy Changes

We made an adjustment to the economy by removing HC from almost all of our Service Awards and I know there will be questions about this decision. The change was made because our economy has become out of balance and HC has lost value. We rolled out Service Awards in April, Ascension in September and a lot has happened with the game over the course of these past 7 or 8 months. Game changes made with Ascension resulted in players earning more HC than originally expected, especially when the earnings from Service Awards are included. Now yes, balance isn't just about the earning rate of HC and we also must take into account factors such as the cost of goods, number of items available, types of purchases and inventory unlocks which were all impacted by Ascension changes. We have months of data to compare against and the imbalance is quite noticeable. It's also important to remember that after Ascension, 6 mechs can now be unlocked for free by new users simply by playing which wasn't an option previously.

This is not the only change coming that will have an impact on the economy but it's necessary we start leveling out the value of HC as soon as possible so that future changes aren't negatively impacted. We will be keeping a keen eye on earning and spending over the coming weeks and adjust further as needed.

Online Services

As a reminder from a previous Development Update, the occasional connection issues that players are experiencing are not related to the minor update released this week but instead are a result of the work being done on our platform and backend services. It's been a rather large undertaking and we're addressing database performance, improving scalability and giving us some greater flexibility in our hosting options (just to name a few goals).

While we wish these updates could be made without any user interruption, sometimes small hiccups do happen and are a necessary evil. The past week has been a bit shaky for users but was necessary to make the improvements we're striving for. We also switched to a new method of patching to help reduce the downtime by a considerable amount and this week was the first use of this new system, resulting in some deployment bugs. It's good that these bugs did surface and they're all being worked out for the next release.

What's Next

It's only been a little over a week since Wreckage but many of you are already wondering what's next. We are well into December if you can believe it and we have reached the end of the major updates planned for 2013. There are outstanding community concerns about many aspects of the game including gameplay balance, matchmaking, server browser access and skirmish functionality. We see the feedback, we read the feedback and we digest the feedback. On this topic, you have probably noticed the new Mech Hanger subforum that we recently created and this is a great place to share you game balance feedback with us. Keep in mind that most members of the team simply don’t have the time to respond directly to posts and suggestions during the day. So even if you don’t see responses, it doesn't mean we didn’t see the posted suggestions.

What I’m getting at is this; there are revisions coming to the game that are closely tied to community feedback.

There are updates we'd love to share with you right now about what we intend to release in early 2014 but we need to solidify the timeline first. It isn't for any particular super-secret reason or because of some kind of exclusive press reveal, nor does it have anything to do with progress of development. It's about wanting to speak as accurately as possible about the coming months without throwing out loose information. So, the details on what’s rolling out will have to wait for another Development Update. Don’t get the wrong idea either, it’s not a mind-warping monster update like Ascension, we’re just building and improving on what we have. So why did I even mention it in the first place? We feel it’s important to communicate that we are listening to the feedback provided and we hope when we start speaking with you on what’s coming, you’ll agree.

As we close, in addition to what was mentioned in the last Development Update here's more of what's actively being worked on for an upcoming release:

    [*]6v6 Party Searches / Scrims:An option will available on the PLAY menu that allows parties of 6 to find other parties of 6. Join in progress and team balancing will be disabled and after the match, players will exit the server with their parties still in tact, ready to play again.

    [*]Countermeasures Co-Op Only:We are moving countermeasures be a co-op only feature which will give us the ability to have even more fun with what we can create.

    [*]Co-Op Support on an Additional Map:Co-Op will be playable on another map so it won't just be Facility for much longer.

    [*]Recent Players List:It will easier to make friends as we will keep a list of the most recent players you've encountered online so if you're back at the main menu you can add people you just played against to your friends list.

    [*]Player Emblems:Change your client pilot emblem, see the emblems of others, earn them as rewards. Special emblems will also be rewarded to those who took part in the Vanguard Initiative.

    [/list]That's it for now. We'll be keeping an eye on performance over the weekend to see how the servers are doing and make adjustments as necessary. We do apologize for the bumps recently but I assure you we have people working hard at crazy hours on improving the experience.Thanks Everyone!

    Click here to view the article

Jason Hughes
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#2 Mobstarr

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:22 PM

Nice read, thanks for the informations!

#3 hendman

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:23 PM

I actually thought people made less HC when the achievements were introduced........after the initial easy earnings it seemed to slack of? But when you have the data, you have the data :)

Anyways, thanks for update.

Edited by hendman, December 13 2013 - 06:23 PM.


#4 ChubaMecha

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:24 PM

less hc? :/

Edited by ChubaMecha, December 13 2013 - 06:24 PM.

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#5 BradersVal

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:35 PM

View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on December 13 2013 - 06:08 PM, said:

An option will available on the PLAY menu that allows parties of 6 to find other parties of 6. Join in progress and team balancing will be disabled and after the match, players will exit the server with their parties still in tact, ready to play again.
  • 6v6 Party Searches / Scrims:

I'ts not going to be like quickmatch is it? where a team of six is randomly drawn against another team of six looking to play. If a team has flagged themselves as ready to play, can we manually select a specific team to play against from a list?
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#6 DreamedArtist

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:38 PM

I think the HC right now after the removal of extra HC from the service awards is just fine. If you start to drop the amount even more then you are walking into pay to win territory and having excessive grinding might turn off people from playing ( IMO )

The internals and such that you get with hawken credits and MC/Real money have to go. and make it only HC not mc cause it ruins the point on playing and puts instant buy in play and have a head start on others which again is looks like pay to win.
even buying the upgrades with mc for the mech that you level up is no great. to me that is the only issue I think has to be fixed and keep MC to only to cosmetics.

But keep up the work and keep the good patches coming! and ps don't drop the H earnings anymore I think its good just where it is now.

Edited by DreamedArtist, December 13 2013 - 06:56 PM.

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#7 ShadowWarg

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:43 PM

Quick question. Will pre-mades of lower numbers also be matched with pre-made of a similar number? (i.e. 2v2, 3v3, 4v4. 5v5) or will teams have the option to request solo players from a lobby or from those who are in matchmaking to join them for a full 6v6 match? Will there be an option for solo's who chose matchmaking to join pre-mades that have not managed to reach a full team? Will there be something simpler, such separating pre-made teams into just 6v6 groups and 3v3 groups?

I understand this is WAY down the line. Was just curious.

Also I am in full support of Economy balancing. Balance away! :lol:

Edited by ShadowWarg, December 13 2013 - 06:44 PM.


#8 h0B0

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Posted December 13 2013 - 06:43 PM

You claim to be more open in your communication yet you keep basing certain changes on data you are constantly unwilling to share with the community.

The grindyness of the game has considerably increased in ascension, lowering the HC gains does nothing to help the community gain access to the supposed customization you are promoting and fight on equal footing.

More so than providing a product of poor quality the biggest issues i have with hawken is.
  • Their lack of transparency/openess.
  • the consistent increase in nickel and dimey practices.
  • Changing previous purchases without informing any of the customers. ( skins)
  • lack of information relating to real money purchases which can lead people to spend on features they wouldn't have spent on if they were properly informed.( boosters, skins, taxes )
Feel free to ignore me and divert attention elsewhere without adressing these concerns in a timely fashion like you do on a regular basis.

Exemple: https://community.pl...100#entry395716

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View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on March 15 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Oh don't always listen to h0B0. Lol.


#9 ThirdEyE

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:01 PM

View Post[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on October 04 2013 - 06:22 PM, said:


Q: When will Vanguard Initiative Commanders be able to equip the Cupcake chassis on all C-Class Mechs?

Chris Vance:
In our November release, there will be a unique achievement just for our VI Commanders that will award you with a global-unlock of the "Cupcake" chassis. To unlock this reward, you will simply play one match as the "Initiative Vanguard" (Vanguard Cupcake). Once the match is over, you will unlock the Cupcake chassis and it will be able to be unlocked for all of your C-Class mechs!

We will also be providing all Vanguard Initiate Commanders with a free, exclusive piece of Cupcake Chassis Art! It's our way of saying thank you for your support and patience.

I love being able to equip my sexy Cupcake parts on all my C-classes, so thanks for that!  However I was under the impression that we were also getting the Cupcake chassis art at or around the same time.  Not to pester you, but any update on that?

Looking forward to the 6v6 system, emblems, countermeasure change, and everything else you guys have in store.  Just wanted to say thanks for putting in all the time and effort :)
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#10 h0B0

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:08 PM

View PostThirdEyE, on December 13 2013 - 07:01 PM, said:

View Post[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on October 04 2013 - 06:22 PM, said:


Q: When will Vanguard Initiative Commanders be able to equip the Cupcake chassis on all C-Class Mechs?

Chris Vance:
In our November release, there will be a unique achievement just for our VI Commanders that will award you with a global-unlock of the "Cupcake" chassis. To unlock this reward, you will simply play one match as the "Initiative Vanguard" (Vanguard Cupcake). Once the match is over, you will unlock the Cupcake chassis and it will be able to be unlocked for all of your C-Class mechs!

We will also be providing all Vanguard Initiate Commanders with a free, exclusive piece of Cupcake Chassis Art! It's our way of saying thank you for your support and patience.

I love being able to equip my sexy Cupcake parts on all my C-classes, so thanks for that!  However I was under the impression that we were also getting the Cupcake chassis art at or around the same time.  Not to pester you, but any update on that?

Looking forward to the 6v6 system, emblems, countermeasure change, and everything else you guys have in store.  Just wanted to say thanks for putting in all the time and effort :)

Give them another 12 months or so to finalize it.

As you might have noticed, from the lack of november patch and 2 missing weekly updates, keeping their word and punctuality if not one of their strength.

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View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on March 15 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Oh don't always listen to h0B0. Lol.


#11 r4phstryker

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:08 PM

View Post[HWK]HUGHES, on December 13 2013 - 06:08 PM, said:

Economy Changes

I admit it...  i fuzzy bunny your HC system to much lol ;)
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#12 OmegaNull

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:13 PM

Hm...

Scootin' and Shootin | Ballin' and Brawlin' | Ragin' and Raidin'

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I am Omega Null. The abyss is my home and your last frontier. Welcome to my lair and become my Prey. As I track your scent through this nether,

my mouth begins to water. Your Demise will be quick and wretched.

Enjoy your Pain and Suffering as I tear Limb from Limb. Prepare to meet your Final End.

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#13 ropefish

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:16 PM

oh i cant wait for this :D
(update my game for testing pls xD)

oh i used your pic hughes :3 just for you

Edited by ropefish, December 13 2013 - 07:19 PM.

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View PostDaPheel, on October 26 2013 - 01:05 AM, said:

You don't nuke Ropefish : ROPEFISH NUKES YOU!

#14 OdinTheWise

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:24 PM

Has there been any actual progress on full clan features? It's been a year since the game has been available and still no clan features. Clan features should be a #1 priority for f2p games such as these.

Also merchandise.

Edited by OdinTheWise, December 13 2013 - 07:25 PM.

because bow ties are cool


#15 fingerknitter

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:44 PM

h0B0, on December 13 2013 - 06:43 PM, said:

You claim to be more open in your communication yet you keep basing certain changes on data you are constantly unwilling to share with the community.

They are more open as of late...just because they didn't graph it for you doesn't mean they haven't been more open. It doesn't take much to be more open, and it seems really silly to me to judge their "open-ness" on one thing you seem to be irrationally passionate about.

Exemple: https://community.pl..._40#entry400488

Edited by fingerknitter, December 13 2013 - 07:45 PM.

[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on December 10 2013 - 05:29 PM, said:

Sure thing! :D Thanks for being constructive.
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#16 [HWK]HUGHES

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Posted December 13 2013 - 07:55 PM

...to answer you both...

View PostBradersVal, on December 13 2013 - 06:35 PM, said:

I'ts not going to be like quickmatch is it? where a team of six is randomly drawn against another team of six looking to play. If a team has flagged themselves as ready to play, can we manually select a specific team to play against from a list?

This is how the initial roll out of this feature will function, similarly to Quick Match. We'd really love to be able to offer that additional layer on this initial release but it'll have to come a little further down the line.

View PostShadowWarg, on December 13 2013 - 06:43 PM, said:

Quick question. Will pre-mades of lower numbers also be matched with pre-made of a similar number? (i.e. 2v2, 3v3, 4v4. 5v5) or will teams have the option to request solo players from a lobby or from those who are in matchmaking to join them for a full 6v6 match? Will there be an option for solo's who chose matchmaking to join pre-mades that have not managed to reach a full team? Will there be something simpler, such separating pre-made teams into just 6v6 groups and 3v3 groups?

I understand this is WAY down the line. Was just curious.

Also I am in full support of Economy balancing. Balance away! :lol:

For the initial release it'll require a player to be in a party of 6 to use the feature. What you're suggesting requires more of a lobby feature and it's not something we currently have support for yet but those are all really good options we'd love to offer players!

View Postropefish, on December 13 2013 - 07:16 PM, said:

oh i used your pic hughes :3 just for you

Oh I noticed... :D

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Producer || Adhesive Games || twitter: @digitalHUGHES


#17 TWHITE

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Posted December 13 2013 - 08:04 PM

The game is amazing, my favorite of all time.  I play on two different accounts and I come in first place a lot. The game encourages crazy fast button pushing and all that with needing to aim well and that gets old or wears me out after not to long.

I have an idea that might make your game much more fun and help you make a hole lot more money. Why not incorporate some kind of planetary orbital thing that causes disruptions in the planets gravity and time or something, basically causing the whole game to go into slow motion or just kind of a slow motion every minute for 5 or 10 seconds, or every few minutes.  This would give players an opportunity to take in the incredible art work and genius environments you have made.  It would be so fun to see things blowing up and have time and be forced to take it all in. A variation like this would help players appreciate the normal pace it runs at.   I think if you had one map with this type of feature you could test it out and let the players see what they think. It would give everyone a change of pace during the matches and an opportunity to enjoy your fantastic creation.

It might bring more paying customers like myself and keep us playing longer than we physically can with out the scenic breaks.  Please seriously consider this idea I would love it if you did and I promise to spend thousands on the game if you make this happen.  

let me know what you think
Ryan White

accounts =   rywhiteboy@gmail.com and Tychillen@hotmail.com

#18 Nept

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Posted December 13 2013 - 08:13 PM

View Posth0B0, on December 13 2013 - 06:43 PM, said:

Feel free to ignore me and divert attention elsewhere without adressing these concerns in a timely fashion like you do on a regular basis.

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Complaining about Hawken's population?  Read this: https://community.pl...en/#entry524454

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#19 Silk_Sk

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Posted December 13 2013 - 08:31 PM

Any word on when the real Hellfire fix is coming? The damage nerf was nice but far from the real problem.
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#20 DreamedArtist

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Posted December 13 2013 - 08:48 PM

Any word on when the final weapon is coming out for he tech?
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