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The HAWKEN: Ascension FAQ

Posted by [HWK]ZamboniChaos Sep 09 2013 06:21 PM in Game Information

The HAWKEN: Ascension FAQ

Greetings pilots!

HAWKEN: Ascension is just around the corner, and the community has raised some excellent questions as a result.

This FAQ is intended to answer some of the more commonly asked questions regarding the changes being made in HAWKEN: Ascension.

Q: Do you have any upcoming plans to address game balance, such as the current strength of some internals_
  • A: Now that we have the core mechanics in place, we will be focusing on feedback to assist with balancing. We have already begun to discuss the feedback we've received during the Community Playtest in regards to internals and other concerns.
Q: Why do some mechs have a faster dodge cooldown than others_
  • A: One of our main design focuses has been to make each mech feel unique, and we believe that adjusting speed is another way to make that possible. Overall, we are working to balance speed so it will no longer reign supreme as the dominant statistic. We gained valuable insight from our HAWKEN Advance Battalion tests, and we will continue to monitor and make adjustments as we move forward with the release of HAWKEN: Ascension. We are still in Open Beta, and more balance adjustments will certainly occur.
Q: When matchmaking, is Pilot Level or player skill more important_
  • A: Both are major factors considered when matchmaking and team balancing.
Q: Why are players required to purchase unlocks that were previously free, such as alternate weapons and ability upgrades_
  • A: We’ve rebalanced our economy and certain optional upgrades weren't previously taken into account with regards to things like HC generation. Overall, players will gain more HC but also have more things to spend HC on if they so desire.
Q: Why are some mechs more expensive than others_
  • A: This has to do with the order that mechs are unlocked through progression. Mechs that are farther into the Mech Unlock Tree are more expensive because it would require a greater amount of time to unlock them through progression.
Q: Are players required to unlock mech ranks after applying Overflow XP to their mechs_
  • A: Yes.
Q: Do you have to unlock all 5 mech ranks to receive the next mech in the tree_ Or is it unlocked simply by gaining enough XP_
  • A: All 5 mech ranks must be unlocked.
Q: How does party matchmaking work when dealing with players of different pilot levels_
  • A: The matchmaking system averages the pilot levels of the players in a party. If there is more than one game available that meets the matchmaking criteria, it factors in other variables, such as player skill.
Q: Is party vs. party matchmaking available_
  • A: No, this feature will be included in the future when we introduce more clan related functionality.
Q: What happened to the team switch button_
  • A: The team switch button was removed due to work related to the implementation of the new party system. We intend to roll out auto team balancing during matches within the next week (final date to be determined).



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22 Comments


Silverfire
Sep 09 2013 06:38 PM

View Post[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on September 09 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:


A: We’ve rebalanced our economy certain optional upgrades, weren't previously taken into account with regards to things like HC generation.

To...
A: We’ve rebalanced our economy. Certain optional upgrades weren't previously taken into account with regards to things like HC generation.


Grammar say what_

[HWK]ZamboniChaos
Sep 09 2013 06:43 PM

View PostSilverfire, on September 09 2013 - 06:38 PM, said:

View Post[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on September 09 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:


A: We’ve rebalanced our economy certain optional upgrades, weren't previously taken into account with regards to things like HC generation.

To...
A: We’ve rebalanced our economy. Certain optional upgrades weren't previously taken into account with regards to things like HC generation.


Grammar say what_

Fixed.

Xer06siX
Sep 09 2013 06:51 PM
^^  

you guys are silly.

Q_Q

h0B0
Sep 09 2013 06:53 PM

View Post[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on September 09 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:


Q: When matchmaking, is Pilot Level or player skill more important_
  • A: Both are major factors considered when matchmaking and team balancing.
What steps are in place to prevent stompage from higher skilled players_ What steps ar ein place to provide an apropriate amount of servers for everyone including high skilled players to quickly find a match anywhere at any time_ Are these features exploitable_
Q: Why are players required to purchase unlocks that were previously free, such as alternate weapons and ability upgrades_
  • A: We’ve rebalanced our economy certain optional upgrades, weren't previously taken into account with regards to things like HC generation. Overall, players will gain more HC but also have more things to spend HC on if they so desire.
Why are players required to purchase unlocks they have previously purchased_ Weapons and customization of items, internals, optimizations (aka mech ranks )used to be locked on free mechs and herefore a feaure that required purchasing the mech. One who has purshased his mech pre ascension will have to pay again for features he has already paid for.
Q: Why are some mechs more expensive than others_
  • A: This has to do with the order that mechs are unlocked through progression. Mechs that are farther into the Mech Unlock Tree are more expensive because it would require a greater amount of time to unlock them through progression.
Not really a question: Removing free mech rotation and artificially inflating mech prices doesn't particularly help the new player experience, i personally thing this is a poor design choice and will potentially lead to players not wanting to grind, just for the sake of grinding.
Q: How does party matchmaking work when dealing with players of different pilot levels_
  • A: The matchmaking system averages the pilot levels of the players in a party. If there is more than one game available that meets the matchmaking criteria, it factors in other variables, such as player skill.
A system that allows parties to be matched with pubs will always favor the team that is organized. Is there any intent to fix this flaw in design any time soon_ Or will party vs party only be available on demand, in the clan feature update_
Q: What happened to the team switch button_
  • A: The team switch button was removed due to work related to the implementation of the new party system. We intend to roll out auto team balancing during matches within the next week (final date to be determined).
i should not be forcefully team swapped and penalized If my opponent leaves. Nor should anyone on my team. Auto team switch is not a fair method of balancing games. Will the team switch button be made accessible somewhere down the line, so i can join my friends mid match, since the party system doesn;t allow it_

One of the major complaint i have seen during the playtest is the ascension HUD. How soon can we expect to see improvements to the HUD_ will we ever be able to customize our HUD as in crosshair color and radar position_

Glacius
Sep 09 2013 07:13 PM
Q: When are you going to stop changing features we love to ones that don't make sense_

For example: forced HUD restructure; shifting of mech playstyles and roles to the point where players feel like their MC was wasted when they dressed up a mech that simply does not function in the same way it used to; implementation of artificial limitations based on prescriptive notions of how you want the mech played vs. descriptive observations of how the mech is being played; addition of a mech (the technician) whose sole purpose is to undo another player's hard work and who makes redundant one of the few unique features of the game (repairing).

A: __

ReachH
Sep 09 2013 07:46 PM
The progressive mech tree grants the illusion that some mech classes are better than others.

ShadowWarg
Sep 09 2013 07:49 PM
I found that during the community test, I had less HC after I re unlocked (bought) everything that I had already unlocked before Ascension (such as alt weapons and items that were not transferred) even thought I was given extra HC before hand. Pre Ascension I have 48k, in the community test I was given double so I had about 96k. And when I say less I mean after re buying and not even getting back to everything I had before, I had near 8000 left.This is a major concern for me. I'm hoping this was just a bug or my account in the community test was just messed up (actually it was messed up but I have no idea if not having what I had before is related or not)

EliteShooter
Sep 09 2013 08:31 PM
bring back the switch button ! look at this mess:
Posted Image


We had to wait till s.o. joined sentium n then two of us switched there ! and u know what ; they became red dots in my map and I started shooting at them without them even aware about what happened !!!!! cuz the notifications are too small and no one can notice em

H0L0GRAM
Sep 09 2013 09:31 PM
I am optimistically worried, with anxious hope, nervous faith, and apprehensive anticipation... - Please don't let us down....

FakeName
Sep 09 2013 11:14 PM
I see balancing issues, I see they nerfed the speed/slowed down the game again ._.

Dedjal
Sep 10 2013 12:01 AM
I was playing a match the other day where I had scored 2 kills. This was right at the beginning of the match.
Suddenly the two blue mech infront of me got turned red, and looking at the stats, the enemy team had 2 kills while we had none.

I was removed to the other team with no warning, and my former team kept my kills. We lost with 1 kill...
Had I not been switched, or atleast kept my kills, we would have won!

I suggest making the teamswitch to only occure when one is dead and in the garage and provide a message informing you of the change.
Roaming around in a wolfpack and then suddenly change team makes you vulnerable and easy kill.

CaliberMengsk
Sep 10 2013 09:34 AM

View Post[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on September 09 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:

Q: What happened to the team switch button_
A: The team switch button was removed due to work related to the implementation of the new party system. We intend to roll out auto team balancing during matches within the next week (final date to be determined).
Please... no.... please. Just.... no.... don't. It's more annoying then sides being unbalanced to be switched ever minute or so in the name of "balance". These NEVER work right, and only become annoying. These are worse than kill cams IMO (and anyone that knows me, knows I really really really really hate killcams). Especially annoying when it switches you just before the match ends (anything past the halfway point) and there is no way at all that you can salvage the other teams loss. Just no. Don't put it in.

I don't care if my teammates all left, as long as it doesn't force people to change sides. It's not a good idea. I don't like it. Don't do it cause it will mess up the entire game for many people. They may not realize it, but it will. Just don't put it in, please.

Skrill
Sep 10 2013 11:28 AM

View Posth0B0, on September 09 2013 - 06:53 PM, said:

View Post[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on September 09 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:


Q: When matchmaking, is Pilot Level or player skill more important_
  • A: Both are major factors considered when matchmaking and team balancing.
What steps are in place to prevent stompage from higher skilled players_ What steps ar ein place to provide an apropriate amount of servers for everyone including high skilled players to quickly find a match anywhere at any time_ Are these features exploitable_
Q: Why are players required to purchase unlocks that were previously free, such as alternate weapons and ability upgrades_
  • A: We’ve rebalanced our economy certain optional upgrades, weren't previously taken into account with regards to things like HC generation. Overall, players will gain more HC but also have more things to spend HC on if they so desire.
Why are players required to purchase unlocks they have previously purchased_ Weapons and customization of items, internals, optimizations (aka mech ranks )used to be locked on free mechs and herefore a feaure that required purchasing the mech. One who has purshased his mech pre ascension will have to pay again for features he has already paid for.
Q: Why are some mechs more expensive than others_
  • A: This has to do with the order that mechs are unlocked through progression. Mechs that are farther into the Mech Unlock Tree are more expensive because it would require a greater amount of time to unlock them through progression.
Not really a question: Removing free mech rotation and artificially inflating mech prices doesn't particularly help the new player experience, i personally thing this is a poor design choice and will potentially lead to players not wanting to grind, just for the sake of grinding.
Q: How does party matchmaking work when dealing with players of different pilot levels_
  • A: The matchmaking system averages the pilot levels of the players in a party. If there is more than one game available that meets the matchmaking criteria, it factors in other variables, such as player skill.
A system that allows parties to be matched with pubs will always favor the team that is organized. Is there any intent to fix this flaw in design any time soon_ Or will party vs party only be available on demand, in the clan feature update_
Q: What happened to the team switch button_
  • A: The team switch button was removed due to work related to the implementation of the new party system. We intend to roll out auto team balancing during matches within the next week (final date to be determined).
i should not be forcefully team swapped and penalized If my opponent leaves. Nor should anyone on my team. Auto team switch is not a fair method of balancing games. Will the team switch button be made accessible somewhere down the line, so i can join my friends mid match, since the party system doesn;t allow it_

One of the major complaint i have seen during the playtest is the ascension HUD. How soon can we expect to see improvements to the HUD_ will we ever be able to customize our HUD as in crosshair color and radar position_

DAT WHITE CROSSHAIR!! Posted Image

Xtratega
Sep 10 2013 09:40 PM
This patch...  

God dammit... No...

SpectreOfChar
Sep 11 2013 10:36 PM
anyway to fix screen_ it cuts off right hand side I tried adjusting res in system settings and still cant read right hand side i'm using 1240x768.

SlaughterLord
Sep 11 2013 10:45 PM
Hawken sucks with the new patch. Did not win one single match. Old hawken was fun to play. Best thing it is for free. Will go for other game like World of Tanks.

Bye, hawken !

SilentJacket
Sep 11 2013 10:48 PM

View PostSlaughterLord, on September 11 2013 - 10:45 PM, said:

Hawken sucks with the new patch. Did not win one single match. Old hawken was fun to play. Best thing it is for free. Will go for other game like World of Tanks.

Bye, hawken !

huh...


My only gripe is the Brawler speed

SlaughterLord
Sep 11 2013 11:14 PM
New hawken looks great, but gameplay is awful. I have a level 25 Reaper, but no chance anymore. Only dying. Shot a tech with low health many, many times but he wont die. I am really pissed with the new patch. Thought, I have found a great game, because I liked Mechwarrior in the early days, but now Hawken sucks. Will give it 1 or 2 more tries. When it is stll sucking, i will go with WoT or other similiar free games.

SilentJacket
Sep 11 2013 11:19 PM

View PostSlaughterLord, on September 11 2013 - 11:14 PM, said:

New hawken looks great, but gameplay is awful. I have a level 25 Reaper, but no chance anymore. Only dying. Shot a tech with low health many, many times but he wont die. I am really pissed with the new patch. Thought, I have found a great game, because I liked Mechwarrior in the early days, but now Hawken sucks. Will give it 1 or 2 more tries. When it is stll sucking, i will go with WoT or other similiar free games.

try a lower ranking game

MeteHow
Sep 14 2013 07:43 PM
porq no me anda___ me dice q me falta xdaudio.

maverick1999
Sep 15 2013 05:37 AM
I am sorry but the old Hawken was addictive, immersive, fun !
The new HUD is horrible, the gameplay has changed so much and is no longer fun.

Like others have said Hawken Ascension sucks. I am no longer playing it.
Maybe somebody will do an open source remake.

Good bye Hawken.

Doctor_Fist
Oct 18 2013 09:38 PM

SilentJacket, on September 11 2013 - 11:19 PM, said:

Posted ImageSlaughterLord, on , said:

New hawken looks great, but gameplay is awful. I have a level 25 Reaper, but no chance anymore. Only dying. Shot a tech with low health many, many times but he wont die. I am really pissed with the new patch. Thought, I have found a great game, because I liked Mechwarrior in the early days, but now Hawken sucks. Will give it 1 or 2 more tries. When it is stll sucking, i will go with WoT or other similiar free games.

try a lower ranking game

They really need to add a dislike button so passive-aggressive trolls like silentjacket can be more aware of what they say/type.

The community seems to agree; Ascension is garbage, but Hawken is beta. So.. Guess I'll go find some lower ranked game to have more fun with aswell. o/