I would be much much more inclined to spend real dollars on cosmetic things like thrusters and camo - seriously, much more inclined - if there were more opportunities during the game (not just the garage) to actually see my mech.
When repairing, your mech is stationary and in fetal position, and the camera is elevated for situational awareness - you really cant get a nice look.
You could argue that cosmetic things are mainly for other people to see, but i'm seriously not a fan of that.
The single thing that would compel me to spend more money on hawken is if a simple, no-frills, OPTIONAL third person view was added - the HUD can remain exactly the same - it can be an asymmetrical style third person view, over either the left or right shoulder (perhaps a toggle_), or it can be some other form of third person view.
I would get a much greater sense of ownership of a product i am paying for if i can simply look at it more. I mean, when do I ever see thrusters_ at 358 hawken points, that's what, $2.50_ To never see my thrusters_
I am serious, i will throw money at you if someone spends however long it takes to implement a simple, functional third person view.
I understand that the advantage of situational awareness would go to those in third person - able to see around corners- but what if it were a very tight third person view - hovering just over the shoulder.
Besides, it is not necessarily a real "advantage" since every player will have it as an option. If anything, it could even be a new hotkey-assignable command that lets players quickly toggle it in game - first person for combat, third person for roaming, quick switching for tricky situations.
Seriously, I will build a catapult designed solely for shooting my own projectile money at you guys if you add third person.
I love you.
wat
PS - I am obsessed with Hawken because I connect with its art. The imagination and design choices totally resonate with me as much as star wars did when i was a kid. I loved collecting models and staring at concept art and right now the mech designs in hawken, especially the Reaper and the unreleased "Pat", are some of my favorite sci-fi concepts out there. I am craving better ways to look at my mech.
Edited by wat, March 01 2013 - 11:50 PM.