105 replies to this topic

[Cpt_Kill_Jack]

OK there are reasons. Steam will let you do early access without a price tag but most do charge. Steam will only let the developer choose one of either early access or preorders but not both. They both can have multiple packages but Preorders can have more than one package but won't give the player immediate access.


TL;DR
Steam makes The developer charge for Early Access.
Steam will let the developer choose one or the other Early access or preorders. Most now do Early Access and do charge for it to get those extra funds while still getting testers into the game.

Edited by Cpt_Kill_Jack, February 13 2014 - 07:13 AM.

[RooksBailey]

[HWK]ZamboniChaos, on February 11 2014 - 06:33 PM, said:

RooksBailey, on February 11 2014 - 06:26 PM, said:

I miss the "War is a Machine" tag line though.  I want that to come back.  

Rejoice!

LOL!  Great!  Now I want to see it in the trailer!  

[Hijinks_The_Turtle]

Cpt_Kill_Jack, on February 11 2014 - 06:44 PM, said:

OK there are reasons. Steam will let you do early access but only with a price tag. They will also only allow one package under early access. Steam will only let the developer choose one of either early access or preorders but not both. Preorders can have more than one package but won't give the player immediate access.

This is Steam/Valves policy getting in the way. User Entertainment went through this and explained everything about Steams policy. Their early access at this time for Planetary Annihilation was $90.

TL;DR
Steam makes The developer charge for Early Access.

Really_ O_o  Whoa didn't know that one.  If that's so, it does explain this uncharacteristic move by ADH.  I'm newish to Steam so I wouldn't know. xD

Edited by Hijinks_The_Turtle, February 11 2014 - 07:11 PM.

[CounterlogicMan]

Well, so much for the huge influx of players I was so excited for. All in good time. Do it right, not quick.

Edited by CounterlogicMan, February 11 2014 - 06:51 PM.

[Cpt_Kill_Jack]

You guys started quoting before I finished. I hit the wrong button on the phone writing this from work.

[one_up]

I think Dota 2 did something similar to help control server load when leaving open beta

[KeramatZMode]

Sounds like a bit of a bad move if you ask me. I don't know how to put it in a better word for it.

I was hyping up the game with all my friends on every single social sites there is, to get more people occupying the asian servers.
Everyone was like, yeah we're downloading the game since it's up on steam, see you on 12 feb.

Then bam, early access "package" out of nowhere. Sure it's server load and stuff, but do we even have THAT kind of server load_ Why not server test_ Why not "buy this package to get early access or wait up till your key get sent like everyone else_".

But meh, it can't be helped. At least I can buy MC again.
Sorry ADH, this time you kinda lost my respect there.

[Putroid]

Cpt_Kill_Jack, on February 11 2014 - 06:44 PM, said:

OK there are reasons. Steam will let you do early access but only with a price tag. They will also only allow one package under early access. Steam will only let the developer choose one of either early access or preorders but not both. Preorders can have more than one package but won't give the player immediate access.

This is Steam/Valves policy getting in the way. User Entertainment went through this and explained everything about Steams policy. Their early access at this time for Planetary Annihilation was $90.

TL;DR
Steam makes The developer charge for Early Access.

That explains a lot, but doesn't give them immunity to criticism.

They could have kept supprt from their launcher or have  " released " the open beta on steam. It has been done before.

[Lucier]

Mech__Warrior, on February 11 2014 - 06:21 PM, said:

"However, all secondary weapons possess a special ability that provides additional functionality. Use the middle mouse button to activate that ability."

I don't think this is true regarding the grenade launcher, nor the TOW.

The middle mouse button detonates grenades & TOWs.

[fingerknitter]

Cpt_Kill_Jack, on February 11 2014 - 06:44 PM, said:

OK there are reasons. Steam will let you do early access but only with a price tag. They will also only allow one package under early access. Steam will only let the developer choose one of either early access or preorders but not both. Preorders can have more than one package but won't give the player immediate access.

This is Steam/Valves policy getting in the way. User Entertainment went through this and explained everything about Steams policy. Their early access at this time for Planetary Annihilation was $90.

TL;DR
Steam makes The developer charge for Early Access.

It's a steam thing, so I can see why some of us may have been somewhat confused, but I doubt that the usual Steam group will misunderstand it

[1kingsman]

Ok. Right now. Take a look at the button you have to enlist and download the game. It reads (and I quote) "You are free to fight! Play free." Clicking on the button leads you to a page where you have to buy a key on Steam in order to play the game. Get rid of this button now. It is false advertising, and is wrong on so many levels. If you have to purchase anything to play the game, even right now in early access, it is not free right now and all things must reflect that.

P.S. you might want to take a look at this chat box. Typing for a while, using the formatting toolbar to format text as you type, clicking to disable formatting when you are done, continuing to type, then backspacing to correct a typo causes you to start backspacing from the last time you clicked on the toolbar, not where the cursor is actually at.

[nokari]

Dat aerial shot of the group of mechs boosting in Facility is gorgeous.

Just saying.

[Cpt_Kill_Jack]

1kingsman, on February 11 2014 - 08:23 PM, said:

Ok. Right now. Take a look at the button you have to enlist and download the game. It reads (and I quote) "You are free to fight! Play free." Clicking on the button leads you to a page where you have to buy a key on Steam in order to play the game. Get rid of this button now. It is false advertising, and is wrong on so many levels. If you have to purchase anything to play the game, even right now in early access, it is not free right now and all things must reflect that.

P.S. you might want to take a look at this chat box. Typing for a while, using the formatting toolbar to format text as you type, clicking to disable formatting when you are done, continuing to type, then backspacing to correct a typo causes you to start backspacing from the last time you clicked on the toolbar, not where the cursor is actually at.

I do partially agree but it's a steam policy stranglehold that is making them do it.

As for the post box it's one of the bugs that is in this version of IP.Board.

[AsianJoyKiller]

Steam policies aside, this is a clever business tactic.
Games are drumming up a lot of money these days charging for early access (even if in a case like Hawken's, where the early access isn't really early).

There's going to be a lot of people hearing about this for the first time through Steam, and plenty of them are willing to throw cash in for "exclusivity". "Exclusivity", even temporary exclusivity, is a powerful concept. Never underestimate what it can do to a persons mindset.

I'll leave the moral/ethical issues about it up to you to consider for yourself.
Doesn't particularly bother me. Pretty standard practice for the industry, and smart business.

[DFTR]

I still dislike Steam and it's policies like this that reinforce my dislike.
That being said, I think it is better that the game went into steam.
Thanks for the explanation Captain.

Cpt_Kill_Jack, on February 11 2014 - 06:44 PM, said:

OK there are reasons. Steam will let you do early access but only with a price tag. They will also only allow one package under early access. Steam will only let the developer choose one of either early access or preorders but not both. Preorders can have more than one package but won't give the player immediate access.

This is Steam/Valves policy getting in the way. User Entertainment went through this and explained everything about Steams policy. Their early access at this time for Planetary Annihilation was $90.

TL;DR
Steam makes The developer charge for Early Access.

[dEd101]

Can existing users get a similar pack without the mechs for a lower price. I have two of most of them but I'd like all the skulls and goodies that come with.

Edited by dEd101, February 11 2014 - 10:20 PM.

[KaszaWspraju]

Pity you for choosing to enter the worst trend in the steam and the entire gaming industry, paying for early access,  $ 30.

[ShadowWarg]

So is the content patch coming with this thrusday or is it just early access_

[Draigun]

It's all about perspective here:

From a PC gamer standpoint, it would certainly seem to not make sense, but what ADH/Meteor are doing is better for the game for both sides, whether we like it or not. The game isn't ready to be released yet, and the amount of stress the system can take is unknown. Remember, HAWKEN is opening up to a very large audience, and this has not happened before in HAWKEN history. Therefore, it is better to limit the player base in this situation that has extensive overhauls (i.e. Steam release patch).

This is only for a limited time, and players waiting to play probably won't have to wait for a long time. With that being said, stop whining about it and respect the decision. Don't want to pay $29.99 for early access to a soon to be F2P game on Steam_ Then don't, especially when you can simply wait it out. Those complaining likely either have close-minded viewpoints, or are simply impatient for the game to come out on Steam for full access.

However, I do understand that it's considered greedy from a PC gamer standpoint - that HAWKEN is not F2P at the moment, and costs a ridiculous price (I do agree that the price is quite high, $19.99 would probably have had the same result in my opinion with reduced benefits of course), especially when previous players are obviously getting early access without the fee. But when you think about it, players who joined back then, were generally there to offer constructive feedback.

What's making everyone butthurt is the fact that the game was absolutely free to play for the longest time, and all of a sudden, the game makes rapid changes, which includes the decision to put it up for early access on Steam with a price tag. Ironically, the people who are complaining actually don't need the package and early access, since they already have access to it. But what about people wishing to play without a fee_ Well, they should have enlisted beforehand, otherwise they will have to wait. The game wasn't suppose to become prevalent on the PC gaming market until now.

TL;DR:

Putting up a player base limiter masquerading as an early access entry point to the game is quite an intelligent decision. The company will be able to generate money, all the while limiting the stress on the systems and getting a few more players in. What better way then to execute it like such_ Since this game is F2P, funds have to become reality for this game to continue to exist - remember that.

Edited by Draigun, February 11 2014 - 10:57 PM.

[Py687]

Uh, let me get this straight.

You want people to pay $30 to handle an increase in server load_ Where's that load going to come from ... the people who pay $30_

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, ADH.

smh