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Things I have noticed as a new player.

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#1
GondabBadong

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So I've started playing Hawken, have about Four hours into the game, and while I am enjoying myself, there are a few things that I've been noticing that are, while not deal breaking in their own right, quite aggravating.

 

First off there is being constantly slotted into one sided teams when one player drops.  I get that you have to replace a jerk who dropped from the match or when someone when a bad internet connection times out... however, I will say, as a New Player I need those daily first wins... I just do, I have two Mechs, the starter and a Reaper, and I can't play anything else because I need to level up the mechs I actually have before I even touch the rotation, so when I constantly get slotted into matches where the team I'm on is less than half, or one fourth of the other team's score, it's rather disheartening, and because I'm not a jerk I can't just drop from the match even if it is hopeless.  I'm not saying give me free wins for the game moneyz, I'm saying I would like an option to start at the beginning of a match to make it more fair.

 

Secondly, Unlocking weapons that you then have to purchase.  So I ranked up my reaper and it said I had a new weapon available, I was needing a little weapon variation so I went to equip it, only to find out that the weapon would take more in game cash than I even had on me at the moment.  So I just can't get it until I get several more Mechs, and because I'm saving up for Scout (Which is a more expensive one), those take priority over a single weapon for one Mech, so I'm stuck with no weapon variation until far in the future.

 

I have to admit that I am limiting myself slightly, after all, there is a rotation, I could take one of those, but I'm the sort that just needs at least a limited permanency.  I like leveling up my Mech through battles and attaching stuff to them to help in fights.  It's just, at the rate I'm going, its going to take a very long time to unlock enough equipment and Mechs to where I can actually pick what variety I want for the current battlefield situation.


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#2
Merl61

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The grind is steep, but when you compare it to other free to plays, it's actually not bad. When I first started, I bought almost only mechs and weapons. Items and internals help, but are not necessary. If you'd like any advice, come by ts5.gameservers.com:9152 There are many players there that can offer a diverse range of opinions regarding what purchases you can make.


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#3
Silk_Sk

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One the one side, the grind isn't really as bad as it seems. On the other, I think newer players should be given more early HC bonuses to let them feel out what mechs and weapons they like better. Back when HC bonuses came with service awards, this was how the game worked. But then the bonuses were removed. I really think they should be brought back.

 

As for being put into the losing team, there's not really a solution to that. Just practice until you get good enough to be a benefit to the team and maybe bring in a win. If not, just stay in the server for the next game and it will re-balance the teams. I'd recommend using the server browser and joining games that are almost full. They tend to be balanced.



#4
ticklemyiguana

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My honest recommendation is to purchase a starter pack if it's available. If you think this is the sort of game you'll be into, it's absolutely worth it. You'll get a variety of mechs unlocked and get a better feel for the game quickly. The only other option really is to just keep at it.

Merl is right though, seek community assistance when it comes to those vital early purchases. The teamspeak is a good way to go about that. Not only will you get advice on purchasing decisions, but more experienced players are willing to help you make the most of what you do have, likely by taking some time to play against you 1v1 on a fight club server and critique your techniques.

Edited by ticklemyiguana, 22 March 2015 - 11:36 AM.

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#5
Elite_is_salty

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Grind = Best part


Edited by EliteShooter, 22 March 2015 - 11:43 AM.

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#6
Silk_Sk

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Grind = Best part

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Edited by Silk_Sk, 22 March 2015 - 11:58 AM.

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#7
LRod

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I would also add, that as more players get into the game, the balancing algorithms will match you up better.  There is nothing anyone can do about the 'rage quitters'...it's just something you have to be able to compensate for in your playing style.  As for purchasing better items with the HC you earn; the grind is part of the learning curve crucible, and this will actually help you hone your skills.  When you do get other weapons, you will be far more experienced in developing your play style, and the benefit will be that you can more easily incorporate the new weapon.  You have to understand that your starting primary is just as capable as any of the other options, since no primary is better than another, the other options are just that...options.  In some cases, I have unlocked/purchased all of the weapon choices, only to find that for my playing style the starting primary suits me best.  Good luck and we'll see you out there!


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#8
Black_Knight_Sky

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Honest opinion, to echo a previous poster, I would strongly weigh the options of purchasing either a starter pack or some MC just to make ends meet while starting out. It will really smooth your experience gathering a variety of mechs and weapons, but will also encourage the new dev team. The grind isn't that bad at all, doubly so once you have a solid 2-3 mechs you play regularly since you're just fine tweeking those mechs and maybe saving for a new one. As for matchmaking there is little that can be done there, I do agree that it's fustrating going into a game with a 30-40% spread between the two teams since at that point you better hope that the people replacing the people rage quitting are god tier to even start praying for a come-back but until we see an influx of new players there really isn't much that can be done. So, for that I would suggest getting a buddy, since I find that going into matchmaking with a friend usually gets you into either the pre-game lobby or a game that's just starting.

 

Hope that helps.


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#9
talon70

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Welcome, the hard grind will be worth it.

 

This goes to my point the slope is too really steep for the brand new player. Yet veteran players need something to keep grinding for.

 

Maybe lend any fully equipped  mech to rookie pilots for a limited time using the testdrive. 

 

I would lend you a mech or spare parts if i could.



#10
talon70

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I disagree.  It is my experience that joining games in progress can be terribly unbalanced (both over and under).  The games I find the most balanced are ones that have not started yet, and everyone at the start of the lobby finishes the game without leaving.

 

Entering a match thats 11/12 players has 2 prominent conditions that are usually the case.

1).  Someone just rage quit because their team was losing

2).  You get placed on the losing team, because for X amount of minutes the other team had a 1 man advantage.

I agree however joining 11/12 games puts you in a possible start of a full balanced server next game.

I join those cause they need help. I know someone prolly just bailed but I dont care much about w/l or mmr so why not try to even it up.

 

My most memorable hawkEn games are ones with the BIG comebacks and upset wins. Like a seige less then 100 - 3000  and somehow we turned it around.

 

You build real battle hardened friendships that way :)



#11
dorobo

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implement spectator mode. If unbalanced move that one player to spectators till someone joins.


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#12
Nightfirebolt

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Well, they have to make money somehow. Buy an HC booster or give 'em the $5 to unlock that weapon you want. There's no shame in it.

 

Hell, I paid Adhesive money after the first few hours of playing because this game is so freaking badass. It "grabbed" me and it wouldn't let go. If the same is true for you - if you like this game and you're deciding to stick around - you should support them too, even if only a little bit.

 

But even if you decide not to, the good news is the grind does get better the more you play and the more you win, so keep practicing and you'll find that eventually you'll be earning HC at a good rate.


Edited by Nightfirebolt, 22 March 2015 - 01:19 PM.


#13
phed

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The newdevs need to start giving out HC codes to new players again, and in promotions.  

 

That was the one saving grace for me when I was first building my garage at the start of open beta.  And it helped with getting new people into the game.  

 

I was even able to buy my first scout without ever touching my crt-recruit.

 

New players need the same level of freedom that we vets all had when we started.  That's how new players get hooked, you have to give them a taste for free.


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#14
LaurenEmily

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Does the NEWRECRUIT code still work btw ? When i started playing (not that long ago) someone told me about it and it helped a lot.

Basically what it does is it cuts the grinding in half.


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#15
DM30

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Back when HC bonuses came with service awards, this was how the game worked. But then the bonuses were removed. I really think they should be brought back.

 

A whole lot of this. I was about halfway through my grind when the service award HC bonuses were first brought in, and that initial wave of getting two or three bonuses after a game really made picking up new equipment a lot easier, then as it tapered off it didn't matter as much because I was only looking for more specific purchases anyway.

 

It felt to me like the economy was pretty much built around that initial surge of bonuses, but then they were removed as part of the economy "rebalancing" and it's been harsh on new players since then, IMO.

 

Also, to the OP: Welcome to the game! :smile:


Edited by DM30, 22 March 2015 - 07:15 PM.

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#16
crockrocket

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My honest recommendation is to purchase a starter pack if it's available. If you think this is the sort of game you'll be into, it's absolutely worth it. You'll get a variety of mechs unlocked and get a better feel for the game quickly. The only other option really is to just keep at it.

Don't believe they are available. The only time I've noticed them during my career was the last steam summer sale (maybe it was even spring), however I know that they haven't been available for a long time.

 

More generally, great to see some feedback from a new player, thanks for posting! You're the type of player that the devs REALLY need to be paying attention to right now. It is the new player's perspective that should be considered when thinking about player retention.

 

EDIT:

Does the NEWRECRUIT code still work btw ? When i started playing (not that long ago) someone told me about it and it helped a lot.

Basically what it does is it cuts the grinding in half.

As far as I know, yes.

Edited by crockrocket, 23 March 2015 - 01:26 PM.

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Salvage: An Idea to Stop Leavers

Player Retention & Howken

 

[14:31] <Crafty> I know that in my balls
[14:32] <Crafty> hawken is unlike anything Ive played

 

 


#17
GondabBadong

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Does the NEWRECRUIT code still work btw ? When i started playing (not that long ago) someone told me about it and it helped a lot.

Basically what it does is it cuts the grinding in half.

The code is purely for XP however, doesn't help with getting new mechs or parts.



#18
LoC_TR

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Speaking of which.. where is my new recruit guide!?


Edited by LoC_TR, 23 March 2015 - 01:44 PM.

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#19
Interrobang87

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Speaking of which.. where is my new recruit guide!?


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#20
crockrocket

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Speaking of which.. where is my new recruit guide!?

 

If you manage to find it, I'll add it to the subreddit sidebar as well!


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Salvage: An Idea to Stop Leavers

Player Retention & Howken

 

[14:31] <Crafty> I know that in my balls
[14:32] <Crafty> hawken is unlike anything Ive played

 

 


#21
Makk3

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Grinding definitely isn't bad on Hawken. The TV-Box is still one of the best mechs in the game so that balances it out even more. And you rack up credits fast enough to get the next Tier 1 or Tier 2 mech smoothly.



#22
phed

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But the tiers are arbitrary. The more expensive mechs are not better, or harder to use, or easier to win with, or any thing, they should all cost the same.

#23
ROSING

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If I may add a counter opinion here, I'm not a vet but I played pretty extensively before the fall; I have 4 mechs not including the toaster, and all but one are max level.

In my opinion, the xp grind is not bad, but the money grind is. i'd say at the current rate the mech prices are reasonable, but once you factor in buying all the internals and gear a pretty penny starts to rack up. I think that you should be awarded more hc per match, because even then you still have a wide variety of internals to unlock and work towards. As it is it takes quite a bit of play time, I would say more than necessary, to even purchase a mech and then outfit it with a single set of internals and items, and then the grind increases if you want to purchase additional internals and items for customization. I understand vets are sitting on a fat wad of hc, but 1 will you really complain if you get more money, and 2 it is important not to burn out players grinding for all that gear. I'm not saying that the current grind is causing the game to bleed players, but I certainly think we would retain more if the grind wasn't as intense. As I said, the xp grind is in an alright place.

Then there are the wack incentives behind the daily bonuses, but that's for another thread...

Edit: actually scratch that this is the thread for it, but it's late so I'll post tomorrow.

Edited by ROSING, 23 March 2015 - 09:52 PM.





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