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Dev Update: July 11th

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#1
LadyTiggs

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Comms from CapnJosh:

 

So Hawken is now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.  What do we do next?

 

At a high level, we are aiming for a compact content update that should fix or improve upon the existing console builds, while also adding some additional content.  It’s not going to be a massive update, but it should address the most common reports.  We’re hearing controller button mappings are a big deal, framerate and performance could stand some improvements, and, well, we’ve got a good bug list going :) Over time, the goal is to have all 3 platforms running on the same commit number, since that will make code and feature management, release management, and hosting operations a whole lot easier and more efficient.

 

For all the PC platform fans, don’t lose heart!  Big things are in store.  As I mentioned, the plan is to get all the platforms up to feature parity, and then advance them all forward at the same time.  This provides a larger audience for all the Hawken goodness, and it means Hawken has a stronger foundation from which to build.  The PC environment has a really big data migration ahead of it, but that is just a matter of time.  I’m holding off on specifics until after we get through the console launch and solidification process, but do know that we take the PC experience very seriously.  We’ve heard the comments and suggestions, so rest assured none of that is being ignored.  In fact, keep it coming – there have been some excellent analyses of the pros and cons of a wide range of design possibilities, and we actually do take those seriously.  Again, nothing is dismissed out of hand ;)

 

A bit about the submissions process in the console games world.  It can take a long time.  Like, we will be planning on 3-4 weeks from the point where we first submit a build for certification testing to the point where that build is actually launched.  Over time, we should be able to reduce that duration, but especially up through the first few post-launch updates we will need to leave enough time for back-and-forth with the official certification testing teams at Sony and Microsoft.

 

What does that mean for timelines?  It means that right now we have a few short weeks to finish all the work and regular QA, send it all off to submissions, and then start work on the *next* content update well before *this* content update ever launches.  One of the biggest challenges will be to manage the mental context-switching that will be required to sustain these parallel efforts, particularly given the small team size, and especially when some sort of proverbial fire breaks out, wherever that may be.

 

Once we get through the first full week or two of Hawken being live on both PS4 and Xbox One, I’ll try to write up some of the interesting problems that come up when scaling out to thousands of game-server instances.


~~Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for thou art crunchy and go well with ketchup!!~~

 


#2
(PS4)War_MachineXL

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Nothing about Nief? Really?
  • (PS4)OGmoch and (PS4)B00M--X_x like this

#3
(PS4)KAGEHOSHI-

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I'm glad performance issues are being addressed. I don't need 60fps (though would be nice), I just want the frame rate to be consistent instead of freezing up every time I get a kill or get killed. I have been keeping an eye out for this game since it was revealed years ago, and I even played a bit of it on my brother's PC. I have always hoped it would come to consoles, but the performance issues makes it such a disappointment — the massive dips in frame rate completely pull me from the experience.

 

Another thing you guys should look to improve is the menu. The PC menu was easy to navigate and understand, but the console menu is not only ugly to look at, but also confusing. For example, I shouldn't have to go through a crazy tree of mechs just to see the ones I have. Please just use the old menu.


Edited by (PS4)KAGEHOSHI-, 11 July 2016 - 12:53 PM.


#4
(PS4)OGmoch

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The nief mech should never have been introduced
  • (PS4)vickyunicorn4 and (PS4)B00M--X_x like this

#5
(PS4)Hiero_Glyph

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The nief mech should never have been introduced


Honestly Nief is fine with a few small tweaks.

1) The interval between shots needs to be increased. This would make the special ability more important and also make it easier for a targetted mech to find cover as they would have slightly more time.

2) The heat generation for the Twin Seekers needs to be increased slightly. This would also work with #1 to keep heat generation relatively the same although I could see it still being increased a bit further.

Optional: 3) Add a warning tone similar to a Hellfire lockon. I would probably give this a slight delay so the Nief could fire off a volley or two before warning the targetted mech but some type of notification would be nice if a mech is being seeker spammed.

#6
(PS4)Rolingachu

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There's actually bigger issues than the Nief right now...Starting with performance and frame rate, wich are adressed on this post already, but others stuff that we actually need ASAP...weapons customization anyone? i already played the PC version a long time ago, and one of the main futures i was specting on the console version is the weapons choices for every mech, and that's not in game yet... so, any date for this to be implemented?


Edited by (PS4)Rolingachu, 12 July 2016 - 03:26 AM.


#7
(PS4)B00M--X_x

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I already reach maz level on my mech and nothing happens ,I can not alternate weapons even the game saying it to you on a messageNot allowing weapon switching IS a big difference imo, a lot bigger than WoT since as you say all the possible upgrades are still available you just unlock them differently. It's a joke. Why do devs constantly feel the need to differentiate between console and pc versions. It's understandable if it's some sort of complex simulator (obviously needs streamlining due to control differences) but this isn't complex at all, there is NO reason for it in Hawken's case. BTW I do wish they would say something just anything about their plans for the Nief. Especially since most feedback on the issue has been negative.






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