Starhawk (Closed) Beta Testing thread of impressions and questions.
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weekend_warrior
Banned
A lot of the changes came out of left field. The shotgun hasn't been over used at all so why reduce the clips? The rocket launcher needs to reload after each shot, that's going to seriously improve the effectiveness of both mechs and jeeps vs ground troops, and they were already overly effective. And the rise of spawn rift from 1 to 3, that's like... wut? People are probably just going to litter an area with auto-turrets now. Just a very strange update all around.
There is nothing unusual about it at all. I'm not sure how much of the beta you've played but it's obvious the shotgun is the go to weapon in infantry combat. A nerf is good to help balance the weapons out.
Also increasing rift at spawn makes sense because at least now you can kinda build some sort of defense at the start and not have to worry about a hawk coming in and wreaking everything before you even get going.
I'm gonna play some in a bit and try out the new hawk damage.
weekend_warrior
Banned
I've played the beta a lot. The shotgun is good when you're spawn raping and you've run out of ammo for everything else. It ranks far behind the rocket launcher and rifle as a primary go to weapon.
And they're really starting to ruin the BnB system by making it too easy and fast to build structures. Part of the fun was how toallocate resources between defending and attacking. Now every jackass in the game will build whatever they want wherever they want because they have tons of rift.
But I guess that is why it is good that you can reclaim b&b objects, as time goes on people will learn what is good, and what is not.
The other day I was in a base, which had a bunker, somebody literally then built one right next to it! so, I then reclaimed it - people will work it out
TrAcEr_x90
Member
how the hell are people even playing? everygoddamn time i try to connect, i get a failed error, tried matchmaking, tried selecting a server. only time i ever got in one was when I chose a server with 1 other person, and they bailed, so i was there by myself...
weekend_warrior
Banned
With teammates like this who needs enemies?
Hey guys, we heard you like walls, so we put walls in your walls so you can get your ass kicked while you wonder why you're being spawn raped!
Hey guys, we heard you like walls, so we put walls in your walls so you can get your ass kicked while you wonder why you're being spawn raped!
Had some good games again tonight, new patch changes seem ok, or least didn't have any adverse affect. The biggest impact I noticed was being a footman against the jeeps, one shot from rocket obviously isn't enough, and because of the reload they are gone before second shot can be fired
no biggy, but that's my observation anyhow
no biggy, but that's my observation anyhow
What do you find so wrong with the gunplay?
Every encounter feels like rolling the dice (a sentiment that is shared not by me alone). Whether it be the amount of auto-aim, the hip-fire spread, or the excessive bloom -- everything about gun-on-gun on foot encounters feels off; it feels like I'm playing a shovel-ware budget title. The sniper is mildly satisfying, but that's about it.
With teammates like this who needs enemies?
Hey guys, we heard you like walls, so we put walls in your walls so you can get your ass kicked while you wonder why you're being spawn raped!
lol no way anyone is gonna get in that fortified base, right? lol. Not gonna get passed this 8 ft wall. No way.
I tried out the new patch and hawks are deadly now. Like you can't just get in one and expect to fly around doing nothing if the enemy has a few hawks in the air. You get a few missiles on you and you can be done for unless you are good enough to evade.
Rocket nerf is fair as well imo with the one shot and reload.
weekend_warrior
Banned
Yep, this is just Warhawk all over again. The only viable strategy now is to get a hawk and dominate that way. And the demo only has 3 of the 7 hawk weapons. It's a joke, they've completely ruined the balance the game.
The Take Out Bandit
Member
With teammates like this who needs enemies?
Hey guys, we heard you like walls, so we put walls in your walls so you can get your ass kicked while you wonder why you're being spawn raped!
In a pre game one night on the Space map I used all 32 B&B spots to build a maze. Then I randomly placed mines. ^_^
If you put up a beam turret and defend with a rocket launcher you can fend off hawks. Then add a bubble shield and it becomes really hard for hawks to get close.
It is fairly easy for hawks to destroy buildings though which is tough but we get more rift to start with so it sorta balances out.
The Take Out Bandit
Member
I just got called a fag. 
It's a shame because the slow drawl hillbilly (Br0ck0wnz IIRC) that blurted it out had a baby or toddler burbling away in the background. I hope he's baby sitting and being a shit influence rather than polluting the gene pool with more stupid.
I won, he was in last place on the team so I sent him a congratulatory "Sweet last place!" message.
Anyhow, check out this bug that GremlinKlown ran into that revealed some more of the Hawk weapons! They're completely mad.
It's a shame because the slow drawl hillbilly (Br0ck0wnz IIRC) that blurted it out had a baby or toddler burbling away in the background. I hope he's baby sitting and being a shit influence rather than polluting the gene pool with more stupid.
I won, he was in last place on the team so I sent him a congratulatory "Sweet last place!" message.
Anyhow, check out this bug that GremlinKlown ran into that revealed some more of the Hawk weapons! They're completely mad.
I just got called a fag.
It's a shame because the slow drawl hillbilly (Br0ck0wnz IIRC) that blurted it out had a baby or toddler burbling away in the background. I hope he's baby sitting and being a shit influence rather than polluting the gene pool with more stupid.
I won, he was in last place on the team so I sent him a congratulatory "Sweet last place!" message.
Anyhow, check out this bug that GremlinKlown ran into that revealed some more of the Hawk weapons! They're completely mad.
Those weapons look great! makes it even harder to wait for more news on maps, troop weapons etc....
got a few more hours into the game last night. I had a blast and got 2 more levels. My biggest complaints are the ground combat. It seems like it takes 2 clips to kill someone. It just feels a little clunky. My other complaint is the opponent can use your things to spawn a vehicle to get away with the flag. I don't see hawks over powered most of the time. I can use beam turrets, energy shield and rocket launcher and take care of all but elite players. I can even get them to when they make a mistake. Even when I am on a crappy team and get dominated I have a good time. I really need to really work on unlocking skills to buy. I have a few points and can't spend them.
I got a chance to play a awesome team last night. They were able to set up camp at our base and just go to town. I died a ton but it was just fun to watch a well coordinated team. I was just in awe of how they coordinated hawks and ground attacks. I got a MIC now but hardly anyone has one in random games. I don't know why more people don't use a MIC. When I played games online with my 360 almost everyone had a MIC and used it.
I got a chance to play a awesome team last night. They were able to set up camp at our base and just go to town. I died a ton but it was just fun to watch a well coordinated team. I was just in awe of how they coordinated hawks and ground attacks. I got a MIC now but hardly anyone has one in random games. I don't know why more people don't use a MIC. When I played games online with my 360 almost everyone had a MIC and used it.
Sounds like you had a good experience - how do you feel about the enemy being able to set up spawn pretty much in your base?
I agree with the MIC comment, I was playing earlier and I had the flag, almost to my base and none of my team in sight, no idea where they all were - but basically got taken down by a lone enemy troop - so disappointing - I even re-spawned and had 2 attempts at getting the flag back but no chance on my own
great games again though, and as you say even if you lose you can still have a blast
I agree with the MIC comment, I was playing earlier and I had the flag, almost to my base and none of my team in sight, no idea where they all were - but basically got taken down by a lone enemy troop - so disappointing - I even re-spawned and had 2 attempts at getting the flag back but no chance on my own
great games again though, and as you say even if you lose you can still have a blast
The Take Out Bandit
Member
With the machine gun you need to fire in short bursts. The reticle is getting bigger when you hold down fire to indicate a loss of accuracy.
You're also incorrect about enemies using your vehicle stations. They cannot use your stations,so you need to pay attention to the COLOR of the stuff on your radar, because they built a garage in your base and you need to tears it down.
I did not mind because it has only happened once in like 20 games. If this happened all the time I would quit. I was just more impressed with how well cordinated they were. I wish I could be a part of something like that. I did get a lot of exp out of that match for me atleast. Killed a lot of smaller structures they put in our base.
Hopefully when the beta goes public we can get some NEOGAF games and actually put the MICs to use.
I think I read in the thread there will be a tank eventually. I can't wait since I am terrible at air combat. It will give me somthing to do once I get the base defended with turrets and shield generator.
A tank, but also jet bikes have been seen, but maybe even people carriers etc as per warhawk. Still alot we don't know
vid showing forthcoming dust map and bikes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0P-S_I5mNA
Anyhow, check out this bug that GremlinKlown ran into that revealed some more of the Hawk weapons! They're completely mad.
Graphics are sick! Love the colors. I just love how when you move around, even on foot, and u look up and how the sky changes.
looking forward to more environments, really wonder what they'll look like.
would love to play this remotely on a Vita screen. *drools* edit- ha, fuck forgot to use the Sony headset for this...same OLED tech. Hopefully later tonight.
OdysseusVA
Banned
I want to know that too! apparently dylan jobe says 'when its ready'
I suspect maybe next week inline with beta going public??
Anyhow, check out this bug that GremlinKlown ran into that revealed some more of the Hawk weapons! They're completely mad.
Hawk cloaking ability and cluster bomb runs? Badass.
Also, the bikes on the Dust map kinda remind me of Darth Maul's speeder on Tatooine. Badass.
OdysseusVA
Banned
Better quality of Dust preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QQDZIvW9Ds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QQDZIvW9Ds
MoonsaultSlayer
Member
I hope the SP has a race or chase event on those jet motos.
Another vid showing the additional hawk weapons
Awesome stuff.
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
I think it's more than spread. Infantry combat just lacks the decisiveness that people are accustomed to these days. It's not as visceral or punchy as a Battlefield, CoD or a Halo, but it's hard to point to one reason why.
That said, they put together an interesting package with some elements that I rarely see in the genre outside of PC games like Uprising or Battlezone. My main complaint is the framerate, but it's still a beta.
I agree it feels different from said games, but it's meant to - it feels good, once you get the hang of it it's pretty easy to pin point barrels and people from a long way away. Can't say I have noticed any issues with framerate but then I am rubbish/blind to that kind of issue unless it's horrendous!
Not too much new information, but Starhawk BETA opens to all tomorrow, plus forthcoming updates will bring new map, vehicles, weapons and 32 player matches
link to PS Blog
get involved!
link to PS Blog
get involved!
Next BETA update, 1.2.11, details here and below:
Starhawk Public BETA Update 1.2.11
The 1.2.11 Update for the Starhawk Public BETA was deployed during the server maintenance today, February 22 at 2pm Central time and included the following changes:
Shortened Rocket Launcher reload time.
Slightly easier missile scrubbing for all 3 flight modes.
Increased Vulture JetPack and Vulture Rack rift energy cost.
Slightly reduced Swarm Laser damage vs. Hawks.
Slightly increased Swarm Laser lock-on time.
Slightly increased OTS snap assist on Kinetic Rifle.
Rocket Reload Time:
In our last BETA update, we reduced the clip capacity of the Rocket Launcher from 2 to 1. Today's update still requires a player to reload the Rocket Launcher after every shot, however the reload time is now approximately 25% faster and brings it in-line with what we had for the Rocket Launcher in Warhawk.
Easier Missile Scrubbing:
In our last update we greatly reduced the missile scrubbing capabilities of the Classic Arcade mode. This change more closely unified the missile scrubbing potential for all of Starhawk's flight modes.
After we made this change we watched our game data, read what our community was saying and continued to play-test the Starhawk BETA. As a result we felt good about the consistency across all flight modes but felt that the missile scrubbing for *ALL* modes now needed to be increased slightly.
Vulture JetPack Rift Energy Cost:
The Vulture JetPack was becoming far too ubiquitous in battle and we were concerned with what was happening to the gameplay when the vast majority of players were equipped with Vultures.
To help steer the overall unit balance in the right direction we have made some changes to the costs of the Vulture Rack (JP spawner) and the Vulture JetPack. The Vulture Rack used to cost 3 rift energy and is now 6. To construct a Vulture JetPack it used to cost 2 and now costs 4 rift energy.
Swarm Laser Changes:
Today's update lowers the Swarm Laser damage vs. Hawks by approximately 25%. The Swarm Laser damage increase we deployed in the 1.2.10 Update did help in making the weapon system more effective in dog-fights but it was a bit too much.
We have also increased the lock-on time per Swarm Laser by 50ms (which is a very small amount).
Kinetic Rifle OTS Snap Assist:
The reduction of the Kinetic Rifle's OTS snap assist that we made in the 1.2.10 Update yielded the result we were looking for in the reduction of 'snap' exploits and increased requirement for skillful aiming. However after our ongoing evaluation of the balance in Starhawk, we felt it was a bit too much. The 1.2.11 Update opens up the Kinetic Rifle's OTS snap a bit more and we have slightly increased the size of the KR reticle to better inform players of the effective region on-screen for targeting.
Starhawk Public BETA Update 1.2.11
The 1.2.11 Update for the Starhawk Public BETA was deployed during the server maintenance today, February 22 at 2pm Central time and included the following changes:
Shortened Rocket Launcher reload time.
Slightly easier missile scrubbing for all 3 flight modes.
Increased Vulture JetPack and Vulture Rack rift energy cost.
Slightly reduced Swarm Laser damage vs. Hawks.
Slightly increased Swarm Laser lock-on time.
Slightly increased OTS snap assist on Kinetic Rifle.
Rocket Reload Time:
In our last BETA update, we reduced the clip capacity of the Rocket Launcher from 2 to 1. Today's update still requires a player to reload the Rocket Launcher after every shot, however the reload time is now approximately 25% faster and brings it in-line with what we had for the Rocket Launcher in Warhawk.
Easier Missile Scrubbing:
In our last update we greatly reduced the missile scrubbing capabilities of the Classic Arcade mode. This change more closely unified the missile scrubbing potential for all of Starhawk's flight modes.
After we made this change we watched our game data, read what our community was saying and continued to play-test the Starhawk BETA. As a result we felt good about the consistency across all flight modes but felt that the missile scrubbing for *ALL* modes now needed to be increased slightly.
Vulture JetPack Rift Energy Cost:
The Vulture JetPack was becoming far too ubiquitous in battle and we were concerned with what was happening to the gameplay when the vast majority of players were equipped with Vultures.
To help steer the overall unit balance in the right direction we have made some changes to the costs of the Vulture Rack (JP spawner) and the Vulture JetPack. The Vulture Rack used to cost 3 rift energy and is now 6. To construct a Vulture JetPack it used to cost 2 and now costs 4 rift energy.
Swarm Laser Changes:
Today's update lowers the Swarm Laser damage vs. Hawks by approximately 25%. The Swarm Laser damage increase we deployed in the 1.2.10 Update did help in making the weapon system more effective in dog-fights but it was a bit too much.
We have also increased the lock-on time per Swarm Laser by 50ms (which is a very small amount).
Kinetic Rifle OTS Snap Assist:
The reduction of the Kinetic Rifle's OTS snap assist that we made in the 1.2.10 Update yielded the result we were looking for in the reduction of 'snap' exploits and increased requirement for skillful aiming. However after our ongoing evaluation of the balance in Starhawk, we felt it was a bit too much. The 1.2.11 Update opens up the Kinetic Rifle's OTS snap a bit more and we have slightly increased the size of the KR reticle to better inform players of the effective region on-screen for targeting.
weekend_warrior
Banned
So Hawkpads still cost 4 rift to build and each hawk cost 2 rift, but Jetpack dispensers now cost 6 rift and 4 rift to build one!? Good Lord, what are they doing to this game!?
CrunchyFrog
Member
Yeah, if anything needs nerfing, it's definitely the Hawk pads. Far too many in every game, and losing one is almost entirely of no practical consequence.
They say they did it because the jet packs were being abused (not in those words), and regarding there being too many hawk pads - as with any of the buildings though, you can reclaim them so there should never be too many
6 rift and 4 rift does sound excessive, but will play test and see what impact it has
OdysseusVA
Banned
I was hoping for a 1.3 update
I was hoping for a 1.3 update
maybe next week?
I am not sure how long the beta is running, but I have a feeling they will launch 1.3 but it'll only run for a week or so, get everyone buzzing with the larger map, vehicles and weapons etc and then shut off and build some hype