Warhawk Goes Gold

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Warhawk Gameplay E3

Hi Everyone – It’s been a while since I’ve made a post, but since some of you guys posted comments wanting me to jump back on, *and* the very interesting pricing debate/discussion that has been going on recently, well … here I am with a couple of important updates!?

First off, has Warhawk gone “gold”??

Hells Ya! The PSN and Blu-ray versions have gone “GOLD,” completely finished and will go on sale August 28th … just a few weeks away! We’re all really proud of the game, and those of you who got a chance to participate in the BETA know why. We can’t wait to get online with all of you so we can beat the hell out of each other!

Next, what does Warhawk cost?

Ready for this? One Million dollars!

Ok, now for reals … If you didn’t already know, SCEA is taking an exciting new approach with Warhawk – making it available for download directly from the PlayStation Store *and* releasing it at retail simultaneously. Each one has a different price. Why different pricing? A couple of reasons: first off, we wanted to give all of you the option, the retail game is more of a premium version with some expanded video content, traditional package and manual (this seems to mean a lot with some of the gamers I have spoken to), and a Jabra Bluetooth headset bundled with the game – all for $59.99!

We’re also looking at including a set of Ginsu knives, and an extra-jumbo tub of Oxy-Clean!

Alright … I’m lying about the knives and the Oxy-Clean … Oxy-Clean does work really well though and I highly recommend it.

Anyhoo, back on track ….

The PlayStation Store version will be $39.99 and I’m really glad that SCEA came through with a “good value” price for this – it’s the right thing to do.

I’m a firm believer in the Google founders’ motto “Don’t be Evil” and the $39.99 PlayStation Store price is a good example of that.

Warhawk is a great looking, great playing multiplayer game but at the end of the day, it’s a multiplayer-only game and if you decide not to get the premium version at retail with the headset, this is a great option for you – at a great price.

Like I said previously, those of you who’ve had a chance to play Warhawk, know how good it is, and why a game that is fun to play for 70+ hours offers more gameplay than a lot of single player games that cost a great deal more.

…and yes, that’s just one of the statistics that is tracked by Warhawk’s Stat system. During the BETA we saw users log crazy high numbers – 70 was by far *not* the largest … most users had over 30 and we had to ultimately turn the servers off!. Who knows how high those numbers would be if we were to keep the BETA open?

Speaking of the BETA, I’d like to let you guys know that we were watching the Warhawk Statistics database during the BETA, looking for the top players. We ultimately used the Bonus Points category since it covers all play modes, levels, vehicles, troops, weapons, kill types, etc.

So…for the top 100 players, we have prepared a “Top-BETA-Players” award that you will be receiving in the mail soon. It includes a really nice print of the box-art, signed by the team *and* a very, very limited edition metal Warhawk Wings pin! So guys and gals, please keep your eyes out for this in the coming weeks!

Well that’s all for now. Hopefully that was informative.

I think for my next post, I’d like to show all you guys some of the great work that our IT-Team has been doing “behind-the-curtain”. Since Warhawk is a multiplayer-only game, for those of you who choose to play online, I think it would be good for you to see some of the server work that we have done since the BETA closed.

As always – Rock on!

Warhawk AwardWarhawk Award

Warhawk Gameplay E3

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497 Comments

2 Author Replies

  • how about Warhawk psone download for those that want single player lol or that level shown at E3 2005 could be downloadable. none of these will never happen though lol!

  • Kudos for Sony for creating this kick ass blog! I like the interaction here. I like having the ability to intelligently express my opinion and be heard.

    @Ron

    The “40 dollar price point without the single player mode” was not the main issue of my post. As soon as I hit submit I immediately regretted not explaining myself more here. In fact… in retrospect, I wish I left that part out all together. From what I have heard, the game is fantastic from the game play to the graphics to the replayability.

    What I meant to express was that I think the 40 dollar price point would be a value AT RETAIL. The only benefits I see in releasing a “bluray” game over the PSN is if the price is significantly lower. A game that is only $20 dollars less than the retail version (which includes a headset) is NOT significantly lower for a PSN release.
    And here is why the PSN price should be significantly lower….
    By selling directly to your customers, you are cutting out the middleman, the retailer. If you sold the “bare” game at retail for 40 dollars you would only receive the amount the retailer pays you, which is a lot less than $40. Not to mention you have the cost of actually manufacturing the physical disc. However if you make us all buy it through PSN you get the entire $40 AND you do not have the manufacturing cost. Pass those savings on to us, the consumers, and make it worthwhile for us to shuffle the space of our limited hard drives. Anything other than that would be… evil.
    From what I gather from reading the comments, it seems people favor having the physical disc. The only people saying they are going to download the game is because they already have a bluetooth headset. I was just wondering if anyone would choose to download the $40 game if they could buy it at retail for $40 (just the game without headset)…. anyone have any thoughts on this?
    I hope I explained myself Ron, and would like to hear what you have to say in response to this post.
    *** Like I said, I think the game looks awesome and I will defiantly be picking this up August 28! Haha after all this we gotta get together and brawl it out online!!***

  • How big will the download be?

  • I’m going to say this as succinctly as I can.

    This is outright *thievery*. Dylan Jobe – you and Sony should be ashamed of yourselves for this scam.

    $20 more simply for extra video content?

    Let me guess – a making of video, or something of the like?

    You guys are punishing players for buying a physical copy to try and *force* people to buy it online.

    Again – you guys should be ashamed of yourselves.

    Way to rip people off.

  • @ Nephlabobo

    For $60 bucks you get the game AND a quality bluetooth headset AND extra video content for only $20 more. The bluetooth headset is worth $40 by itself… that sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Maybe you forgot about the headset, or is there something I am missing?

  • I don’t *want* a blue tooth headset and I don’t need *video* content. LIke I said – it’s likely a making of or something equally rubbish. I want good, solid game content and I don’t want to be penalised for buying a physical copy of the game.

    Sony is really pushing online distribution.

    I don’t want to buy games via online distribution.

    I’m being punished for that fact. It’s that simple.

  • Congratulations Incog!
    im looking forward to playing this game again. The beta was a lot of fun, thank you for allowing me to participate.

    i hope you fixed the instant death/suicide glitch in Eucadia.

  • @ post 157 Nephlabobo, if you don’t want the headset or anything else that comes with the retail package, then don’t get it. You are not forced to buy it. In fact, you have two options. You can buy it at the retail store, or you can get it at the PS store. You will save yourself 20 bucks seeing as you don’t want any of the extras.

    Further reading your posting shows me that you don’t want to buy the game through the store either.

    I must question you now, do you even have interest in Warhawk or are you just trolling the blog? You are given two options for purchasing the game. You want neither. Your last option is to not get the game.

    Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. You are given two options. Don’t like them? Then don’t get the game. If you want to play Warhawk, then you will get it.

  • I know you have said you’ll try to find out but any news for those of us in the UK?

    We are just as important as those in North America, regardless of how we’re treated

  • @Delriach

    I *had* interest in Warhawk.

    Why shouldn’t I be angry if both the options are crap?

    I would rather get it at the retail store.

    But I don’t need a making of video and I don’t need a headset, yet if I want the game, I’m forced to buy them.

    If I’m going to be paying $20 more, I should be getting extra *game* content – not video.

    I should have a choice that’s satisfying to *me*.

  • You aren’t just getting video, you are getting a headset too. Don’t like it? Sell the headset. Wait until the game is at a place cheaper and no in a bundle. Split the cost with a friend. You as an individual have tons of options. You are just clouding yourself with ignorance now.

    Or you can just buy it at the PS Store. Seeing as that is incredibly easy.

  • @Delriach

    It’s *you* who isn’t getting it.

    I don’t like it. Why should I have to go through the bother of selling the crap that comes with it?

    I want a physical copy of the *game*. Not the peripheral crap.

    They should be selling it physically in two options – one with and one without the extra stuff

    It’s *you* who isn’t getting it.

  • This game is going to be awesome. I’ll definitely buy the retail version since I don’t have a headset but the PSN option is a steal by it’s self.

  • Actually, I am getting it. You have more options than you are leading yourself to believe. Don’t want to get it at the store? Then don’t. Don’t want the headset? Then wait until you can find a copy that doesn’t include it. Find it at an auction website. Maybe you can even find it used.

  • @Delriach

    Maybe I’d rather buy it new and support the publisher?

    Problem is, they discouraging me from doing exactly that.

    People who don’t want the headset, like me, and who don’t want to buy it online, are going to wait and buy it used – if at all, now.

    That directly affects sales.

  • That is your loss and the loss of the people who choose to go the same route that you will go in. Your loss, not mine. While you’ll be here complaining, I’ll be over there playing the game. While you’ll be there being bitter. I’ll be having a blast playing the game.

    Your loss, not mine.

    Hope you can get your issues straightened out.

  • @ Delriach

    And while you’re spending $60 on crap you don’t need, I’ll have saved it and spent it on something I actually *want/need*.

    My only issue is I don’t like being forced to buy something I don’t want.

  • To Ron Eagle…
    Sir, even thogh the game has great production value, that does’nt change the fact that it’s still only half a game.

  • I’m actually getting the 39.99 PSN version. I have a headset. If I needed one, I would get it for that reason alone. Just like I did for Socom on the PS2. See how having options works? Don’t need something being offered? I use a different route.

    Things work out so nicely :)

  • So any news on when the UK/EU gamers will be getting the game? at the same time, og later (as usual I grumply grunt :) )

  • I don’t have a headset, don’t want one, don’t need one.

    Yet I’m forced to buy one.

    See how scams work?

  • I would like to buy a copy of the game from the store (I like having a box and instruction manual, not having to download gigs of data on 1/2meg connection!) but without the headset *if* it could be made cheaper than the $60 offer

  • Wait, you don’t have a headset yet don’t want one? So how exactly do you want to talk to your team mates? Are you going to be one of those guys who runs around doing everything he pleases..being completely oblivious to what the team is actually trying to plot? So, basically you are the guy that most likely would cause much discomfort to the gameplay.

    It’s a good thing you won’t be getting this game. Communication is an important feature of this game for me. It is an important feature to game itself.

    lol, don’t need a headset. Are you going to tell me you don’t have a PS3 either? I wouldn’t put it past you. :) How about you send me a little heart message on the PSN.

  • Not yet – getting one for my birthday on the 21st of this month. Already put aside for me at a store.

    “It’s a good thing you won’t be getting this game”

    And what the HELL gives you the right to decide who can play this game and who can’t?

  • Ok I have a question for ya. The game comes out on a Tuesday and the PS store updates on Thursday, is the Blu-ray box set going to come out 2 days before the PS store version or does Warhawk get its own special PS store update? I’m the lazy type that doesn’t want to get up off the couch to change games if I don’t have to so I want the download but really don’t want to have to wait the couple extra days.

    And Jobe watch out for my ID (grashopper)
    If ya ever bump into me on there try not to kick my ass too badly

  • Hmm… I wonder how they’ll find our addresses so they can send the package to us.

    Do they use our information on our forum account/name?

    Hopefully I’ll get my package when I get back to school in 3 weeks…

  • Hmm, I wonder what the answer to that question would be grashopper. The JPN Store has been updating in unusual days lately for quite awhile. Maybe the US store will get one of those weird updates too. Hopefully!

    As for Nephlabobo, :D, I hope you enjoy your PS3 when you get it if you actually are getting one.

  • I am getting a PS3, as I want one with the EE.

    Won’t be getting WH though.

  • Sup Click hope to see you in retail :-)

  • Fantastic game, 200% fun gameplay.

    All I want to know, is how many maps are in the final version?

  • How about announcing the prices for Europe and the UK? Get on the phone to SCEE pronto, Europe am not wait for prices!

  • I’d be keen on hearin prices for Europe as well. Congratulations on going gold btw.

  • […] gab Dylan Jobe, Spieledirektor von Warhawk im Playstation Blog bekannt, dass WarHawk “Goldstatus” erreicht hat. Das heißt, dass alle Arbeiten an […]

  • I played the beta and loved it. Does anyone know what specific changes will be made to the final version? There was quite a big suggestion thread and I was just curious to see what made it into the final cut.

  • Actually Nephlabobo does have a point even if he doesn’t care about the game or whatever other issues he might have.. Warhawk should be released with 2 retail packages.. the $60 (rounding up) is a good deal.. but there should be a $45-$50 pacakage without headset or the pricing should be $30-$35 on PSN and a $40-$45 retail without headset..

    I doubt any of that will happen and none of that should be used to delay the game but just a thought and was a good point.. even if the way he stated it wasnt..

  • I’d love to hear about the prices and release date for the UK as well.
    Great work on the game look forward to playing it.

  • Finally some good news for PS3 owners this week. Been a bad one between the Lair problems and GTAIV delays. The Warhawk beta was incredible, can’t wait to play the final game soon.

  • well more good news. LA NOIRE may be a PS3 exclusive

  • Remember guys if you don’t want to use your parents or your own credit cards to buy stuff online you can go to your local CVS or the mall closest to you and buy a Visa Card or an American Express Card.

  • THIS IS AN OFF THE WALL, BUT VERY RELATIVE QUESTION, If you could compare the community/online of the game Warhawk, to any other game on the market, even in just a general sense, which game would you compare it to?
    I know this question can become a hype-slope, but I’d really like to get a little more excited about it, not to say I’m not excited, I just want my next online shooter to capture more of my attention, and dedication than say, Resistance or Socom,… I used to love socom and resistance etc, but I found myself longing for older feeble games that had a more of a community aspect, such as ‘INFANTRY ONLINE’ from sony.station.com or whatever the SoE site is called now. PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION as I’ve been harping on Sony to push something with the similar community aspects, and game elements as INFANTRY ONLINE only newer gen technology, for approx 9 years now.

  • Oh and I’ll ask a question that has been asked a couple times on this thread so far, but has yet to be answered…
    … Does the blu-ray disc install Warhawk like the download does, or does it constantly read with the lens/laser…
    This will ultimately determine my purchase method.

  • Hey Dylan,
    I would like to welcome you back to the sheer brutailty of the Playstation.Blog, lol. As you may notice with some of the previous comments after you left for the evening you can easily tell were pretty cheap with our $$$. Well, lets face it, if people can get stuff for free, they’ll try it. Afterall, if someone handed me a case of beer for free, I wouldn’t complain.
    Seriously though, I think its great that you guys are being the first publishers to experiment with the PS Store/retail options. I think $40 is a great price point for a next gen game which apparently by the sounds of the people in the beta, is also a blast to play. I’m personally going to get the retail version with the headset. Not only you get a great game but you get a decent headset which can be used for other software on the PS3 as well.
    I would also like to comment that I think its great your taking a pro-active approach to this blog. Its great your actually going to take the time a form a Q/A section here to answer our most popular questions, which I might add is another first from the publishers.
    You should be proud of releasing a great game after all the hard work. And just a quick tibbit, we are actually quite starving for good quailty games on the PS3, so with that said, Warhawk is going to sell like hotcakes regardless.
    Just don’t come on here with a blog post starting with “Wow, I didn’t see that coming” and everything should be okay :-)

  • woooooooo hooooooooo

    i cant wait ill get the downloaded version

    on foot ftw!!!!!!

  • Yes, please if you could help us with whether the blu ray version will install the game to the hard drive. I know I’ll be running it off the hard drive, but would like to buy the retail version just for the extras….

  • The $60 game is a PACKAGE DEAL!

    SCEA has determined that at $40 the game will sell and they will actually make a profit on the game. $30, while it might spur more downloads, won’t cover the costs of developing the game. That being said.

    They did a very good job of making a value added package to hit the $59.99 price point that we all see in stores. Since the game is not worth $60, they threw in a Bluetooth headset WORTH $40 (retail) and some added content. Normally you guys pay at least $10 more for added content on games (Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden Sigma), and like $5-$10 for bonus stuff on DVDs.

    Stop assuming that PSN owners of the game are being shafted by the price. Assume the game is $40. Then add in that they’re selling a headset at/slightly above cost. No where in the store could you find a $40 headset for only $20 with no rebates. You’re actually getting a sweet deal, and you don’t have to wait 6-8weeks for a rebate.

    As for 2 retail SKUs, how well would that sell? We all saw what happened with the PS3s. The 20GB versions were left rotting on the shelf. Okay, so it’s software and not hardware. Look at DDR. Traditionally DDR has always been sold by Konami in 1)Software only pkg and 2)Software + dance pad pkg. How good are sales of #1 as opposed to #2? Is it even worth it? Game developers have to look at the cost of manufacturing, plus the demand for stores to carry it.

    Additionally, we have yet to see a “Greatest Hits” type title on the PS3. If Warhawk is as great as the Beta testers exclaim, the game should hit the requisite number of games sold (I think it’s a #sold and a time minimum, at least for PS2), so the game will eventually drop in price. Is it worth it to wait? Try picking up Counterstrike, BF2, or FFXI. Those games are not the same experience you would have had if you bought the game when it first came out. Will people even be on when you get the game, or just the really new people and the really hardcore players?

    Harddrive space? I’d guess the game is like 5gigs. I’m sure there will be more downloaded content once everyone gets bored with the same old maps, and I’m sure they’ll have to patch it because idiots will find glitches in the game and exploit them, as they do with any other online game.

    People you’re too lazy to get up, walk like 15 feet to your TV and pop in a disk? And some people wonder why obesity is growing in the US. What do you do when you have to go to the bathroom? lol

    My opinion: buy it now and have fun with the game. Just don’t all rush to download it at the same time because it will crash the PSN servers >.

  • with WARHAWK being released I might finnally put down Resistance- My go to game.

  • Man, I don’t remember if I was in the top 100’s…. I used to be around 21st until I had to go out of town for work :( I hope to get that pin. Anyhow, thanks for the news!

  • i hope its a midnight release

  • @Ron Eagle
    Two questions:

    1. Why Jabra headset? Why not Sony-Ericsson?
    2. Euro prices and release date?

  • @Commander

    Although i feel the game is totally worth a $40 PSN price…i certainly will not be paying it….i already have a Bluetooth headset and yet i’ll still spend the $60 and buy a hard copy for 2 reasons

    1.) the $60 price point is a MUCH BETTER deal

    2.) Im not storing a potentially HUGE file like that on my HD

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