Hi Everyone!!
Before I jump-in with the FAQ, I wanted to let everyone know that our V1.2 patch will go-live on December 19th at 10:00 GMT (that’s 2am pacific time). We will be bringing our game servers off-line while we roll-out the patch from 10:00 to 16:00 GMT (that’s 2am to 8am pacific).
Also, the Warhawk: Omega Dawn Booster Pack goes on sale December 20th on the PlayStation Store for $7.99!
So, below is a huge batch of questions that we grabbed from your comments. Hopefully you all find the answers useful, helpful, enlightening, entrancing … blah, blah, blah.
FAQ-on!
“OrganicShadow” Wants to know …
Can both teams have a dropship at the same time?
YES – the Combat Dropship only spawns in at specific locations and these bases become really important to hold. They also take awhile to respawn so you don’t see them constantly. But some of our best memories from working on Omega Dawn are from crazy Dropship-on-Dropship battles where nearly everyone in the battlefield is in the air!
Can you give us a roundabout estimate as to how much damage a dropship can take before kaboom time?
It’s really hard to estimate the time because it varies from weapon to weapon. It also varies because, just like a classic BOSS, the dropship has a weak point that causes more damage. I’ve seen a well coordinated team take a dropship down pretty quickly…but the inverse is also true. I’ve seen a team command a dropship for 10 minutes or more. It really depends on how you and your team or clan works together.
Out of curiosity, what button grabs the vehicles and do you have to keep it held?
The CIRCLE button picks up vehicles and you don’t have to hold it the whole time. Also, the player who’s inside the vehicle being carried can also cut power to the tractor beam by pressing CIRCLE as well as long as they are in a “safe” place to dismount.
Will it be available through the game like an in-game store or will we have to back out and go to the PS Store, download it, then go back in?
You can buy the Omega Dawn Booster Pack in both places; the PlayStation Store *and* at the Warhawk in-game store. When you buy Omega Dawn from the Warhawk in-game store, it’s very streamlined. You just pick the product from the list, download the content, it automatically installs and BAM, you’re good to go. You don’t even need to restart Warhawk.
“P_tear_griffin” Wants to know …
I can see how people can be kept out of the new map if they don’t buy it but what about the dropship on the old maps?
The v1.2 patch includes some new features for the server/game list. It allows you to see maps that you don’t have but Warhawk lets you know they are locked until you buy them. So if you don’t have Omega Dawn, you won’t be able to join server running an update dropship version of an older map.
Will the SCEA, SCEE and other dedicated servers indicate the need to purchase the new content before entering the server?
We have also added a very simple color code to the server list. Players will now see a Green, Yellow or Red dot next to the server name that shows that servers content status. For example: if you see a Green dot, your content matches perfectly with the content of the server. If you see a Yellow dot, you have some but not all of the content. If you see a Red dot, you have none of the content.
If you join a server that is running content that you don’t have, you will be allowed to join but prompted that you need the required content to join the game. We then allow the player to buy the expansion content right there once the server has determined what they need.
By the way Dylan, will we see new troop weapons in the near future?
Good question!! I can’t talk too much about it right now but let’s just say that there is some new stuff in the works for ground troops…and it will be FREE for all players!
“Bierbeer” Wants to know …
How about v1.2? I know the Omega Dawn is BIG but I’d like to know how 1.2 is progressing?
We’re done with both. The v1.2 patch comes out on December 19th at 10:00 GMT and the Omega Dawn Booster Pack will be released on December 20th.
“Eclipsed4utoo” Wants to know …
How will this effect CTF? Will the dropship be able to carry someone who has the flag? Will it be able to carry a vehicle that is carrying the flag?
It makes a huge difference!! First off, you *can* be in a ground vehicle with the flag when you get picked-up by a dropship. This really changes the way teams work together when playing CTF. Swooping in to pickup your teammate that’s under fire, and whisking him away to safety is awesome!
You can’t be a normal passenger in the dropship when you have the flag, just like a Warhawk. However, if your server is set to allow “FLY WITH FLAG” then you can, just like in any other normal Warhawk game.
“Bhive01” Wants to know …
Ever consider doing a snow/mountain level?
Hmmm … snow you say?
“MotoX3style” Wants to know …
The question I have is, will someone be able to be in the vehicle while its being transported by the dropship?
YES – its one of the great things about the dropship. You can pickup tanks and 4×4 with players still in them!
“D1rk-Knight” Wants to know …
Is this pack being released in all PSN stores at once or will it be available only in the American store?
Very good question!! The Omega Dawn Booster-Pack will be available in all PlayStation Stores world-wide!
“Agriel” Wants to know …
Will we be seeing a world-wide release on this or will Europe have to wait?
Ahhh … there’s a trend emerging here! Europe will *NOT* have to wait. Warhawk is a global game and our v1.2 patch and Omega Dawn Booster-Pack is being released simultaneously world-wide. The v1.2 patch is being release at 10:00 GMT and the Booster Pack goes on sale December 20th. The specific hour of the Booster-Pack’s release varies from country to country but definitely on December 20th!
“Carl” Wants to know …
Do you have any idea how much this will cost in the United Kingdom?
YES – It will cost £3.99.
How big will the download be? I’m running short on HDD space at the moment?
The Warhawk v1.2 patch is 42MB and the Omega Dawn Booster-Pack is 143MB.
“JJ-F1” Wants to know …
If I purchase this expansion pack, will all users on my PS3 be able to access it or will it be limited to my (master) account?
If you purchased a Blu-ray version of Warhawk then *any* account can play just like you’ve always been able to. If you purchased Warhawk from the PlayStation Store, then you already know that you are required to use the account that purchased the game.
“AbandonAllHope” Wants to know …
Any chance of adding minimum rank limited servers in the booster or patch instead of just MAX rank?
YES – We are adding this in our v1.3 patch. I’ll discuss that more in a later post.
“SeanScythe2” Wants to know …
Are we going to have flashlights or something like that? Maybe spot lights to shine the sky?
NO – Sorry there are no flashlights or spotlights :-(
“Snowglobe” Wants to know …
You are going to make sure that the patch/content works on non-NA PS3s this time, aren’t you?
Ha…Yes of course!!! That wasn’t really the problem that we faced when the wrong European v1.1 patch was released but long story short … YES!
Have there been any additional fixes in the 1.2 patch or is it exactly the same stuff which was mentioned before?
The same fixes that we mentioned back in this blog post are the ones that you’ll all be seeing in the release of our v1.2 patch on December 19th.
“Hplcman” Wants to know …
What kind of defenses will the dropship have? I know it will have that cannon but what help would that be against a missile turret? Will there be a stealth mode for it? Can it pick up the same powerups as the Warhawks?
The Dropship is very powerful and has a lot of health. It also can acquire chaff pickups. It can carry 6 of them. Chaff and health are the only pickups that the Dropship can get.
“Kurtkbee” Wants to know …
Is it possible that we will see game with more than 32 players and also more official (ranked) servers?
You probably won’t see more that 32 player in Warhawk. On the topic of more servers, we monitor our Official server load very closely. Right now we’re keeping up with demand and if it looks like we ever aren’t keeping up, then we’ll look at supplementing our server cluster.
“Youlikeyams” Wants to know …
So I’m guessing America will get this a month before Europe?
Oh wow … this is a bad trend indeed!!! Everyone around the globe will get Warhawk Omega Dawn at the same time! :-)
“Byrd864” Wants to know …
When you enter the KT-424 as a passenger can you free roam in the ship? Or is it going to be like flying as a passenger in the Warhawk?
NO – it’s not like a capital ship with different rooms that you can walk around in. Size-wise, it’s about 4 times bigger than the Warhawk.
When you are a passenger, you get to control a swarm missile turret so that you can help defend the dropship and attack incoming aircraft and other targets.
“Reson8er” Wants to know …
How will it work for those that do NOT download the content?
Players that choose not to purchase the Omega Dawn Booster-Pack can continue to enjoy the same fast-paced gameplay they have been for the last 4 months. However because they haven’t purchased the Booster-Pack, they won’t be able to play on any of the new Omega Dawn layouts or play with the dropship.
“heihachi vs. Kazuya” Wants to know …
As for this update any chance it will be free after awhile?
Well…I’m not the pricing guy so I couldn’t tell you. Sorry. I will say this though. Our patches like the v1.2 update that gives you new server features and new layouts will always be FREE. I’m a firm believer that an online game needs to continue to fix bugs and exploits but also add new value for the player community.
As far as Booster-Packs…again, I’m not the pricing guy but I gotta believe that we won’t be giving Booster-Packs away for free.
“gardea” Wants to know …
Are the dropships the big ships we saw when Warhawk was still in dev?
NO – those were very early capital ships that were from our singleplayer campaign…may it rest in peace :-)
“Darkflame588” Wants to know …
So, by the sound of “boss”, that means there will only be 1 per map?
There are at most 2 Dropships per map. The vast majority of the time players will see only 1 dropship at a time but sometimes, when the respawn timers are just in-sync and the battles have played out just right, you can get some really great dropship-on-dropship battles that last a long time.
“Wilester” Wants to know …
Is this December release for Europe as well or will it fall into 2008?
We take our European players very, very seriously. Actually, we take ALL our players very seriously that’s why we are launching our Booster-Pack simultaneously world-wide.
“Contractkilla” Wants to know …
My question is how will the dropship affect pure deathmatch games?
This is a very good question! The dropship had a very big impact on pure deathmatch games. So much so that we felt it was massively unbalanced so we disallow dropships in pure-deathmatch games.
“Kenshin001” Wants to know …
Will the downloadable content be region coded?
More or less yes…it’s not based on hardware region code, but based on the region where you purchased the game Warhawk. USA, Europe, Japan, etc.
“Cerberus_hunter” Wants to know …
Will Omega Dawn be released on Blu-ray?
NO – The Omega Dawn is available on the PlayStation Store only.
How long are you guys gonna keep making Warhawk Booster-Packs?
For billions and billions of years!! Ha…no seriously we’re not sure. As long as there is a market for it I think we should continue to develop them.
“Gamenut6659” Wants to know …
Is the tank glitch gonna be fixed?
YES – OMG! It was a problem that resulted in players being able to mount invisible turrets and warhawks too. It was a terrible exploit that is fixed in the v1.2 patch!!
“Canthor” Wants to know …
Will there be new extras like a set of night vision goggles?
There are no new night vision goggles, sorry. But as I alluded to earlier…we do have some new troop stuff in the works for our v1.3 update.
You guys should add a double experience weekend like COD4 did. It would bring back a lot of players, and make users happy that played for months without stats recorded (like myself) :)
You said the Omega-Dawn Booster was getting released worldwide right?
Well i launched Warhawk on my Playstation, updated it to 1.2v, but the store didnt have anything on it, neither did the Playstation store – I live in Europe,
Help me out have, i done something wrong Mr. Jobe?
@ Zain
He said 20th December that’s mean tomorrow not today. be patient . :)
every one got it but europe he said it gona released every where on the same time
Man this is just totally awsome, If this doesnt add to the sales of Warhawk nothing will. I believe this to be one of the best online games out there and continue to look forward to many more updates and booster packs to enhance the great game play to a even better exspierence. Thanks for listening to our requestes and or demands.
Hey Dylan, Thanks for the patch for Warhawk! The DualShock 3 support is fantastic, I will be purchasing the expansion tomorrow. Just wanted to ask you…
With the likes of Super Stardust HD, High Velocity Bowling and Folding@Home now supporting custom soundtracks, will it be possible to have this in Warhawk?
Like some people have mentioned, I would love a party system on this game. I could get more friends who recently bought PS3s to get this game because on occassions when I want friends or friends on my friends list who are in games in which I want to join don’t always happen as the occassion of seeing the server full preventing me from playing with my PSN Friends.
However, fantastic work on Warhawk and I will be purchasing the Omega Expansion Pack tomorrow!
#157
That is one hell.. of an idea my friend :]
Those ideas would definently readdict me to Warhawk!
So what do you think Dylan?
CAN YOU PICK UP ENEMY VEHICLES? Perhaps with *smirk smirk laugh* enemies still in it and drop them to their doom?
I bought the Omega Dawn Map Pack. Haven’t had the chance to play yet!
BUT did see the new airship. SWEET LOOKING RIDE! ;3
Hmmm….Nice…nice….I may just have to join this “online sensation” . (slowly puffs on his pipe while drinking scotch in front of a fire place)
sick update
Just downloaded everything and gave it a test run on my lunch break. That new map is very impressive. Can’t wait to get off work to get some games in using the new maps and the dropship!
PLZ HELP
I downloaded patch 1.2 and the Omega Dawn expansion, I get an error message saying “CANNOT FIND KEY IN LOCSET”
omg. is it time to download yet? I WANT IT NOW!!! this game is beyond crack
@ Quest3…..try redownloading the updates/games. Might fix your bug.
I would also like some kind of party system implemented. Too many times have i gotten a friend to be in my game only to wind up on the opposing side. I can’t even talk to him at that point! I might as well have been playing by myself!
With the updates in firmware to ps3, psp, F@H and now even Warhawk…it feels like im getting Christmas presents early.
Parachutes for warhawk pilots would be nice, instead of the “unable to dismount” error. You could then eject at the last second and possibly survive a missile strike, you’d be a sitting duck until you land of course, but better than a fireball in the sky. Also, imagine pointing your warhawk at an enemy base, ejecting, watching it hit then peppering the survivors with missiles as you float down.
YAY!
I’m getting the same CANNOT FIND KEY IN LOCSET I’ve tried redownloading the omega dawn but how would I redownload version 1.2? Any other ideas?
Can we have the pack be universal on one ps3? Looks as if you know. the game pack is locked to one account on the ps3.
This look nice!! I will get this….
Dyan Jobe I hope you finally get rid of these stupid idiots in War-Hawk who think there better then you when all they do is cheat and camp!..I use my brain and use skills to win not cheat or camp thats for sissies!..I hope this new map pack has more places to hide so they can’t find you so quick etc..Now please fix the ranking because I should’ve had all my master badges by now for on ground combat!..Well God bless you all who are trying to get of the cheaters etc..Merry Christmas! And I Hope You Have A Save And Happy New Year!
Sorry rid of the cheaters I have cuts on my fingers not cool.Thank you for listening!..But Seriously War-Hawk is fun when there is no cheaters etc..But please think about adding more features to War Hawk in 2008!
yeah… as a ground troop, you’d want to crap your pants once you hear the “Waa..waa…waa…” humming sound that the enemy dropship makes, especially if you’re playing w/ surround sound…
Incognito, you have made an excellent vehicle, and I’m glad I was able to experience it before the actual release. :)
Its out but no ranked servers for it :(
yeah, I love the new map- it’s HUUGE… and I think the capture zones are awesome w/ the lighting…
I’m not trying to be mean but I don’t like the new CTF points system. I used to get 100+ points per game not just for saving the flag but also destroying the flag carrier. Now I don’t because I don’t like those campers but everybody gets the same amount of points now. And also 5 second respawns is a long time. I’m not the only complaining, I’ve seen a lot of people complaining too. I hope you guys reconsider this.
@3d3
Not all servers are 5 secs+ dude.
Hi i really enjoy the new update and wanted to know if Jetpacks can be implemented.
Glad to see some important questions answered.
But I do have a question or two for you.
Where do you see the future of Warhawk and its updates going? More toward adding more weapons, customizations and maybe even vehicles and things to make the actual game more fun? Or more towards adding in features like an option to record games and other things like that?
Thanks in advanced! :D
Any chance on adding support for the PSP? Perhaps using the PSP as an added screen to display the field map. Its annoying pressing the select button bringing up the field map to see where the enemies planes are at, then going back to the main screen. Why not have the PSP serve this function?
DYLAN,
This is completely unfair and wrong. I’ve had Warhawk since launch and have dealt with too much BS to learn that many people today got Omega Dawn for FREE! You really should make it free to all if it was free to some. Very unfair thing of you to do, Dylan. I see that many have already purchased it and now many of them are pissed because others got OD for free. What’s with this?
Oh and my [DELETED] still not connecting right. You guys on this crap? Just a “Yes” or a “No” will do. it doesn’t have to elaborate.
Hmm my last message didn’t get through;
My $60 game is still not connecting right, D. Are you guys on this? A simple “Yes” or “No” is adequate. I’m gettin real you duckin us.
This omega pack is great! I love it.
I love the New map and the drop ship is INSANE you get that thing loaded and it damn near impossible to take down. The new CTF rules are perfect it makes the game 100 times more intense.
PLEASE DO A SNOW LEVEL! THAT WOULD BE FREAKING AWESOME! I hope that when you said “hmm… snow you say?” I hope that means that you are aready working on a snow level.
@Gregero
Obviously, you don’t know everything about it. The pricing situation was a glitch, in which it allowed some to download the booster pack free, it wasn’t an intended thing, those who got it free just happen to be lucky. I don’t think necessarily you want to get chewed out for a mistake that happen, especially if it loses you money, so really you should stay calm and learn to deal with the situation, its not like you didn’t get what you paid for.
This update rocks. Just on thing that is bad. You guys changed the respawn time ib the official servers to 5 seconds!!! That kills the action! :( Put 2 seconds respawn time!
Hey Dylan, just a question please. I see that you’ve implimented the ability to add a server to the favourites, from the menu’s between matches. Could I ask that the next patch flips it’s position, so when I wish to leave, the default cursor position is on exit, not add to favourites. Then could you tell me how to remove them from my favourites please too. Ha ha ha! Can you see what’s happened? I’ve tried exiting a few games, and now have unwanted favourite servers.
I like the traffic light system for games. Very nice. I’ve just realised that I should have checked to see if it was filterable, but I’m sure you’ve thought of that already.
Overall, quite a good patch and booster pack. Keep up the good works.
great update guys.
Omega down is huge and the KT-424 is a super combat carrier/transport/drop -ship
I hope yopu make much more updates like those and kkeep bringing the patches also :D
I’m also interested in comming updates and boosterpacks. Maybe you guys can add more info when you log in on warhawk (for ex. 2 weeks before a new update, you give out a message).
And now a question:
Would you guys be able to implement a message system in warhawk so you can send messages to your friends/other WH players who you met in a game and you guys (or receive messages from both)?
that would be very HANDY :D
can u make a party system for the next update
Dylan my clan mates and I 24 of us have just spent the last 8hrs playing Omega Dawn. Creating rooms, exploring, and having some great battles. Havent spent much time on any new maps except 1st O.D. one. We have been having a real blast. Some members are very critical towards Incog, they spent a lot of time trying to find anything to complain about. They have nothing to say cause all works great. O.D. ROCKS. Thanks great work.
I own 2 PS3 and want to know if I can share the Omega pack on my other one? Do I need to purchase it twice? Cheers
Really like the new map, it’s the best of the bunch. I’m not so impressed with the dropship, it’s very good, but you need a team to fly it properly, and teamwork is hard to come by in this game.
My comment, or complaint, relates to price. Again. I’m a Canadian, and we had to pay a whole dollar more than our American friends. Now, it’s just a dollar, so I pluncked down my not-so-hard-earned money and bought the expansion, but it’s part of a trend.
All products in the PS Store are higher priced for we north of the border. Don’t know if you’re all aware, but the Canadian dollar is currently worth slightly more than the American greenback, and has been at or above parity for quite a while now.
So, why the higher prices here? Why are you charging Canadians more for the same download?
you bought when the pricing were glitched.
those why spent 8 Dollars downloaded a day earlier…
I agree with patrick….
Why are we paying more here in Canada Sony?
99US 1.49CAN does not make sense?
Hello Dylan, would you please be able to tell the community a little about the point structure now that 1.2 has been released? Before the release I would average between 75 – 150 points a game by simply trying to achieve the objective: vanquishing the enemy, capturing zones and flags (NOT FLAG CAMPING). Now, with the new update, most people are averaging around 20 – 30 points a game. Points aren’t everything; the game is awesome but just getting a couple thousand points will take a ridiculous amount of time. I guess what I’m getting at is although you have eliminated the means for flag campers to score cheap points, how are the real gamers rewarded?
Keep up the awesome work…can’t wait for the booster pack!
Great update and fantastic blog post!!
Just a few questions:
1. How many shots from a rocket launcher does it take to take down a dropship? All 6?
2. From what I understand, if the new points system really does limit the amount of points you can get, will you guys consider lowering the amount of points required to rank up? It’s kind of ridiculous as is and lowering the points obtained during matches really discourages you from even attempting to rank up (since it would take so damn long). Maybe you guys can make a rank up system based more on the leaderboard (like in Socom) than points (but still include medals and ribbon requirements). Just a thought.
3. Party system! I know I’m not the first to ask for this, but it would make a HUGE difference to the Warhawk experience! So can we possibly expect this in the 1.3 update?
How can I get the Omega Dawn addon in Iceland ?
The map pack is awesome!
Will you marry me?