1. We set up a new host at a new data center in Dallas just today
  - look for "dallas2" in the server name.
  - I want to hear your experience.
2. We got rid of the worst of the Dallas-based hosts.
  - The networking infrastructure just couldn't hang
3. E3 was productive
  - Several pretty big developments wrapping up; can't say anything yet ;)
  - The AirMech VR demo for the Oculus was great
4. Signed on a new core engine programmer
  - he's starting in early July
5. Actively interviewing Sr. Technical Artists and Gameplay Programmers
  - if you're interested or you know someone who might be, email resume and stuff here: http://reloadedinc.com/jobs.html
  - we're aiming for experienced vets
  - tell them capnjosh sent you
6. We're going to throw some active support at tournaments and leagues:
  - for now submit a support ticket with any and all updates you want us to know about
  - we will be sure to advertise them on the official Hawken channels
7. For this next week or so we're going to try something with HC: increase the per-minute HC gain rate
  - we're doubling it and doubling the max you can get per match
  - we're hoping to take some more of the edge of the sense of the "grind" and "paywall" that many have complained about. 
  - Also, we didn't like how lame this looked (it's a simple chart showing how many users receive how much HC due to time in-match):

Docgotgame live streaming ‪#‎hawken‬ is starting now on the SteelSeries Twitch channel with giveaways! See you there! twitch.tv/steelseries

Here's what's happened since the last update:

1. Pricing adjustments
- they're not permanent, but I'm leaving them at these lower levels for a while to gather more data
- we'll make further adjustments in the next week or so
2. Gameserver hosts are handling incoming packets more quickly
- you should see some smoother gameplay
- if you've got some bad experience, let us know via a support ticket
3. We started up a new gameserver host in a different data center so we could get some comparison data
- we will keep this going for a while
4. We've got source control branches in a state where we are now actively working with them
5. E3 meeting prep and roadmap planning
- we've seen how Hawken has performed over the past few months, so now we can start solidifying plans
6. Steam Summer Sale fun
- Yup, MC is 20% off

Here's what's happening in the next week (at a high level):

1. Next week is E3, and quite honestly things turn toward meetings, introductions, conversations and "strategy"
- This is often times where the seeds of great ideas are planted, so I'm focusing on ensuring we stay focused on that
2. High level design direction will be happening
- hint: it's rooted in how the technology and politics develops on Illal
3. Dev team interviews and hiring will continue, though with more gusto
- Top needs: Technical art and gameplay/engine programming with 7+ years experience

Double HC weekend starts now and ends Sunday night at 11:59 PM PDT! Also, for a limited time, you can test drive the Technician, Predator and Rocketeer Mechs for free. While they're listed as free trial, you can purchase these Mechs at a sale price of 1,116 MC each. What are you waiting for? Stop by your garage to test drive these Mechs until Friday, June 19th.
 

Free Mech Test Drive: Infiltrator, Raider and Vanguard

For a limited time, you can test drive the Infiltrator, Raider and Vanguard Mechs for free. All mechs come fully equipped with items and internals. Stop by your garage to test drive these Mechs until Friday, June 12th.

CapnJosh is live streaming #hawken, join in on the stream at twitch.tv/officialhawken

Attn Pilots! Please welcome Applesmaush to #Hawken! She's live streaming now, say hello and hit that follow button! twitch.tv/applesmaush

We've let the half-off weekend extend pretty far into the week, partly because these prices are just plain fun and partly because we wanted to see what happened after the initial sale excitement wore off. It's valuable to see that sort of thing.
 
Now it's time to bring the regular prices back - I can hear the "booooo ... hissss" now ;). However, we're going to do it a little differently. We are going to do this in stages. First up will be the mechs. We've got a hunch that the previous mech prices have introduced an unnecessary sense of Pay2Win - each mech is actually competitive in its own right, but the significant pricing differences would seem to indicate something very different. So starting today all base mech packages will be priced at 9,923HC and 948MC.  The goal is to clearly deliver the message to new users that Hawken's design goals are to be balanced and *not* Pay2Win.
 
Obviously, some mechs cost more now.  However, note that all the upgrades to a mech still cost less, thus reducing the total spend that users would sink into a mech (think of how new users need to test out a number of upgrade combinations before they find a build that works best for them).  Also, for those of you who purchased mechs at a higher price in the past, we're hoping the lowered upgrade prices will help mitigate that sense of gross injustice ;)
 
We will be adjusting the prices of the remaining products over the coming 2 weeks, so check in on the store often.  I think you'll appreciate the changes.
 
 
-capnjosh
(and yes, when in doubt, you can blame me)

Check out what we've been working on at

https://community.playhawken.com/topic/2276-weekly-update-2015-05-29/

For a limited time, you can test drive the Berserker, Sharpshooter, and Grenadier Mechs for free. All mechs come fully equipped with items and internals. Stop by your garage to test drive these Mechs until Friday, June 5th.