This is the 1st game I will get strictly for multiplayer. And I am not a multiplayer gamer, so you know it's that good. Will definitely wait a few weeks for a price drop though.
Starhawk map packs will be free
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
LightBox will offer free levels so as not to divide players as predecessor Warhawk did; mystery paid DLC also planned for new shooter.
Gamers won't have to reach into their wallets to pick up map packs for LightBox Interactive's new PlayStation 3-exclusive shooter Starhawk. Company president Dylan Jobe explained today on the PlayStation Blog that all forthcoming map pack downloadable content for Starhawk will be free. No mention was made concerning how many total map packs will be released during the game's lifetime.
Jobe explained that the decision to offer all Starhawk map packs for free is due to lessons learned from 2007 predecessor Warhawk. Jobe said paid map pack DLC for that game divided players, and after three expansions, the community was "pretty fractured."
Starhawk shipped today exclusively for the PlayStation 3, and LightBox is already at work on the game's first free map pack, titled Cypress. The level is set on a lush, wet world, which is home to an abandoned research center formerly responsible for investigating the properties of Rift Energy.
Though map packs for Starhawk will be free, Lightbox will also offer paid DLC for the game. Details are not available on this content at present, with Jobe commenting, "We're still playing around with what that will be."
For more on Starhawk, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
83 comments
I find it rarely worth it to buy new games, I would buy this if it interested me But i just started playing Mag!.
I think they should make a rule to give all the people who are early opters of the highest price point the game will be at, All the download content for free. and those who pay less get less ,, as well as an older game.
Finally, a game where the developer's actually wait until after launch to start working on paid DLC
@ghstbstr ask yourself this. Do you want the limited edition and play a older game that has a smaller community for a extra $10 or get a newer game with a large player base already? and a few cosmetic features for your dashboard? that you spend only a min or two in. And a player skin you may or may not use? and a OST that you can get anywhere else if you like the music enough to listen to it all the time?
So if any of those features seem like a extra $10 go for it I say. If not save that $10 for gas in your car, a couple cases of pop, a movie ticket, etc. The possiblites are endless.
1 Like This is wonderful and more online games should do this. When map packs cost money, even if they're wonderful they can often not be worth it. The fact that they cost money reduces the number of players that can play it to the point where they're essentially useless. That will never be a problem in this case and periodic updates of free map packs is easily the best way to combat used sales.
So if all of the map packs will be free than this game might just be worth the $49.99/$59.99, and now I have to get it.
The question should I get the Limited Edition for $59.99 that is since it is only at Gamestop and they won't price match, or get the regular edition for $49.99 at another store?
1 Like Now if all the other multiplayer games would learn a lesson from this. As paid DLC is one of the main reasons why I have given up on multiplayer focused games. Who enjoys paying constantly for a new map after they already spent $60 to enjoy a game with friends? I know I sure as hell don't.
And it sucks when you join a party of people and they have to argue with one another for 10-20 mins figuring out who has what so they can play a single round. Good game design if I ever seen one *sarcasm*.
Just beat it tonight on hardest difficulty. It was waaaay too easy on normal but on Mayhem it was nigh impossible for me without a clear plan for each wave. Great gameplay which I can now replay with different playstyles. Glad to here this game is getting some free stuff, especially after I dropped some money and a new Ps3 for this game.
I picked my copy up, but never got a chance to try it yet. I will most likely play it on Saturday, but I'm definitely going to download the original Warhawk game tonight if it's the last thing I do.
1 Like Warhawk was one of my first PS3 titles and one of my first forays into online MP. It blew me away that this was what MP was all about. It wasn't the greatest graphically etc but I loved the fact you could just jump right in, no perks, no classes and have it out with everyone. It was damn good fun. I bought all the map packs and personally thought they were worth the value. Being an MP only game there wasn't any scope for any other type of DLC. That said, it did have an affect on the game as the servers dried up and soon the pack were mostly redundant.
I wholeheartedly commend Lightbox for learning from previous experience and making the changes that benefit us gamers. They were always proactive in enhancing the Warhawk experience day to day and it looks like that fantastic ethic will be shown in Starhawk.
I remember a time when new maps were absolutely free. I miss my PC gaming days, so many good memories. Lightbox is doing something good here, new maps should be free. I don't mind paying for DLC if it's a significant upgrade with like new playable characters in addition to new missions and new vehicles. Paying for just maps though is annoying. Good one Lightbox!
2 Like Dylan Jobe deserves to be President for his thoughts on this.
Finally someone with care for the gamers!!!
1 Like @allied129 Well yeah, Apple could make it released to be installed on any computer, but I'm sure it would be a $500 operating system... Which is significantly more than Windows. And then when you get a new computer, that OS will be obsolete, so you will want a new one, which will be more than a new copy of Windows.
Windows isn't priced too bad in reality. Xbox LIVE marketplace policies are a bad joke though.
Well that was just one example in witch Micro$oft is too greedy. Besides, even if that were to be the price of that OS I would gladly pay that knowing I could install it an unlimited amount of times on not just one but ALL my comps and I could reformat my comp and still install it without worries.
You see, I have gotten new Hard drives over the years and wanted to move where Windows is installed so I have more space for apps and to be better organized, because of how my dad bought the house a 3 use copy of Windows 7 Home Premium I was only able to do it twice since the third time went to my sis. So now, even though my dad BOUGHT the OS he now has to re-buy it again or we have to go online to find a crack that works just cause the key doesn't even tie to your computer like it should!
Overall, even after paying the $500 for Apple's OS at lest there updates only cost $60 and again no freaking Product keys to worry about.
BTW, I am no Apple fanboy and to prove it, I had a iPhone 4 when they first came out and got rid of it to go with Android just cause I like being able to do anything with my phone and dont have to worry about waiting for a jailbreak to be released before I can update.
I hope this helps clear up what I meant to say :)
2 Like You see, Japanese people have some dignity. Sony's disappointed with the hardware and software sales, but they don't shove crap into their first party games to make people like them (*cough* Kinect).
On the other hand, you got Microsoft, whose sales do good, having a banter with everyone (Epic, Valve, CD Projekt Red etc) that wants to put free DLC on the Marketplace.
Keep up Lightbox, honesty will get you somewhere! :)
1 Like Lucky i just got Starhawk Yesterday And now This News? It just keep getting better and better!
7 Like Some faith in humanity is restored. Thank you LightBox!!
Now if only certain OTHER companies would do this...*cough*ActivisionEACapcomUbisoftTHQ*cough*
3 Like If the game is good I'll consider getting it but I couldn't get into Warhawk so.....
Nice to see a developer offer free maps rather than charge an arm and a leg for them....looking at you Activision......
Smart move by LBI. Now if only some other companies would learn that paid maps lead to multiplayer seperation.
21 Like "Hey Capcom, look! These guys are offering free DLC for their game!"
Capcom: "IT BURNS US. MY EYES!!! AHHH!!!"
5 Like @megakick That's good. Encourages users to buy the new game -> more money to the devs who actually made the game -> less money to the game store who contributed nothing.
Also a step in the right direction as far as free DLC goes (or should I say, a step BACK in the right direction since it used to be standard practice for DLC/updates to be free...)
8 Like a step in the right direction i hate paying for map packs i hope more games do this
Nice to see a game that actually will release map packs for free. Actually might pick this one up now. Had warhawk but didn't buy into the DLC map packs so I lost interest. This is definitely a good way to keep players interested and people more likely to buy the game
7 Like starHawk is out today. Will the relevation that map packs will be free. This should increase sales of StarHawk. A great sign that a developer cares about more that just making a quick buck. Only if more publisher were caring about their fans. Keeping the StarHawk community together.
15 Like Another reason to get away from MicroSoft...
They said if the Witcher 2 devs were to make new DLC, they'd be forced to charge people for it on console. This is why Sony isn't that bad compared to those idiots and their greed.
1 Like @RavageCobra That's not really Microsofts fault. Games like COD are on both systems and both have the same DLC at the same price. Almost every shooter has paid DLC on both systems and the PC. This game is a true exception and I love the direction Sony is going.However, I do hate Sony's online passes. It's ruining the second hand market, and that's greedy as well (although Sony didn't invent the idea and isn't the only one using them). Sony is also known for removing things like OtherOS without a good reason. The PS3 was already hacked, why not bring the feature back? Don't be ignorant fanboys people, both companies have their flaws. It's just a matter of perception.Oh and the 360 does have free DLC for some older games as well and even a few free arcade games. It's not much but still.
Well there is a problem with yoru words mate.They shut down otherOS because its major use in pirating and other illegal practices.
@WolfGrey that doesn't make sense, a lot of people pirate on their computers but you don't see them shutting down all computers because of it. Heck i could probably pirate on my phone if i knew where to look but they won't do and shutdown the phone or its OS just because of that. there must be other reasons
1 Like Interesting you bring up the witcher 2. I was looking how much the witcher 2 enhanced edition was on steam after it came out but steam said I already had it. I look in my library and its there. I noticed the witcher 2 had been updating earlier but I didn't know why but basically on pc the witcher 2 enhanced edition was a free upgrade if you had the original. Now there is no way Microsoft would have allowed that if the game came out on the 360 the same day as it did on pc last year, also the free arena DLC we got, that wouldn't have been free on 360 either I bet.
8 Like
Yup makes me remember the time when Valve wasn't considering the PS3 cause they thought the 360 was better, then found out how greedy Micro$oft actually was. I'm talking about the Left for Dead incident of course, sad that they were forced to put a price tag on said items.
3 Like @allied129 Agreed Sony knows how to treat their customers while MS are greedy bastards trying to charge for everything. That's why I rarely even play 360 anymore.
3 Like
Yup, when they announced the 360 Slim, I had the urge to go buy one once I had the money to but decided against doing so just cause I knew it would be collecting dust a little while later (due to little actual games), that and the fact they still charge for Live.
I also hate it how Windows always costs sooooooooo much (if you want all the features) to buy and once you use that Product Key that is it it is now invalid, no way of disabling it so you can put it on another computer, instead they want you to go out and buy it all over again.
That is why I wish Apple would open up there OS so it could be installed on ANY comp other than their own. Just cause for one no serial number is required to install it at all. I also like the look and feel of it over Windows at times. Overall, Micro$oft can learn a thing or too from Apple's iTunes program, especially with how the DRM in it is concerned since you can easily disable one (or all) comps so you can use your account on other computers, all for free!
9 Like Wait, your just now working on DLC? Nonono, you make DLC before the actual game, lock it on disc, then charge for it when you "release" it months down the road... Is it sad that I kinda actually want to pay these guys for their DLC now? Just out of principle though...
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- Publisher(s): SCEA
- Developer(s): LightBox Interactive
- Genre: Action
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- ESRB: T
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