Warhawk beta starts next week, application up now
by Ross Miller 
{ May 17th 2007 at 1:57PM }
Our worrisome siblings at PS3 Fanboy fret that the beta, initially announced only to members of the exclusive Game Advisory Panel and the RLS, will remain exclusive to the two aforementioned groups. The beta for PS Home was predominantly GAP members and it appears the same situation might happen here. Regardless, it never hurts to try.
Gallery: Warhawk
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Martez @ May 17th 2007 2:01PM
Uh, I think everyone is off playing some other beta.
tituspullo @ May 17th 2007 2:07PM
copy cats!
TwingTwang @ May 17th 2007 2:08PM
@1:
That explains the lack of the xbots :)
Fernando Rocker @ May 17th 2007 2:10PM
I feel sorry for Sony, really... they are very desperated.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 2:25PM
Releasing the application for the beta a week before it opens does smack of PR stunt. I can imagine Sony touting how fast the positions filled or something to that extent. Besides the PR maneuvering, though, this beta is a good thing. This was supposed to be a launch title, after all. Here's hoping the wait was worth it.
tituspullo @ May 17th 2007 2:29PM
they need games so i guess this is good. so far the PS3, folds@home and it's a movie player, adding some games would be a plus
NATO_Duke @ May 17th 2007 2:37PM
@3 -"That explains the lack of the xbots :)"
omg, you so burned the 360 owners. Damn. Oh wait, how bout you say M$ one time for us all too?
sheppy @ May 17th 2007 2:37PM
You guys DOOOO realize there were such things as betas before Halo 3, right? No? A shame, really. Because I have, somewhere in my massive collection of unsorted discs, public betas for Resident Evil Outbreak, SOCOM, Auto Modellista, Killzone, Monster Hunter, SOCOM PSP, Ratchet & Clank 3, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, and SOCOM 2. I got the email invite to both Home and Warhawk (I didn't get into Home but fingers crossed for Warhawk). I've been active in the Sony (and PC... just don't know if MS betaing is a rare thing or not) beta community for a long time now. I don't see how the Warhawk beta is trying to outdo anybody. It's not like they're pushing "exclusive access" with game purchases or making access into some sort of contest.
NATO_Duke @ May 17th 2007 2:38PM
@3 -"That explains the lack of the xbots :)"
omg, you so burned the 360 owners. Damn. Oh wait, how bout you say M$ one time for us all too?
NATO_Duke @ May 17th 2007 2:39PM
Sweet - I double posted. I want an award!
DBX00 @ May 17th 2007 2:41PM
Ha Ha...Have you guys missed the news for the last 24 hours? The game library is the least of the problems, but nice try. We'll see who is showing off the largest collection of upcoming titles for 2007 at E3. What's the next big title after Halo 3 in September? GoW 2?
sheppy @ May 17th 2007 2:45PM
DBX00, to be fair. PS3 doesn't have a massive library right now so to say a dramatic increase is in order is like saying "damn, dawg... tomorrow, like the sun is gonna rise and bring light and shit... No more tripping over my 40s my nizzles."
Also, we'll see how many of those Fall games actually do drop. Consider this for a moment. By now, we were supposed to have had Heavenly Sword, Warhawk, and Lair. We'll see how much longer we have to wait. Also, some games have just now gotten their dates. Who's to say they won't be pushed back. Also? 360? Totally has the advantage in RPGs this holiday season.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 2:47PM
Bioshock.
Anyway, I don't think anyone is accusing Sony of copying Halo 3 or betas- it's just the timing of the announcement and the Beta's opening that resembles them waving their arms while everyone's reading two pages of Halo 3 news.
But I wouldn't just sit back and let H3 take the spotlight, either. I'd try for some attention as well.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 2:48PM
Bioshock.
Anyway, I don't think anyone is accusing Sony of copying Halo 3 or betas- it's just the timing of the announcement and the Beta's opening that resembles them waving their arms while everyone's reading two pages of Halo 3 news.
But I wouldn't just sit back and let H3 take the spotlight, either. I'd try for some attention as well.
sheppy @ May 17th 2007 2:54PM
"Anyway, I don't think anyone is accusing Sony of copying Halo 3 or betas- it's just the timing of the announcement and the Beta's opening that resembles them waving their arms while everyone's reading two pages of Halo 3 news."
What announcements? Gamers day finally gave a retail plan to a game that was jumping between two different states of existance. On BluRay, On PSN. They only finalized that detail, officially ruined the PSN community by giving away a bluetooth headset, and said a Beta was coming soon. This was one announcement amidst three full days of announcements.
I wake up this morning, see an email with a beta invite in my hotmail inbox and follow the instructions. Apparently I was not the only person to get this email. But Sony hasn't made a single announcement to the press about the Warhawk beta.
DBX00 @ May 17th 2007 3:04PM
Sheppy,
I don't disagree with you on the fact that these titles have been pushed back in the past (launch window result in launch issues), but we're seeing gameplay and betas for several of those titles. It also doesn't negate my point that these titles will appear on the PS3 at somepoint in the near future regardless of if they get pushed back a month or two.
The XBOX360 doesn't have that same pipeline in production. People have been complaining about the lack of exclusive titles, but yesterday you got a taste of several FIRST/SECOND party titles that will be released in the next 6-8 months on the PS3. This doesn't include any of the potential third party exclusives in the mix (ie. final fantasy and MGS4).
As far as RPG's are concerned, you may want to take a look at Folklore and also realize that unless one of those RPGs is Final Fantasy it is simply a placeholder until the big guns are released.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 3:04PM
Sending invites out is akin to announcing it. I guess they didn't do a formal press release, so I apologize for my improper wording. They also told the GAP the date for the beta opening, and the date and a link to register for the beta is on the Warhawk website. Seems announcement-ish enough.
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 3:08PM
DBX, please give it up. Mass Effect will haunt your dreams. mark my words.
who cares that warhawk is doing a beta, they just chose a real bad time to announce it, but hey Sony = Timing am i right?
i'm much more concerned with this disturbing Sony trend of making incomplete multiplayer only games (now my precious SOCOM) that only prove blu-ray wasn't needed for games.
.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 3:11PM
I honestly don't see why it's such a bad thing. There are so many great multiplayer games with a lackluster, tacked-on single player campaign. Why not scratch the mode altogether, and put the game online for cheaper? I would've loved to get Timesplitters 2 or 3 for $20-30 with online only. The single player modes were boring, and the game was designed for multiplayer, just like Warhawk and (arguably) SOCOM.
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 3:16PM
microsoft and ubisoft make awesome, COMPLETE, multiplayer and singleplayer games on DVD9 (halo, crackdown, graw, rainbow6...).
so why can't Sony and the vaunted Blu-Ray we all paid $200 extra for?
.
Sesur @ May 17th 2007 3:21PM
@DBX00
Try counting games that are out now, and you don't have a list. Don't try to brag until you've got something in your hand.
sheppy @ May 17th 2007 3:23PM
@Martez
Actually, I've always said Sony is a hell of a lot more competant of a developer than people are willing to give them credit for. So all these games coming out looking good, to me, is kind of a "no duh" moment.
"As far as RPG's are concerned, you may want to take a look at Folklore and also realize that unless one of those RPGs is Final Fantasy it is simply a placeholder until the big guns are released."
You may want to take a look at the Folklore thread on this site once more. I'm not a stranger to this game. In fact, the gameplay looks similar to a classic From Software outing called Rune in Japan, Lost Kingdoms in the US. And it's about as "RPG" as Zelda or Brave Fencer Musashiden. In Fact, I've been hyping Folklore way back when it used to be called Monster Kingdom: Forgotten Realms. But to have Folklore running solo against Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and Eterna Sonata.... well, let's just say that's like betting Aegis Wing is gonna take down Warhawk.
And no, Digi Smalls, I didn't mention Mass Effect. Reasoning? Well, until I get my hands on it, I'm not hyped about it. My biggest fear is that the battle engine will be reduced to a mix between Rainbow Six and "teh hedshotz!" Everytime they show the combat system, I have a hard time calling it an RPG. And the Microsoft camp is infamously notorious for mislabeling games as RPGs. Bioshock, anyone?
Martez @ May 17th 2007 3:24PM
That's a fine argument, Digi- but there's plenty of possible reasons (from Sony trying to cut costs wherever they can to the developers just not being able to crank out a decent single player mode), and I still don't see why it's a big deal if the price is reduced to compensate. I rarely touch single player modes in online games like Battlefield 2 or SOCOM.
sheppy @ May 17th 2007 3:28PM
Also, Martex... the single player in Timesplitters 2&3 rocked. Period.
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 3:28PM
shep, that Mass Effect statement was directed at DBX as an upcoming AAA title. not necessarily as an RPG offering.
althought it is Bioware, so considering KOTOR and Jade Empire, not only will it likely be considered an RPG, but a damn good one (if not conventional one)
.
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 3:32PM
i was a huge fan of the singleplayer in SOCOM. the voice recognition led AI team management is still an all-time gaming milestone for me.
today's SOCOM's announcement was heart breaking.
.
JJ @ May 17th 2007 3:34PM
yes Digi because ALL the PS3 games are multiplayer only =p.
Come on give it a break, Warhawk was announced as pretty much multiplayer only MONTHS ago, why cause another stink over it now? In fact this game is akin to a glorified XBL game pretty much So i dont see the problem with it.
Also many other companies other than MS and Ubisoft make full complete single player and multiplayer games too... only difference is... MS charges you a premium (60 bucks for shadowrun? Come on).
=) just had to point that one out there. But in all seriousness i dont see a problem witht he way they're releasing warhawk at all.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 3:33PM
@sheppy: You really think so? I liked the locales, but other than that, the AI was really dumb and the missions were pretty boring. At least, that's what I thought. Online and split-screen with friends completely trumped it, and once I had that going on I never really went back to the single player.
It did have a ton of unlockables through special missions/challenges, though. That did rule.
sheppy @ May 17th 2007 3:41PM
Digi Smalls... the Bioware name is the thing that's even letting me put Mass Effect in my hand. Although I didn't care for KOTOR and my impressions of Jade Empire is that I would have loved the game if I didn't have to fight. The conversation system, the plot, dialogue, characters, setting, story, etc. All of those I loved about Jade Empire. Hated fighting. In fact, the combat was what lead me to never finish it. I know, sad. But I think if Jade Empire would have been a strictly diolgue based based with adventure elements and even lighter combat, I would have shouted it's existace from the rooftops.
Matt B @ May 17th 2007 3:41PM
Sweet!! And we didn't have to pay $60 on another game to get in.
"Bad timing Sony"
Whatever. What about the possibility that this will be BETTER than H3? I'm sure everyone will discount it now. We'll see when the demo drops.
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 3:49PM
JJ, of course, i was remarking about the current Sony trend, i don't expect Killzone to be multiplayer only (but if it is, internet, watch out).
Warhawk was supposed to be a complete game, it was never envisioned as an XBL like game. they developed a singleplayer game but it wasn't good enough for release, i'm not sure why that's "ok"
and shep, i hear you, but like your stance on rumble, i think you have a very unique, and ultimately minority opinion.
KOTOR and JE would have been massive failures if they were conversation-only games. except in Japan, if they added more dating options.
.
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 3:57PM
hey Matt B, your statement might've been clever if Crackdown didn't turn out to be quite an awesome singleplayer AND multiplayer game in and of itself. speaking of, in this respect, H3 is already better than Warhawk.
.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 4:10PM
Having singleplayer automatically makes a game better? Sony IS nuts with this whole multiplayer-only thing, then!
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 4:14PM
yes, having a GOOD singleplayer mode does make a game better. definitely.
sheppy @ May 17th 2007 4:18PM
"KOTOR and JE would have been massive failures if they were conversation-only games. except in Japan, if they added more dating options."
You misunderstood me. I didn't like KOTOR at all. But because I largely hate the "mythos" of Star Wars. I liked how it stuck with the d20 system.
Jade Empire, however, had a strung together realtime combat system that didn't know what it wanted to do. In fact, most of the reviews I read at the time all seemed to harp on about how the combat and camera system dragged down the game in general. Removing most of the compbat would have been one route I could have taken, certainly, but not the only one. A return of the d20 system wouldn't have been so bad but it would have removed the martial arts inspiration for the game. Another solution could be as simple as looking to Japanese RPGs at the time. Valkerye Profile, Tales, hell, even Legend Of Dragoon had more active battle systems but I would have prefered, if I had to see combat, to see something much more in depth. A combo system you could customize with strings of new attacks as you learned them (look up White Knight Story TGS trailer for an example), and QTE counters and such wouldn't be a bad thing either. As Jade Empire dragged on, for me, the combat felt more like a chore than anything else.
But I do agree about Warhawk. What went from looking like a great followup started turning into a Battlefield wannabe.
Shibathedog @ May 17th 2007 4:25PM
Is the flame war over yet? LIKE OMG PS3 HAS A BETA THEY MUST BE COPYING XBOX 360 BECAUSE IT HAD A BETA FIRST!!
You people are rediculous.
Matt B @ May 17th 2007 4:28PM
I was not trying to be clever. I hope you liked the game because if it sucked, then you would feel like you bought the beta key.
Digi Smalls @ May 17th 2007 4:48PM
yeah hiding a "beta key" within a game is pretty bad, but Crackdown was thankfully such a great game that i think it was actually good move.
it put an honestly great but unknown new franchise in a lot of peoples hands that wouldn't have given it a chance otherwise. if Crackdown sucked, the backlash would have been thunderous. luckily, (or not, depending on how you see it) not many games warrant this kind of "Beta loyalty". maybe Gears2.
.
Christoph @ May 17th 2007 8:01PM
Do you have to pay extra to get colors other than brown?
YoYo @ May 24th 2007 7:05PM
Why is everyone trying to insult the PS3? It is a great system, and personally I think that the beta looks pretty good(although I didn't play it)for warhawk. I mean in fall Sony is going to come out with some great games
91166119 @ Jun 4th 2007 2:52AM
I wish I would've applied for that beta sooner. Oh well, here's a little rant about the state of gaming.
[rant]
I really don't see why everyone praises M$ so much. They release the shittiest software. Anyone remember Windows ME (mistake edition), the Vista catastrophe happening at the moment, or the fact that Windows uptime is absolutely terrible when compared to other operating systems. They've come along way since putting Windows CE on the Dreamcast, so I give them some credit. I've played all the Halo games, and they're absolutely nothing when compared to the Half Life series. Wow, you get to drive vehicles in Halo. Why don't you go buy a car, it's just as fascinating, in fact it might get you laid. Sorry for the rant, but it seems that the average Xbox owner is an pretentious arrogant bastard that jumps at the chance to bash anything not M$ related. Wii is cool, PS3 is cool, and Xbox 360 is cool. Fanboys are not cool under any circumstances. Play your systems, and shut your yappers. People also need to quit complaining about online play. Consoles were made to have friends over to play games, not play online. It defeats the concept of console gaming, so quit complaining about it because it makes you seem slow in the face.
The only gods in the computer industry are Mr. Carmack and Mr. Torvald. Thank you.
[/rant]