According to dev Jason Hughes, the Optimization system will be replaced by a new Tuning system. The Tuning system works in a more holistic way than Optimization, which allowed players to tinker with settings in three categories (offense, defense, movement.) Tuning now just uses common sets of modifications. ”This gives you greater levels of customization,” Hughes stated. ”It helps create a little bit more specialty to those subclasses.”
In addition, pilots now have a progression system, with unlocks attached to levels, while a new party system will be implemented, as well as new party matchmaking. A new co-op bot training mode will be added, as well as a new map.
Hawken is still in open beta, but Hughes states its official release will be sometime this year.
