APB, now Reloaded!

[CeeKay]

cops vs robbers, shooting and 'splosions, all in a MMO environment.  definitely sounds cool in concept, but we'll have to see how the execution is.

[tcweidner]

the team and the money being put into the project is HUGE.  I will be a triple A game.  If they dont screw it up I think it will be a huge huge game.  I think the guy behind GTA is the guy behind this.

The level of detail in characater design as well as car design and so forth is nuts.

[Blackjack]

-I like the focus on "extreme customizing." It's all the rage these days, anything with vehicles in it should put a lot of focus on that imho.
-I don't think the market is kind to vehicular MMOs charging traditional ($15 a month) MMO fees, so I would be very interested in what pricing scheme they eventually go for.
-As with something like a Planetside or the perenially delayed Huxley (in both cases, everyone's "why should I play this when there's 1,000 shooters I can play online for free?"), I guess it might have its work cut out tearing gamers away from their console GTA/GTA-type games to play this on PC, though again, the pricing scheme might have a lot of say in that.

[EngineNo9]

I think they've already said that they won't be charging the traditional monthly subscription fee.

It's also a little broad to categorize this as an MMO, since it doesn't have a lot of the trappings of a traditional MMO.  It's not a full online world from what they've said; no running from zone to zone, no auctions and mail, no leveling, etc.  It is more of just a persistent online action game with large numbers of people.

[Daehawk]

I was until I found out its not an MMO after all..its more like Hellgate. Just 100 players per server. Yuck.

[skystride]

Heh a game is deemed yucky simply because it's not a MMO?

[Knightshade Dragon]

I'm looking forward to trying it out.  If they can swing it, I'm all over it.

[CeeKay]

you can sign up for the beta.

[Blackjack]

From the FAQ there...

How big is the game world? And how many people fit on one server?
Each game world or server has a limit of 10,000 players concurrently online. These players will be playing on district maps which each hold up to 100 players for action districts or 250 players for social districts.

Each world has 100’s of these district maps so although a single action district has a 100 player limit, there is no limit to the number of other players you will encounter. For the individual players who top the leagues, their character will become famous across the whole world, not just one district. It’s a brand new gaming concept where the players are the game, full of unique and innovative tools and game play.

Is APB an MMO?
APB is entirely online and multiplayer however it’s a unique game and is not the same as other MMOs out there.

The game runs on fast, high quality servers allowing you to enter cities and engage in a new style of game where your actions bring you into opposition with other players dynamically so there’s no waiting in lobbies. You can play against thousands of other players over a short period of time. Our dynamic matchmaking allows solo and group play with deep missions, against or with real people rather than AI.

We’re still working out how to describe that in a three letter acronym, suggestions welcome.

[Arclight]

Well, they now know everything about me except the colour of my under-wear........(fooled them, I go commando)

[Daehawk]

I tried for over half a damn hour to sign up for the beta but it would never accept my answer for "why do you want to be a beta tester". No matter what i typed it would not take it. Then about 35 minutes later I accidentally hit BACK in my browser and it lost all the info I had entered. Fuck it.

[Arclight]

I tried for over half a damn hour to sign up for the beta but it would never accept my answer for "why do you want to be a beta tester". No matter what i typed it would not take it. Then about 35 minutes later I accidentally hit BACK in my browser and it lost all the info I had entered. Fuck it.

I just put that I thought the game concept looked good and wanted to help test it. Pretty generic answer.

[CeeKay]

I tried for over half a damn hour to sign up for the beta but it would never accept my answer for "why do you want to be a beta tester". No matter what i typed it would not take it. Then about 35 minutes later I accidentally hit BACK in my browser and it lost all the info I had entered. Fuck it.

so 'I want to see how quickly it uninstalls' wasn't an acceptable answer? 

[Daehawk]

Ok got signed up. Time to go all Death Race 2000 on them.

[CeeKay]

they updated the faq to confirm there would be no monthly fee.

[Arclight]

they updated the faq to confirm there would be no monthly fee.

That's because  they got all the information they needed from the beta app to clean out your bank account..

[Blackjack]

they updated the faq to confirm there would be no monthly fee.

The only catch is that the game costs $249.99! AHAHAHAHAHA! 

Just kidding. I think...

[CeeKay]

they updated the faq to confirm there would be no monthly fee.

The only catch is that the game costs $249.99! AHAHAHAHAHA! 

Just kidding. I think...

I'm going for the option where you can pay in stolen kidneys.

[CeeKay]

beta should be 'soon'.  registration for it is still open open.

[Daehawk]

The cars worry me. In every vid I've seen they dont seem to stick to the road well at all. Its like they have no weight to them and they slide all over the place even at very low speed. Fish-tailing is way overdone.

[CeeKay]

here's a gameplay trailer.

[YellowKing]

I just put that I thought the game concept looked good and wanted to help test it. Pretty generic answer.

I'm not sure what criteria these devs look at when picking beta testers, but I've got the formula down as to where I get accepted into almost every MMO beta (at least the ones that don't purely rely on random drawings). Maybe they really look at testing history. When I started applying for beta tests many years ago, I didn't get any bites. But when I did finally get into a couple, I'd put them as experience for my next application, rinse, repeat. Over time I've built up a pretty big resume of testing experience, so I always mention that in questions like this. I also always mention that I work in IT and have a strong technical background - I think they like to pick people who they think will be able to communicate bug reports effectively.

And those are my beta tester inside tips for today. 

[CeeKay]

latest news has this being released between 7-1-2010 and 9-30-2010, so I'm guessing it'll be a late August release.

[rittchard]

I just put that I thought the game concept looked good and wanted to help test it. Pretty generic answer.

I'm not sure what criteria these devs look at when picking beta testers, but I've got the formula down as to where I get accepted into almost every MMO beta (at least the ones that don't purely rely on random drawings). Maybe they really look at testing history. When I started applying for beta tests many years ago, I didn't get any bites. But when I did finally get into a couple, I'd put them as experience for my next application, rinse, repeat. Over time I've built up a pretty big resume of testing experience, so I always mention that in questions like this. I also always mention that I work in IT and have a strong technical background - I think they like to pick people who they think will be able to communicate bug reports effectively.

And those are my beta tester inside tips for today.  

You being a slut that does "whatever it takes" to get in probably doesn't hurt your chances either YK  

[Daehawk]

Just got my beta invite. Hope it's interesting.

EDIT: I'm having ISp troubles. I'll never get 7+gigs downloaded. And it will not resume.

[CeeKay]

an APB podcast showing off gameplay.

[EngineNo9]

I realize the NDA doesn't permit those people in the beta to say much, but if I were in the beta I would probably be bored to tears with it. 

[Tals]

I realize the NDA doesn't permit those people in the beta to say much, but if I were in the beta I would probably be bored to tears with it. 

I've heard otherwise

Fan page here as well http://www.facebook.com/APBGAME?v=wall

[CeeKay]

more beta keys, if you're European that is.

[Tals]

I have a friend invite. I don' think it will stop you playing if you're US but never know. Anyway an invite for anyone who really wants to try this

[Daehawk]

I'm in the beta..been in for months..but I cannot get it to install to this day. I tried again the other day..it tried to install...looked like it did. But the launch will pop up and say updating but then it is always missing some file. When I look on the drive I cannot find any files installed or a folder big enough in size to be the game.

[CeeKay]

I have a friend invite. I don' think it will stop you playing if you're US but never know. Anyway an invite for anyone who really wants to try this

cool offer, I'd take it but I don't have the time for another be right now.

[Destructor]

I have a friend invite. I don' think it will stop you playing if you're US but never know. Anyway an invite for anyone who really wants to try this

PM sent if you still have the invite. I'm willing to give it a serious whirl.

[Harkonis]

I'll also get in line if anyone gets an invite

[CeeKay]

pre-order perks and subscription costs.  Launch is June 29th.

[CeeKay]

here's a new video interview. 

[CeeKay]

a buttload of cinematic.

[Ascendent]

Awesome we've pre-ordered this looks like its going to be a lot of fun

[Harkonis]

If I could afford this, i would be skipping it.   

[CeeKay]

Fileplanet has one last shot at closed beta keys for subscribers.