APB EA Press Conference Impressions
By
Guy Cocker, Editor
Realtime Worlds was announced as the latest EA Partner at E3 09 and marked the occasion with a first look at All Points Bulletin.
The EA Partners program includes such gaming luminaries as Valve, Harmonix, and Crytek, and today developer Realtime Worlds was added to that prestigious list. Its game APB, otherwise known as All Points Bulletin, was unveiled at EA's E3 Press Conference, and we got to hear about the features and gameplay that will make up the finished game.
Realtime Worlds' CEO David Jones took to the stage to introduce the game, which he described as an "online city full of life, vehicles, and thousands of civilians." This city will form the world for up to 100 human players to inhabit in the form of a custom-designed character. Jones showed a short demo of the customisation options, which look comprehensive to say the least, allowing you to tweak the clothes, tattoos, and other attributes of your avatar in the game. It appears as though both personalisation and conformity will play a role in the game, as the hockey-mask-wearing gang were clearly working together in the footage we saw.
Jones also described how moral choices will play a big part in the game, effectively splitting players into two groups--the criminals and the enforcers. The criminals will find it easier to achieve short-term success, while the enforcers will have greater incentives over the long term. Either way, it's your job to achieve fame and fortune in the world, according to Jones.
The trailer for the game showed lots of gunplay and vehicle-based combat, and it was clear that many players had joined together in gangs on the criminal side. As for the enforcers, it appeared as though they had access to traditional police cars to get around. Other than that, it was difficult to get a feel for the structure of the game, although fans of Realtime Worlds' Crackdown should probably expect a more realistic setting for APB. No release date or platforms were announced at EA's conference, but rest assured we'll bring you more news as we get it.
By
Guy Cocker, Editor
Guy Cocker is the Editor of GameSpot UK, a handheld gaming fan, and someone who actually managed to use video games to lose weight. He recently took up the position of games expert on BBC 5 live and is a BAFTA games judge.
52 comments
Its really sounds like that old game for ps2 and xbox called 25 to life but better and more engaging
Definitely looks interesting. Love how you can customize your avatar and looks like there's lots more options to do that.
In response to SauhlGood - An earlier comment I read yesterday on GS about APB and their working with EA said they would be concentrating on the PC version first and foremost. They will worry about the console versions later on. Quote - GS: There was initially talk of an Xbox 360 edition of the game. Is that still on the table? DJ: That was something that Webzen raised when they had the publishing rights. After we acquired it back, we said we were going to focus on the PC, get that finished first, and then we can basically evaluate our options going forward. Here's a link to that article - http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6210761/apb-stalls-to-early-2010-on-ea-partners-deal Good news for us PC lovers! (At least so it seems.)
Looks good if they can get it all happening the right way. Hopefully they will allow servers to be rented for community based mayhem.
i hope pc users dont have to play with 360 users.... and i hope this game isnt developed for the 360 then ported to pc that would suck.
I remember looking forward to this and Huxley years ago. Glad they both have had recent updates
I wanna release date I can't wait for this game Though it had been forgotten about. Glad to see it back on the radar.
The premise for this game looks interesting and all, but that embedded screenshot reminded me of a pet peeve of mine: why is it that in every game wherein the SPAS-12 appears, the stock is -always- folded? Sure, this makes it more compact for transport, but when it's time to lay down fire... the stock is there for a reason. Especially in that shot, where the shotty is being aimed - correctly! - from the shoulder.
All Points Bulletin is what the message is called when they say in the movies "All units, go here." Basically it is playing off the idea that gangs will commit the crimes, and the police will hunt down.
Why does everyone compare an MMO to WoW, stand up to it. WoW is full of old people, and kids who don't know any better, so they can keep that kind audience personally. Have been waiting for this game for a few years, going to be 5-0. Nothing like ruining a little kid's, or wannabe gangsters attempt at robbing an electronics store.
@UnchainedTerror, When the Gta:SA multiplayer mod came out for the PC someone added a gameplay mode called Cops & Robbers. Both sides were pretty popular. If i own this cops will probably be the faction that i join.
Unchainedterror, I dunno! Purely because it'd be just as much fun knowing you're gonna be kicking some criminal ass!! A bit of 'authoritah' is always fun! At least I know I'd love to be an enforcer!
Game_Hydra: I think that the Mayhem would be too big if there where more players in 1 world.
I am not really a fan of where this is going, especially with the "enforcers" concept. We all know everyone is going to choose the resistance side of things.
looks good...but i dunno how it will work. Looks like a game you will have to play a lot to stay safe :P
Looks great, but still skeptical about whether it will have online fees or not... Probaly yes.
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APB (All Points Bulletin)
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- Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
- Developer(s): Realtime Worlds
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Release:
- ESRB: M
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