APB gets nontraditional payments, beta due in 'weeks'

Realtime Worlds' online-only open-world shooter APB continues to creep toward its anticipated spring 2010 launch for the PC, which means its beta-testing phase is imminent. Last month, the developer began taking applications for said testing window, telling interested gamers that the period would run over a period of several months leading up to the game's release.

Now, it appears as if Realtime Worlds is on the verge of opening up APB's testing phase. UK gaming outlet Eurogamer reports that Realtime Worlds community officer Chris Collins has confirmed that the closed beta test will commence soon. "We're weeks rather than months away from starting closed beta," he reportedly said.

Though it accommodates up to 100 players in an open-world environment, APB won't be a massively multiplayer online game in the traditional sense. It also will apparently not follow the norms of an MMOG when it comes to payment models, either. According to a recent update to Realtime Worlds' Web site, "The price and payment model have not been finalized yet but we can say it won't be the traditional monthly subscription model." (Emphasis added.)

Though no additional details on APB's payment scheme were offered, Realtime Worlds has tapped Redwood City, CA-based Vindicia to manage the game's billing network. According to Vindicia, its CashBox platform lets developers implement a variety of business models, including subscriptions, virtual goods, and virtual currencies, and also serves as a fraud-prevention mechanism.

APB is an EA Partners venture, and development on the game is led by Dave Jones, better known as the creator of the monumentally successful Grand Theft Auto franchise as well as 2007's Xbox 360-exclusive Crackdown. Check out GameSpot's previous coverage for more on the game.