[APB] All Points Bulletin, I'm gettin' too old for this sh*t...

Mifio

Wikipedia wrote:

APB (All Points Bulletin) is an upcoming massively multiplayer online video game for Microsoft Windows based in urban sprawls and featuring two sides, Enforcement and the Criminals. Players may join either the Enforcers or the Criminals, and form sub-groups in these. The game design is led by David Jones, creator of the original Grand Theft Auto and Crackdown, and is being developed by Realtime Worlds.

Info

San Paro: The Living City

APB: All Points Bulletin is set in San Paro, a persistent, online modern city which lives and breathes, filled with a population of civilians going about their daily lives. Joining the civilian population are opposing factions of players: Criminals and Enforcers, fighting for control and leaving their mark as they succeed or fail.

Criminal or Enforcer?

Players choose to be either a criminal or an enforcer and are matched against each other in fast-paced, third person action. The criminals aim to create a city rife with violent crime. The enforcers are pitted against them, protecting the civilian population and fighting the criminals at every turn. Want to commit a robbery with your friends? You can, but watch out because another group of players will be out to stop you!

Conflict and Game Play

Players can pledge to criminal or enforcement organizations and receive missions or move through the environment choosing open world activities. For criminals; robbery, graffiti, arson and murder all add to notoriety. For enforcers; arresting criminals, preventing crimes and cleaning up the city all add to prestige. With a range of weapons and vehicles to choose from and multiple ways to be matched up with other players, this is the ultimate test of your skills.

Be a Celebrity!

As a top player, your name will be at the top of league tables held online. San Paro will be your world: your character’s name and face as well known as a Hollywood movie star, a standard that other players aim for. But how long can you stay at the top?

Be Creative!

APB has one of the most in depth character and vehicle customization tools available today. Every player can create a unique character with a level of detail unparalleled in other games. And customization doesn’t stop at physical appearance. Clothing, body art and vehicles can all be customized using symbols created by the players themselves in our symbol editor. Successful players are rewarded with greater ability to customize so the better you are at the game, the better you’ll look.

Play Your Own Music!

The world of APB will be filled with music: you can import your own music files into APB plus we have more than 100 tracks licensed to the game and a sophisticated in-game music editor.

If you make music, you can license your own tracks to APB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QssOFOj7AeE


Official Site: Here


Release Date
Its already released, go buy it.

PA Clan
Two Days from Retirement, Enforcers on Zombie


Can invite (PA name - APB name):

Decoy - Six
Ein - Ein
Fyction - Fyction
japh - dubsaves
jdarksun - JaneDarksun
mojojoeo - Tastypoison
Transporter - Lolipop
WraithXt1 - Dasaan

Team Rocket (Criminal) Roster:

Badwrong (*)
Camui (*)
Deadman (*)
Kalianna
Sonork (*)
TyFulsang
Under (*)
Vixxa

(*) can invite, Ventrilo info is in the clan management. Uniforms are not required but will be given to newbies, most likely cause when you group up and see the fun that everyone else has, you will join in!

Payment Plan

Realtime Worlds wrote:

You can purchase a retail version of APB either in-store or via digital download at standard retail price (SRP $49.99/£34.99/€39.99). The game includes 50 hours of action game play out of the box plus unlimited time in APB's social districts customising, socialising and trading on the marketplace.

Once your game time is up, you have flexibility to top up your action game time from as little as $6.99 (£5.59, €6.29) for an additional 20 hours, while more frequent players can switch to a 30-day unlimited package for only $9.99 (£7.99, €8.99) with discounts available for 90 and 180 days.

The retail package also contains a bonus 100 RTW points towards your next purchases.

An additional benefit to this evolutionary model is the ability for you to convert your own customisations and rewards to tradable products to give to friends or clan-mates or to place on the Marketplace to earn more RTW points (convertible to game time) or in-game cash. Check back later for more details

Interesting Links
Interesting links to various articles and bits of news will be posted here.
http://apb-evolved.com/news/116-apb-evolved-wednesday-3172010 <-- APB FAQ.

Video Podcasts:This is an interesting thing the developers are doing, sure, its been done before, but I'm glad that its being done for this game. There are weekly, (more often then not bi-weekly) video podcasts posted that explain different things about the game.

APB Podcast Episode 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0H8cYDHfZs

Nothing for importance.

APB Podcast Episode 2, E3 and Beyond! Parts 1 and 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHdyzf8WSTc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGQ3-dgxvIc

Transcript

Introduction blah blah
Q: Can you guys cover character creation?
A: The first thing you do is customize your character. I've seen people spend hours at it. The variety of choices is pretty amazing, you can change height and size of character, and various aspects of character. We aren't just changing textures we're actually looking at the model underneath what you see. When you change something there's a lot going on in the background we don't want everyone to have to fight hard to not make a freak. We tried to support a lot of ethnicities in our game. (Then they show some video of what's going on, blah blah nothing important unless you watch)
Q: Can you import your own JPEG files from which you've designed your own logos?
A: No. But you can make your own in game. We have our own vector based deisgner that you can project all over the world. On characters, on vehicles. etc. There are a various selection of symbols that you may use within the system. There can be skewed or colorized. You can use this to really push your idenity. My only complaint with this tool is that it's often times overwhelming. When I sit down without a really strong idea of what I'm making sometimes it takes me 20 or 30 minutes to get going, but once I do it's so much fun.
Q: These symbols are literally applied everywhere in game?
A: Not everywhere but pretty much anywhere. You can put them on skin, or clothing, or as paint jobs for cars.
Q: Will police equiv. have the same amount of customization as criminals?
A: The short answer is yes. Almost everything will be available to both factions. There will be certain items that will be harder for one faction to get as opposed to the other. (something easy for criminals will be hard for police, and vise versa)
Q: Once you've made your character is it possible to have more than one outfit?
A: Oh yeah! You can create quite a few outfits. You can have completely different outfits or have one piece of outfit involved in all the others.
Q: Are you able to save designs and send them to other people?
A: Yes we will have a few different methods to do that. You can trade them or sell them and really build a reputation for yourself as a logo designer. Every item that is made by a player will have the name of that creator on it so even if you get it from someone else you'll always know who created it.
Q: Driving seems like it will play a big role in APB. Will we be given customization options to vehicles?
A:Well what do you think? Yes. Paint, parts, logos, etc.

APB Podcast Episode 3, Back to the Floor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjtQXjqDfzQ

Floor footage from E3. No information.

APB Podcast Episode 4, A Tribute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzM5FcTeG84

More about logos or symbols. Basically it doesn't take a super artist to make logos, but if you are good with graphics you'll be godlike in game designs.

APB Podcast Episode 5, APB Tattoos vs RL Tattoos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61JbGdubgok

APB Tat's vs RL Tat's Nothing game related.

APB Podcast Episode 6, Q& A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V45nU7YNYQg

Transcript:

Q: Is the game going to have motorcycles
A: Currently we have no plans at release but we're looking into it later.
Q: Will there be monthly fees
A: We aren't going for the traditional subscription model.
Q: I'm just wondering if there will be clans or guilds if so will clans be about to customize their own symbols.
A: There will def. be clans in, up to 150 people. They will have their own symbols and they will have specific places they can put their "tag" up.
Q: Will the game be on xbox or ps3?
A: Current plans are PC release only, after that we will be looking at consoles.
Q: Rough amount of guns and cars?
A: Over 30 different types of weapons, and a wide variety of cars 30+
Q: How does gameplay work?
A: There are no lobbies, when you're going about your business the servers are looking behind the scenes so the other parties can be combined quickly and seemlessly
Q: Have you guys ever taken any ideas from the ABP evolved forums?
A: We have taken a look at the ideas and looking how to apply those. Do we take specific ideas? Not really but we modify what you say.
Q: Please can I come in an Alpha test game?
A: No. (Dated info, now in beta)
Q: Are there any emotes in APB?
A: Yes, we do have emotes in APB. You can flip the bird in game.

APB Podcast Episode 7, APB, Clothes and You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqACcJs3a7s


Clothes.

APB Podcast Episode 8, SPOILER ALERT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQl00OkgYlU


Vehicle customization. They goto a car show and say "Yeah you can do that in game."

APB Podcast Episode 9, Viva Cologne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f37LWOOKy5w


Gameplay Vid part 1
Game ships with 3 districts in it Financial district, Waterfront district, Social District.
Game runs on unreal engine 3 (as of this podcast and I assume currently)
Game is really easy to play, eas to communicate, VOIP.
Right mouse button - marksman mode
Mousewheel - gun change
Service station = car repair

APB Podcast Episode 10, The Reign of Rein Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f37LWOOKy5w


Gameplay part 2
The game is at low quality at the taking of this video.
Last.FM is linked to game.
Standard rules sorta PvE Chaos rules = full time pvp always flagged
Some missions sent on the fly and you are just asked if you would like to do it.

APB Podcast Episode 11, Reining Justice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWDizqFb5fI


Nothing of use.

APB Podcast Episode 12, EJ Q&A 4U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PU89O2Xjg0


Transcript

Base weapons are upgradable.
Number rating above you is sort of your level, but they didn't seem to want to say that.
Call for backup scenario = friends are in trouble and they need help they can call other people in the local instance to come party up and help.
Gunplay shown again. Crackdown esque no lock on targets it seems though.
Arrest takes a person out for longer than just killing them from 5 seconds to around 20 to 30 seconds
Q: Will the game be coming out on 360 or PS3
A: First release PC ONLY!
Q: Can the car which you design be stolen from you?
A: No. Player owned vehciles can not be stolen.
Q: Will there be voice chat with toggle
A: VOIP is there, you can have PTT or voice active
Q: What kind of weapon customization is there?
A: No visual changes, but you can change functionality.
Q: Can we have some min system reqs?
A: Beta reg specs for unreal 3, no solid answer
Q: Will the game have player or clan housing.
A: Not yet, but we're looking at adding it for later.
Q: Difference between standard and chaos
A: Standard is core it's the basic design we want. Chaos is an experiment to sort of let players go wild. We have great plans for Chaos post release.
Q: In podcast 11 we saw characters lean what's this?
A: In marksman mode you get a better shot and you can lean in a basic cover system.
Q: How does the limit of 100 people work?
A: Multiple instances of mini maps split over the world.
Q: Are there death penalties and spawn times?
A: We don't think it's suitable. This is more action packed.

APB Podcast Episode 13, The Organizations of San Paro Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsDV4nDmxvY


Lore.

APB Podcast Episode 14, The Organizations of San Paro Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR7AEnodVpk


Lore part 2

APB Podcast Episode 15, Q&A Special

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6pbPM6lKsk


Transcript

Q: I was wondering if you guys would be offering browser version of the editors before game release.
A: We are looking at this coming in later after the game has been released.
Q: Is there a limit for a number of custom images for a piece of clothing or limit of layers in an image.
A: There are some limits.
Q: How many characters per account?
A: More than 1.
Q: Do cars have damage states?
A: Yes their are, but no breaking glass, yet (as of podcast)
Q: When is release
A: still spring 2010
Q: How is ammo handled in game?
A: You buy it and you can store large amounts of ammo. Various places in game to refil and upgrades for players and vehicles for mobile resupply.
Q: will there be weather?
A: There is day / night but no effects like rain.
Q: Do you have to pick an organization when we start?
A: You have to pick a faction at character creation but organizations are groups you can work for but you may choose different ones as long as they are willing to work with your faction.
Q: How does leveling work?
A: We don't have abstract stats, you play with skill. However there are items that will upgrade your character.
Q: Are we getting dual wield.
A: Not at first release, but could happen later.
Q: Will there be performance customs on vehicles.
A: There's a nitro boost, and health and armor upgrades, and ramming damage.
Q: Will there be nudity?
A: No.

APB Podcast Episode 16, The Music Editor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPGBILvxAWU


The music editor
You can create themes, songs, and the death music.

APB Podcast Episode 17, In Game Music, Explained.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H-n2uKl03U


In game music
A troll or orc is appearntly the lead sound director for APB.
Uses mp3's or Last.fm. Also 100 liscensed tracks in game.
You can upgrade amps and speakers as your car gets better.

APB Podcast Episode 18, Shout louder, they can't hear you in Texas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhZ_zAxjCD4

APB Podcast Episode 19, PAX East 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98i_vVRMWoY

Thats all the podcasts so far, every time a new one is up. I'll add it onto the OP.

I think it looks like a good game, just needs a few tweaks, but I've been following it for a few months now. I know, I suck at OP's, but, the only other thread was in the G&T forums, and its dead, so I decided to make one here, in the MMOE forums. Don't hate

Special thanks to MoSIAc for going through and writing transcripts to the Q&A's so far.
Also to Hullabaloo for providing me with some youtube videos. Keep the user input thingies coming guys.
DISCUSS

Zzulu

UnbrokenEva

Yes, a thousand times yes.

Especially with the in-game music customization.

Mifio

Yeah, you can create the 'death music' a player hears when you kill them. I want to make one that really loud and annoying, so when I kill people they get pissed.

Ash-Housewares

This game is on my 2010 short list. The way I see it in my head it's going to work kinda like Champions Online. Where there are many instances of specific zones. Each instanced zone had a cap of 100 players or something. Then again, I could be making it all up, but I'm pretty sure I heard something like that.

Either way I'm really looking forward to this.

Edit: They really need to ramp on their PR soon. At least get their podcasts out on a weekly basis as apposed to whenever. I only whinge on about that because I to know more about this game so badly.

Mifio

Its 100 players per hub. Then theres a set amount of Hubs per server. Or something like that. I know there's different servers for things like heavy PvP, as in, you see a criminal on the street, and your an enforcer, you can kill him. Or the regular servers, that are like, you can only do PvP if the criminals are committing a crime. Or something like that.

Pretty sure your right.

Alegis

This stuff looks great, will definitely be keeping tabs on this.

Axen

My buddy and I are going to be a 70's Buddy Cop duo.


Yeah, it's going to be so groovy.

GungHo

Mifio wrote: »

Yeah, you can create the 'death music' a player hears when you kill them. I want to make one that really loud and annoying, so when I kill people they get pissed.

I'm thinking more Price is Right loser horns. Nothing says "all you're getting for your trip out to California is case of Tide" than that trumbone.

Axen

GungHo wrote: »

Mifio wrote: »

Yeah, you can create the 'death music' a player hears when you kill them. I want to make one that really loud and annoying, so when I kill people they get pissed.

I'm thinking more Price is Right loser horns. Nothing says "all you're getting for your trip out to California is case of Tide" than that trumbone.

Oh man, you totally have to create Bob Barker and travel around the city dishing out appropriately priced Justice.

"What's the price of justice?" BAM! BAM! ". . .two bullets."

MoSiAc

I'm keeping a watch on this myself. I'm not gonna say I have inside information, but I'm very happy with what I have heard about this game.

darkmayo

GungHo wrote: »

Mifio wrote: »

Yeah, you can create the 'death music' a player hears when you kill them. I want to make one that really loud and annoying, so when I kill people they get pissed.

I'm thinking more Price is Right loser horns. Nothing says "all you're getting for your trip out to California is case of Tide" than that trumbone.

Bwa Bwa Ba Bwa Bwwwaaaaaaaaa

Enig

Been watching APB for a while. It seems like a cops/criminals MMO should have more hype than this one does. I don't hear many people talking about it. It does look like a lot of fun though. Definitely a refreshing change for MMOs.

Ledneh

If I get into the beta I'm totally gonna make Mario just so I can have the SMB death music for my, well, death music

I can think of nothing short of horns.aiff that would irritate someone more

Aumni

Best of all!?

No monthly fee.

Bendery It Like Beckham

Ledneh wrote: »

If I get into the beta I'm totally gonna make Mario just so I can have the SMB death music for my, well, death music

I can think of nothing short of horns.aiff that would irritate someone more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UFIYGkROII

Chases Street Demons

Polka death music. Unique AND annoying.

Pony

I appled for the beta for this, and I hope I get in, because it has the possibility to be amazing or really fucking terrible with very little in the way of middle ground.

Mifio

I agree completely, however, from what I have seen, I'm more leaning towards amazing. My only problems/questions are, the cover system, why isn't there even some sort of basic one. In my opinion, this game desperately needs one, it will stop idiots from bum rushing, and actually force people to use tactics. And two, WHY IS THE GODDAMN BETA ONLY BEING RELEASED IN THE UK!? Actually, dunno if thats true, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of any beta invites... So I'm going to complain. Damn brits. :<

Hensler

Is this game still on track to come out pretty soon?

Mifio

Spring 2010, so... I'd assume around May... Ish.

Ash-Housewares

I can see the potential for so much awesome in this game it hurts. I'm not sure who they have running their marketing department (if they even have one) but they need to turn the morphine drip back on.

They have it hooked to my vein already, but they need to let me have my fix. For god sakes get those weekly podcasts out weekly! This is the first time, in a long time, I'm having game information withdrawals.

Septus

Mifio wrote: »

Yeah, you can create the 'death music' a player hears when you kill them. I want to make one that really loud and annoying, so when I kill people they get pissed.

I'd want whatever is that short trumpet soundbyte so often posted on the internets.

Pony

Septus wrote: »

Mifio wrote: »

Yeah, you can create the 'death music' a player hears when you kill them. I want to make one that really loud and annoying, so when I kill people they get pissed.

I'd want whatever is that short trumpet soundbyte so often posted on the internets.

I know what I'll use

Ash-Housewares

New podcast up on their music system. They allow you to create custom tracks within the game. Looks pretty cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPGBILvxAWU&feature=player_embedded

IvanIssacs

Zzulu wrote: »

:^:

Ash-Housewares

Ash-Housewares wrote: »

New podcast up on their music system. They allow you to create custom tracks within the game. Looks pretty cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPGBILvxAWU&feature=player_embedded

Botp

Enig

Man, I just really want to play this. I hope we don't have to wait until May or something, though that is seeming more likely now.

Mifio

Yeah, updated the new OP with the podcast.
E: Yeah, it seems more likely, since I think they are restrict beta access to the UK, at least for now.

Neli

If the projected release date is accurate, this is not far away

Considering how awesome a lot of this game looks, I'm suprised people are not talking about it more.

MrVyngaard

I'm interested in it, but I'm leery of hype at this point. Too much these days ends up being lots of pre-release flash but no actual results when it hits the street.

Ash-Housewares

MrVyngaard wrote: »

I'm interested in it, but I'm leery of hype at this point. Too much these days ends up being lots of pre-release flash but no actual results when it hits the street.

Not to sound glib, but what hype? Before these guys can be even taken seriously, they have to atleast get a podcast out on time.

I do believe that all in game stuff has been genuine. Now the question is how what is the max number of players per server WITH stability. My issue is these guys haven't been hyping enough. That sounds odd as I say it, but it's kinda where I'm at. Their PR has been flat lining and that concerns me a bit.

Enig

They said 100 people per combat instance. I assume they have designed the game to be stable at that number, but it's not a given.

I agree that it is strange that there is not more news coming out of them with the release supposedly in the next 2-3 months. If they pull off what the game seems to be going for, then I am definitely going to be getting into it.

MrVyngaard

Ash-Housewares wrote: »

MrVyngaard wrote: »

I'm interested in it, but I'm leery of hype at this point. Too much these days ends up being lots of pre-release flash but no actual results when it hits the street.

Not to sound glib, but what hype? Before these guys can be even taken seriously, they have to atleast get a podcast out on time.

I don't mean that they're hyping the game everywhere, but I'd rather wait and see what the actual game looks like on release rather than listen to them say DUDE WE ARE HARDCORE AWESOME WOO and then go HEY THAT LOOKS GREAT and find out no, IT BLOWS.

I wouldn't mind seeing more solid info on it and some advertising in more widely seen locations - it would be a shame if what sounds like a pretty cool game died out due to lack of exposure.

Buraisu

My death music is going to be Kefka's laugh from FFVI. I might dress like a clown, I don't know yet. I hope for a lot of destruction. I luv meh some chaotic clowns.

My favorite part of this game is the lack of monthly fees so you don't feel like grinding hardcore 24/7 to get your moneys worth. Yea... I am the kind of dude that plays more so that the cost per minute goes down. I am just cheap. I can't wait though, going to be a good game even if it's not as great as they are advertising.

bobAkirafett

Buraisu wrote: »

My death music is going to be Kefka's laugh from FFVI. I might dress like a clown, I don't know yet. I hope for a lot of destruction. I luv meh some chaotic clowns.

My favorite part of this game is the lack of monthly fees so you don't feel like grinding hardcore 24/7 to get your moneys worth. Yea... I am the kind of dude that plays more so that the cost per minute goes down. I am just cheap. I can't wait though, going to be a good game even if it's not as great as they are advertising.

They've said it's not pay-to-play? Man, there is no way in hell this game is coming out in 2-3 months. The beta has barely even started yet has it? Anyway, I'm super-stoked for this game. Like a mmo saints row 2/gta.

Enig

bobAkirafett wrote: »

Buraisu wrote: »

My death music is going to be Kefka's laugh from FFVI. I might dress like a clown, I don't know yet. I hope for a lot of destruction. I luv meh some chaotic clowns.

My favorite part of this game is the lack of monthly fees so you don't feel like grinding hardcore 24/7 to get your moneys worth. Yea... I am the kind of dude that plays more so that the cost per minute goes down. I am just cheap. I can't wait though, going to be a good game even if it's not as great as they are advertising.

They've said it's not pay-to-play? Man, there is no way in hell this game is coming out in 2-3 months. The beta has barely even started yet has it? Anyway, I'm super-stoked for this game. Like a mmo saints row 2/gta.

From the FAQ:

How much will APB cost?
The price and payment model have not been finalized yet but we can say it won’t be the traditional monthly subscription model.

MagicPrime

I just want a complete list of all the factions. If there is a faction that is the remnant of the actual city police force - I am soooo there.

Seidkona

I figure there might be a lot of Cop Buddy duos.

So I might try to talk a friend of mine into donning some plaid pants and starting a gang of criminals known as "The Norwegian Curling Team."

E: The death music will be us screaming "Sweep, Sweep, Sweep!"

Axen

My buddy and I plan on doing a 70's buddy cop duo. I'll be the by the books cop and he's the inner city, play by his own rules cop.

We need to find an appropriate 70's theme to play while busting bad guys.

Though I think the death theme might have to be Mr. T saying, "I pity da foo!"

MoSiAc

70's theme music to play while busting skulls:
Lowrider
War (what is it good for)
Anything by AbbA as a death music just to really upset people.