OK, we should get this out of the way up front, because it comes up every time we cover MAG: yes, it is an MMO. Massively? Well, 256-player battles are about ten times larger than those your average MMO can handle without lagging to hell and back. Multiplayer? Covered that. Online? Duh.
Moving right along, Zipper Interactive's Jeremy Dunham has posted a new entry on the official MAG blog detailing the upcoming Escalation mode. The new game-type, which will be deployed as downloadable content in the near future, is a 96-man three-faction battle royale, the ultimate goal of which is to earn more points than your enemies before time expires. Points are earned by holding objectives, but unlike your standard "run to the flag and stand there for 20 seconds" capture model common to objective-based FPS titles, Escalation features a phased approach that encourages continuous frenetic combat.
You can get your first taste of the new mode by downloading the MAG beta client from the Playstation store on August 24th.
Reader Comments (11)
Posted: Aug 19th 2010 5:24PM Mirin said
Am I the only old guy who just sucks at FPS now? I liked this game i was just sooooo bad at it, made a good trade in for RDR tho =)
Posted: Aug 19th 2010 5:54PM anduz said
I'm pretty old and I havn't really enjoyed an online FPS since Starsiege Tribes (hated tribes 2 etc). Originally found out about MAG because some webcomic made me aware I could join their beta for free around last christmas. The webcomic was basically about running around in confusion, getting shot without ever seeing the enemy and that's basically what the game was like for the first 2-5 hours. :p
Once I got a hang of the maps and started being more aware of my team things started to get much better though. Now I absolutely love it, I think I might actually end up putting as many hours into it as I did with Tribes.
It does depend a bit on your team though and a squad commander who doesn't update objectives can absolutely ruin your matches.
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Once I got a hang of the maps and started being more aware of my team things started to get much better though. Now I absolutely love it, I think I might actually end up putting as many hours into it as I did with Tribes.
It does depend a bit on your team though and a squad commander who doesn't update objectives can absolutely ruin your matches.
Posted: Aug 19th 2010 9:20PM Mirin said
Yea I don't know what the deal is, I think my reactions are just slower, or maybe I just care a whole lot less...I still like to play them but but you whhhippersnappers beat the crap out of me with ease. MMOs are def more my speed these days.
In addition: get off my lawn
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In addition: get off my lawn
Posted: Aug 19th 2010 5:27PM CCon99 said
I was still disappointed by MAG, from the early trailers I got the impression it was going to be more open with a giant map with multiple objectives to hold/take with lots of player vehicles on the ground and in the sky. It's still a decent game, but from the early development I think many thought it was going to be more like a Planetside type of game.
Posted: Aug 19th 2010 5:58PM Seraphina Brennan said
Same here CCon... same here...
And yet, as I type this, my roommate is playing this right now. It's not bad... but it's certainly not what I thought it was going to be either. I was hoping more Chromehounds.
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And yet, as I type this, my roommate is playing this right now. It's not bad... but it's certainly not what I thought it was going to be either. I was hoping more Chromehounds.
Posted: Aug 19th 2010 6:10PM Kinau said
Nope, still not an MMO :)
Posted: Aug 19th 2010 6:53PM alucard3000 said
if APB can be considered an mmo so can this and I find it funny all the keyboard prophets that are crying the mmo market is crashing! because it(APB) is failing.
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Posted: Aug 19th 2010 6:35PM (Unverified) said
It's more of an MMO than Star Trek Online and Champions Online.
Anyways, love MAG but really got tired of the lack of variety in maps. This Escalation DLC is JUST the thing to bring me back in for a while. Awesome news.
Anyways, love MAG but really got tired of the lack of variety in maps. This Escalation DLC is JUST the thing to bring me back in for a while. Awesome news.
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 6:17AM Snichy said
Is this PS3 only? Is there a PC version in the works? Their website is unhelpful to say the least.
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 11:01AM Jef Reahard said
It's PS3-only. I haven't heard of them wanting to port it to any other platform.
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