PlanetSide 2

In a series of tweets earlier this evening, SOE's John Smedley hinted that classic PlanetSide 1 will at some future date be converted into a free-to-play MMO. He wrote,

We did a mass grant of anyone who has ever played ps1 or ps2 with free time in ps1. We weren't ready to announce it yet because the database grant is still ongoing and won't be done till tmw morning. So please if you didn't get flagged chill. We are trying to do something cool for everyone and we were going to tell people when it's done. But people saw it and others broadcast the info. Please don't complain :) we aren't raising your taxes we are making a game free. This also gives us more time to make it f2p. So enjoy starting tmw late morning.

This news comes just as PlanetSide 1 is celebrating its 10th birthday. Smedley's tweet refers to a new SOE promotion that will grant PlanetSide 2 players six free months of PS1 play.

I was this close to saving myself a lot of time by finishing this article with only a few simple words: Why do I play PlanetSide 2? Because it's fun. I'm pretty sure my boss would want me to expand on it just a bit, however, but let me drive those three words home: Because it's fun. I think we are all familiar with the word "fun," but it's something that we really don't hear enough about in MMOs. I don't think we play MMOs mainly because they're fun; I think we play them because they pull out other emotions in us, emotions like wonder or awe. They might help fill in social needs that are sometimes hard to fill out in real life. These are all positive and worthy reactions, but they're different from sheer fun.

I have oodles of fun in PlanetSide 2. Gobs of it. Barrels of fun. The fun is powerful in this one. You get the point. PlanetSide 2 actually makes me laugh to myself, makes me yell at the screen -- you know, those noises you hear from someone who is having a blast. Of course, there are a few other reasons I play PlanetSide 2 as well, so I'll fill you in on those.

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Last year, SOE threw a new ingredient into its convention mix -- player panels. The result was such a hit that the studio is not only bringing them back this year, but extending their availability; Sunday has been added to the player panels schedule, and that means there are plenty of openings!

Do you have a subject involving any SOE game that you think would be of interest and benefit others? Maybe you are a whiz at livesteaming or you have primo tips and tricks on cosplay to dispense. What about sharing your fan site or holding a raid clinic? Whatever your idea, submit your proposal by 3:00 a.m EDT June 1st for consideration. If selected, you and up to three other panel members will receive All Access passes to SOE Live 2013 (no other expenses are covered, including food, travel, or add-ons). Panel selection -- which is not on a first-come, first-served basis -- will be completed mid-June.

If SOE was going for the Award for Largest Patch Notes in Recent Memory, it just might have achieved it with its recent update to PlanetSide 2. Just for the sake of journalismistic investigationism, we did a rough count and discovered over 3600 words in the official post. And it's not just a patch about a few bugs and bits of tweaking; there's a new vehicle in town called the Harasser. According to its description, the Harasser is a "speedy armored assault buggy that plays a dual role as both a transport and strike vehicle." It also carries three units: the passenger (who can be a MAX unit), a driver, and a gunner. We imagine it running up, guns blazin', dropping a heavy and tearing away to pick up another. Brilliant!

Among the changes is a tweak to certifications for the Lightning, the best small tank in the world of PlanetSide 2. But we might be a tad biased. Check out the game for free on the official site.

Developing a mobile app to go along with your MMO is so in right now. Sure, not every developer can afford such a luxury, but it's always good to see three-dimensional developers include our mobile devices in the fun. These apps are also a good way to suck players into a game and keep them there thanks to the word of the day: accessibility. While some player is at her office, theoretically working for a living, she is also busily checking in on her favorite game. Brilliant! Even if the application offers just information without much interaction, it can be a great way to keep players plugged in.

SOE has just published a mobile app for Planetside 2, and we thought it would be great to check out how the apps worked alongside the game and how it performs across different devices.

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On Tuesday, SOE shared a trailer highlighting its Forgelight engine. The proprietary engine not only runs PlanetSide 2 but will also be the foundation for all the studio's future games, including EverQuest Next. The same press release also introduced the upcoming PS2 app. Although it won't be available to the public for a a bit, I had a chance to sit with senior art director Tramell Issac to see the app in action as well as discuss the Forgelight engine and what's coming up for PS2.

The app provides easy access to a ton of gameplay info, from personal stats to weapon information to real-time in-game map updates, and consequently there could be a marked decrease in workplace productivity in store for PS2 fans!

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This is a noteworthy week for PlanetSide 2, as SOE is releasing Game Update 05 and with it a bundle of fixes and features that include Empire-specific rocket launchers and account-wide Station Cash unlocks. SOE is also turning on double XP and double Station Cash for Easter weekend.

Furthermore, firm has produced another episode of Behind the Battlelines, and this one boasts technical director Ryan Elam and senior art director Tramell Isaac extolling the virtues of SOE's in-house Forgelight game engine. SOE is also gearing up for the reveal of its PS2 Player App for Android and iOS devices. The app allows for continuous connectivity and strategizing and will be showcased at this week's GDC event in San Francisco.

Finally, SOE has published a few PS2 statistics for the month of February. You can view them, as well as the Forgelight video, after the cut.

[Source: SOE press release]

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Sequels are both the bane of and a fact of life for movies and video games. Well, "bane" is a strong word, and you're probably thinking of Batman right now anyway, but personally, I'm always willing to give the benefit of doubt to any continuation of a favorite franchise. While we don't see sequels pop up as often in MMOs, they do exist and have significant effects upon the original title that bears the same name.

It's here that MMOs diverge from movies and other video games. With those, the original is not in any sort of danger, other than the perception of having its legacy dragged down into the muck (Caddyshack II, anyone?) and perhaps overstaying its welcome. An MMO sequel, on the other hand, can cause serious consequences to its ancestor.

Here at Game Archaeologist, we look at classic games that have often seen their time come and go. But what happens to one of these titles when a sequel attacks? Almost anything, it turns out.

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Over the next couple of weeks, PlanetSide 2 players will be treated to a number of new goodies to help in their war efforts. Between next week's GU04 update and the patch the week after, soldiers will notice new equipment along with some account and UI changes.

One of the most anticipated incoming features is the account-wide unlocks for items bought with StationCash. Of course, faction items will still be restricted to factions. Speaking of factions, each one will be getting its hands on a new rocket launcher; these weapons pay homage to the empire-specific ones from the original PlanetSide. On the vehicle side, the flash buggy will have a rumble seat, allowing a passenger to come along for the ride and shoot anything that gets in the way, as well as a cloaking ability for Infiltrators. And all folks who want to give weapons or vehicles a test drive can enter VR Training, a safe zone devoid of resource costs and cool-down timers.

The March roadmap video demonstrates some of these changes as well as platoon management window improvements and membership enhancements. Check out the details in the video after the break.

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In this post-Halo age, it's hard to imagine any sort of galactic ground battle happening without a stirring score at your back. So the challenge to the SOE audio team and Composer Jeff Broadbent was formidable: PlanetSide 2's soundtrack had to rock so hard that it would bring tears to the eyes of combat-hardened troops.

Whether or not the musicians and audio team succeeded is, of course, your personal opinion, but it's hard not to be impressed with the end result. Broadbent's worked on a variety of projects spanning video games, TV, and film, but PlanetSide 2 is his first crack at scoring an MMO.

We talked with Broadbent about his inspirations, experiences on the project, and his take on the end result. Read on and be enlightened!

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Want a chance to rub elbows with some of the movers and shakers in the SOE world? Then head to the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel on March 22nd for a meet and greet during PAX East. Don't worry if you don't have tickets for the convention itself; the event on Friday night from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. EDT is open to the public.

Representatives from a number of SOE's titles will be there to chat, share stories, and even answer questions about the various games. You could discuss PlanetSide 2 strategies with Community Rep Maggie Krohn, discuss EverQuest's latest expansion with Sr. Community Manger Eric Cleaver, or even corner EQ franchise director Dave Georgeson and see what news about EQ Next he might let slip! Dragon's Prophet Senior Producer Todd Carson will also be on hand to answer your questions about, well, dragons. And rumor has it that the drinks are on Brasse!

What's a con event without swag? Dragon's Prophet priority access beta keys as well as T-shirts will be given out on a first come, first served basis. EQ goodies might be had as well. Folks planning to drop by can RSVP on the official Facebook event page and follow updates on the various games' respective twitter accounts.

In the true spirit of battle gaming, PlanetSide 2 has a "war correspondent," and he's filming some of the most exciting moments of the game for our entertainment. SOE released a three-minute video showing the thrill of victory, the sting of a plasma round, and the frantic action of a typical engagement, all from the perspective of a plucky reporter.

On a side note: War always seems to have a great soundtrack. You'd think that everyone involved wouldn't be able to hear it, what with the guns and explosions, but you'd be wrong. No wonder it's so inviting!

Check out the video after the jump.

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SOE prez John Smedley took to the Reddits yesterday to elaborate on the firm's banning policy as it relates to PlanetSide 2. Smedley dispelled the myth of the 7-day ban, saying that there are week-long suspensions for rule-breaking, after which SOE GMs more closely monitor the miscreant to "make sure we're satisfied they are cheating."

Smedley also says that the cat-and-mouse routine is here to stay. "The fight against cheaters is not a war we will ever be finished with," he said, before explaining that the reason it takes longer to ban cheaters than some honest players might like is because the devs "don't want to falsely accuse people without solid proof."

Finally, Smedley hints that SOE is lawyering up against the major cheat-producing sites. "We have the resources to fight this fight and we will keep doing it," he wrote.

You know the drill people: Accounts hacked, time to change those passwords ASAP. Who's affected this time around? It's the runners-and-gunners of PlanetSide 2 in Europe. Email addresses and passwords for some accounts were exposed, and affected players have been notified that they should create a new secret code so that the unwashed hackers don't gain entry to personal accounts elsewhere.

ProSiebenSat.1 issued the warning last night: "We have ascertained that there was recently unauthorized third-party access to one of our systems. The possibility that your data (email address and password) has been accessed by an unauthorized third party cannot be excluded. We were able to detect the problem promptly and took all necessary action to rectify the issue."

The company said that account data are encrypted and issued instructions how to change your password if this impacts you.

No European SOE PlanetSide 2 accounts were affected by the intrusion.

[Thanks to the mighty Tandor for the tip!]

[We've updated the article to clarify that only some PSS1 accounts were affected. SOE's European accounts are in the clear.]