Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[All Points Bulletin: Reloaded offers free one-day premium membership with patch 1.8]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/all-points-bulletin-reloaded-offers-free-one-day-premium-member/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/all-points-bulletin-reloaded-offers-free-one-day-premium-member/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/all-points-bulletin-reloaded-offers-free-one-day-premium-member/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- All Points Bulletin: Reloaded
All Points Bulletin: Reloaded's patch 1.8 is now live, and GamersFirst is offering a special deal for players who want to jump in and experience some cops-and-robbers mayhem. Any APB players who log in within the next seven days will find a free one-day premium membership code on their accounts. These codes can be redeemed for, as the name would suggest, one free day of premium membership, which grants bonuses such as a 20% discount on the new cash-shop items.

The one-day premium bonus makes this the perfect time for veteran and new players alike to jump into San Paro and experience all of the new features of 1.8 and the recently released patch 1.7, each of which introduced a wealth of content such as fight club challenges, new weapon mods and skins, and more. To get in on the action for yourself, head on over to the game's official site.

MassivelyAll Points Bulletin: Reloaded offers free one-day premium membership with patch 1.8 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrcrimef2pfree-to-playg1gamersfirstone-day-premiumone-day-premium-membershippatchpatch-1.8patchespremiumpremium-membershippromotionpvpupdateupdatesThu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guy steals friend's goods in APB, GM offers vigilante justice in return]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/guy-steals-friends-goods-in-apb-gm-offers-vigilante-justice-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/guy-steals-friends-goods-in-apb-gm-offers-vigilante-justice-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/guy-steals-friends-goods-in-apb-gm-offers-vigilante-justice-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

APB
Account theft and compromise are tragic facts of life in all MMOs, as player BlackJackieChan discovered the other day when he logged into APB: Reloaded and realized that he was wiped out.

After posting a tirade on the forums, BlackJackieChan got the attention of a GM, who subsequently investigated the crime. His findings were stunning: BlackJackieChan's in-game friend beef43302 was the culprit. Beef43302 had crept into his friend's account, swiped a number of goods, and then deleted the temporary characters used for the theft. Beef43302 then tried to cover up his wrongdoing by consoling BlackJackieChan with a new car and encouraging him to stick with the game.

Even though BlackJackieChan was accused of not protecting his account (apparently he had shown his password to his friend), GamersFirst restored the stolen items and then offered BlackJackieChan the chance to decide his friend's punishment. "Seeing as this is a relatively unique case," the GM wrote, "we shall let you decide the fate of beef43302."

BlackJackieChan has yet to respond on the thread, but the GM did tell the offender that the company suspended his account "unless BlackJackieChan says otherwise."

MassivelyGuy steals friend's goods in APB, GM offers vigilante justice in return originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-theftall-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrblackjackiechancompromised-accountcrimef2pfree-to-playg1gamersfirsthackhackinghumorpasswordpassword-theftpvptheftvigilante-justiceSat, 19 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Artist plagiarizes Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft illustrators]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/artist-plagiarizes-guild-wars-2-world-of-warcraft-illustrators/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/artist-plagiarizes-guild-wars-2-world-of-warcraft-illustrators/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/artist-plagiarizes-guild-wars-2-world-of-warcraft-illustrators/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Concept art
If you're going to steal, steal big -- or so Romanian artist Iani Papadopol thought. Papadopol put on an exhibit called "UpDate 3D loading" featuring fantastic landscapes and scenery. The only problem? Instead of painting them himself, he ripped off several well-known illustrators, including ArenaNet's Daniel Dociu and Blizzard's Mathias Verhasselt, claiming the pieces as his own.

The fraud was discovered by online fans and local artists after the exhibit was broadcast on TV. Papadopol's works were found to be stunningly similar -- in fact, identical -- to those of famous video game illustrators. Papadopol attempted to sell the prints before he was caught. There's no word yet whether charges will be filed.

"I found out from my friends," Dociu, a fellow Romanian, said on a news channel. "I recognized four pieces of my work immediately. What upsets me is that he's also Romanian with an artistic background. I will not take legal action if he admits what he did."

Papadopol's father, the acclaimed artist Constantin Papadopol, says that this is a misunderstanding. In any case, let this be the lesson to the next lazy art thief: It's perhaps best not to rip off the guy whose work was on the cover of National Geographic.

MassivelyArtist plagiarizes Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft illustrators originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetartart-theftblizzardblizzard-entertainmentconcept-artconcept-artistConstantin-PapadopolcrimeDaniel-Dociufantasyguild-wars-2gw2iani-PapadopolillustratorMathias-Verhasseltncsoftplaigarismtheftwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 04 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-game-archaeologist-when-dead-mmos-come-back-to-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-game-archaeologist-when-dead-mmos-come-back-to-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-game-archaeologist-when-dead-mmos-come-back-to-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hellgate Tokyo
Maybe I'm alone in this, but my jaw just dropped when I came home this past week to see that Massively posted the news that Shadowbane is coming back to life. Granted, it's only going to happen in China, but still, that's pretty incredible. Shadowbane's been in the ground for three years now, and if I had to pick an MMO that deserved resurrection, this particular one would be farthest from my mind (no offense if you liked the game; it's just that there are so many others that are even more worthy).

But how can this not give you hope? Many of us have lost an MMO we loved or at least had a decked-out character populating the character select screen, and the thought of that game coming back against all odds is a goosebump-rising one. It may also smack of justice served, as some MMOs fail not because of faulty gameplay but because of mismanagement by the studio, complex legal wrangling, or bad marketing.

Today let's look at a few examples of dead MMOs that were brought back to life and what this may mean for the future of the industry. Zombie MMOs! Not, you know, MMOs with zombies.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrchangyouclassicclassic-mmoclassic-mmosclassicsclone-wars-adventurescrimediablodiablo-clonef2pfallen-earthfantasyfaxion-onlinefeaturedflagshipfree-realmsfree-to-playfrogsterg1galaxiesgame-archaelogistgamersfirsthanbitsofthellgatehellgate-globalhellgate-londonhellgate-tokyojohn-smedleylego-universemythosmythos-europemythos-globalnostalgiaopinionPirates-of-the-Burning-Seapvprebootredbanaresurrectionrevivalsandboxsci-fishadowbanesoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgswgot3t3funtabula-rasathe-game-archaeologistthe-matrix-onlinevanguardzombie-mmozombiesTue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB: Reloaded's patch 1.7: New Breed Part One is locked, loaded, and live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/apb-reloadeds-patch-1-7-new-breed-part-one-is-locked-loaded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/apb-reloadeds-patch-1-7-new-breed-part-one-is-locked-loaded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/apb-reloadeds-patch-1-7-new-breed-part-one-is-locked-loaded/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- APB: Reloaded
Heads up, APB: Reloaded players; the game's patch 1.7: A New Breed Part One is now live, so it's time once again to lock and load. This rather sizeable update brings quite a few new features with it, such as the previously covered new contacts, weapons, mods, weekly challenges, and more.

On top of all those goodies, the patch is also introducing a number of new clothing sets and vehicle kits to allow players to commit/bust crimes with panache. A great number of changes have been made to the game proper as well, such as some environmental tweaks and some modifications to weapon and character mechanics, the full list of which can be found over on the game's official blog. But why read about it when you can experience all the new content yourself? Just head on over to San Paro and join the fight.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyAPB: Reloaded's patch 1.7: New Breed Part One is locked, loaded, and live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-new-breed-part-oneall-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrcrimef2pfree-to-playg1gamersfirstnew-breed-part-onepatchpatch-1.7patchespvpThu, 19 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB: Reloaded dev blog introduces patch 1.7's new breed of contacts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/apb-reloaded-dev-blog-introduces-patch-1-7s-new-breed-of-conta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/apb-reloaded-dev-blog-introduces-patch-1-7s-new-breed-of-conta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/apb-reloaded-dev-blog-introduces-patch-1-7s-new-breed-of-conta/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What kind of parents name their kid DevilDog?
Criminals and Enforcers alike have plenty to look forward to in APB: Reloaded's upcoming patch 1.7.0, which has been given the name New Breeds Part One. The inspiration for this subtitle comes from the "new breed" of contacts being added to the game with the update, including the sociopathic Criminal Tiptoe (daughter of the Bloodrose Tyron Sennet) and former-military-sniper-turned-Enforcer DevilDog. These new contacts will provide players with a wealth of new progression options such as new weapons, weapon skins, modifications, shiny vehicles, and inventory space increases.

On top of all those goodies, New Breed Part One will also introduce Fight Club Challenges, which are weekly events that allow players to compete in a number of unique challenges in order to earn prizes ranging from APB$ to unique weapons and vehicles. Each challenge will require players to play a particular gametype on a particular map, and each "will have three [reward] tiers, with the third and second prizes being straight up requirements, and the top prize requiring you to be in the top X% of players that have taken part in the challenge." The first week's challenges, along with a list of new weapons and modifications, can be found on the game's official blog post for anyone who wants to get a leg-up on the competition, so get out there and wreak some havoc.

MassivelyAPB: Reloaded dev blog introduces patch 1.7's new breed of contacts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrchallengescrimef2pfight-clubfight-club-challengesfree-to-playg1gamersfirstnew-breed-part-onepatchpatch-1.7patchespvpupdateupdatesMon, 09 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crime and punishment in Salem, New World-style]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/crime-and-punishment-in-salem-new-world-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/crime-and-punishment-in-salem-new-world-style/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/crime-and-punishment-in-salem-new-world-style/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Salem
With all of the open world sandboxy goodness going on in Salem, one might wonder if Paradox Interactive is prepared for the level of griefing that can come with such games. Interestingly enough, the team has given this some serious thought and come up with an elegant system of crime and punishment in the game world.

Player villages are protected by claims that set these areas apart from the rest of the world, and these claims can be expanded by building certain structures. Griefers who set out to do harm or mischief against villages within these claims will leave a "scent" behind that can be used to track them. There are certain skills, such as ranging and tracking, that players need to have to follow the scent to the perpetrator, however. This opens the door for players to specialize in becoming bounty hunters who protect the village by rooting out enemies.

As for punishment, well, Creative Director Björn Johannessen expects players will take justice into their own hands -- and more than one perpetrator will pay the ultimate price for violating a peaceful sanctuary.

You can watch the full discussion of Salem's crime and punishment system after the jump.

Continue reading Crime and punishment in Salem, New World-style

MassivelyCrime and punishment in Salem, New World-style originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bjorn-johannesenbrowserbrowser-basedcrimef2pfantasyfree-to-playhistoricalnew-englandparadoxparadox-interactivepermadeathpunishmentsalemsandboxThu, 08 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB now available at European retail stores]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/apb-now-available-at-european-retail-stores/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/apb-now-available-at-european-retail-stores/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/apb-now-available-at-european-retail-stores/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

APB Reloaded - the popo
The writing may be on the wall for lovers of the physical game box, but not every company is giving up on retail altogether. GamersFirst has just announced a partnership with Iceberg Interactive to distribute APB Reloaded to brick and mortar stores across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Scandinavia.

The box sells for £20 and features £30 of bonus items including a permanent hi-performance vehicle, weapon, and 30 days of premium access (which in turn provides increased cash and reputation rewards, plus a hefty discount at the cash shop).

APB Reloaded is an open-world third-person shooter set in the crime-ridden streets of San Paro. The game is free-to-play, powered by the Unreal 3 Engine, and features an advanced avatar customization system that allows for personalized symbols, clothing, vehicles, and in-game music.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyAPB now available at European retail stores originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbonus-itemscrimecustomizationf2pfree-to-playiceberg-interactivemmo-shooterphysical-boxretailretail-boxshooterMon, 13 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst teases APB Valentine's Day massacre event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/gamersfirst-teases-apb-valentines-day-massacre-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/gamersfirst-teases-apb-valentines-day-massacre-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/gamersfirst-teases-apb-valentines-day-massacre-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

APB Reloaded - Valentine banner
If you've ever wanted to wield a pink assault rifle, APB Reloaded is the game for you (also, seek professional help). It's only for a limited time, though, and the shenanigans are a part of GamersFirst's Valentine's Day massacre event.

All you have to do is log in, as G1 is sending everyone a couple of V-Day-themed weapons. Furthermore, each gun "contains an exciting new modification," according to a post on APB's official boards. Killing foes with the special weapons will advance two new roles and lead to Valentine prizes like new theme music, symbol art, and heart-shaped sunglasses.

The shindig kicks off today and runs through February 20th, so be sure and get started on your role advancement ASAP.

MassivelyGamersFirst teases APB Valentine's Day massacre event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedcrimef2pfree-to-playg1gamersfirstmmo-shootersan-paroshootervalentine-eventvalentines-dayvalentines-day-massacreWed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded finally comes to retail]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/apb-reloaded-finally-comes-to-retail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/apb-reloaded-finally-comes-to-retail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/apb-reloaded-finally-comes-to-retail/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

APB Reloaded - mexican standoff
Back in early December, GamersFirst announced the impending retail availability of APB Reloaded. As it turns out, the announcement was premature and the actual date has remained a mystery.

Until today.

The free-to-play shooter is now on sale at Best Buy, and the box features more than $50 worth of in-game items. Thirty days of premium access are part of the package, and you'll get faster rep and XP gains, more currency rewards, and a 20% discount in the game's cash shop for your trouble. You'll also take home 500 G1 credits, a faction-specific Z180 sports car, and a Magnum ACT-44 handgun available to all the characters on your account.

Finally, GamersFirst says each retail edition comes with a "super-secret bonus permanent weapon."

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyAPB Reloaded finally comes to retail originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedBest-Buycrimef2pfree-to-playgamersfirstretailretail-boxretail-editionsan-paroMon, 23 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Free Steam games and promotional gifts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/not-so-massively-free-steam-games-and-promotional-gifts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/not-so-massively-free-steam-games-and-promotional-gifts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/not-so-massively-free-steam-games-and-promotional-gifts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
It's Christmas time, and what better way is there to celebrate than to smash some internet people to bits in your favourite MOBA? League of Legends leads the charge with a gift of 450 RP delivered to every nice player who hasn't been banned in the past two months, and it shows off upcoming champion Victor the Machine Herald. Heroes of Newerth gives all players two free Christmas alt avatars and has a limited-time offer to buy a pack containing every previously released hero for just $10.

Rise of Immortals takes part in Steam's Great Gift Pile promotion that gives you the chance to win discount coupons or free Steam games, and it releases an immortal spotlight on Kavashiir. CrimeCraft: Gang Wars also offers players a Steam prize for playing its festive Snow Brawl game mode. Firefall clarifies the beta process and reminds fans that the game will be "done when it's done," and Torchlight developer Runic Games announces a new armour design contest. Finally, of all the intellectual properties to be made into an online game, did you ever think Doctor Who would make the list? BBC Worldwide has released an open preview of Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, a team-based puzzle game by the makers of Puzzle Pirates and Spiral Knights.

Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other big online games that aren't quite MMOs.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Free Steam games and promotional gifts

MassivelyNot So Massively: Free Steam games and promotional gifts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assistsbbcbbc-worldwidebrowsercompetitioncompetitive-gamingcontestcrimecrimecraftcrimecraft-gangwarsdotadr-whodr-who-worlds-in-timedungeon-crawlere-sporte-sportsesportesportsf2pfantasyfeaturedfreefree-to-playheroes-of-newerthhonleague-of-legendslolmobanewsnot-so-massivelynsmpetroglyphpetroglyph-gamespvpred-5-studiosriotriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprunic-gamess2s2-gamessteamthree-ringsthree-rings-designtorchlighttorchlight-iivideoviktorMon, 26 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: A second look at APB on launch day]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/first-impressions-a-second-look-at-apb-on-launch-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/first-impressions-a-second-look-at-apb-on-launch-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/first-impressions-a-second-look-at-apb-on-launch-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

APB Relaunch day
On June 29th, 2010, Realtime Worlds launched All Points Bulletin, an MMO that was highly anticipated for its character customization options, open-world "gang warfare" PvP, and similarity to the wildy popular Grand Theft Auto series of video games. In fact, the original APB's lead designer was David Jones, creator of such classics as Lemmings and the original Grand Theft Auto.

But six weeks later, Realtime Worlds entered administration, which essentially means that the company was having financial troubles but was allowed to continue running while looking for a new owner. That new owner didn't materialize quickly enough, forcing the company to announce the game's closure during what may be the shortest MMO lifespan of all time.

But who should come to save the day on November 11, 2010? None other than K2 Network, parent company of free-to-play publisher GamersFirst, which swooped in to rescue the game under the new title APB: Reloaded.

Today marks the official re-launch of the crime MMO on Steam, and I've been spending entirely too much time with the game, rediscovering why I both loved and hated the original version. Follow along after the cut for our second look at a First Impressions of APB.

Continue reading First Impressions: A second look at APB on launch day

MassivelyFirst Impressions: A second look at APB on launch day originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapbrcrimef2pfirst-impressionsfree-to-playg1gamersfirsthands-onk2-networkrealtime-worldsrelaunchsecond-chanceTue, 06 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CrimeCraft expansion to feature persistent territory control, quickplay options]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/crimecraft-expansion-to-feature-persistent-territory-control-qu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/crimecraft-expansion-to-feature-persistent-territory-control-qu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/crimecraft-expansion-to-feature-persistent-territory-control-qu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CrimeCraft - two dudes shooting at one another
Remember CrimeCraft? We do, and the tragically titled actioner is still alive and kicking (or shooting, perhaps).

We bring this up because Vogster is readying its second major expansion, GangWars, which is scheduled to launch on December 5th. The update adds more of a traditional MMO feel to what is otherwise a lobby-based game. New territory wars mechanics are the culprit, and they allow gangs to own and control sections of the game's persistent Sunrise City environment.

Curiously, Vogster is also implementing a new quickplay system which offers access to CrimeCraft's "core gameplay features through a simplified interface that lets you shortcut RPG gameplay and get right to the action." CrimeCraft boasts 20 unique maps and 11 gameplay modes. Learn more about the game, and sign up for free, at the official website. Before you go, though, check out the territory wars trailer after the break.

[Source: Vogster press release]

Continue reading CrimeCraft expansion to feature persistent territory control, quickplay options

MassivelyCrimeCraft expansion to feature persistent territory control, quickplay options originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecrimecraftcrimecraft-gangwarsexpansionf2pfree-to-playgangwarsmmo-shootermmofpspersistencepersistent-worldreal-lifeshooterterritory-warstrailervideovogstervogster-entertainmentFri, 18 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst reveals APB live action trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/gamersfirst-reveals-apb-live-action-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/gamersfirst-reveals-apb-live-action-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/gamersfirst-reveals-apb-live-action-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

APB Reloaded - gangsters
It may be Veteran's Day here in the States, but GamersFirst is exhorting shooter fans to "be all you can't be" courtesy of a new APB: Reloaded trailer that mixes live action cinematography with in-game mayhem.

The clip is a three-and-a-half-minute exercise in gangsta wish fulfillment, and it features enough short skirts, big guns, and urban thug chic to fill several summers' worth of action films. The video release coincides with APB: Reloaded's new Facebook campaign, which is designed to spread the word about the free-to-play title and reward customers who get their friends to join in the fun. Check out the clip after the break, and head to the official website for more details.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

Continue reading GamersFirst reveals APB live action trailer

MassivelyGamersFirst reveals APB live action trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apbapb-reloadedbe-all-you-cant-becrimecriminalsenforcersf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstgangstersmmo-shootermmofpsreal-lifesan-paroshootertrailervideoFri, 11 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teenage killer confesses crime in World of Warcraft chat, sentenced to life in prison]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/teenage-killer-confesses-crime-in-world-of-warcraft-chat-senten/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/teenage-killer-confesses-crime-in-world-of-warcraft-chat-senten/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/teenage-killer-confesses-crime-in-world-of-warcraft-chat-senten/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

World of Warcraft
Two teenage boys who raped and murdered a fellow classmate in Victoria, British Columbia recently received a sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole for 10 years. They weren't very smart about covering it up, however, as one of the killers confessed his crime to a guildmate in World of Warcraft chat. He did so because he assumed that those chat logs were less likely to be saved.

Kruse Wellwood and Cameron Moffat spent time planning the assault beforehand, and Wellwood even mentioned his desire to do the crime to a guild friend in WoW. Following the 2010 crime, Wellwood logged back in World of Warcraft to talk about the murder to his online girlfriend in Halifax, sending her links of the news reports as proof of his story. Amazingly, his girlfriend mildly chided him to "just don't do it again."

The in-game chat logs were part of the mountain of evidence collected by the police. The pair pleaded guilty to the crime.

MassivelyTeenage killer confesses crime in World of Warcraft chat, sentenced to life in prison originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardCameron-Moffatchat-logscrimeevidenceKruse-Wellwoodmurderrapewatch-how-the-media-blames-wow-for-thisworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 05 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: GamersFirst on yesterday's layoffs and the future of APB]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/massively-exclusive-gamersfirst-speaks-out-on-yesterdays-layof/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/massively-exclusive-gamersfirst-speaks-out-on-yesterdays-layof/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/massively-exclusive-gamersfirst-speaks-out-on-yesterdays-layof/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

APB Reloaded banner
It's been a whirlwind couple of days for the folks at GamersFirst. Yesterday we broke the story of layoffs at the company, and today the free-to-play firm has come forward to chat with us about what exactly is going on (and what exactly it's thinking in regard to the new Occupy Free2Play promotion).

We talked with Rahul Sandil, G1's senior vice president of marketing and business development, and he had some interesting things to say about the future of both APB Reloaded and Fallen Earth.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: GamersFirst on yesterday's layoffs and the future of APB

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: GamersFirst on yesterday's layoffs and the future of APB originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbusiness-modelscrimeexclusivef2pfallen-earthfeaturedfree-to-playg1gamers-firstgamersfirstlayoffsmassively-exclusivemmo-industryrahul-sandilsci-fiFri, 28 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded cracks down on cheaters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/apb-reloaded-cracks-down-on-cheaters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/apb-reloaded-cracks-down-on-cheaters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/apb-reloaded-cracks-down-on-cheaters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

APB Reloaded title image
Cheating and exploiting are problems that plague all MMOs, and developers often go to great lengths to detect offenders. In a new APB Reloaded devblog, developer TechMech explains the company's latest and highly successful attempts to rid the game of cheaters. Three major hacks were targeted, and every account that had ever used the hacks was banned overnight. TechMech won't go into details about how exactly the hackers were observed, but he does say that a second anti-cheat patch is coming to wipe out any players who choose to continue hacking.

TechMech is considering offering a kind of amnesty to cheaters, stating that anyone who uninstalls all hacks and plays legitimately may be permitted to continue playing. Perhaps the most shocking statistic in the devblog was that almost 50% of the banned accounts were paid accounts, and some had over 1500 hours of gameplay on them. TechMech went on to estimate the revenue that the three main cheat-makers had been generating as between $15,000 and $50,000 per month each, with users spending $30 per month on hacks.

MassivelyAPB Reloaded cracks down on cheaters originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedcheatcrimedev-diarydevbloggamersfirsthackhackingSun, 02 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst teams up with Adknowledge for virtual currency offers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/gamersfirst-teams-up-with-adknowledge-for-virtual-currency-offer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/gamersfirst-teams-up-with-adknowledge-for-virtual-currency-offer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/gamersfirst-teams-up-with-adknowledge-for-virtual-currency-offer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - casino
Free-to-play gamers seem to have no problems paying real-world money for virtual items in their favorite MMORPGs. GamersFirst hopes that its customers will feel similarly about its new partnership with Adknowledge. Who, or what, is Adknowledge? It's the largest privately owned advertising network on the internet, and it's also the parent company of Super Rewards (and you may remember that name in connection with the infamous "offer wall" faux pas attached to Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online MMO).

Adknowledge's AdStation program allows gamers to earn in-game currency by completing extra-game tasks including watching videos, taking surveys, and subscribing to various online services. This generates advertising leads for Adknowledge clients, and a new GamersFirst press release calls it "a great opportunity for us to get our titles in front of their vast global network."

Said titles include APB Reloaded and Fallen Earth, but thus far GamersFirst has not released details on how the games will be affected.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyGamersFirst teams up with Adknowledge for virtual currency offers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adknowledgeadsadstationadvertisingall-points-bulletin-reloadedapb-reloadedbusiness-modelscrimeewwwwwf2pfallen-earthfree-to-playgamersfirstmmo-industryoffer-wallpersonal-informationprivacysci-fisuper-rewardssurveysworst-idea-everMon, 19 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded gets North American retail distributor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/apb-reloaded-gets-north-american-retail-distributor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/apb-reloaded-gets-north-american-retail-distributor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/apb-reloaded-gets-north-american-retail-distributor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

APB Reloaded - shooter
OK, remember last month when GamersFirst seemed to shoot down the notion of APB Reloaded coming to a retail shelf near you?

Apparently those rumors were more than idle scuttlebutt, and senior marketing VP Rahul Sandil's statement that GamersFirst was evaluating its options was more than idle PR-speak. In a new press release issued this morning, GamersFirst revealed that it is partnering with Interactive Gaming Software to bring the massively multiplayer shooter to your local gaming store. Sandil says that "the response from retail has been so overwhelming that we are considering launching with a half-million units."

What will retail customers get for their $29.95? Aside from the box and manual, the package boasts $50 worth of in-game items including a permanent high-performance vehicle, a permanent in-game weapon, and 30 days of premium account access (which grants increased mission rewards, reputation gains, and a 20% cash shop discount).

MassivelyAPB Reloaded gets North American retail distributor originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbonus-itemscrimef2pfree-to-playgamersfirstigsinteractive-gaming-softwaremmo-shooterrahul-sandilretailretail-boxretail-packagingsan-paroshooterTue, 23 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese Hero Online coming to European market]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/chinese-hero-online-coming-to-european-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/chinese-hero-online-coming-to-european-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/chinese-hero-online-coming-to-european-market/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you live in Europe but haven't heard of a Taiwanese MMORPG called Chinese Hero Online, chances are you will in the near future thanks to a new agreement between Mail.Ru Games and Chinese Gamer. The deal will bring the free-to-play MMO to the European market (and Mail.Ru will also be changing the name to an as-yet undetermined title).

According to a Mail.Ru press release, Chinese Hero Online is based on the 1980s cult comic series Chinese Hero: Tales of the Blood Sword by Ma Rongcheng and will place players in 1930s China. Conflict arises thanks to various criminal clans and mafia organizations -- of which the player is a member -- leading to a showdown and eventual migration to the United States.

Gameplay details are scarce, but we'll bring you more info on Chinese Hero Online as it becomes available.

MassivelyChinese Hero Online coming to European market originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1930s-chinachinese-gamerchinese-hero-onlinechinese-hero-tales-of-the-blood-swordcrimecriminalseuropean-marketf2pfree-to-playma-rongchengmafiamail.rumail.ru-gamesmmo-industrynew-titlespublishing-dealtales-of-the-blood-swordWed, 27 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst kicks off APB's second open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/gamersfirst-kicks-off-apbs-second-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/gamersfirst-kicks-off-apbs-second-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/gamersfirst-kicks-off-apbs-second-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

In case you missed it, APB Reloaded's second beta phase kicked off yesterday. The version 1.5.2 update "contains the biggest changes to missions, matchmaking, skill rating, and district recommendation to date," according to the latest GamersFirst dev blog.

Bjorn Book-Larsson has a few words of wisdom for residents of San Paro in terms of 15-minute patching-related disconnects. GamersFirst is working "round-the-clock" to isolate issues and come to terms with bugaboos that don't necessarily crop up prior to a large-scale player influx.

The latest Reloaded dev diary also contains detailed info relative to all the matchmaking and threat level changes, as well as a bit about cheating statistics and upcoming Nvidia support. Finally, there's a blurb about future servers, and gamers in Russia, Hong Kong, and Australia can look forward to dedicated shards before long.

MassivelyGamersFirst kicks off APB's second open beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbetabeta-2Bjorn-Book-Larssoncheatingcrimedev-blogdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstmatchmakingmmo-shooteropen-beta-2san-paroserver-stabilityshootertestingthreat-levelFri, 22 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kill 100 players, win an APB pistol this weekend only]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/09/kill-100-players-win-an-apb-pistol-this-weekend-only/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/09/kill-100-players-win-an-apb-pistol-this-weekend-only/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/09/kill-100-players-win-an-apb-pistol-this-weekend-only/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Feeling bloodthirsty this weekend? If so, GamersFirst has an APB Reloaded contest for you. The 1.5.2 patch is coming soon, and as a result the servers are in need of stress testing. If you can manage to kill 100 unique players between July 8th and July 11th, you'll be the proud new owner of a (virtual) Joker RFP-9 handgun.

Notice we said unique players, so banish all thoughts of grabbing a buddy and scoring yourselves a pair of pistols by killing one another over and over.

GamersFirst is also giving away a cowboy hat to the first 100 folks who manage to kill 100 unique players, so log in to San Paro and get busy on your murdering rampage before it's too late!

MassivelyKill 100 players, win an APB pistol this weekend only originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbetacontestcowboy-hatcrimef2pfree-to-playgamersfirstjokerjoker-handgunsan-paroshooterSat, 09 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2011: GamersFirst talks APB Reloaded's new features and player politics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/e3-2011-gamersfirst-talks-apb-reloadeds-new-features-and-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/e3-2011-gamersfirst-talks-apb-reloadeds-new-features-and-playe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/e3-2011-gamersfirst-talks-apb-reloadeds-new-features-and-playe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We told you earlier today about GamersFirst's involvement with Fallen Earth. The company is, of course, more renowned for its All Points Bulletin resurrection project, and we sat down with both Darek Connole and Jon-Enee Merriex at E3 this week to discuss APB Reloaded's open beta as well as the progress that's been made through the extensive closed testing process.

Follow along after the cut as we find out about what's new and what's coming, including a nifty iteration on the original title's witnessing system and an interesting player political experiment that evokes comparisons to EVE Online's Council of Stellar Management.

Continue reading E3 2011: GamersFirst talks APB Reloaded's new features and player politics

MassivelyE3 2011: GamersFirst talks APB Reloaded's new features and player politics originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbusiness-modelscrimedarek-connolee3e3-2011f2pfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirstinterviewinterviewsjon-enee-merriexmmofpsmonetizationopen-betapoliticspreviewpreviewsreal-lifesan-parosan-paro-player-councilshooterwitnessingThu, 09 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst tweaking APB beta threat levels]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/gamersfirst-tweaking-apb-beta-threat-levels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/gamersfirst-tweaking-apb-beta-threat-levels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/gamersfirst-tweaking-apb-beta-threat-levels/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The latest APB Reloaded blog entries reflect the ongoing adjustments being made to the resurrected free-to-play MMORPG as it rolls toward a summer re-release. It seems that threat level displays in the city of San Paro were in need of some tweaking, and today's update, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EDT, looks to address the discrepancies as well as a recently identified problem with low-level matchmaking.

GamersFirst's Bjorn Book-Larsson wrote extensively about the issues with threat level visuals in a post over the weekend, and he follows that up with a brief blurb that explains how the devs are tackling the problem. It's not a quick fix, though, and Book-Larsson cautions that GamersFirst is "likely to perform yet another update later this week as we continue tweaking the system."

MassivelyGamersFirst tweaking APB beta threat levels originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbetabetasBjorn-Book-Larssoncrimedev-blogdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstreal-lifethreat-levelthreat-level-visualsvisual-threat-levelMon, 23 May 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[All Points Bulletin: Reloaded open beta beginning on May 23 for reals!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/all-points-bulletin-reloaded-open-beta-beginning-on-may-23-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/all-points-bulletin-reloaded-open-beta-beginning-on-may-23-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/all-points-bulletin-reloaded-open-beta-beginning-on-may-23-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

After the delay of the All Points Bulletin: Reloaded open beta test last week, TechMech announced via the APB blog today that the beta-stopping bug has been fixed and open beta will go forward on May 23rd. TechMech reminds players to keep in mind that the game is still in beta, so players shouldn't expect a perfect gameplay experience simply because this bug has been fixed. He does note, however, that the folks at Gamersfirst are "confident the game will hold up technically while we work on the series of game items we need to improve on and polish."

A disclaimer at the bottom of the post also states that, while TechMech is making no promises, "there is a chance we will have some super-double-secret number of accounts enabled to enter the Closed Beta during both Saturday and Sunday leading up to the beta launch, which 'might' permit access to the game for people who had previously registered an interest in the game." So if you registered previously and would like to try out the game, there's no harm in giving it a download and trying your luck. And of course you can register for the upcoming open beta on APB's official site.

MassivelyAll Points Bulletin: Reloaded open beta beginning on May 23 for reals! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbbetaclosed-betacrimef2pfree-to-playgamersfirstopen-betatechmechFri, 20 May 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst hires Dave Jones as APB Reloaded advisor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/gamersfirst-hires-dave-jones-as-apb-reloaded-advisor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/gamersfirst-hires-dave-jones-as-apb-reloaded-advisor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/gamersfirst-hires-dave-jones-as-apb-reloaded-advisor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Raise your hand if you saw this one coming: Dave Jones is back on the All Points Bulletin team. The former Realtime Worlds boss and the brains behind APB's original incarnation (as well as Crackdown and the first two Grand Theft Auto games) has joined GamersFirst "in an advisory role and will share his vast game design experience during critical design stages" according to a new press release.

Jones has flown under the radar since the meltdown of Realtime Worlds and appears to be excited to get back on the development horse. "The game was my passion back when I was developing it with Realtime Worlds, and I'm extremely excited to be able to participate in fulfilling the long term vision for the title," he said. Jones also goes on to praise GamersFirst's free-to-play vision for San Paro.

APB Reloaded is currently winding down its closed beta stage, with open beta scheduled for May 18th.

MassivelyGamersFirst hires Dave Jones as APB Reloaded advisor originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbetaclosed-betacrimedave-jonesf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstmmo-designmmo-industrypress-releaserealtime-worldssan-paroThu, 12 May 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded character migration now live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/apb-reloaded-character-migration-now-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/apb-reloaded-character-migration-now-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/apb-reloaded-character-migration-now-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

We talked earlier this week about APB Reloaded's impending open beta date. Thrown into the mix was a mention of character restoration services for those veterans of the original (i.e., Realtime Worlds) version of the game. Today we're happy to report that the service is live in Reloaded's closed beta.

A brief blurb on the official APB forums outlines all the details. Players will need to have an open character slot on their G1 accounts as well as their old RTW login credentials (the process involves logging into the RTW account to initiate the transfer).

GamersFirst notes that this is not a comprehensive restoration. "The main items being restored are clothing and symbols. Please understand that no progression, APB cash, RTW Points, Action Time, weapons, or vehicles will be restored," says the post. Also, only two outfits are being restored due to technical issues (though any symbols and clothing items used in other outfits will still exist on your character). Check out the APB forums for more.

MassivelyAPB Reloaded character migration now live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbetabetascharacter-restorationclosed-betacrimecustomizationsf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstold-charactersoutfitsrealtime-worldssymbolsThu, 05 May 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded open beta coming May 18th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/apb-reloaded-open-beta-coming-may-18th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/apb-reloaded-open-beta-coming-may-18th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/apb-reloaded-open-beta-coming-may-18th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Mark your calendars, APB fans. May 18th is a big day in the history of the resurrected title since it marks the official start of open beta. Bjorn Book-Larsson broke the good news yesterday on the APB Reloaded blog, and he had a few other interesting nuggets to discuss as well.

GamersFirst's character restoration service should make its first appearance today around 4:00 p.m. PDT, and APB veterans from the Realtime Worlds days will be able to reclaim their old avatars and customizations. If you're unsure if you qualify, check your inbox as GamersFirst will be sending out email notices to everyone with an available reclaim.

Book-Larsson also talks briefly about some of the company's plans for dealing with cheaters. No details are given, of course, but GamersFirst is apparently very aware of all the attempted aimbotting going on thus far in the beta. Finally, there's a blurb concerning new item rollouts in the coming days, as well as some info relating to the game's payment interface. Head to the official APB Reloaded blog for more.

MassivelyAPB Reloaded open beta coming May 18th originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aimbotsaimbottingall-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbetaBjorn-Book-Larssoncharacter-reclaimscheaterscheatingcrimedev-blogdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstitemizationitemsopen-betasan-paroTue, 03 May 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded beta version 1.5 is live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/apb-reloaded-beta-version-1-5-is-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/apb-reloaded-beta-version-1-5-is-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/apb-reloaded-beta-version-1-5-is-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We've talked a lot about version 1.5 of APB Reloaded's closed beta client in our last couple of updates and today we're pysched to report that the patch has officially made its way onto the live testing shard.

The APB Reloaded blog has the extensive patch notes courtesy of Bjorn Book-Larsson's latest post, and you'll want to grab a tankard of your favorite caffeinated beverage and block off some reading time. The notes feature quite a bit of info about everything from open world crimes and witnessing, to spawning and equipment leasing, to progression tweaks.

There's also some space devoted to the environmental updates that GamersFirst has been working on, as well as a full listing of the default game controls that should come in handy for new testers. Head to the APB Reloaded blog for more info.

MassivelyAPB Reloaded beta version 1.5 is live originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedapb-reloaded-betabetaBjorn-Book-Larssonclosed-betacrimef2pfree-to-playgamersfirstprogressionsan-parospawningvehicle-leasingweapon-leasingwitnessingFri, 22 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New APB Reloaded blog dishes on beta version 1.5.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/new-apb-reloaded-blog-talks-beta-version-1-5-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/new-apb-reloaded-blog-talks-beta-version-1-5-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/new-apb-reloaded-blog-talks-beta-version-1-5-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The newest APB Reloaded dev blog is up, and this week finds GamersFirst in the midst of an "insane crunch" to get the 1.5.0 version of the beta client ready for prime time. Bjorn Book-Larsson gives us the details in his latest dev diary, and he also takes the time to answer many of the questions that fans are likely to have as the week wears on.

Most of the pre-emptive Q&A pertains to beta invites, and there's also a blurb relating to possible future character wipes (aside from the one that we know is coming with 1.5.0). In addition to participating in the question-and-answer session, Book-Larsson lists a few of the core changes that the GamersFirst team has already completed. These include a new spawning system, the witnessing mechanic, modifier tweaks, and fixes for memory usage (as well as a reduced client size).

Despite all the progress, there's quite a bit of work left to do as APB Reloaded's beta rolls on, and you can read all about it on the game's official dev blog.

MassivelyNew APB Reloaded blog dishes on beta version 1.5.0 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5.0all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbetaBjorn-Book-Larssonbug-fixingbugsclosed-betacrimedev-blogdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playgamersfirsttestingMon, 18 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The great wormhole heist, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/17/eve-evolved-the-great-wormhole-heist-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/17/eve-evolved-the-great-wormhole-heist-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/17/eve-evolved-the-great-wormhole-heist-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One of the most common things I hear from people who don't play EVE Online is that they don't like the game itself but they absolutely love the stories that come out of it. There's something inherently brutal and visceral about the stories players act out every day in EVE's colossal sandbox. Tales of high-profile thefts and political intrigue occasionally creep into the media and grab our attention, but stories of that sort are a lot more common than you'd think. Last year, we told one such story of a player's descent into criminality and revenge taken too far. In last week's EVE Evolved, I began to tell the true tale of that same player in one of his biggest heists to date. If you haven't read the first part of this story yet, head back to last week's EVE Evolved before reading on.

A matter of time

Having discovered an opportunity for theft much greater than expected, Scott recognised that he would need help to pull off a successful heist. With the wormhole corporation's assets within Scott's reach, a sense of urgency began to overtake him. Based on discussions with his new corp members, he knew that the group's wormhole tenancy had just begun and that they were still in the process of clearing the starbase up following a frantic move-in. This explained the secure containers littering space -- a temporary measure to be used until an adequate hangar permission scheme could be created.

In this week's conclusion of the story of the great wormhole heist, Scott discovers allies in some unexpected places and finds out first-hand whether there really is no honour amongst thieves.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The great wormhole heist, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The great wormhole heist, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesCCP-Wranglercorpcorporatecorporate-infiltrationcorporationcrimecriminaleveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedheistjohnmilton-keynesoutlawOutlawsrichardscottspyspyingstevewormholewormhole-explorationwormhole-heistwormholesSun, 17 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst gearing up for more APB testing invites, looking toward open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/gamersfirst-gearing-up-for-more-apb-testing-invites-looking-tow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/gamersfirst-gearing-up-for-more-apb-testing-invites-looking-tow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/gamersfirst-gearing-up-for-more-apb-testing-invites-looking-tow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Open beta time is approaching for APB Reloaded, and GamersFirst's Bjorn Book-Larsson is back with his weekly blog post to give us all the juicy details. It seems that GamersFirst devs are working overtime to squash a number of pesky bugs in the 1.5.0 version of the game. As soon as they're finished, 1.5.0 will be made available to the game's 25,000 closed beta testers, followed by subsequent releases for the EU servers, a mass invite for another 25,000 closed beta testers, and then an invite for the remainder of closed beta applicants.

If all of this goes off without a hitch, testers will be granted a temporary premium account to poke and prod at its associated functionality, after which GamersFirst will enable monetized content. After that, "if there are still no major issues, then we will open up the floodgates and formally go into open beta," Book-Larsson explains.

While that's a lot of "ifs," the takeaway is that APB Reloaded's official release is drawing steadily closer. Book-Larsson notes that the team expects to "be in monetized open beta until August" and will be iterating on quite a bit of new content throughout the process.

MassivelyGamersFirst gearing up for more APB testing invites, looking toward open beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbetaBjorn-Book-Larssonblogclosed-betacrimedev-diaryf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstnew-contentopen-betaredesignsan-paroshooterMon, 11 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The great wormhole heist, part 1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/eve-evolved-the-great-wormhole-heist-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/eve-evolved-the-great-wormhole-heist-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/eve-evolved-the-great-wormhole-heist-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Several years ago, EVE Online's Community Manager CCP Wrangler made a statement that I felt really crystalised the sentiment behind the game. He said that "EVE isn't designed to just look like a cold, dark and harsh world; it's designed to be a cold, dark and harsh world." Although most of us are content to indulge ourselves in PvP, market games and other traditional modes of gameplay, a criminal underworld runs beneath that innocuous surface. A significant few carve their own illicit destinies from the void, stealing and cheating their way to the top.

Whether these space-faring cyber-criminals are in it for fame and riches, political influence, or their own personal goals, the stories of their actions in EVE's colossal sandbox never fail to grip us. High-profile thefts like the Guiding Hand Social Club heist of 2005, the closure of EBank, and last year's Titans4U scandal have been made very public, and smaller-scale crimes occur every day in New Eden. Last year, we brought you the true tale of one player's revenge taken too far -- a story of corporate infiltration, social deception and utter destruction. Although this was Scott's first foray into criminality, it was most certainly not his last. The events in this week's story are true, but the names of the players and corporations involved have been changed.

In this week's EVE Evolved, Scott returns as I begin to tell the true story of his huge wormhole heist.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The great wormhole heist, part 1

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The great wormhole heist, part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesCCP-Wranglercorpcorporatecorporate-infiltrationcorporationcrimecriminaleveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedheistmilton-keynesoutlawOutlawsrichardscottspyspyingwormholewormhole-explorationwormhole-heistwormholesSun, 10 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded prepping for open beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/apb-reloaded-prepping-for-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/apb-reloaded-prepping-for-open-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/apb-reloaded-prepping-for-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The beta train for APB Reloaded is rolling right along, according to the latest dev blog update. As of March 20th, GamersFirst has welcomed 25,000 testers to the title's closed beta, with 250,000 waiting in the wings -- and apparently champing at the bit.

GamersFirst is also looking to the future, and Bjorn Book-Larsson writes that "the dev, design and art teams are still working on a few minor tweaks in [closed beta], but are mostly now focused on the open beta build that's coming up." While there's no word on an open beta date as of yet, we're not anticipating a lengthy wait given the speed at which GamersFirst is powering through updates and the enthusiasm permeating the entire enterprise.

Book-Larsson also gives fans an update on the European closed beta, which has suffered a slight delay thanks to a pair of crucial networking components that were held up by EU customs. He notes that at least 25,000 testers will be needed when the EU servers are up and running, and "anyone already playing closed beta in the US can also play on the EU location, just for the heck of it."

MassivelyAPB Reloaded prepping for open beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbetaBjorn-Book-Larssonblogclosed-betacrimedev-blogdev-diaryeueuropeeuropean-betaf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstopen-betaMon, 21 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst hands out over 10,000 APB Reloaded closed beta invites]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/gamersfirst-hands-out-over-10-000-apb-reloaded-closed-beta-invit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/gamersfirst-hands-out-over-10-000-apb-reloaded-closed-beta-invit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/gamersfirst-hands-out-over-10-000-apb-reloaded-closed-beta-invit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's Christmas in March for a lot of former San Paro citizens rendered homeless by the demise of their favorite MMO. Yes, GamersFirst has cracked open the APB Reloaded beta door a bit further as of Tuesday afternoon according to a post on the free-to-play developer's official forums.

"Today is your lucky day," reads the short message. "We're sending out 10,000 plus invites. Check your email (don't forget the spam box)."

GamersFirst has been slowly but steadily ramping up the media assault for its reborn open-world shooter, and whether you're looking for videos, exclusive interviews, or beta key giveaways, Massively's got your back as you look to make the streets of San Paro your personal playground.

MassivelyGamersFirst hands out over 10,000 APB Reloaded closed beta invites originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbetabeta-emailsbeta-invitesbeta-keysclosed-betacrimef2pfree-to-playgamersfirstmmofpssan-paroshooterWed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst shows off new APB Reloaded driving footage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/gamersfirst-shows-off-new-apb-reloaded-driving-footage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/gamersfirst-shows-off-new-apb-reloaded-driving-footage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/gamersfirst-shows-off-new-apb-reloaded-driving-footage/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

News of San Paro is coming at a fast and furious clip now that APB Reloaded is officially toodling around in closed beta mode. Last week we hung out with GamersFirst at GDC and got the low-down on how the team is overhauling APB for its new free-to-play incarnation.

Over the weekend, GamersFirst uploaded a new gameplay video to its YouTube portal, and the footage offers a glimpse of the driving tweaks that producer Jon-Enee Merriex told us about at GDC. The footage focuses on the Macchina Calabria vehicle in a hair-raising romp through the streets of San Paro. While this is still a beta build, APB's driving controls already seem to be quite a bit more refined than they were at release, and there's also the requisite mayhem on display in the form of collisions (both vehicle and pedestrian) and a tiny bit of shooting at the clip's conclusion.

Check it out after the break and let us know what you think in the comments.

[Thanks to Connor for the tip!]

Continue reading GamersFirst shows off new APB Reloaded driving footage

MassivelyGamersFirst shows off new APB Reloaded driving footage originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apbapb-reloadedapb-reloaded-betabetacrimedrivingf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstjon-enee-merriexmacchina-calabriatrailervideoMon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst looking to expand APB Reloaded closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gamersfirst-looking-to-expanding-apb-reloaded-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gamersfirst-looking-to-expanding-apb-reloaded-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/gamersfirst-looking-to-expanding-apb-reloaded-closed-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Things are ramping up in APB-land, and it's not just because GamersFirst has released its second dev blog of the week (as opposed to its traditional one-entry-per-week modus operandi over the past few months).

Bjorn Book-Larsson writes that another 2500 souls have been admitted into the ongoing closed beta test, and thus far the GamersFirst hardware is holding its own under the new player onslaught. The beta test was approaching 1000 concurrent users as of Thursday afternoon, and though a few server restarts were required, the engineers have since nailed down a stable configuration that seems to be lag-free (aside from distance-related issues).

Book-Larsson says that if all goes as planned, Friday evening will see another batch of invites, so keep an eye on your inboxes if you're itching to get back to San Paro. While you're waiting, check out our exclusive APB Reloaded GDC coverage or the recently released Vehicle Showcase video here or behind the cut.

Continue reading GamersFirst looking to expand APB Reloaded closed beta

MassivelyGamersFirst looking to expand APB Reloaded closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedbetabeta-invitesBjorn-Book-Larssonclosed-betacrimedev-blogdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstinvitesmmo-industryvideoFri, 04 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2011: GamersFirst on resurrecting San Paro with APB Reloaded]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-2011-gamersfirst-on-resurrecting-san-paro-with-apb-reloaded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-2011-gamersfirst-on-resurrecting-san-paro-with-apb-reloaded/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/gdc-2011-gamersfirst-on-resurrecting-san-paro-with-apb-reloaded/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's not often that interesting game concepts are given a second chance after an ugly crash and burn, so naturally we jumped at the opportunity to talk to GamersFirst about its APB Reloaded reclamation project. If you're new to the MMO scene, or simply haven't been paying attention over the past year: Realtime Worlds' All Points Bulletin looked poised to bring a gritty, ultra-customizable cops-and-robbers shooter to MMO players everywhere.

To say that a lot of people were looking forward to APB is something of an understatement (Massively even heralded it as our most anticipated title of 2010). The reality of the game was something of a downer, though, and while our own first impressions were disappointedly optimistic, other reviewers weren't as kind as the game went belly up along with its parent studio.

Enter GamersFirst, a free-to-play outfit bent on salvaging the considerable potential of San Paro and transforming it from a buggy mess into a playable AAA MMO. Join us after the cut as we talk with producer Jon-Enee Merriex at GDC 2011 regarding the challenges inherent in the resurrection as well as some of the new (and newly functional) features APB fans can expect.

Continue reading GDC 2011: GamersFirst on resurrecting San Paro with APB Reloaded

MassivelyGDC 2011: GamersFirst on resurrecting San Paro with APB Reloaded originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbapb-reloadedcrimeexclusivef2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegamersfirstgdcgdc-2011interviewjon-enee-merriexjon-merriexThu, 03 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[APB Reloaded welcomes first 2500 beta testers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/apb-reloaded-welcomes-first-2500-beta-testers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/apb-reloaded-welcomes-first-2500-beta-testers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/apb-reloaded-welcomes-first-2500-beta-testers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The APB Reloaded blog has updated and there's good news in store for anxious fans looking to dive back into the city of San Paro. The initial wave of beta invites has officially been sent, and GamersFirst's Bjorn Book-Larsson informs us that the first batch was targeted at American players (primarily on the west coast) who met certain minimum requirements.

Book-Larsson also notes a memory allocation issue that cropped up after the influx of players (approximately 2500 in this wave), but says that as long as the system remains reasonably stable, GamersFirst will begin inviting new players on a daily basis.

"The current plan is to slowly increase the CCU count (simultaneously connected players) from a few hundred (what it is now) to just over 2,000 simultaneous players this week -- which means close to 20,000 actual invitees," Book-Larsson says.

MassivelyAPB Reloaded welcomes first 2500 beta testers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apbapb-reloadedbetabeta-invitesBjorn-Book-Larssonccuclosed-betaconcurrent-userscrimef2pfree-to-playgamersfirstinviteslet-me-insan-parotestingWed, 02 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[APB blog talks beta applications, information security]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/apb-blog-talks-beta-applications-information-security/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/apb-blog-talks-beta-applications-information-security/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/apb-blog-talks-beta-applications-information-security/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Welcome back to the weekly APB Reloaded update. This time around, GamersFirst has a followup to last week's beta application deadline announcement. APB's beta application process is a bit different than the norm, and GamersFirst producer Jon "Neume" Merriex has penned a lengthy blog entry that aims to fill in the gaps.

In addition to reviewing the game's beta key redemption process, the entry touches on the time-honored tradition of fudging your beta app in the hope of presenting a more appealing tester profile (and thus increasing your selection chances). "In the end, if you do fill out the form accurately and completely, we expect that the vast majority of beta applicants will in fact get closed beta access well before the roll out of the open beta," Merriex writes.

Finally, this week's post spends a bit of time on your personal information, and more specifically, the sharing of it with third parties. In a nutshell, GamersFirst pledges to keep your email address, phone number, credit card number, and other valuable bits of data both secret and safe. Information sharing from beta participants "is always aggregated, such as '85% of our players are male between the ages of 18 and 25,'" Merriex says. Head to the official APB Reloaded blog for more specifics.

MassivelyAPB blog talks beta applications, information security originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-securityapbapb-reloadedbetabeta-applicationclosed-betacrimedev-blogdev-diaryf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstjon-merriexopen-betapersonal-informationsan-paroshooterthird-party-information-sharingMon, 21 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST