GDC08: Realtime Worlds' MMO darling, All Points Bulletin
by Dustin Burg 
{ Feb 22nd 2008 at 10:00AM }
Realtime Worlds and Webzen dropped an MMO bombshell today during their "My first MMO" GDC panel, officially revealing (for the first time) All Points Bulletin. And it's impressive.
APB is a cops and robbers, Crackdown / GTAIV hybrid, open world MMO that'll do away with the tediousness (or the "grind") that traditional RPG based MMOs are known for, focusing more on the community and the world. Customization will be key, as every player will be able to completely makeover their in-game character, changing things from hairstyle to eye color to whether or not a tshirt is tucked in. That same level of customization lends itself to vehicles as well. Realtime Worlds also revealed that APB will not have a leveling up system, instead players will be rewarded by gaining more and more character customization options. Realtime then showed off a quick pursuit demo where a group of cops had to band together to take apprehend some TV stealing thugs. The placeholder graphics aren't great, but we get the idea and yes ... it's delicious. Make the jump to read Joystiq's APB impressions and learn why APB is where you'll wanna be.
[Thanks, xenocidic]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hooded Vendetta @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:09AM
Hey guys, Add some of these videos, There much better, Esspecially the Customisation one.
http://www.xboxkings.com/index.php?site=news_comments&newsID=766&lang=uk
Hooligunn @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:10AM
Revealed for the first time? Ha where have you been X3F?! Your an Xbox 360 fansite!
This was announced in 2005 when they said it would release THIS YEAR. There's even trailers from way back then if you want me to show you.
This isn't a new announcement - it's a 3 year old one! (haha) This is just new footage / info and it looks fantastic I must say! The graphics looks really good, like crackdown without the cell shading and hi-res versions.
Are you sure they are placeholder graphics? They look fine to me.
barb dybwad @ Feb 24th 2008 2:09AM
they've shown off concept art and trailer for the game, but this is the first time they've revealed screenshots, actual gameplay, and a demo of the character and vehicle customization tools.
DjDATZ @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:22AM
wow...awesome!
Kizzle @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:40AM
Loved Crackdown, lukewarm on MMOs. This one will probably change my mind about MMOs for the better though.
xenocidic @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:37AM
i'm afraid that I am going to fall into darkness again
after i climbed out of the WoW pit
jtedesco33 @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:19PM
This game has me really interested, I have never been one for MMO's, but this may be the one that gets me to take the plunge.
Arcaynn @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:33AM
They should get back in the kitchen, and start working on Crackdown 2.
rockeranimefreak @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:12PM
I agree! :) Crackdown 2 FTW!
Boff @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:40AM
Sweet! Now hurry up and release it Realtime Worlds!
You can get 'cracking' (hint hint) on my favourite sequel then.
I want my Crackdown 2: More kills, more skills. (That's the new official name for it. Honest.)
Boff @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:43AM
Actually, sweet as tits!! I just watched the video.
mike @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:40AM
does not interest me one bit. I dont understand mmo players and their quest for x gear to customize their character. Whoc ares about a customized character? nobody but you, thats who. The other player just care what their guy looks like, not yours. Cosmetics of a character I find to be completely pointless and a waste of time. Like in saints row they had that DLC pack with new outfits. I cant believe anybody would even think about buying that. I dont even want it for free.
Then again im alone here because I know most people seem to care so much about character customing crap in games. I say bring on new gameplay. Make new levels, new models to run through. If I take a level and skin it 1000 different ways, its still the same level. same goes for characters.
Digital Limit @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:49AM
Feeling like a unique character is so important in character-development games. The more run-of-the-mill you feel, the less inclined you'll be to accept the world that you're in as anything but fake.
Tony @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:50PM
I think you really need to read some more in depth previews of this title. They've basically addressed the things that seem to annoy you, at least in my opinion.
Cyrus @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:30PM
How about sime Road Warrior content
Jomolungma @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:34PM
Just a question - is there even a hint that this will be available on the 360? Dedicated servers... mouse-centric character editing... not really conducive to the 360.
Also, re: this whole not leveling up thing. I have no clue what they mean. They showed a video with a Shaft-like dude taking on four n00bs by himself. How did he do that without some form of leveling up? And how did he get to that level? Seems like they have similar things happening underneath, just maybe creative ways of going about it.
E.J. @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:06PM
Character development looks like it's done with the analog sticks. Ever tried Tiger Woods 08's GameFace system? Or sticker/logo customization in Forza 2?
barb dybwad @ Feb 24th 2008 2:21AM
it was confirmed for the 360 back in 2005
http://www.joystiq.com/2005/06/28/apb-out-on-xbox-360/
http://www.webzen.com/eng/games/apb/apb.html
Ghostbuddy @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:55PM
Awesome. Keep up the good work! Now just slab some billboards around the city, with real world ads. So there isn't a monthly fee. And the games sales will be stellar.
And to "mike", how can this game not interest you? Even if your not interested in customization.
Imagine GTA or Saints Row, only the devs add more content every few months. Theres more crimes for you to commit. The cops are all real people. And you can play in this persistant world with friends. Forming gangs, organizing robberies, heists, Fighting gang wars, etc.
Customization is just there to make the world feel more authentic. And so you have a feeling of individuality. As well as being a sign of wealth in the game. So you can tell a noob from a pro. Read the stuff at joystiq. The dev specificly said he didn't want his MMO to be based upon doing repitious tasks for rewards. He wants the game to be played for the fun gameplay.
In any case, this is the future route of MMOs. Im glad a developer has finally realized what MMOs should be about. Why they are so successful, and why so many people dream about MMOs designed around they're favorite franshises. Now if someone would just get cracking on a Zombie outbreak MMO.
Mikeawesome @ Feb 22nd 2008 1:46PM
If this is coming to the 360, I will not play it unless it utilizes Xbox Live to make the game free for me. Or, Hell, just so long as it's free for me (beyond paying for the Xbox Live Subscription) then I'll play it.
Beyond that, it looks pretty damn impressive.
Taylor @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:11PM
So i guess i'm the only one that remembers the old arcade game this is based on? It was from the '80's, and i only remember it from downloading ROMs, not actually playing the machine.
It's really funny to see them revive this IP... Heh.
-Taylor
Tony @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:02PM
I think it's just a coincidence. They don't have any of the same people involved, the companies are different, etc.
PublicDeviance @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:56PM
they announced this game years ago sir.
Tony @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:49PM
I kind of glossed over this initially as I had heard about it before, but I read a few previews and it sounds like this is really, really coming together in a phenomenal way. I'm already impressed.
I hope there's no monthly fee for it, personally. That kills my interest in 360 titles because I'm already paying for Internet AND Live. I'd rather get the PC version, save $10 (since it'll undoubtedly be cheaper) and pay the same fee there.