all-points-bulletin posts (Subscribe to this feed)

APB beta bustin' caps next week

by David Hinkle { Oct 1st 2009 at 7:01PM }

If you're chomping at the bit for some virtual crime, we're here to let you know that the wait to get your fix is almost over: Realtime Worlds CEO Gary Dale confirmed (via GI.biz) that a beta for the PC version of APB is currently on the docket for next week -- a beta which Realtime Worlds began taking applications for mid-August.

If you haven't yet applied to be in the beta, you should probably get on that. Not sure if you're interested? Did you know the game is part GTA, part San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing?

Realtime Worlds explains shift to MMOs, says online market is 'untapped'

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 15th 2009 at 4:00PM }

(click to MMO-size)

Crackdown developer Realtime Worlds -- currently working on upcoming MMO All Points Bulletin -- is pretty excited about cashing in on the online market. During his keynote at the Develop conference this week, RTW exec David Jones explained his company's shift to MMO development as one with the intention of heading where "the big dollars are."

"Online ... is very, very much untapped -- it's kind of like winding the clock back 10 or 15 years," he said during the speech. Jones apparently cited Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 as examples of games where players "invest hours" in the single-player campaign but "ten times that online" -- but isn't your game PC-only, Mr. Jones? We're not so sure, considering Jones' repeated references to "next-gen technology" throughout the keynote, 100-person servers for online play, and the recent EA partnership announcement -- though we'd be a lot more inclined to believe it if even a single MMO existed on current-gen consoles in any real capacity. When we asked RTW for comment on the possibility of APB coming to consoles, a representative told us, "There's no update on that front." Hey, we tried, right?

Interview: EJ Moreland, lead designer of APB

by Mike Schramm { Jun 9th 2009 at 2:30PM }

APB was probably one of the most impressive games we didn't actually see played at E3 -- while Realtime Worlds didn't have any actual gameplay to show off, they did have a nice demo session (in a booth guarded by these two tattooed ladies -- don't worry, EJ's wife, we asked him to pose for this one) where they talked about how their persistent MMO shooter will combine emergent cops-and-robbers gameplay with an extremely impressive level of customization.

After the demo session, lead designer EJ Moreland sat down with us, and cleared up most of the wanted bounties we still had on the game: what's advancement like? How is the game using Last.fm? And just how will they balance out the ad-hoc gameplay of criminals committing crimes and enforcers catching them with the usual MMO process of character advancement? Read on for more.

Gallery: APB

Continued →

EA brings APB to E3, trailer 4U2C

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 2nd 2009 at 2:00AM }

Earlier today, EA announced its plans to bring the crime-inspired All Points Bulletin to the online masses. Planned for release on PC, the upcoming MMO action game is one part Grand Theft Auto and one part Grand Theft Auto. This trailer showcases some of the gameplay, and we see a lot of traditional over-the-shoulder shooting in an open world city environment. We can't complain, especially after the hours we've spent in GTA IV's online lobby, mindlessly shooting our friends.

EA publishing Realtime Worlds' All Points Bulletin

by David Hinkle { Jun 1st 2009 at 6:16PM }

Just announced at EA's press conference, we now know that Realtime Worlds' ambitious MMO All Points Bulletin will be backed by an equally ambitious company. Realtime Worlds founder Dave Jones took the stage to announce that EA will help the 100-player MMO reach awaiting gamers sometime next year, which is the current release window EA is listing for the game.

Realtime Worlds: APB at E3, first in-game screen released

by Ben Gilbert { May 19th 2009 at 11:55AM }

(click to MMO-size)

Looks like we'll be seeing more capri pants from All Points Bulletin developer Realtime Worlds in a few short weeks, as the company announced this morning its intentions to attend E3 2009. RTW community manager Chris 'Ulrich' Dye dropped the knowledge on APB fansite APB Evolved, along with the "first in-game screenshot" of APB (seen above), saying, "Yes, we WILL be at E3 this year and this will mark the start of lots more news, activities and information coming out about APB: All Points Bulletin."

He also teases a bit of info on the game, noting that the screen provided is meant "to give you another look at the awesome character customizations that will make up a large part of APB," rather than just show you some more folks holdin' gats. Like you, we're stuck waiting for another two weeks to find out more. Thanks, Realtime Worlds!

Realtime Worlds teases APB appearance at E3

by Griffin McElroy { May 14th 2009 at 5:15PM }

We've been hearing rumors of Crackdown developer Realtime Worlds' appearance in the upcoming Microsoft E3 Conference for a while now, though we've heard no confirmation of All Points Bulletin's involvement in the highly anticipated, green-hued showcase. However, Eurogamer recently got an intriguing response from Realtime after inquiring about the crime-filled MMO's MicroCon debut.

Realtime Worlds boss Colin MacDonald responded to Eurogamer's query, saying, "I couldn't possibly comment at the moment," but went on to add, "if we happened to be going, I'm sure we would make it known before too much longer, and we'd certainly give Eurogamer a shout to try to meet up." Jeez, you guys. Get a room.

Realtime Worlds puts out an APB for job seekers at GDC

by JC Fletcher { Mar 20th 2009 at 7:40PM }

It may be an awful time to be searching for a job, but Crackdown developer Realtime Worlds is apparently doing just fine -- and looking to share the wealth. If you're interested, all you have to do is A) attend GDC, B) be good at some aspect of game development (obviously) and C) be willing to temporarily relocate to Scotland.

In a press release titled "Realtime Worlds Offers Lifeline in Credit Crunch," the company announced plans to look for "more than 40 additional staff" at next week's Game Developers Conference. "In contrast to many other companies and sectors at the moment, our biggest challenge is in recruiting staff of the calibre, and in the quantities we need," John Duffie, Head of PR, said in the release. "Already 25% of our workforce comes from outside the UK because we aren't able to find everyone we need here."

Contract employees from outside the UK will receive "free quality accommodation" in Scotland during their tenure, and a free return flight afterward. The new positions are for All Points Bulletin and one other unannounced project.

Realtime Worlds: APB's release 'not that far away'

by Dustin Burg { Jul 30th 2008 at 10:15AM }

Been eagerly awaiting news about Realtime Worlds' console MMO All Points Bulletin ever since they showed a tech demo during GDC? Well, good news for those patiently waiting, because Realtime Worlds' studio manager Colin Macdonald has just hinted that progress is being made and that a release isn't that far off. "Things have been going really, really well" Macdonald told videogaming247, admitting that development is "still going to take a little while, but we're not talking about that far away now."

Good thing too, because we were beginning to think that APB was slipping away into the magically mystical category of vaporware. A place no game wants to be.

[Via Eurogamer]

Realtime Worlds hires community manager, APB-eta mentioned

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 10th 2008 at 1:56PM }

Realtime Worlds announced in a press release today that the company has hired a community manager, Chris "Ulric" Dye, for its MMO APB. RW's Business Development Manager Mario Rizzo says the hire signals an "important milestone" as the company moves the game into alpha and prepares for a "full public beta."

APB has popped back on radar over the last couple months since Realtime Worlds took back the distribution rights from Webzen in April and rumors surfaced the game was trying to become Grand Theft Auto Online. Here's an APB for Mr. Community Manager: Feel free to contact us when you get a chance, we'll be happy to talk about the game.

Rumor: Realtime Worlds hopes APB becomes GTA Online

by Christopher Grant { May 8th 2008 at 5:29PM }

As far as rumors go, this one isn't much of a surprise. A mysterious masked man told Eurogamer that developer Realtime Worlds recently bought the distribution rights to its forthcoming MMO All Points Bulletin (APB to you kids) with one specific goal in mind: "so that it could try and sell it to Rockstar as GTA Online."

Now, Realtime's motivation for the purchase can really only be parsed two ways: either it's going to go it alone or it'll partner with "someone else who may well be interested and have the infrastructure [to support it]." Though the founders of Realtime Worlds used to call Rockstar Games "home" – not to mention the instant similarities between APB and the money-printing franchise – the developer is opting to downplay the GTA Online link, only saying that it re-secured the license to give itself "some options."

Gallery: GDC08: All Points Bulletin

[Via X3F]

Realtime Worlds buys back rights to APB franchise

by Dustin Burg { Apr 21st 2008 at 4:30PM }

Big news comes from Realtime Worlds today with word that they are putting their recently acquired $50 million to work, acquiring the global distribution rights to their upcoming MMO All Points Bulletin.

GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that Realtime Worlds purchased the APB distribution rights back from Webzen to "ensure that gamers around the globe experience the revolutionary gameplay we envisioned when we first began creating the property." We aren't sure exactly what their global release plans entail or how much they had to put up for the rights, but we're sure they didn't come cheap. Lesson learned kids. When sleeping with Webzen and things turn sour, know that you'll have to buy your way out of the relationship. That said, you could probably apply that lesson to all relationships you encounter.

Realtime Worlds takes APB distribution rights from Webzen

by Kyle Orland { Apr 21st 2008 at 3:45PM }

It always seemed to us that MMO-maker Webzen had a bit too much on its plate, what with working on APB, Huxley and Soul of the Ultimate Nation year after year with no signs of any actual releases. Well, Webzen's plate got a little less full today, as developer Realtime Worlds announced it has regained the global distribution rights to APB.

Realtime Worlds' announcement follows a an intriguing demo of APB at February's Game Developer's Conference and a $50 million cash infusion for the Crackdown developer in March. As for Webzen, maybe this disquisition will finally give it the focus it needs to finish up the long-dormant Huxley.

All Points Bulletin may make its way onto the PS3

by Nick Doerr { Apr 16th 2008 at 6:30PM }

Realtime Worlds is the developer of a game called All Points Bulletin. It's okay if you haven't heard of it -- we hadn't either. Apparently it's an MMO that plays a lot like Grand Theft Auto. Sound interesting? We thought so. The possibility has been put on the table for this game to make its way to the PlayStation 3. So far, it has been confirmed for the PC and Xbox 360.

Realtime's studio manager, Colin MacDonald, clarifies the situation somewhat: "The situation is that yes, all the consoles are an option for us, and we'll be looking at them. But there's nothing decided, nothing to report at the moment I'm afraid ... Yes, we'll be looking seriously at [PS3] ... But that doesn't mean it's going ahead, and it doesn't mean it's not going ahead." We'll have to find out before the game launches in 2009. With a facelift, hopefully.

Realtime Worlds undecided on All Points Bulletin for PS3

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Apr 16th 2008 at 3:00PM }

"The situation is that yes, all the consoles are an option for us, and we'll be looking at them, but there's nothing decided, nothing to report at the moment I'm afraid," said Realtime Worlds studio manager, Colin MacDonald. The only thing worth reporting then, as discovered by GamesIndustry.biz, is that the Crackdown developer has no concrete plans to bring its bandanna gangster MMO, All Points Bulletin ("APB" as it's known on the streets), to Sony's black behemoth.

It seems there was some jumping to incorrect conclusions after an article in the Scotsman suggested Realtime Worlds was looking to adapt APB "for games consoles such as XBox and PlayStation in the future." That's only partially true, as the game is currently bound for PC and Xbox 360. Still, there's loads of time between now and 2009, and plenty of ways to spend $50 million in funding.

Gallery: GDC08: All Points Bulletin