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More APB beta invites going out

by JC Fletcher { Mar 12th 2010 at 2:30PM }

Did you miss out on the APB beta last year? Tipsters have begun alerting us that a new wave of invites is going out. If you still want an early look at Realtime Worlds' massively multithug online game, you should probably head over to the site and apply now. At least with the knowledge that more invites are going out, there seems to be more chance that you'd be able to get one now, right?

While you're on pins and needles about your potential beta invite, why not read this Eurogamer interview with RTW CEO David Jones? In it, he says that APB is a release during the first half of this year is "achievable" (though EA says pretty much exactly the opposite). He also describes the game's pay model as "a very unique business model because it's a unique game." He did not say what that model was.

[Thanks, Paul & Jesse!]

Epic showing off APB, new Unreal features at GDC

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 4th 2010 at 5:20PM }

As has become custom, Epic has announced that it will be showing off new Unreal Engine features during a press conference at GDC 2010. Some of the new features include a new "procedural artist-driven tool" for creating buildings and new tool for "continuous branching objects such as roads, sidewalks, tentacles, roots, vines, cabling, and railway tracks." A new foliage demo -- which will be viewable in 3-D -- is set to highlight the engine's new features. In addition to its Unreal Engine 3 conference, Epic will also host live demonstrations of the upcoming Realtime Worlds MMO, APB.

Joystiq will be on hand for both events, so stay tuned for coverage next week.

EA: Expect a 'major MMO' in 'Spring 2011'

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 12th 2010 at 11:15AM }

EA CEO John Riccitiello mentioned during the company's reduced earnings conference call yesterday that the publisher plans to launch its "major MMO" in the spring of 2011. With no other announced "major MMO" in the works at Electronic Arts, the common wisdom of the Jedi (which can sometimes lead to bad things), points to that being Bioware's Star Wars: The Old Republic's release window. The company refused to elaborate further or acknowledge what game the executive was talking about.

Eurogamer notes that other possibilities are Realtime Worlds' APB or Need for Speed: World Online, but neither has the hype of the Star Wars game. Of course, there's also a chance that EA has some super-secret MMO hidden away like a Sith apprentice.

Update: BioWare confirms release window [Kotaku]

APB enters closed beta, virtual crime rates spike

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 20th 2009 at 5:00PM }

Almost three weeks after Realtime Worlds CEO Gary Dale teased us with the chance to go hands-on with APB, the developer's marketing head, John Davies, has confirmed to VG247 that the first wave of closed beta invites for the pseudo-MMO have been sent out. We realize this news will either find you unsurprised (i.e., you already received an invite) or disheartened (i.e., you didn't), but we thought we'd pass it along regardless, as crushing your spirits is one of our very favorite pastimes.

Aww, don't cry. Now you're just bringing us down. Hey, you can still apply to join the APBeta on the game's official site. Who knows, you might just get accepted instantaneously. There might be an invite in your inbox right this second! Just ... just buck up, okay?

Scotland fighting to keep Realtime Worlds, other native game developers

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 9th 2009 at 3:10PM }

It seems Scottish government officials aren't going to let the nation's game developers get stolen away without a fight. Last week, we reported on Ireland's attempts to court Scotland's biggest game developers, starting with APB creators Realtime Worlds. Scottish Secretary of State Jim Murphy recently met with Realtime Worlds owner Dave Jones to talk about how Scotland can convince the company to stick around -- specifically discussing the option of tax breaks and other modes of government support.

If you found that last paragraph boring, here are the CliffsNotes: Ireland and Scotland are fighting over Scotland's game developers. As their incentives continue to escalate, we completely expect to see a "free ponies" offer on the table within the next few weeks.

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?

Ireland trying to court Realtime Worlds, other Scottish devs with tax holiday

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 29th 2009 at 12:15AM }

In an attempt to kick-start its own video game industry, Ireland has begun to target a number of high-profile Scottish game development studios, attempting to woo them over to the Emerald Isle by offering a five-year tax holiday. Colin Macdonald, manager of Dundee-based APB developer Realtime Worlds, responded by saying "if the package on offer in Ireland was attractive we'd have to give it serious consideration." Other Scottish developers who could be influenced by the tax holiday include Rockstar North, Denki, Ruffian Games and Dynamo Games.

Macdonald went on to say that Scotland's going to need to do more to preserve its burgeoning gaming industry in light of attractive offers from countries such as Ireland and Canada, who Realtime "lost some of [its] key staff to" in the past few years. We can't help but wonder if this might have had less to do with the strength of Canada's gaming industry, and more to do with the deliciousness of their bacon.

[Via Gamasutra]

APB trailer features flying cars at All Points

by JC Fletcher { Sep 18th 2009 at 1:45PM }

This APB trailer shows some in-game footage, allowing us to see what it will be like to inhabit the crime-filled world of Realtime Worlds' upcoming MMO. And, well, it's what you might expect from a somewhat GTA-like MMO -- and that is cars all over the place. Having a firefight with the cops? Expect to see some jerk drive a car right at you. Think you're safe up on a rooftop? Nope, car out of nowhere. Taking an impromptu breakdancing, uh, break? You get the idea.

The safest bet will be to remain inside a car at all times when playing the game, though that does unfortunately prevent breakdancing.

Impressions: APB

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 7th 2009 at 9:30PM }

It's been a long time coming, but the first gameplay of Realtime Worlds' pseudo-MMO APB has been shown to the public. PAX attendees who stopped by EA's booth were allowed to view a 15-minute long in-game video demo of the title -- just for kicks, the player/commentator for the demo was none other than Epic's Mark Rein, creator of the Unreal Engine 3 upon which the title is built. Rein, who was playing as an Enforcer, was joined by Realtime's Chris Collins, who effectively played the Crockett to Rein's Tubbs.

What we saw looked less like an MMO, and more like a persistent online multiplayer cops-and-robbers game. Action isn't slow and meditated, it's fast-paced and twitchy. If you were expecting skill-filled hotbars, you're going to be disappointed -- APB is a third-person shooter, through and through.

Continued →

Microsoft explains why Ruffian is the right choice for Crackdown 2

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 7th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Before Microsoft revealed that Ruffian Games would be developing the upcoming Crackdown sequel, the original game's developer, Realtime Worlds, expressed some skepticism towards the idea. "I very much doubt that Microsoft would harm an otherwise fruitful existing development relationship by gambling on funding Crackdown 2 with a startup on RTW's doorstep, for obvious reasons," RTW's Colin MacDonald said last year. Things weren't so cut and dry for self-accused Crackdown fanboy (and Microsoft exec) Phil Spencer, who recently told Develop, "When Billy Thomson, the lead designer of the game [Crackdown 1], left Realtime Worlds, there was an opportunity."

Apparently, it would seem Mr. Spencer believes Realtime Worlds is simply too busy developing APB to give a Crackdown sequel the attention it deserves. "I wanted to make sure that anything we work on is correctly nurtured ... we had to find the right team who really understood what game it is – and that was Billy [Thompson] and the team at Ruffian." Crackdown 2 will be the first game developed by Ruffian Games since the studio's inception late last year.

Realtime Worlds celebrates new office opening, ever-expanding staff

by Ben Gilbert { Aug 28th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Like the Scottish equivalent of George and Weezie, Crackdown developer Realtime Worlds is movin' on up. Rather than a deeeluxe apartment in the sky, the company has just opened an 8,000 sq. ft. office, adding to its already existing 26,000 sq. ft. location. Quite a feat considering the company moved into its current studio less than three years ago and has only ever shipped one game.

"We've had tremendous commercial and critical success, and have done the lion's share of the work towards a successful launch of our online title APB," studio manager Colin MacDonald says in the press release, referring to the company's upcoming PC MMO. Considering the down economy and flood of layoffs we saw earlier in the year, it's always good to see some expansion -- RTW is looking to reach over 300 employees by years end. And you could be one of them, as the company wants to remind everyone that "over 40 vacancies" exist in the careers section at the Realtime Worlds website. You live in Scotland, right?

APB accepting beta applicants, looking for soundtrack contributions

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 14th 2009 at 2:15PM }

In our minds, there are three types of people in the world -- folks who want to get their hands on Realtime Worlds' cops-and-robbers MMO APB with all available haste, folks who couldn't care less about the game, and, of course, folks who are members of self-promoting indie bands. We've got great news for the first group -- you can now sign-up for the APB beta on the game's official site. The application is a bit ... thorough (ethnicity? Marital status? Income range?), but confidentiality is assured. Fret not, second group -- it's not like it's mandatory or anything.

Look lively, third group -- the recently updated APB site also has a section where you can license your music for the game's soundtrack. It has to be an original composition, however -- we're afraid you'll have to save your hardcore Postal Service covers for your throngs of MySpace fans.

[Thanks, XIII!]

Rumor: APB rolls onto the hard streets of retail in March

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 23rd 2009 at 10:30AM }

MCV reports that Realtime Worlds' MMO, APB, will launch its crime-infested sandbox next March. The game will be distributed on PC and Xbox 360 by EA Partners, the same division of the publishing behemoth handling Rock Band and Left 4 Dead. This would make APB just the second MMO to hit the Xbox console and the first "next-gen" game to do so, following the 2006 re-release of 2003's Final Fantasy XI.

We're currently trying to follow up with Realtime Worlds and EA for confirmation. We'll update if we hear anything back.

Update 2: Realtime Worlds: "Realtime Worlds have only ever announced a Q1 2010 launch window. Any other dates you may see are either assumptions or speculations based on this."

Update: EA reiterated that "early 2010" is its release window, also "there are currently no plans for a 360 version."

Gallery: APB

Realtime Worlds hopes APB will have up to 10-year lifespan

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 21st 2009 at 7:30PM }

We've all been curious about how long the Cops & Robbers gameplay presented in Realtime Worlds' APB would be capable of capturing our fleeting, razor-thin attention span. Realtime creative director Dave Jones just ... hey, have you guys seen Brüno yet? It looks pretty funny, but we -- oh, sorry. Dave Jones recently spoke with VideoGamer.com and explained that a five to ten year lifespan is "ultimately the goal" for APB.

Jones said the action-heavy MMO would endure for the same reasons Valve's long-lasting FPS Counter-Strike has. He claims it'll include elements that made the shooter so successful, such as frantic, addictive game play, as well as "leagues and stats and achievements." See, here we thought people loved Counter-Strike because it let you spray paint private parts onto battlefield walls. Our mistake.

APB developer cryptic about subscription model

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 19th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Despite the fact that we've known about Realtime Worlds' MMO APB for almost four years now, details surrounding the game are slim. One important piece of non-existent info: What's the subscription plan going to look like? Registration fees that are too steep (or too shallow, for that matter) have been known to sink MMOs in the past. We already knew the game would have an "untraditional" payment model -- but we aren't much closer to knowing any specifics.

In a recent interview with VG247, Realtime's Dave Jones explained the game (which has cost $30 million to develop and provide server support for) will be a "traditional game that you buy," but that players won't need to "subscribe to play the game every month." He also claimed the subscription plan will be "unique" and "flexible," and will allow players to "get" why they're paying. Our guess? Realtime's going to set up a jar which players will be forced to drop nickels into whenever they curse.