APB (video game)

Infobox VG| title = APB


developer = Realtime Worlds
publisher = Realtime Worlds
designer = David Jones
engine = Unreal Engine 3.0
released = 2009
genre = MMO
modes = Multiplayer
ratings =
platforms = Microsoft Windows
media = DVD
requirements =
input = Keyboard, Mouse

"APB" (All Points Bulletin) is an upcoming massively multiplayer online video game for Microsoft Windows, based in urban sprawls and featuring two sides, Enforcement and the Criminals. Players may join either the Enforcers or the Criminals, and form sub-groups in these. The game design is lead by David Jones, creator of the original "Grand Theft Auto" and "Crackdown", and is being developed by Realtime Worlds.

While it was initially expected that the game would appear on PS3, Xbox 360 as well as PCs, GameSpot reported that "the PC edition was Realtime Worlds priority and will be the first to market" and "that if it does proceed with console editions of the game, both an Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version" would be considered.cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6189616.html|title=Realtime repurchases APB rights|publisher=GameSpot|date=2008-04-21|accessdate=2008-04-21]

History

"APB" has been described by Realtime Worlds executive Colin Macdonald as being "the bastard child of everything we’ve been striving towards over the 15-20 years" and a culmination of "what [David Jones'] always wanted to do from "GTA" and before "Crackdown" and "APB"." [cite web | url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/08/05/apb-is-twenty-years-of-striving/ | title =APB Is Twenty Years Of Striving, Kinda | publisher = Rock, Paper, Shotgun |first = Jim | last = Rossignol | date =2008-08-05 | accessdate =2008-08-05]

"APB" was planned as early as vgy|2005, initially as a PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 title, and intended as the flagship title for the then-newly founded Realtime Worlds studio created by David Jones. [cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6128269.html | title = APB coming to Xbox 360 & PS3 in 2008 | publisher = Gamespot | date = 2005-06-25 | accessdate = 2008-02-23 | first = Tor | last = Thorsen ] Then, it was planned that the Xbox 360 release would be in vgy|2008. In the interim time, Realtime Worlds developed the video game "Crackdown", released in vgy|2007, which bore some resemblance to the concepts that were to be in "APB".

At the 2008 Game Developers Conference, David Jones confirmed that "APB" would still be released in vgy|2008.cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/apb/news.html?sid=6186547&om_act=convert&om_clk=newsfeatures&tag=newsfeatures;title;1 | title = GDC '08: APB out on Dave Jones | publisher = Gamespot | date = 2008-02-21 | accessdate = 2008-02-23 | first = Tom | last = Magrino ] Jones noted that "APB" would be more like a "MOG" — multiplayer online game — as that players will likely only interact with up to 25 other players at the same time, and also noted that the game compares well to the typical style of fantasy or sci-fi "massively multiplayer online" games such as "World of Warcraft", but by distancing the concept from the same type of gameplay, he does not expect to compete with those games. On April 14, 2008, Realtime Worlds announced that it had raised $50 million for "APB" and other future projects. [cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52193 | title = Crackdown, APB Developer Raises $50 Million | first = Chris | last = Faylor | publisher = Shacknews | date = 2008-04-14 | accessdate = 2008-04-14] However, he also confirmed that Realtime Worlds is now looking at a vgy|2009 release. [cite web | url = http://www.developmag.com/news/29636/Dave-Jones-says-APB-could-generate-revenues-in-the-hundred-millions | title =Dave Jones says APB could generate revenues in the hundred millions | date = 2008-04-15 | accessdate = 2008-04-16 | first = Michael | last = French | publisher = Develop UK ] In this same announcement and subsequent interviews, the company has stated that that game was now scheduled for release on Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in vgy|2009, and with options for eventual versions on the Sony PlayStation 3.

On April 21, 2008, Realtime Worlds announce that it had reacquired the global distribution rights for "APB", significantly amending the arrangement made in 2005 with Webzen Games. [cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/868/868123p1.html|title=Realtime Worlds Regains Global Distribution Rights to APB Following Second Round Funding|publisher=IGN|date=2008-04-21|accessdate=2008-04-21] An industry rumor has suggested that Realtime Worlds plans to sell the game to Rockstar Games in order to recraft it as a "Grand Theft Auto" MMO, though Realtime Worlds has denied these rumors. [cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=137422 | title = Realtime downplays GTA Online talk | first = Rob | last = Purchase | date = 2008-05-08 | accessdate =2008-05-08 | publisher = Eurogamer]

Gameplay

The game takes place in a modern-day, fictional city where there is a constant battle between "Law Enforcement" and "Gangs", and the player will need to decide which side they want to participate on. The two sides battle out for control of the city, with territory within the city being contested continually 24 hours a day, so that players must concern themselves with both offense and defensive moves. Other activities involving missions within the game allow the player to earn extra money, which then can be used to upgrade weapons, vehicles, and their character appearances, all that influence the game itself. [cite web | url = http://apb-evolved.com/information/customization | title = APB Company Line | publisher = Realtime Worlds | date = 2007-11-16 | accessdate = 2008-02-23 ] For example, several Gang players may rob a convenience store within the game; the game will then seek out one or more Law Enforcement players of equivalent skills and other criteria, and will issue an all-points bulletin for them to stop the robbery. Jones confirmed that players will be able to use the Last.FM service to create custom soundtracks within the game.At a show in Brighton, Jones said that a BETA announcement is 'Very close'. Users who registered before June 11th, at [http://apb-evolved.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3592 APB-Evolved] were guaranteed beta access. And that 'A boxed copy is more likely than a downloadable form.'

References

External links

* [http://www.apb.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.realtimeworlds.com/index.php?id=383&pid=3 Realtime World's APB page]