APB (All Points Bulletin) - what is it? !(Update)!
How did it all begin?
Most modern MMOs, when it comes to basic gameplay laws, turn out to be as similar to each other as two peas in a pod. The scheme is standard: for a couple of months, a player levels up while going through monotonous quests, killing thousands of monsters, and occasionally interacting with other users. After reaching the maximum level, the game enters a second round and offers what is called “endgame content”: dungeons that can only be completed in a group after a sufficiently long preparation, legendary items with extremely low drop rates, PvP ranks that can take weeks and even months to accumulate.
The logic behind all these decisions is simple—it's crucial in MMOs to engage users for long months so that they reliably pay subscription fees. The most basic thing one can do is set players desirable and entirely understandable goals (level eighty, new gear, the title of some marshal, etc.), which will require a significant time investment to achieve. Surprisingly enough, this method works quite well. However, after a few months of playing by such rules, a strong sense of monotony arises in the surroundings, and an understanding develops that you have almost no influence in this online world.
Attempts to counteract this situation, although rarely, do occur. In the very same EVE Online, based on a rather controversial leveling system and not-so-complex gameplay rules (with some exceptions, like a magnificent economy, of course), a virtual world has grown where almost everything depends on the players themselves: huge alliances constantly divide the universe, engage in politics, conduct espionage, carry out sabotage, and so on. Meanwhile, in the eagerly anticipated Star Wars: The Old Republic, the focus is on the storyline—however, this storyline is not a set of standard “leveling quests,” but an epic narrative in which everyone must become a full-fledged hero.
Finally, the third approach will be tested in the game All Points Bulletin, which we will now tell you about.
What is it about?
Unlike most MMOs, the developers of APB preferred to create a compact world. If every World of Warcraft server houses several thousand players, here the number of users (at first) is planned to be limited to about a hundred people. All of them will live in San Paro—a small town resembling the metropolises from any part of GTA in its internal structure. A couple of districts, active street traffic, shops, idle passersby, police patrols, gang confrontations—essentially, a standard simulation of life. With one exception: this life will mainly be simulated by the players themselves rather than computer characters.
How will we play?
The essence of local gameplay is the classic confrontation between police and criminals. The game will feature a fairly sophisticated matchmaking system that will constantly pit players against each other. For instance, a truck full of gold is moving through the city—an ideal target for criminals! Was a robbery committed? Then a police squad, composed of live players, must head to the scene.
An invisible conductor will continuously invent tasks for players. If you are a cop—patrol the city. Don’t want to follow orders? Then you’ll pay with your personal ranking, and a particularly important mission will go to someone else. Criminals enjoy a freer life, but even there they won’t be without their nuances.
At the same time, there will be virtually no leveling in APB. The combat here resembles that of a classic shooter—fast, tense, and unforgiving of mistakes. No levels, experience points, or new skills: all a character has is a health bar. A successful player will certainly gain the coolest weapons and a slick ride—however, the pursuit of material values in APB is far less important. Here, having respect among other players is much more valuable—for example, the best of the best will even be honored with statues.
The developers do not focus solely on gang wars. Feel free to participate in street races. Or tune your car, or create a cool clothing collection that will become fashionable throughout the city. The openness characteristic of APB, like any MMO, will allow for new activities to be introduced swiftly and made immediately available to everyone.
The new MMO game by APB: All Points Bulletin embodies a new generation of online games. The game unfolds in a fully alive open world of urban districts, where glory and wealth await its heroes. Some players will reach the pinnacle of success by exploiting the city and its inhabitants... they will be called Criminals.
Others will choose to fight against criminals and gangs... they will be called Enforcers. The concept, where players become the primary targets for other players, is one of many unique features of the APB project. A powerful programming core will allow for the game world’s heroes to be completely unique. Appearance, clothing, transportation, and even music—all of this can change at the player’s request. Only the highest quality and attention to detail will remain unchanged.
Screenshots
Debut trailer
Gameplay