APB Demo Arrives Next Week

[Earnest Cavalli]

APB Demo Arrives Next Week

Highly anticipated PC crime simulator APB goes public for the first time next week with the launch of the online game's official beta program.

Developed by Realtime Worlds (Crackdown), APB has long been billed as an MMO version of Grand Theft Auto, owing mainly to its cops versus robbers faction system and gritty urban style.

Beta testers will be selected from the vast pool of gamers who have already expressed interest in testing the game via its official web site [http://www.apb.com/age-verification-gateway/?bounce=http://www.apb.com/]. The application is still open, but presumably those signing up now would have dramatically reduced odds of scoring a spot than those who signed up months ago.

However, it stands to reason that the game's creators would want to increase the server stress load as the beta rambles on, so even those who are only now signing up for the beta could very well be accepted into the program in a month or two.

(Via VG247 [http://www.vg247.com/2009/10/01/apb-goes-into-beta-next-week/])

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[Jedamethis]

How come I've never heard of this before? Looks good though, if the picture's anything to go by...

 

[Destal]

I've been dieing to play this game for some time now. It is essentially the theory of my perfect game. Hopefully it goes well.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

I thought APB was being released for the consoles, as well?

360 I think...

 

[AceDiamond]

My interest in a game goes well below zero the second the letters MMO appear. Shame too, GTA style games are a blast.

It's more GTA-style than WoW-style in terms of play from what I've seen. It's also why I just filled out a beta app on the off-chance I do get a chance to participate.

 

[Geoffrey42]

Isn't "demo" kind of a misleading term for an invite-only-beta?

 

[ae86gamer]

This is why I need a gaming PC. *Sobs*

 

[SG Xibalba]

The developers recently stated in their podcast that they were currently only focused on the PC and had 'no plans' to release it on consoles at this time. Read into that what you will.

Personally, (as someone who does not enjoy playing games on a PC) I found this news to royally suck and I felt somewhat let down by Realtime Worlds for the first time, as I can't begin to tell you how many times there have been articles and features in 2 of the biggest Xbox magazines here in the UK about the game. Some would now be quite right to jump in and say that's not the developers fault, and I would of course agree. But when the developers themselves are being interviewed by the magazines in questions and firing off soundbites, it's hard not to feel like you've had the proverbial rug pulled from under your feet to be honest.

I just hope they change their mind - I can't stand having a carrot dangled in front of my nose for months on end only to find their was no substance to the whole damned thing in the first place - total waste of time.

So...Crackdown 2 it is then. *shrugs*

 

[In Limbo]

I saw a video recently in which the lead designer stated they were definitely going to port APB to consoles, but that they wanted to get the game live and stable on PC first. It makes sense - the PC is a better teething ground for a game, while consoles are where all the money is.

 

[akmarksman]

I miss my 1980s quarter-fed version of APB..

wow Im old. lol