Rock, Paper, Shotgun

PlanetSide 2‘s beta is up and running (and flying and shooting and doing whatever tanks do), and it has many things. Jim, of course, has chronicled a large number of them in his characteristically handsome fashion. But, if you believe SOE’s rhetoric, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. And it’s not particularly difficult to believe, seeing as it’s getting ready to drop an entire continent on us. And then another continent after that, but probably not until much, much later. Also headed to our side of the PlanetSide planet: performance improvements, gunplay tweaks, and, well, maybe a delay – if need be. According to SOE, this one’s launching “when it’s ready, and not before.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Thus far, PlanetSide 2 has proven to be pretty great, but it’s definitely not perfect. The main issue, as I see it, is that it’s not currently being played by everyone on Earth. But then, it is only in beta, and that’s simply the nature of the beast. It doesn’t have to be, though. Not anymore. SOE, you S-O-see, just kicked off a new “Alpha Squad” program. Yes, it’ll run you $40 for a planet-sized shooter that is – technically speaking - free-to-play, but this is actually a pretty nice deal. Allow me to explain.

Read the rest of this entry »

MMOs are pretty much about two things: breaking and taking. Kill ten things, take six things, etc, etc, etc. Monsters, boar gizzards, fish, barrels – nothing is safe. But all that destruction can get a bit exhausting at times. I mean, who hasn’t met an Orc, ogre, or space marine who just wanted to paint? So now SOE’s letting players balance out their wanton destruction with a little creation. Player Studio, as the new system’s known, will allow players to submit custom items to the likes of EverQuest, EverQuest II, Vanguard, and (eventually) PlanetSide 2 for potential use by everyone in each respective game. It does, however, seem a bit less community driven than, say, Steam Workshop.

Read the rest of this entry »

AND I’M NOT ONE OF THEM WAAAAAAAAAAH.

That’s all this post is, really – a public lamentation that I’m not part of the latest New Hotness, said New Hotness being fab-looking MMOFPS Planetside 2, which will finally open its doors to a selected few members of the public later today (about 7pm UK time, I believe). Hopefully I’ll be welcomed to the ranks of the eternal tri-war before too long – meantime, how have you lot go on? Clearly, we shall have to form some sort of enormous RPS faction once this thing is up and running for more of the public. No doubt the recent reveal that Planetside 2 is coming to Steam in addition to SOE’s Station platform will help make what’s already likely to be a huge playerbase all the huger. Sign up for the beta here, though it may be sometime before you’re given the king’s shilling.
Read the rest of this entry »

It may come as something of a surprise to you that you aren’t waging futuristic war on a massive scale while listening to “Ride of the Valkyries” right now. Speaking personally, it’s a thought that crosses my mind every day. Thing is, it’s actually not a minor form of mania today, as PlanetSide 2′s beta was supposed to have touched down by now. It is, however, nowhere to be found, and there’s a very good reason for that: a last-second delay – albeit, a pretty minor one.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ready for war? How ready? Ready enough that being on the edge of your seat is starting to feel comfortable? So ready that you don’t merely dream of epic battles on continent sized maps, but consider the time spent doing so to be mental training? If someone said “You might be able to play Planetside 2 as early as Monday?” would you nod politely, or explode with excitement? If the latter, read no further – at least until you’ve put down lots of plastic sheeting.

No, really. You wouldn’t want to get giblets in the carpet now, would you?

Read the rest of this entry »

PlanetSide 2 has a CGI trailer. And of course it’s as pointless as all other CGI trailers. But I post it more to say, look, Sony are spending enough money on this game for there to be pointless CGI trailers. And weirdly, as much of a waste of that money as it was, and as galling as it must be for the developers to ponder what they could have done with the cash, it makes me realise that this is a game the flailing PS3 owner is taking seriously. If you see what I mean.

Read the rest of this entry »

The PlanetSide 2 beta approaches. If you gaze off into the distance, you can see it lumbering our direction – largely because the more-massively-multiplayer-than-every-other-massively-multiplayer shooter looks to be bigger than Earth. SOE’s officially rolling out the red carpet in the form of a conveniently organized what-you-need-to-know list, and – as it turns out – it translates roughly to “a lot of things.” Let us slip into our most comfortable sifting gloves and have a go at it after the break.

Read the rest of this entry »

Perhaps even this week, if rumours be true…

You can’t see me right now, but I’m – at least, near as I can tell – dancing some kind of jig. I think that’s the proper, technical term, anyway. I believe it’s something that occurs when people either become very excited or develop serious medical conditions. Regardless, PlanetSide 2‘s beta is officially right around the corner, so this is a glorious occasion. Specifically, in a new behind-the-scenes video, executive producer Josh Hackney noted that lucky fans will be able to play the beta on a PC that belongs to them in a house they don’t have to leave “within the next month.” Jubilation! That, however, ate up roughly three seconds of a 21-minute video. It’s probably a major understatement to say that there’s more after the break.

Read the rest of this entry »