APB Article at IGN

[Tbone]

A good read on APB:

http://pc.ign.com/articles/107/1077447p1.html

[Ragnarok]

Yes! no monthly subscription fee.

[Manic Velocity]

"We are not a recurring subscription-based game. We haven't said what our business model is, but we have said that you will not have to pay a fixed amount every month to play this game. All I can say is that it is extremely good value for the player, and it's very unique."

This sounds like they might employ a micro-transaction model.  Real-world money for unique articles of clothing or vehicles.

I love that they make it very clear that they are ditching the traditional game mechanic of stat-based gear.  While not a dead mechanic, it is rooted in tabletop gaming where the look of your character doesn't really matter.  David Jones made the excellent point about not being able to fully customize your game character under this mechanic.  

"As soon as people find out what the best thing was, that forces them down the path to equip that. You can upgrade your character, we've come up with upgrade slots, but nothing ever that you have to physically equip. Otherwise it would be like the RPGs where it's like 'you know, I love the look of this sword, but I can't use it because it's got two less strength than this other one that I don't like the look of'."

Reminds me of the early days of MxO when everybody was wearing the exact same ugly outfits to boost their viral resistance.  It sounds like APB perfectly combines both aspects of character customization both visually and in traditional RPG statistics.

Where the hell is my damn beta key?

[Tbone]

In the game you have money and then you have like RW points/currency. In Beta they give you a ton of it, though I don't think they've implemented how it is going to be spent yet. If I had to guess, though, it'd be on further customization. A lot of the game reward system is based on further customization.

[NoCry]

and guns. lots of guns.

[Manic Velocity]

and guns. lots of guns.

No one has ever done anything like this.

[Tbone]

Did you get a chance to play, NoCry? Which beta group are you in? I'm in Furious Fighters...

[Manic Velocity]

Realtime Worlds announced on the APB Facebook group that another wave of invites will be sent out soon!

[Tbone]

Good, maybe my NA beta app will get in :-P

[Anamodiel]

PLEASE LET ME IN!!!

[SirSpam28]

That was a good read.  i am glad to see that they will be putting turf wars is.  That will go a long way toward making the game last.  Should relive the pretty sterile feeling of the city as well.  Because as it stands, there are all these missions where you have to go hold an area, but I look around and wonder, why this area?, why does holding this spot matter to me other than the game told me too?  Turf wars should go a long way to more immersion in the city.

[NoCry]

Furious fighters too boss man. I made thetbone a friend but sent my time tanking some poor soul who was trying to commit a crime! Will be on this weekend too and will be on ts so we can meet up.