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Setting the Record straight on Server Limits, Maps, Missions, and Group Mechanics
jiveturkey12
Member CommonPosts: 1,262
Setting the Record Straight
For some reason, alot of people are still very confused about how servers are going to work in APB. Many people are under the impression that it will be 100 players per server. Lets get this out of the way in saying that is, False.
APB allows for a player to make a character on a chosen server, that server can hold up to 10,000 players at a time. Once inside the actual game, Each City Map will have varying amounts of players for each server.
Map Limits
*Social Maps* - Can hold up to 250 players at one time.
*Action Maps* - Can hold up to 100 players at one time.
Lets go a little further in depth with what "Maps" are in APB. From the APB podcast 12, Maps are different cities in the overall game world; much more similar to a "Zone" in an average MMO than anything else. Currently there are two main maps you can travel between or two "Districts", with overlapping instances once the map limit is reached. To cite an outside example: Its similar to traveling from Westfall to Elywnn Forest, in World of Warcraft. The main difference of course being you can not physically jump from zone to zone or "Map to Map", but rather instance into each in APB.
Also Alot of questions have sprung up about the Different kinds of Servers in APB, I will again use information given in the APB Podcast 12.
Server Types
*Standard Rules Servers* - These server's have the set rules made originally by the Development team. Law Enforcement (Also known as Enforcer) players can only attack or arrest a Criminal if they catch them in or around the scene of a crime they have committed. Criminals can still attack Enforcers on sight though no matter which server type they chose. There is also certain safe zones in each Map, which allow for the players to grab missions, and group up with other members of their faction, without intrusion.
*Chaos Rules Servers* - Unlike the Stadard servers which are made with the Developers original game intentions in mind, Chaos Rules abandon the forementioned rules of the Standard. There are No Safe Zones, and any player of an opposite faction can attack each other at any time.
Now lets get on to a bit of how the Missions are designed.
Missions
*Enforcers* - Missions with Enforcers normally will consist of Running certain objects (EX:Money), from place to place, and stopping criminals. The incentive for the Enforcer, is to get points from completing a mission. Then using said points to unlock better weapons, which can be purchased at the Enforcer Head Quarters. There is also incentive for the Criminal to stop the mission as they too will gain points in return for stopping the delivery.
*Criminals* - Missions involving the Criminals normally consist of stealing, and destruction (EX: Robbing a TV from a store). Here the incentive is to gain points by evading the Enforcer, and getting the said objects or task finished without having to work for it. Enforcers will be notified if they are in the vicinity of a Crime, or happen to see a Criminal committing a crime. This will allow the Enforcers to Arrest the Criminal or Kill them.
- Side Note - Arresting a Criminal sends them back to a respawn point just like death, but with an extra weight slapped on it.
Group Mechanics
APB features alot of grouping, and they have seemed to flesh out the system very well so that anyone who wants to group can, and anyone who doesnt want to can stay a loner.
*Calling for Back Up!* - At any time during an Enforcers Mission or Patrol, they can call for back up. This sends out an APB (O man, name of the game used in the thread!!!) for all units close by (Other Near-by Players), to assist the Enforcer in need. Anyone located near by will receive an automatic group invite, they can either decline or accept. Once group Waypoints act as a means to find your friends in need quickly, without having to open up a mini-map.
-Side Note- Waypoints are also used during Missions to find Drop off Locations and Criminal Locations.
*More Auto-Grouping* - Along with being able to group with any of your friends on the same map as you, there will also be multiple more oppurtunitys like the APB, to group with strangers. Certain Missions and Crimes, will automatically find nearby faction members to help complete them, again allowing you to opt out if you choose to go it alone.
I hope this Post has cleared up some common questions for Everyone, and I will end with a Famous one from the APB Podcast.
PC ONLY AT LAUNCH!!!
-Jive
Comments
Thanks
Criminals need some sort of way to call for backup, even if it's just with members in our set. Sounds like we're gonna get 20 enforcers rolling up on us during a mission. That seems realistic, but doesn't sound very fun for game play.
Im almost certain that the crimanals get the same backup system
, otherwise it wouldn't be fair at all
Im almost certain that the crimanals get the same backup system
, otherwise it wouldn't be fair at all
If I were you I wouldn't be so sure. Imagine in real life, the police can always call for backup but I doubt that the criminals would have those means! :P
Sweet info. Thanks for the clarification. Now the only thing missing is a release date :P
By the looks from the podcast it seems like you pick up a mission and it will alert a cop if they are in the area, but I think it's a limit on how many it can be.
And I think some missions are closed so others can't just stop the car and attack you.
I think they have been thinking about this.
Played:
From Earth & Beyond, Anarchy Online, Matrix Online, Star Wars Galaxies, World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, Tabula Rasa (Beta), EvE Online, City of Villians, Atlantica Online, Guild Wars, Lineage 2, Pirates of the Burning Sea, PlanetSide, RF Online, Second Life, Fallen Earth.
All Points Bulletin will launch in North America and Europe in Spring 2010.
Played:
From Earth & Beyond, Anarchy Online, Matrix Online, Star Wars Galaxies, World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, Tabula Rasa (Beta), EvE Online, City of Villians, Atlantica Online, Guild Wars, Lineage 2, Pirates of the Burning Sea, PlanetSide, RF Online, Second Life, Fallen Earth.
is that for true? Within months?
Currently playing: Fallen Earth
Wants to play: Divergence, Earthrise, Final Fantasy XIV, Star Wars: The Old Republic and The Secret World
Have played these games: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Aion, Cabal Online, EverQuest II, Guild Wars, Guild Wars Factions, Guild Wars Nightfall, Hellgate: London, Lord of the Rings Online, Runescape and World of Warcraft
Im trembling with anticipation.
Tried: EvE, DnD Online, LotRO, WAR, AoC,
Played: UO, SWG(pre-cu), GuildWars, FFXI, WoW
Liked: UO, SWG, GuildWars
Disliked: WoW, FFXI
Hopefully, it'll be set up more like an mmo than that lamefest wannabe Crimecraft. I'll be watching this one from the sidelines to see how it goes.