Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

PlanetSide: Interview with Thom Terrazas

DanaDana Member Posts: 2,415

Thom Terrazas of SOE's PlanetSide answers our questions about the evolution of this classic MMORPG FPS. In May, the team celebrated their three year anniversary. See what they've been up to.

image MMORPG.com: Happy Anniversary on three years of PlanetSide, how has the community and game-play grown since launch?

Thom Terrazas: Three Years – Thank you very much! We’re very proud of the work we have done on PlanetSide since the launch on May 19, 2003. PlanetSide is in a league of it’s own as an MMOFPS, in that you can have literally hundreds of players fighting in one area. It is a very unique game where players can play in an FPS-style and have the in-game content updated and changed constantly. Since launch, there have been hundreds of thousands of players deciding on which empire to join. Many of which create outfits (or guilds, as you might be more familiar with in other games) and continue on with their own web sites to support their friends they’ve made in game or to support PlanetSide altogether. We have some great web sites out there that continue to support us and I would probably forget someone if I tried to list them off the top of my head, so I will refrain. However, we are working with these sites to support them as well as they are a great resource to PlanetSide and our players.

Since launch, we have updated the game with massive amounts of content to keep the game play fresh and appealing. As a matter of fact, you would have seen an extensive list of updates and changes in our May Newsletter if you did not get your copy. I’ve inserted a link just in case you need to get caught up. :)

All of these items together have contributed to grow the community, but nothing has been more successful than the people involved in the game. From the developers, the fan sites and most importantly to the players, we have all made the game what it is today.

You can read more here.

Dana Massey
Formerly of MMORPG.com
Currently Lead Designer for Bit Trap Studios

Comments

  • SparreSparre Member Posts: 257
    PS is not unique in a MMOFPS sense.

    Even though it is ever so often claimed the PS was the first MMOFPS ever is the fact speaking against SOE.

    WWII Online was released almost two years before PS, in the 6th of June 2001, why WWIIOL just celebrated its fifth anniversary. 

  • tachgbtachgb Member UncommonPosts: 791


    Originally posted by MMORPG

    As to PlanetSide 2, we’ve got no comment.

    Ooh, he neither denied this or confirmed it. I'd love to see a Planetside 2, I love Planetside' gameplay and concepts, would love to have this gameplay on a better graphics engine though. For example, DX10 ready for Vista and no more basement blackouts and better performance. ;)
  • AshadyAshady Member Posts: 5
    i love this game, still play it today, i dont care if they make a PS2
    or not, all i could hope for a tthis point is more then 4 people
    working on this game :(

    Beware fo sexy beast

  • chlaoschlaos Member Posts: 1,118
    Hmm...i had thought this game was shut down months ago.  /shrug

    "The man who exchanges Liberty for Iconic classes is a fool deserving of neither." - Me and Ben Franklin

  • ArtifacTArtifacT Member Posts: 222
    man i just wish i could buy this game but atm i have no money and im not playing anything =[

  • AranStormahAranStormah Member Posts: 278
    You could play the one year trial meanwhile, right? Being restricted to rank 6 at the most only gives you less versatility, it won't prevent you from being competive.
  • FreeMarketFreeMarket Member Posts: 4
    I have been following this game post-beta and even though it has its ups and down's it is really coming around with the ability to play free for one year and the new content.  The battles are huge and require a bit of team work, but it is worth it.
  • vipjerryvipjerry Member UncommonPosts: 157

    Underestimated PS was once probably best MMO on the world unfortunatly game graphics is outdated its full of cheaters and overall state of the game is poor. There is almost no updates or any new seriouse content for last 2 years since they made Core Combat crap that ruined PS and its comunity. Its kinda wander its still exists. This is sad ending of very promising game that could  still be on top of MMORPG charts even today if devs and SOE  just took right direction.

  • LoneDogLoneDog Member Posts: 1

    I have played this game nearly 3years untill after a patch it started crashing and showing white textures before crash. Kept on playing one hour day and started searchin for problems considering this error and find this thread:
    http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=pstechsupport&message.id=64994

    There many many people have this problem and it occurs with the graphic cards:
    ATI Radeon 9500
    ATI Radeon 9600
    ATI Radeon 9700
    ATI Radeon 9700 pro
    ATI Radeon 9800 pro

    ATI Radeon x700
    ATI Radeon x800
    ATI Radeon x800 pro
    ATI Radeon x800 XT
    ATI Radeon x850
    ATI Radeon x850 pro
    ATI Radeon x1600 pro
    ATI Radeon x1800
    ATI Radeon x1800 XT
    ATI Radeon x1800 XL

    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 LE
    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900
    NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
    NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT
    NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX

    So if you have any of these dont bother tryin the game cause you would be forced to roll back drivers to the very old ones ruining your gameplay for other games. As for this bug SOE denies it even though they say in that thread they have confirmed and a reply 4months later (Yhea people complained and demanded answeres and they reply after 4months) saying it is peoples computers who is the fault. Considering its only planetside this occurs with and all the reasons and symptons can be found in that thread:
    http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=pstechsupport&message.id=64994

    So dont throw your money in the well unless you can try this awesome game for free. Cause this really ruins the gameplay and feeling.



  • mavisSCmavisSC Member Posts: 1


    Originally posted by LoneDog
    I have played this game nearly 3years untill after a patch it started crashing and showing white textures before crash. Kept on playing one hour day and started searchin for problems considering this error and find this thread:
    http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=pstechsupport&message.id=64994

    There many many people have this problem and it occurs with the graphic cards:
    ATI Radeon 9500
    ATI Radeon 9600
    ATI Radeon 9700
    ATI Radeon 9700 pro
    ATI Radeon 9800 pro


    ATI Radeon x700
    ATI Radeon x800
    ATI Radeon x800 pro
    ATI Radeon x800 XT
    ATI Radeon x850
    ATI Radeon x850 pro
    ATI Radeon x1600 pro
    ATI Radeon x1800
    ATI Radeon x1800 XT
    ATI Radeon x1800 XL

    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 LE
    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900
    NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
    NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT
    NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX
    So if you have any of these dont bother tryin the game cause you would be forced to roll back drivers to the very old ones ruining your gameplay for other games. As for this bug SOE denies it even though they say in that thread they have confirmed and a reply 4months later (Yhea people complained and demanded answeres and they reply after 4months) saying it is peoples computers who is the fault. Considering its only planetside this occurs with and all the reasons and symptons can be found in that thread:
    http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=pstechsupport&message.id=64994

    So dont throw your money in the well unless you can try this awesome game for free. Cause this really ruins the gameplay and feeling.



    I have 4 computers all with PS installed, all with up to date drivers, And all 4 have one of the cards you list......except for my laptop which is a 9700 mobility. All run fine with very few graphic probs, except my 6600GT is in a SFF case and PS tends to overheat it after a few hours. No-one in our outfit of 100 active members complains of ongoing problems to be honest, and I would say most have one of the cards in your list.

  • vipjerryvipjerry Member UncommonPosts: 157
    I have 9800pro and game works fine. Its not the graphic cards that makes this game work like crap its old and outdated engine so game works like that on top nough PC of today. What makes other FPS titles lives longer is new maps every few months in case of PS game is basicly the same from day 1 except Core Combat (PS expansion pack with level design that my dother of 4 could probably do better so ppl dont go there anyway). As i said before this game is mounument of devs wrong decisions and stupidity of SOE who made promising title die.
  • JelloB2000JelloB2000 Member CommonPosts: 1,848


    Originally posted by LoneDog
    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200

    Err nope works ok for me, sounds like a ton of video-cards have issues but I have not seen any specific threads/issues from players.

    Also older versus newer drivers the perfomance hit is only in theory (its not possible for the human eye to notice 5% perfomance boost/loss), its mostly for compability for newer games & functions for new cards. Sometimes you have better perfomance with older drivers.

    So its not "the sky is falling everybody run!"-issue as you make it out to be.

    (Then again I disslike the gameplay of PS & I wouldnt recommend it for that reason but thats not for this thread).

  • FranckoFrancko Member Posts: 4

    I've been playing Planetside since public beta and I have to strongly disagree with all of these negative posts about PS.   Planetside is a tremendous blend of FPS twitch gameplay, large team tactics and global strategy.  There are tons of weapons and vehicles that let you play many different roles, both on a team or solo.  The graphics are fine and the game works with ALL those videocards listed.

    I have to assume that many of these opinions are based on very little or no actual gameplay.

    Before you make a decision, or continue to flame away, give Planetside a chance.  If you like a team based tactical shooter, there is none better than PS.

    You can play for free.  Sign up here: Planetside Reserves

    My outfit, playing VS Emerald, is very large, active and runs teamwork ops every night.  Come give it a try and we'll show you OUR favorite game.  Start here: Azure Twilight

    We're all entitled to share our opinon, but as someone who has played virtually every FPS game and has logged hundreds of hours in PS I highly recommend you give PS a try.



    Play open beta right now - everything you need is at Welkin4591.com
    image

  • 5turM!5turM! Member Posts: 3
    PlanetSide is a top game, I have been playing it since December 2003. I've seen it when it was packed out and when it waned, but it's nice to see it's on thre up and up again because there really is no other game like it as most MMO's are fantacy based like WoW and EverQuest etc. PlanetSide has so much scope for further development, not just adding new vehicles/weapons etc. but stuff like sea battles or underwater battlles or even in space (we use Orbital platforms for Orbital Strikes) so would we need a PlanetSide 2? I don't think so. Just keep expanding our current game, that's all.
  • GorukhaGorukha Member Posts: 1,441
      PS is considered first because it's the first BIG one. Yes WW2O was before, but the game was always a niche product.  Played it for a while it didn't impress me much.

      I was in closed BETA of PS and Open, but didn't buy retail.  The game is basically a huge high but then you realise how shallow the gameplay is. You could take over a base by yourself, which was kinda lame. Small teams would basically rack up exp through attacking undefended bases.  The game became super boring after a while sadly.

      I can't imagine them making a PS2.


    It's better be hated for who you are, than loved for who you aren't.
    image

  • vipjerryvipjerry Member UncommonPosts: 157

    U get 0xp if u take base without fight. Your xp is calculated depending how many diferent players you and your team killed. You want get xp even if you are killing same ppl over and over again cos there is algoritam who is taking care that it has to be diferent player etc etc.

    add: game is unplayable cos there is bunc of hacks and exploits atm. PS has died when CC was released and stupid mechs just put nail into coffin. Its to late to change and fix this crap any more. We should let this game die in peace.

  • Jugger2KJugger2K Member Posts: 1

    Just a heads up, they have a way around that particular bug:

    Vista Compatibility: submitted by TSR-ChrisL --

    At this time, PlanetSide is having issues running under Windows Vista.  This is a known issue and is being investigated by the Planetside development team.  As a workaround, however, it may be possible to run PlanetSide using Compatibility Mode.  To run the game under Compatibility Mode, use the following steps:



    1. Locate the PlanetSide shortcut on your desktop

    2. Right click on the PlanetSide icon and choose Properties

    3. Click on the Compatibility tab

    4. Check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"

    5. Choose Windows 95 in the dropdown menu

    6. Click ok to complete the process.



    This is not a guaranteed fix, but we have found that in most cases, this workaround will allow you to play the game for all versions of Windows Vista.



    The other possible step after doing the steps listed above is to right click on the desktop icon for PS and select the "Run as administrator" option from the list.

    Atleast for us poor bastards using Vista, or for a list of other fixes for it:

    http://forums.station.sony.com/ps/posts/list.m?start=0&topic_id=88000012599#88000206580

Sign In or Register to comment.