PlanetSide 2

PlanetSide 2
Developer(s) Daybreak Game Company
Publisher(s) Daybreak Game Company
Composer(s) Jeff Broadbent
Don Ferrone
Engine Forgelight Engine[1]
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
Release date(s)

Microsoft Windows

  • WW November 20, 2012

PlayStation 4

  • WW June 23, 2015
Genre(s) Massively multiplayer online first-person shooter game
Mode(s) Multiplayer

PlanetSide 2 is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online first-person shooter published by Daybreak Game Company and released on November 20, 2012. It is a sequel of PlanetSide which originally was released in 2003. Officially announced on July 7, 2011 at the Sony Fan Fair, the second installment used a new game engine, supported thousands of players in continuous large scale conflict, and featured in-game integration with Twitch.tv.[2][3] As in the first PlanetSide, PlanetSide 2 chronicles the efforts of three factions as they fight for territorial control of the planet Auraxis.[4] PlanetSide 2 was released for the PlayStation 4 in North America on June 23, 2015.[5] PlanetSide 2 holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest first-person shooter battle with more than 1600 players in a single battle.[6]

Gameplay

PlanetSide 2 is a re-imagining of PlanetSide, featuring the same world and factions, and taking place at roughly the same time period. As in the previous game, it features territory control in an open-world, large battles featuring up to 2000 players per continent on foot or in land/air vehicles. The territory system differs greatly from that of the original, being more free-form and based on a hexagonal territory control system. Former SOE (now DGC) took into account balance issues from the first game. As stated by creative director Matthew Higby, they reward combatants on lower population empires through mechanics such as proportionally increased advancement rates and resources to aid the balance of overall empire saturation on each server as much as possible without force-restricting players from being able to play with their friends.[7]

It is a faster paced game than the original Planetside and holds the ability to feature potentially thousands of players. It also features familiar first person shooter elements such as sprinting, iron sights, and regenerating shields. An important aspect is that player skill and teamwork are major determiners when it comes to being able to kill other players and overcome opposing teams. Unlockable skills are available and offer different advantages over enemies in battle. The game also features a day and night cycle, meaning that battles happen in different times of day, which affects gameplay, as night time provides excellent cover for coordinated attacks.[8]

Combat takes place on the continents of Auraxis which are broken up into many territories. Control of territories can provide bonuses to a faction in adjacent sectors. The mission system is partly automated and partly controlled by players. It provides focal points for players to attack and defend and helps players get into the action quickly.

As a player participates in productive activities such as killing enemies, healing or repairing allies, or capturing bases, they will earn experience, which will increase their character's "Battle Rank," or level, and reward them with certifications or "Certs." These will allow the player to specialize in certain roles by allowing them to improve the weapons, vehicles or tools they use. Many certifications require the player to invest in multiple upgrade tiers of the certification, which will increase how effective the certification is. For example, players can purchase five ranks of Nanoweave Armor, which when equipped will reduce damage taken from infantry weapons. Using the certification system, players will be able to customize how they play using different classes or vehicles. For example, a player can purchase certifications to alter the main function of the Sunderer vehicle, such as the ability to give the vehicle the ability to repair or restock the ammunition of nearby allied vehicles and aircraft.

Classes

Characters are able to choose from a total of 6 classes, each with their own traits, abilities, and skills.

Story

Although the story is very similar to the original, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) announced that award-winning author Marv Wolfman has joined the SOE team to write the ongoing historic fiction for the game. This is the first time the PlanetSide franchise narrative has been detailed.[9] There are also many lore videos on YouTube that can provide some insight on how the war for Auraxis came to be.

Continents

There are currently five continents, as well as some battle islands in development.[10]

Factions

Development

The first official indications that a PlanetSide sequel was in development appeared in 2009. On September 25, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) sent a mass e-mail to current and former PlanetSide subscribers, asking to fill a survey that would help SOE design the next generation PlanetSide. "We plan to expand the PlanetSide universe with another game and we need your help with the design. After all, who knows the game better than you, our customers, the people who actually play it! Don't worry about the original PlanetSide, it isn't going anywhere."[14] In addition, SOE registered the domain www.PlanetSide2.com on September 21.[14] On October 11, SOE president John Smedley posted on his LiveJournal account that the sequel's working title is PlanetSide Next.[15][16]

Little was revealed about the sequel until December 2010, when Smedley said that SOE would be launching a first-person shooter in March 2011,[17] which was soon confirmed by Paul Williams of SOE as referring to PlanetSide Next.[18] On March 31, 2011, SOE announced that it would be ending development of their spy-themed MMO The Agency and refocusing efforts on EverQuest Next and PlanetSide Next.[19] Smedley confirmed that PlanetSide Next had been delayed – the result of recently switching to a new game engine – and would be available later in the year.[20] The working title was later changed to PlanetSide 2. The official website was later updated to show a video trailer of the upcoming game. Many interview videos were taken after that showing sections of gameplay, but the biggest off-screen game play video was shown at 2012's GDC, showing most of the game aspects.

SOE President John Smedley announced that a closed beta test would begin July 30 or 31 2012 "barring any unforeseen circumstances.".[21] On July 30 Smedley announced that the beta testing would be delayed until at least August 3 "to make sure some stuff is awesome.".[22] On August 3 Smedley announced that the closed Beta would commence 2pm PDT (GMT-7) Monday 6 August.[23] The beta closed on November 17, 2012, pending the game's official release November 20, 2012.[24]

Game engine

The game uses SOE's Forgelight Engine which in turn uses Nvidia's PhysX API for its physics engine. This enables more realistic vehicle handling compared to the previous PlanetSide. Weather and day/night cycles are also possible as well as volumetric fog and clouds which players can hide in. Bullets are also simulated by the physics engine so players (other than the Vanu Sovereignty, whose projectiles are not affected by gravity if using some weapons) will need to compensate for gravity while aiming.

Another improvement over PlanetSide is the introduction of locational damage (hitboxes) for soldiers and vehicles. This is customizable by the developers so that a sniper rifle shot to the head can have a huge bonus while high rate of fire weapons, such as the Mini Chain gun, and vehicles have small to no bonus.

SOE is using the Umbra 3 Visibility Solution middleware to handle occlusion culling in PlanetSide 2 as part of the OMFG update announced 13 September 2013. The system reduces the time spent per-frame on visibility significantly improving rendering performance. The abundant use of this feature during platoon-size engagements reduces render distance of players to below 30 meters.[25]

Business model

PlanetSide 2 is free-to-play and includes a cash shop for players to purchase in-game convenience items and cosmetic changes using real money. For example, a player can purchase camouflage (paint) for their weapon or vehicle.[26] The developers have indicated an admiration of League of Legends's freemium business model.[27] In 2011, SOE CEO John Smedley said the cash shop "will not sell a more powerful gun or vehicle."[28] During the beta for the game, Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Nathan Grayson noted that the cash shop sold secondary weapons for aircraft,[26] but changes have since been made to the game before it left beta.

The game also offers a subscription which provides players with increased experience, cert points, and extra resources, which are used to acquire things such as grenades and medical kits.[26] Grayson said that goal of these benefits were convenience rather than making subscribed players more powerful than other players.[26] However, Grayson noted that people purchasing these offerings might then be able to quickly acquire a large number of powerful items.[26] Creative director Matt Higby said, "success on the battlefield is still entirely player skill based, [players purchasing cash shop offerings will] just be less impacted for re-deploying to the battlefield. That is a huge benefit, no denying it. Is that 'buying power'? Well, that depends on your definition."[26]

Release

PlanetSide 2 launched November 20, 2012.[29] European players were initially unable to play due to an incorrect game launcher on the Steam platform in addition to EU server issues.

Sony Online Entertainment's President John Smedley mentioned that a Mac version might be planned for PlanetSide 2. Smedley said: "I absolutely strongly share that view. No you aren't going to see PlanetSide 2 on Linux. You will see it on Mac though".[30] The official PlanetSide 2 Twitter account responded to a question on the topic of a Mac version as "Stay tuned for all potential updates. ^Spoiler"[31]

A PlayStation 4 version of the game has been said to be released alongside Sony's new console November 2013. After the console launch when the game was not released, players learned that the launch has been rescheduled sometime in late 2014.[32] Sign ups for the PlayStation 4 version's beta began on the game's website in December 2014, and was launched on January 20, 2015.[33][34] The PS4 version officially released on June 23, 2015.[35]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 84/100[36]
(PS4) 77/100[37]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7.5/10[38]
Eurogamer9/10[39]
GameSpot8.5/10[40]
GameSpy9/10[41]
GamesRadar9/10[42]
GameTrailers8.7/10[43]
IGN9/10[44]

Critical reception

PlanetSide 2 received mostly positive reviews from critics. Aggregating review website Metacritic gave the PC version 84/100 based on 42 reviews.[36]

Critics praised the large scale battles, impressive graphics and free-to-play model. GameSpy stated that, "PlanetSide 2 shows the PC off. From the gorgeous lighting and huge draw distances, to the intense, multiplayer battles."[41] IGN gave the game 9/10 praising the battles, "The scale of PlanetSide 2's battles is often breathtaking, as lines of tanks fire at bases while aircraft light up the sky and hundreds of players fill the scene with healing beams and lethal weapons fire."[44] Criticism for the game includes the steep learning curve, lack of balance across classes and high system requirements.

Awards

PlanetSide 2 won several awards at E3 2012. IGN awarded it "Best MMO Game" and "Best PC Game"; GameSpy awarded it "Best Shooter", "Best Free to Play" and "Best PC Exclusive"; and from PC Gamer, "Best Shooter", "Best MMO", "Best of Show" and "Most Awards Received". PlanetSide 2 received numerous other awards and nominations from several critics.[45]

References

  1. "EverQuest Next and PlanetSide 2 To Use New Forge Light Engine". July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  2. "PlanetSide 2 revealed at Sony Fan Faire". The Independent (London). July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  3. Ewalt, David M. (December 2, 2013). "The ESPN of Videogames". Forbes (paper). p. 40.
  4. "Game Overview". PlanetSide 2 PC Game. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  5. Sites, Andy. "PlanetSide 2 Launches on PS4 June 23rd". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  6. Matulef, Jeffrey (January 26, 2015). "Planetside 2 gets Guinness World Record for biggest FPS battle". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  7. Biessener, Adam (September 2011). "PlanetSide 2: Another Shot at the shooter MMO we've always wanted" XXI (221). Game Informer.
  8. "PlanetSide 2 Review". Retrieved 2015-02-17.
  9. "Sony Online Entertainment Taps Legendary Comic Book Writer, Marv Wolfman to Create PlanetSide 2 Backstory". PR Newswire. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  10. Ep. 14 - PlanetSide 2: Work In Progress with Devin Lafontaine - Battle Islands [Official Video]. YouTube. 1 August 2014.
  11. "Terran Republic - PlanetSide 2 Wiki Guide". IGN.
  12. "New Conglomerate - PlanetSide 2 Wiki Guide". IGN.
  13. "Vanu Sovereignty Faction - PlanetSide 2 Wiki Guide". IGN.
  14. 1 2 "PlanetSide 2 in the works?". PlanetSide Universe. 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  15. Smedley, John (2009-10-08). "What PlanetSide Next means to me". Smed's Blog. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  16. Gilbert, Ben (2009-10-11). "SOE's John Smedley calls PlanetSide sequel 'PlanetSide Next'". Joystiq. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  17. Tito, Greg (2010-12-08). "Sony Online Strongly "Hints" PlanetSide Sequel Coming This Spring". The Escapist. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  18. "PlanetSide Next Update". PlanetSide Universe. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
  19. Fahey, Mike (2011-03-31). "Sony's MMO Studio Confirms Massive Layoffs, Closes the book on the Agency". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-04-04.
  20. Voecks, Krystalle (2011-04-04). "SOE layoffs affect timetable for PlanetSide Next". Massively. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  21. "SOE: PlanetSide 2 Beta Begins Next Week". GameSpy. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  22. "SOE: PlanetSide 2 beta delayed Week". GameSpot. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  23. "SOE: Twitter / j_smedley". SOE. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  24. "SOE Announces PS 2 Release Date". GameSpy. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  25. https://web.archive.org/20140218122859/http://planetside2.co.uk/teasers/OMFG. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grayson, Nathan (Sep 20, 2012). "PlanetSide 2 Tackles ‘Pay-To-Win’ Problem". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved Mar 17, 2013.
  27. "Re: Chinese Interview with John Smedley". September 8, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  28. "PlanetSide 2 Will Have A Cash Shop, But Pay-To-Win Not An OptionQ". July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  29. "PlanetSide 2 Officially Launched! - PlanetSide Universe". Planetside-universe.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  30. "PlanetSide 2 Mac Version Planned - Inside Mac Games". Insidemacgames.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  31. "Planetside 2 is currently available for PC only. Stay tuned for all potential updates. ^Spoiler". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  32. "PlayStation Universe News Article". Psu.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  33. Owen S. Good. "Signups begin for Planetside 2's beta on PS4". Polygon.
  34. "PlanetSide 2 - PS2 on PS4". PlanetSide 2.
  35. Sarker, Samit (June 3, 2015). "PlanetSide 2 hits PS4 June 23". Polygon. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  36. 1 2 "PlanetSide 2 (PC) reviews at Metacritic.com". Metacritic.
  37. "PlanetSide 2". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  38. "Destructoid PlanetSide 2 Review". Destructoid.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  39. "EuroGamer PlanetSide 2 Review". Eurogamer.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  40. "GameSpot PlanetSide 2 Review". Gamespot.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  41. 1 2 "GameSpy PlanetSide 2 Review". Pc.gamespy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  42. "GamesRadar PlanetSide 2 Review". Gamesradar.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  43. "GameTrailers PlanetSide 2 Review". Gametrailers.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  44. 1 2 "IGN PlanetSide 2 Review". Ign.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  45. "PlanetSide 2 Wins Big at E3". Planetside2.com. June 8, 2012. Retrieved 2016-02-23.

External links

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