All Points Bulletin (APB) is a massively multiplayer online freeform combat and driving-based game, designed by the creator of the original Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise. Developed by Real Time Worlds Ltd. and published by global online entertainment company, WEBZEN Inc., APB brings players into a living, breathing city where cash is king and territory equals respect. In a fight to dominate the expansive world of APB, players must decide which side of the law to abide by, as Law Enforcement who take on the challenge of supporting and safeguarding justice, or as Gangs, who operate against the law and any opposing groups by any means necessary. APB will provide players with the ultimate customization options from their weapons, vehicles and clothes to their attitude, music and environment.

A genre-breaking game unlike any other in the MMO space, "All Points Bulletin" offers intense game play in a highly volatile world filled with dramatic car chases, shootouts, busts, escapes and arrests. Players can also enjoy a fully customizable gaming experience without leveling-up constraints, allowing them to choose character appearances, attitudes, music preferences and more. In addition, many actions throughout the game will result in cash rewards, enabling players to obtain advanced weaponry, vehicles and other items to further enhance their characters.

In the middle of September RtW moved into the final phase of internal alpha testing with regular play tests involving 100+ employees enjoying the various elements of APB currently available. The aims of this phase are to tidy up the current experiences whilst we prepare to move out of alpha, in the future phases RtW will begin the tentative process of allowing others into the game. Initially this will be a very core, select number of trusted friends of employees, but does mark the start of what can be considered the ‘Closed’ Beta stage of APB.

Via various fan sites and forums, we have been collecting up all the ideas you guys have put forward for APB. Moving forward we plan to focus on 3 ideas in each newsletter, to help give you folks an idea of the direction of APB and how your ideas fit with that direction. Each month RtW will highlight one idea which already exists in game, one which Real Time Worlds have taken under consideration for the game, and one which has been rejected (along with explanations for each) so please keep your ideas coming.

Idea already implemented: Arrest / Capture system

Enforcers have an arrest system available to them which serves to take out a criminal player until they are freed or the arrest timer expires and they must respawn as if killed. This can reduce the criminal force for longer periods of time than killing them would unless freed by their criminal group-mates.

Idea under consideration: Stealth systems

RtW are currently working on ways of implementing “stealth” into missions, however details of how this will work are not yet finalised.

Features:

• APB is a genre-breaking game unlike any other in the MMO market in which Gangs commit crimes and Law Enforcement try to stop them, resulting in dramatic chases, shoot-outs, busts, escapes and arrests. A wide range of action-based activities are supported. Those winning an encounter gain kudos and cash, and the cash can be spent on advanced weaponry, vehicles and other kits. Players can carry out these activities individually, or band together into groups.
• Both Gangs and Law Enforcement will continuously attempt to capture key areas of the city and expand their spheres of influence. These ‘turf areas’ offer access to the best items, while persistently displaying their owner’s status and symbols. Territory is vulnerable 24/7, with players constantly engaged in battles for control. For periods when they are not online, players must upgrade their defenses – changing turf features or equipping AI adequately – or run the risk of losing their turf to a rival Gang or Squad. Capturing multiple turf areas is a progressively harder challenge, but provides correspondingly better rewards.
• Gangs of APB live and breathe graffiti, attitude, customized cars and earning cash any way possible. Law Enforcement uphold honor, teamwork, advanced weaponry, and the destruction of Gangs. Players will determine how their characters live and grow in the APB world without typical MMO leveling-up constraints. Players create the ultimate customized experience with vehicles, weapons, clothes, music, attitude, and environment. From tailoring characters’ looks to creating catalogues of shared elements to define identity, every crew can have a unique, custom look from hair and clothing down to the way they walk, talk and the music they play.