Realtime Worlds’ APB is a multiplayer action game designed to run 100 per cent online – looking very much the sort of experience you’d expect from one of the original creator of Grand Theft Auto, APB pits criminals against enforcers in dynamic individual and team battles. To see more follow the link to watch the APB E3 trailer, or read on to find out why it could be the most impressive MMO experience yet...

Persistent online cities
APB will run on an online server – not exactly revolutionary, but Dave Jones reckons the game will do away with lobbies, ensuring players can just drop straight into the action. Each of Realtime Worlds’ servers represents a city, supporting 100 players to keep things running smoothly – the game will still require 6/7GB worth of client software running on your PC (or console?) however…

Players as content
The game will contain absolutely no AI. Jones explained the rationale at Develop, saying: ‘[people] are unpredictable, they speak; they have emotion.’ As such one of the game’s design principles is ‘celebrity’, which means players will be able to become famous within the game world. And no two characters will look the same thanks to the unprecedented level of customisation on offer…

Character customisation
Individuality is core to APB and the customisation tools are simply staggering, as demonstrated during Dave Jones’ Develop presentation. Pretty much any physical attribute you can think of can be tinkered with on your character’s 3D model, with a mini paint-style programme enabling you to create and edit tattoos to place on your body. Clothes also offer potentially limitless ways of expressing yourself in the game, and you can totally mess with your ride as well – in fact Jones thinks the vehicle tools outdo Forza’s cusomisation options.

In-game music
Not only will APB include the revolutionary option of streaming your favourite music in-game from LastFM or iTunes, but the game also provides players with a mini-sequencer with which to create your own mini-ditties; you can set it so that every time you take down an opponent they’re treated to your signature tune. Which isn’t as cheesy as it sounds, but as Jones noted, after hearing the Mario theme for the hundredth time we may be inclined t change our minds…

Progression and matching
The game dynamically matches players against each other - for instance, if a criminal attempts to rob a car, an enforcer of a similar skill level will be notified. Every player’s progression and skill-level is tracked, so it may be that a few less-skilled enforcers are called to deal with a super-criminal. It all happens seamlessly in real-time, with a one-on-one fight having the potential to escalate into a massive gang battle.

Content and commerce
Jones stated that once APB is launched it will just be the beginning, adding that new content will launch from the off. With characters making money in the game, you’ll have just as much chance to get rich designing in-game clothes, tattoos, and vehicle decals, as players boosting cars.

Is APB coming to consoles?
The game still only officially exists on PC, but Jones mentioned how a server-based game on PS3 or Xbox 360 expands development possibilities, so we reckon ‘watch this space’.