APB Reloaded open beta now live

The APB Reloaded open beta is now active, Free2Play specialist GamersFirst has announced. The game failed for EA and developer Realtime Worlds when it launched last year on PC as a retail product with subscription rates, but its return as a free-to-play title has given the cops ‘n robbers MMO a second chance to succeed.

The open beta adds a new skill rating system, redesigned “witnessing” game mechanics, new items and weapons in the Armas Marketplace, as well as an additional East Coast data-centre to host the game.

Improvements scheduled to go live during the beta include new clan-based combat mechanics aimed at higher level players, additional matchmaking improvements, and brand new district and game modes giving the player more control over the game experience.

“From the start of the development of APB Reloaded last fall our focus has been to remove obstacles preventing players from having fun. While our development and design teams have done an amazing job improving driving, shooting, skill ratings, witnessing and other key elements of the game, I am also thrilled with the changes slated to be released during the latter part of open beta,” said Bjorn Book-Larsson, chief operating officer for GamersFirst.

“We expect APB Reloaded to set a new bar for what is possible to achieve in a free to play MMO game, and the open beta represents another big step in that direction.”

Players can get instant access to the APB Reloaded open beta by creating a GamersFirst account, downloading the GamersFirst Live! game downloader and installing APB Reloaded.