Sony Online Entertainment just wrapped up their PlanetSide 2 PS4 update during today's two-year anniversary livestream, and while we didn't actually get a date for the beta, we were promised an announcement will be made at PlayStation Experience.
"Right now we're evaluating the plans for beta," creative director Matt Higby said during the livestream. "It's supposed to be 2014. Looking at where we're at from a performance standpoint, the UI, and things like friends lists and squads, and things we want for beta — internally, we're evaluating our beta plans."
Much of what was showed off today, we've seen already — either at past events like SOE Live or during the Higby Pls livestream. Accompanied by lead designer Luke Sigmund, we were given a brief look at the PlayStation 4's user interface. Unfortunately, it wasn't a direct feed so the footage was grainy and flickering. There were also some glitches, like headless characters, but it was all in good fun (it is a development build after all). And since I've played the PS4 version on multiple occasions, I can promise you it does look good.
"We’ve made significant progress. we really spent a lot of time defining the art style, the UI and controls and making them fun to use," Signmund said. Some of what was shown off includes a brand new splash screen, new updated and improved character select screen, and, really, just the overall game running.
“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel on every screen, just the ones that will enhance the player experience," Sigmund said. "Since SOE Live, we’ve kind of ironed out the look and feel of the loadout screen. There's still lots of polish to do, icons to get in, but it’s starting to work out well."
Showing off gameplay, Higby reiterated that PlanetSide 2 on PS4 is running at the equivalent to the ultra, full fidelity settings of PC. Last we heard, the team was targeting 1080p, 60 frames per second, but was still working on achieving that goal. Higby previously noted that the the client is "running at well over 60fps," but gets "bogged down" in really big fights. With PlanetSide 2 being an MMO with an emphasis on big-team combat, you can see how this would be a problem.
"There's been a ton of progress on performance, which has been our focus the entire time we’ve been in development," Sigmund said. "They’ve made some really siginificant games and I'm really optimistic about where we’ll be at launch."
As for the current goals for the PS4 dev team, Sigmund said, “Right now, the main work that’s happening is finishing the map and social features (friends lists, squads, platoons, outfits). Thats the next push, figuring out how to get people communicating on console with very fast, quick interactions so that people don't have to go through 18 screens for a friend request." Sigmund mentioned that the first pass of friends and squads will be checked in on Friday, and that it's looking "really good."
As for console specific features, like aim assist, Sigmund said, " I feel like we're not going to be totally happy with aim assist until we get players in and hopefully that's happening really soon. That's the hope." I should mentioned, he smiled at Higby when he said that.
But how soon?
If all goes as planned, and Matt Higby is playing mind games, then expect a beta date to be announced at PlayStation Experience next month. For those unfamiliar, PlayStation Experience is a "massive," two-day community event celebrating all things Sony PlayStation. It'll take place December 6th and 7th in Las Vegas. Although SOE won't have a specific panel there, Higby will take part in a panel focusing on free-to-play games. The PS4 version of PlanetSide 2 will also be playable.
Of course, that only means the date will be announced; there's no guarantee that a beta will happen before 2014, though that's what we've been led to believe up until now. Judging by Higby's comments and the progress we were shown, I wouldn't be surprised to see the beta launch delayed until early 2015, but I can also see it going live in December as well. I guess it depends on how feature-complete SOE wants it to be. Either way, we'll get a more definitive answer at PlayStation Experience.
