MAG Discussion Thread

NamPaehc

NamPaehc

CAGiversary!
Feedback
24 (100%)
Official Website.

MAG Trailer.

The first next-generation game for Zipper Interactive (creators of the online phenomenon SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs), MAG offers a sweeping battle experience for a total of 256 players online. Eight player squads combine together to form a tactical military experience like no other.
Genre: Online Shooter
Online Play: 256 Versus
Exclusively on PlayStation 3
Release Date: January 26, 2010
Click to expand...
Release date announcement and info on the meet up can be found HERE.



The game will contain three different private military company factions:

  • Seryi Volk Executive Response/S.V.E.R. (pronounced "Sever"), a ragtag military force with personnel drawn from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Russia.
  • Raven Industries, a faction with high-tech weapons and armor, comprising of West European soldiers.
  • Valor Company, whose soldiers are equipped with more standard-styled gear.They comprise of seasoned veterans from the United States, United Kingdom and Mexico.

2010 "Beta" info.

Hey everyone! This is just a friendly head’s up that our new MAG Beta program launches tomorrow, August 24, on the PlayStation Store. All you have to do to participate is download it when it becomes available, put your MAG disc into the PlayStation 3, and start the beta client from the “Game” section of the XMB.

Please Note: You MUST have a MAG retail disc in your PlayStation 3 in order for the MAG Beta client to work

Once you’ve logged on to the server and your pre-existing MAG character has been copied to its universe (don’t worry, the copy-over won’t affect your main character), you can then access our beta server in two separate sessions per weekday — with each session lasting four hours apiece every Monday through Friday. Listed below are the session times for multiple time zones.


Session 1

  • Hawaii: 5am-9am
  • Alaska: 7am-11am
  • Pacific: 8am-12pm
  • Mountain: 9am-1pm
  • Central: 10am-2pm
  • Eastern: 11am-3pm
  • GMT: 3pm-7pm
Session 2

  • Hawaii: 1pm-5pm
  • Alaska: 3pm-7pm
  • Pacific: 4pm-8pm
  • Mountain: 5pm-9pm
  • Central: 6pm-10pm
  • Eastern: 7pm-11pm
  • GMT: 11pm-3am
We will limit the number of players that can access the beta environment for the first few days of launch to track stability and increase that player limit as we progress. If you get a message that the server is full, try back again later!

Now that you’re here, there are a number of areas that we’d love for you to test:

  • An increased level cap
  • The new economy system
  • Our revamped skill tree
To deliver feedback and report bugs, visit our official MAG forums at forums.mag.com. Go to the “MAG Beta Program 2010″ subsection and choose to discuss your experience with fellow fans in the “Beta General Discussion” board, or describe any problems you may be having in the “Beta Issues and Bug Reports” board.

During this testing period, we’re looking for as much feedback as possible — specifically in regards to the new Economy and Skills systems; including…

Economy feedback items

  • Basic pricing of items — is it too cheap or too expensive?
  • Level requirements for items — is it too low or high?
  • Basic usability and layout — do you like/dislike it and why?
Skill feedback items

  • Do any skills seem overpowered or underpowered?
  • Skill placement – any skill branches too late/early in a tree?
Escalation Game-type

  • Is it fun? If it isn’t, why not? If it is, why is it?
On behalf of everyone at Zipper Interactive, thank you for your time and participation in the MAG Beta program. We hope you have fun!
Click to expand...
Pre-order deals:
Early Pre-order details.

CAG CLAN: Faction/Leader: ???


Current BETA info: ENDED.


BETA Phase Info:

**ENDED**


[quote name='MisterBee']xtended Server Hours This Week: EDTs ADDED BY ME:

Monday 9/21 8:00am - 9:00pm PDT 11:00am-12:00 EDT

Tuesday 9/22 10:00am - 1:00pm PDT, 4:00pm - 9:00pm PDT 1:00pm-4:00pm, 7:00pm-12:00am EDT

Wednesday 9/23 7:30am - 1:00pm PDT, 5:00pm - 9:00pm PDT 10:30am-4:00pm, 8:00pm-12:00am EDT

Thursday 9/24 10:00am - 1:00pm PDT, 5:00pm - 9:00pm PDT 1:00pm-4:00pm, 8:00pm-12:00am EDT

Friday 9/25 10:00am - 1:00pm PDT, 5:00pm - 9:00pm PDT 1:00pm-4:00pm, 8:00pm-12:00am EDT

Here is the game schedule for the next two weeks or so: (From the EU moderator)
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]9/22/09 Domination[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]9/23/09 Domination[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]9/24/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]9/25/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]9/28/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]9/29/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]9/30/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]10/01/09 Domination[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]10/02/09 Domination[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]10/05/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]10/06/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]10/07/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]10/08/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]10/09/09 Acquisition[/FONT]
[/QUOTE]

The event is scheduled for Friday, September 4th from 6:00 – 9:00 PM PDT. 200 lucky PS.Blog readers are invited to attend the 256-person function and get hands-on with a new MAG map.
Click to expand...
Exclusive Beta of Highly Active Community Members *ENDED*
Featured at GamesCom

Starts: August 17th

Ends: September 7th

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 5-8 GMT & 5-8 PST

Includes GAP & SCEE Beta Community

Objectives: Base game system and level tuning, server load & patch testing
Click to expand...
Official Public BetaStarts: September 17th
Ends: Additional phases of the Beta TBA

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 5-8 GMT & 5-8 PST

Includes SCEE lottery winners / Active forum members / Qore annual subscribers (subscribed by 17 September) / select media

Objectives: Progression & Shadow War tuning, matchmaking, gameplay, and community feature refinement, server load testing
Click to expand...

MAG Public Beta Access Starts: October 12th

If you’re not a Qore subscriber, but you’re ready to try out the most anticipated new shooter on the market before the game launches, here’s your chance to pre-order now and get into the final big Public Beta window that starts 10/12/2009. All of you that pre-order through this method will get an exclusive window of playing time after 11/9…and the Beta window will be open 24/7.
Click to expand...
magbetainvis.jpg


Sony is zapping out emails to customers inviting them to SIGN UP for the MAG beta. Go and check your email account (guessing using the one you signed up on the PSN with or playstation.com), but don't worry if you don't see one now. They are sending these emails out in "waves", so you might find it later.

Also as they shift into a more open beta they will also be adding more players in "waves" if you do not get in the first round.

Should find the above image, a link to a quick survey, along with special code (entered on their site to unlock the survey) in the invite email. Just have to fill that out and submit it... and wait to see if you have been selected.

NO details on when they will be accepting anyone.

>>>Update!

SON_MAG_BETA_THIRD_03.jpg


The first round of invite emails have started to show up. Check for this SECOND email (if you applied with the 1st one), which will contain a code to use on the PSN to download the BETA to your PS3. Follow the instructions in the email on how to do that. Plus there are some details on getting access to the MAG Beta section of playstation.com (forums, polls, news, etc.).

"Qore subscriber beta phase" details:

Here’s an update about the status of the MAG Public Beta email vouchers. The first wave of voucher codes for the MAG Beta will be e-mailed to all current Qore subscribers beginning today and continuing over the next few days. Follow the instructions so that you’ll be ready to download the Beta and jump in when the test starts this Thursday, September 17. The email subject line will be:

“You’re in: Welcome to the MAG Beta”

And, the email voucher will look like this:


Remember, you only have 4 days left to get in on the action as the Public Beta entry deadline for Qore subscribers is this Thursday, September 17. Please allow at least 5 business days for delivery once you subscribe.
Qore subscribers will have access to the MAG Beta Test from September 17 through November 8. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 10am-1pm and 5-8pm Pacific (PDT).
Once again, here are the eligibility requirements:

  • The Qore MAG Beta offer is open to Qore subscribers only, not to single episode purchasers.
  • All Beta invitations are restricted to persons 18 years and older.
  • We must have your current, valid e-mail address on file.
  • You must be opted in to receiving communications from PlayStation.
  • Vouchers will be sent to the e-mail associated with the PSN account that purchased the Qore subscription, not to any sub-accounts.
You can update your e-mail address and check your notification preferences via your profile on PS.com or on the PS3 itself under Account Management/Account Information. Be sure that you have “opted in” to receive our communications.

We hope you enjoy the MAG Beta, and don’t forget to leave your feedback at Beta Central by following the instructions in the voucher e-mail. As this is a Beta is a work-in-progress and not representative of the final game, your input is vital.



Magazine Scan/details:
dsc03563l.jpg


-2 to 256 Players
-'hopes' for 30FPS when all the action is going down at all times
-Dedicated servers with new network architectures to help reduce lag
-Streamline matches to reduce need to wait.
-All audio cues (planes flying by, air raid sirens) are actual players causing it or player triggered actions. This can happen in other regions and you can hear in distance.
-PunkBuster quality cheating detection. System tests for things like rate of fire/movement/damage to keep things in check
-First Person view (better sense of scale and immersion into game)
-20 years in future, 3 major PMCs bid for war. The power struggle of these 3 dubbed Shadow War
3 Factions, only 2 announced now: Raven(high tech weapons, most trained soldiers on planet. Will appeal to Halo/Resistances fans). Sver(fierce fighters from middle east/central Asia area. Battle harden warriors)
-256 Domination mode. Attackers and defenders. Out layer of defense and inner layer. Once gone through the out layer 'hell breaks loose'. Anti-aircraft and radar are vulnerable. If your faction wins alot it gets the contract for that game mode and gets XP bonuses and perks.
-3 other game modes: Acquisition(128 player escort-style mode. Steal 2 prototype armored transports and bring to extraction zone). Sabotage(64player, control 2 points for X time then a demolition objective is revealed which must be destroyed). Suppression(64 player team deathmatch)
-Customize face, voice, armor.
-No soldier class system, but has a free-form kit creation. Can save 3 different load-outs. Depending on your choice of weapons, it can be told by looking at you so others can tell. Change your load-out to match how the battle is going.
-Snipers can get more than normal XP for killing people in designated areas of importance
-Ranking up gives access to new weapons/perks/leadership positions.
-Recognizes issues with large scale maps and the traveling.

-8 player into a squad, 4 squads into a platoon, 4 platoons into a company (US Military)
-Certain goals for each squad/platoon etc. Have 2ndary goals like blowing bridges.
-Veteran ranks can enlist into leadership roles, give orders to squad, then platoon, then the company(OIC)
-Officer only communication channel to help organize the battle


-Want to be approachable to casual yet have alot of features for the hardcore.
-Been running 256 player tests since Nov. 08 and plans to have closed/open betas.
Click to expand...

Interviews:
NOWGamer Pt1
NOWGamer Pt2
Gamespot Dev interview video

Previews:
IGN 1
Destructoid 1
Joystiq 1
Gamespot 1
8BitJoystick 1
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don't understand why no one believes that this is possible, or why everyone thinks that it doesn't really exist. If Resistance 2's 60 man battles will work, then why not 256 in basically the same way? I'm terrible at these games, so I will probably not play it, but it's nice to know that Sony is releasing some ground-breaking stuff in the future. Didn't someone else say that this could come out as early as next spring?
 
I bet it gets changed. MAG reminds me of JAG. I definitely wouldn't buy a JAG game. It will probably be changed to a SOCOM title. Not SOCOM 4 but something like SOCOM: Some Other Subtitle.
 
I'm still wondering if the 256 players will all be in the same area or spread out on a large map in different skirmishes.

That is kind of how it worked in Planet Side. You had different zones where you could send your squad to accomplish goals which helped break up the players.
 
[quote name='NamPaehc']I'm still wondering if the 256 players will all be in the same area or spread out on a large map in different skirmishes.

That is kind of how it worked in Planet Side. You had different zones where you could send your squad to accomplish goals which helped break up the players.[/quote]

That seems to be the idea, groups of 8 that have different objectives, but two teams overall, so if one group is getting crushed another may be ordered in to help them. That's my understanding at least.

If it works well I could imagine an experience similar to single player in COD where you get a series of objectives, however it will change every time and everyone else is a real person. My main question is respawning, if you die are you out till your entire team dies then the team comes back in some sort of safe area or even better gets airdropped into a new area.
 
Pretty sure most of that is just artwork. None of them looked real to me this morning

Kind of upset that they went back to it not being "another iteration of Socom". As long as its no respawn, Ill be a happy man
 
I remember when it was first announced, I went a while thinking it was called Big Ass Game for some reason.
 
[quote name='smiggity']Pretty sure most of that is just artwork. None of them looked real to me this morning

Kind of upset that they went back to it not being "another iteration of Socom". As long as its no respawn, Ill be a happy man[/QUOTE]Yeah, I think no re-spawn is a good thing; however, there are too many who complain they'll get bored if they have to wait for others to finish, so it usually doesn't happen for games. But then having too much re-spawning can lead to a huge cluster.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']Yeah, I think no re-spawn is a good thing; however, there are too many who complain they'll get bored if they have to wait for others to finish, so it usually doesn't happen for games. But then having too much re-spawning can lead to a huge cluster.[/quote]

The reason why I never really "got" CounterStrike was that I get ADD waiting to respawn, which was long by my standards.

Maybe if they could implement a "reinforcement" feature, where the teams could respawn either on a global timer (like, reinforcements spawning on every 1-5 minute mark), or as a "bonus" or sorts. I really doubt they'll allow a no-respawn feature on a really "big" multi-player game.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='Shrapnellistic']Was hoping for it be a TPS, not an FPS.[/quote]

Im pretty sure it will be TPS with FPS option. Thats how Zipper does it. With that much of a battle going on FPS only would seriously gimp things.
 
I am loving the screenshots, it will be a blast to play with so many people online. I hope it is like fighting in a real army battlefield
 
Teaser site is up. Looks like its renamed MAG: Shadow War Cant hide in the shadows in FPS :)

Hello, All-
At long last, information about MAG will now begin to trickle out to you!
Details on MAG will begin to emerge, starting today! Be sure to bookmark www.magshadowwar.com and check there regularly for new details.
There will be some things there for you to figure out for yourself. We hope you enjoy that and all that we have planned for you over the coming weeks!
We are looking forward to hearing more of your feedback and discussions here on the MAG Forum!
 
fuck M.A.G Confirmed FPS and confirmed 20yrs in the future. 256 people out there battling and I can only see what is directly in front of me?? Cmon now!

dsc03563l.jpg
 
Damn, I would really prefer this one to be in 3rd just so you can see everything going on around you. I think FPS will really take away from the game.
 
to counteract the whole respawn issue you could have limited saves. lets say each group has maybe 1 save each and its up to the person whether they bring someone back or not or you have to find someone to use to bring someone back to life. if they can pull it off and have enough variety in the game world as far as area types it could be fun even if its an online only game. now add zombies to it. also is it weapons only or can you use hand to hand combat ? i hope you can cumstoize your sqauds uniforms too.
 
Recent details from the magazine. It sounds more and more like a failure every time more info comes


-2 to 256 Players
-'hopes' for 30FPS when all the action is going down at all times
-Dedicated servers with new network architectures to help reduce lag
-Streamline matches to reduce need to wait.
-All audio cues (planes flying by, air raid sirens) are actual players causing it or player triggered actions. This can happen in other regions and you can hear in distance.
-PunkBuster quality cheating detection. System tests for things like rate of fire/movement/damage to keep things in check
-First Person view (better sense of scale and immersion into game)
-20 years in future, 3 major PMCs bid for war. The power struggle of these 3 dubbed Shadow War
3 Factions, only 2 announced now: Raven(high tech weapons, most trained soldiers on planet. Will appeal to Halo/Resistances fans). Sver(fierce fighters from middle east/central Asia area. Battle harden warriors)
-256 Domination mode. Attackers and defenders. Out layer of defense and inner layer. Once gone through the out layer 'hell breaks loose'. Anti-aircraft and radar are vulnerable. If your faction wins alot it gets the contract for that game mode and gets XP bonuses and perks.
-3 other game modes: Acquisition(128 player escort-style mode. Steal 2 prototype armored transports and bring to extraction zone). Sabotage(64player, control 2 points for X time then a demolition objective is revealed which must be destroyed). Suppression(64 player team deathmatch)
-Customize face, voice, armor.
-No soldier class system, but has a free-form kit creation. Can save 3 different load-outs. Depending on your choice of weapons, it can be told by looking at you so others can tell. Change your load-out to match how the battle is going.
-Snipers can get more than normal XP for killing people in designated areas of importance
-Ranking up gives access to new weapons/perks/leadership positions.
-Recognizes issues with large scale maps and the traveling.

-8 player into a squad, 4 squads into a platoon, 4 platoons into a company (US Military)
-Certain goals for each squad/platoon etc. Have 2ndary goals like blowing bridges.
-Veteran ranks can enlist into leadership roles, give orders to squad, then platoon, then the company(OIC)
-Officer only communication channel to help organize the battle


-Want to be approachable to casual yet have alot of features for the hardcore.
-Been running 256 player tests since Nov. 08 and plans to have closed/open betas.
 
-2 to 256 Players

That's my favorite. Must friggen suck having only two people. . . haha. "Hellllooo!!!?"

No matter how hard they try to make it "strategic" it's going to be a cluster-fack. Especially if it's in First Person.
 
[quote name='DarkNessBear']-2 to 256 Players

That's my favorite. Must friggen suck having only two people. . . haha. "Hellllooo!!!?"

No matter how hard they try to make it "strategic" it's going to be a cluster-fack. Especially if it's in First Person.[/quote]

Indeed. I really hope they're refining the game modes because I don't want it to be a mindless "cluster-fack" as you say. I can go into any other fps with only 32p and just run around and kill/die. Please take advantage of the large scale and make it more strategic.
 
Anyone remember Joint Ops on the PC? Novalogic games tended to push player numbers to the limit, and this game was no different. Some servers supported up to 150 players. Let me tell you, I've never seen spawn camping like that. If it wasn't the hordes of snipers that got you, it was someone in an APC or one of the many enemy mines that surrounded the spawn point.

Zipper has a lot of work cut out for them.
 
Yeah its over. Im calling it right now. No way this game succeeds. How are they supposed to balance weapons? They should have just made a new Socom. Hopefully this points towards the re release of Socom2 on PSN if they can ever figure that out
 
[quote name='smiggity']Yeah its over. Im calling it right now. No way this game succeeds. How are they supposed to balance weapons? They should have just made a new Socom. Hopefully this points towards the re release of Socom2 on PSN if they can ever figure that out[/quote]
And it also seems like the game is depending on "going big". If there aren't a ton of people play it, then it would not be played to its potential.

It really needs to be 3rd person, but it seems like they took that portion out so they could fit more players on screen at once. IF you do not see yourself, you don't have to worry about computing your body and having intricate animations.
 
128-player escort mode, haha. Made me imagine 100+ guys all trying to get SOCOM's braindead VIPs to cross a river.
 
[quote name='metaly']128-player escort mode, haha. Made me imagine 100+ guys all trying to get SOCOM's braindead VIPs to cross a river.[/quote]

:rofl::rofl:
 
[quote name='smiggity']Yeah its over. Im calling it right now. No way this game succeeds. How are they supposed to balance weapons? They should have just made a new Socom. Hopefully this points towards the re release of Socom2 on PSN if they can ever figure that out[/quote]


thats where itd be good to add some kind of leveling up skill doodad. the more you use the better you get with it over time. same with everything ( weapons, vehicles ect). i dont think theres a game type out there that couldnt benefit from rpg leveling elements. and as you skills improve maybe your rank could improve as well.
 
[quote name='smiggity']Yeah its over. Im calling it right now. No way this game succeeds. How are they supposed to balance weapons? They should have just made a new Socom. Hopefully this points towards the re release of Socom2 on PSN if they can ever figure that out[/QUOTE]The problem is (like I've said before), most original SOCOM creators left Zipper long ago. A good reason SOCOM 3 was so different from the rest (angering SOCOM fans) was because Zipper (the new Zipper you could say) made the type of game they wanted, large scale with vehicles and such (and most SOCOM fans rather have small scale and no vehicles). That is mostly why Zipper is making a new IP on PS3, because they've wanted to make a massive game all along. Zipper making a SOCOM on PS3 would just turn out the same way SOCOM 3 did, since those are the staff at Zipper currently (not the original group). This is kind of similar as to why Naugthy Dog made Uncharted instead of another Jak on PS3, because key original staff at Naughty Dog have been gone, so they designed a new IP which fit the newer staff involved.

Personally, if Zipper wants to make a large scale game, I'd rather they take it to a new IP then continue trying to turn SOCOM into one.

I definitely trust Zipper with the game. There's no way it will fail as long as SCE WWS is supporting this game heavily (where it gets a lot of funding and stuff).
 
You know the only person who had a direct influence on Socom that left was David Sears? The majority of the team worked on the entire series, including your boy Seth "Im a Snake" Luisi.


By "success" I mean them fulfilling their initial vision of scaled tactical warfare. Not gonna happen
 
[quote name='metaly']God I wish they would just hurry up and make Battlefield 3. All these other shooters are just distractions.[/quote]

You said it! When it comes to shooters, I just want to buy one and invest a bunch of time in it. Which... I guess doesn't do much for developers if I buy a title and play only that for a year (years even!).

MAG seems like another "pit stop" until the next best thing sadly.
 
[quote name='metaly']God I wish they would just hurry up and make Battlefield 3. All these other shooters are just distractions.[/quote]


I hear ya about Battlefield 3. I think DICE is working on 4 BF games right now and 3 of them have been announced. Hopefully they are well on their way of working on BF3.

About MAG, I'm sorry but this game just screams "generic". That pisses me off if Zipper is working on this instead of the next Socom game. Whether it is a temporary title for the game or not "Massive Action Game"......really? I would be very very surprised if this game turned out to be anything more than a steaming pile of crap. I hope they can pull off this very ambitious idea but an important equation to remember is Lots of players =/= guaranteed fun.
 
This is why Joystiq is garbage: "Forget SOCOM: Confrontation -- this is the next-gen SOCOM, onlytaken to a whole new level." Yeah except for the fact that it is FPS and Respawn. WTF have they ever even played socom

Here is the respawn system detailed
How you died or how many times you die doesn't effect how long it takes you to get back into the action; instead the game sends out 'reinforcements' every 15 seconds, so depending on where you come in during that 15-second period, you could be back in the action in just a few seconds. It helped keep the action going at a good pace, and since you'd spawn back in with other people, it meant you almost always had fellow soldiers around.
 
Sounds like Planetside meets Battlefield. I wonder how they'll handle rounds if it's going to be a persistent war.
 
Seeing as the previews are going up so soon, I'm thinking an announcement will be made at E3 cementing a release date. Well, either that or reveal that giant robotic lobsters can be piloted in the game. :whistle2:k
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top