News: PlanetSide 2 Backstory Part 1 – Jake Duffy, Terran Republic Quartermaster

[xSlideShow]

Originally Posted by HtSgtMAD

so do you think that SS in Higby's part 1 yesterday was the prison with the volcano cooking in the background?

Yes I do.

[SgtMAD]

yea the more I think about this corporate shit the better it sounds.

hell I lead friggin Hostile takeover,its goddamn perfect

[Raymac]

Originally Posted by HtSgtMAD

so do you think that SS in Higby's part 1 yesterday was the prison with the volcano cooking in the background?

That's an old bit of concept art that I actually thought was fake way back, long before Fan Faire. So I don't know if it was drawn for the story, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it inspired Wolfman in his writing.

[Aaron]

Remember guys, this is just a peak of some activity in the year 2845. You know how in some stories you first enter into a scene where you don't know what's going on; later to be warped back in time to see what happened before? The back-story hasn't actually started from the chronological beginning yet. You still have to witness the history, and hear the story from NC's and VS's mouth. All isn't said and done just yet. Don't jump to conclusion too fast!

[Graywolves]

Originally Posted by Aaron

Remember guys, this is just a peak of some activity in the year 2845. You know how in some stories you first enter into a scene where you don't know what's going on; later to be warped back in time to see what happened before? The back-story hasn't actually started from the chronological beginning yet. You still have to witness the history, and hear the story from NC's and VS's mouth. All isn't said and done just yet. Don't jump to conclusion too fast!

The whole scene just feels dreadfully pointless to me.

-edit- especially after hearing the next part is distant past from today's story.

[Marth Koopa]

Originally Posted by Higby

Lots of answers in tomorrow and Friday's updates!

This is part 1 of chapter 1 of the backstory and is more "modern" history. After this chapter we're going WAY BACK into the pre-auraxis history. I'm glad you guys are enjoying!

Will there be any VS bikini parties somewhere in the story? Gotta have that fan-service, you know?

[MgFalcon]

I'm Just happy I got a RT from Higby.

Also, I'm liking the story so far, NC as corporate rock whores... makes me hate them more haha

BUT I'm starving for more VS info... Like OK I get it we're technofiles and crazy cultists... what-eves, I need the grubby details about how our theoretical physicists found Vanu Tech and such!

[BorisBlade]

Its too bad the story has absolutely no effect on gameplay, none at all. They can have any character doin anything they want and we all still fight each other. There are no quest chains, or new bosses or dungeons, the story is mostly pointless. Yeah they can make up some bs when they release new areas or weapons or maybe even an event, but really its still pointless for the most part. If these characters die, or live, or turn into a giant pokemon, nothing in the game changes.

I'm all for great story, it works very well in a game like WoW where you participate in the story and it drives the game, i love reading and gettin into it. But seems like a waste of time and money to do it here. All you need is a simple back story to get it goin and thats it (which is basically the same thing from PS1), no need for all this complicated pointless stuff. I want to be interested but i cant seem to care really. Its not that interesting when it pretty much has nothin to do at all with what actually happens in the game.

I appreciate the idea but i just dont see the point in a game like this.

[NapalmEnima]

Clearly, opinions differ. I don't see it adding much to the game for me either. That doesn't mean its valueless to everyone, or even the majority.

The professionals at SOE saw enough merit in backstory to spend N dollars on a professional writer.. How much? No idea. How does that cost compare to having a bad-ass two minute video, or a replay feature? No idea.

But the folks at SOE know the answer to what the trade offs were, and decided to hire Marv Wolfman.

I suspect they have a good reason. One you and I might even agree with if it were explained to us.

[MgFalcon]

Originally Posted by BorisBlade

Its too bad the story has absolutely no effect on gameplay, none at all. They can have any character doin anything they want and we all still fight each other. There are no quest chains, or new bosses or dungeons, the story is mostly pointless. Yeah they can make up some bs when they release new areas or weapons or maybe even an event, but really its still pointless for the most part. If these characters die, or live, or turn into a giant pokemon, nothing in the game changes.

I'm all for great story, it works very well in a game like WoW where you participate in the story and it drives the game, i love reading and gettin into it. But seems like a waste of time and money to do it here. All you need is a simple back story to get it goin and thats it (which is basically the same thing from PS1), no need for all this complicated pointless stuff. I want to be interested but i cant seem to care really. Its not that interesting when it pretty much has nothin to do at all with what actually happens in the game.

I appreciate the idea but i just dont see the point in a game like this.

OK, usually I don't Troll but WTF DUDE!

Seriously, I can point out that YES this story does have affect on the gameplay: whole cities and such being built for civilization and family housing turned into ruins (at some point, we don;t know yet cause the story will tell us), meaning URBAN COMBAT, which we none of in PS1! Also having that HUMAN element of some random soldier being on the front lines before the major conflict between the TR and NC is at the utmost importance, it allows the reader to relate to the main character of the story (Duffy) as a similar comrade (not the communist type).

OBV. no quest chains, bosses, or dungeons or bs like that cause this is real FPS

And who to say that Duffy isn't the first casualty for the TR NC conflict?!?! THAT COULD START THE WAR! Remember Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand? His death started WWI

And WoW is at the utmost flawed in it's spectrum of "incorporate the player in the storyline!" For example: the normal players killed Arthas... when literally hundreds of guilds by now have done that. Even look at games like (forgive me but this is a good point) Battle Field and Call of Duty... the story is the UTMOST importance! you need this amazing shit to set the lines of glory!

A simple back story is what we got in PS1, and it was like "OK whateves, we be fighting for s confusing reason" Now they are trying to add depth the the story which I believe is the most important part of a game and story.

Basically I know this looks like a hate post, but dude, a huge story like they're trying to make is IMPORTANT to a successful game, and since there is really no other game like Planetside they are the pioneers to such a storyline incorporation.

<3

[Talek Krell]

Originally Posted by HtSgtMAD

greedy executives would make sure their private security teams had the best gear possible.

"Possible" might be the key word there. It sounds like the TR declared a permanent state of martial law at some point. Presumably they weren't selling equipment, and might have been confiscating it.

[Malorn]

I think the purpose is to give us some history as well as convey the viewpoints that the factions have against each other.

For example, the TR clearly see the VS as a cult of nut-jobs, not unlike how T-Ray described them. And the TR see the NC as a bunch of greedy self-serving disloyal wretches.

I expect the next two chapters will be from a VS and a NC so with the first backstory they tell a bit of history while giving us a glimpse of how each of the factions views each other.

I bet NC is tomorrow, VS on Friday.

I'm also betting the NC succeed in freeing the captives in the prison on Searhus, since that could be a key turning point where they started being a serious rival for the TR, which might have also encouraged the VS.

In the original PS lore it was the VS that broke away first and that encouraged the NC. Looks like it might be vice-versa this time around.

[Captain B]

I like how they're setting up NC. NC was trying to make money doing what they do, the wormhole collapses and now what?

1) NC now has to redefine their goals. Can't make money back on earth, so they have to redistribute on Auraxis. However, Auraxis appears to be a planet like Pandora, only colonized for its resources (Auraxium), although the VS would argue there's more to it (like the scientists on Pandora).

2) The TR invoke martial law to try and gain control over the situation. This could be with good intentions, that they're just trying to figure out the bigger picture with a focus on getting back home. This eventually leads to oppressing the rights of the workforce and the corporations on Auraxis, who want to capitalize their businesses instead of treating the planet like a big mine, and possibly build anew.

3) The TR make enemies of the NC through telling them that they still have to follow the old rules pre-wormhole collapse and that the government is still in charge of what is ultimately a galactic operation. The NC dissent and claim freedom and a new world order, saying that the rules and status quo have changed. Meanwhile the VS take the opportunity to rise up and push the Vanu technology as more than just something to be exploited for personal gain but as an entire ideology which isn't accepted by the government or by "the people".

The cross-overs will be awesome. You'll have soldiers who recognize things are different now, that the Auraxians are their own people and must redefine their lives on the planet, thus leaving the TR for NC or VS if they become hippies, too. You'll have workers loyal to the idea of people's liberation and being more than just miners on the planet, though some may adhere to the VS philosophy or even cling to the government as "the establishment that always knows best". VS will essentially be those who cling to their ideals, not really "defined" until the wormwhole collapses and they see an opening to push their agenda for a "better tomorrow", instead taking in those from the government or workforce who agree with their beliefs.

The mercenaries and soldiers will be offered promises from all sides, pardons or "legitimate work" from the government (TR); future gain and lateral movement through victory on behalf of the NC struggle through the trade lords (NC); and even falling for the rhetoric or simply becoming attracted to raw, untapped power of the Vanu (VS).

I find it all very exciting, though to be quite honest the literature wasn't exemplary in terms of writing.

[Brusi]

Originally Posted by MasterChief096

Meh, so far I'm finding the story only "ok".

Being NC, I don't like where theme of the empire is going. Greedy cred hungry bastards that separated because they couldn't get paid? I realize I may be bitching, but still.

Take a pill...

The next two will be from the other empires side. I'm sure the NC perspective will label all you smurf-ass bitches as "Angels of Liberty" or something...

[Graywolves]

Next story will be from TR side because it's pre-auraxis. Everyone was TR then.