RTW promises "major" APB driving and combat overhaul

Following middling launch reviews and public push-back from Realtime Worlds boss Dave Jones, the developer has promised major upgrades to crime MMO APB, including changing vehicle handling and "looking at almost every aspect of combat".

Driving and combat were the two areas most heavily criticised in launch reviews, and it seems the developer was listening.

"We're already underway on a major overhaul to vehicle handling to make cars more responsive and less slippy overall," said RTW's Neil Castle in a note on the game's site.

"You'll still be able to power slide around corners in stylish fashion, but steering is more responsive overall and easier to get the hang of early on."

Castle added: "We're looking at almost every aspect of combat - how it looks, feels and sounds, as well as weapon characteristics and tactics. Weapon changes will be put up on the Public Test World to get some feedback in due course."

It sounds as though the entire game is now being tweaked, including missions, matchmaking, cheating, camping and more.

"That's just a sample of the things that are currently going on here, and we're already very excited even with some of the early prototypes," Castle said.

"The APB Public Test World will host each of these changes in turn to allow players to give us their feedback before we make a move to push any changes live, so watch the website and forums for announcements about how and when you can get involved in upcoming PTW events."

There's no word yet on when any upgrades are to go live.