14 DAY TRIAL // PlanetSide has operated as a solo name for quite some time now. Sony Online Entertainment haven't announced any new titles in the successful series but they did show signs that they planned to add another name to the franchise. In the last days of September Sony issued a request towards former and active PlanetSide gamers. In an email reposted on PlanetSide Universe, the company said that "We plan to expand the PlanetSide universe with another game and we need your help with the design." Not only does this bring good news regarding a possible PlanetSide sequel but when a company asks gamers for advice regarding its future product it's usually considered an excellent sign.
On his personal blog, Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley recently posted some insights on the game and it seems it's moving up from just a concept project. It even received a working title: PlanetSide Next. "To me, PlanetSide Next means we get a chance to take the essence of everything that was fun in PlanetSide and make it a lot better," he said. "Massive battles on a scale no other FPS will touch. None of this 64 player stuff. REALLY MASSIVE. With much better organization and a tight focus on making sure the action is always going on, with awesome graphics."
This wouldn't be Sony's only MMOFPS that's in the schedule. Alongside Zipper Interactive, which is responsible for games such as SOCOM: Navy Seals, Sony plans to launch early next year Massive Action Game, a PlayStation 3 exclusive title that promises online first-person shootouts for up to 256 players, with different ranks and roles for players. MAC has a current launch date of January 26 and should prove to be a good way to test the waters for the upcoming PlanetSide sequel.
PlanetSide is considered the first true massively online multiplayer first-person shooter. It was released in 2003, received great praise from the gaming community and offered something truly impressive for its time. The game supported on foot and vehicular combat for hundreds of players willing to fill the shoes of the common soldier and not those of the elite trooper.