POSTED BY

AT 7:13 AM
Friday January 16, 2009

community • escapist • events • planetside • rps

Blog War! Help Offworld defeat Rock, Paper, Shotgun, The Escapist in a three-way Planetside battle! Recruiting now!

Update: Okay, we're out of free keycodes! I'll be sending out an email ASAP (perhaps tonight, depending on if I can get this article written, but by tomorrow at the least) and we can start strategizing!

As most of you know, every other website on the internet is staffed and consumed by scum. But none are worse than those dastardly Terran Republican reprobates at The Escapist or those New Conglomerate libertarian weenies of Rock, Paper, Shotgun, both of whom question the clear transhumanist vision espoused by Offworld's alignment with the Vanu Sovereignty.

Vaporize them we must. And it is your duty as mutants to enlist in our cause to battle against 140 of the universe's dregs of pre-post-humanity in Planetside.

That's right: We're having ourselves a three-war blog war.

Sony's given us 70 90-day playtime keys for their online first-person shooter, Planetside, with which to wage battle for a month against the readers of The Escapist and RPS. After a month, the site with the most kills, hacks, or...uh, explodeys will be declared the winner. And then the losers will shut down their sites forever and redirect all their traffic to the winner. (I didn't actually mention that clause to the staff at either site, so we may have to work that out later.)

If you possess a gaming machine of modest 3D ability and would like to hop a dropship with the Offworld and BBG editors over the next month, click on through and I'll explain how to get a key after the jump.

I have 70 keys. (Well, 75, but I have to keep a few for the editors.)

If you'd like one of the keys, simply email me at joeljohnson+planetside@gmail.com.

First come, first serve. Once the free keys are apportioned, if you'd still like to play you can just sign up for a regular account.

FAQ

1. When will we play?

The war will wage 24x7 for a month, but like most of our gaming time, I suspect we'll mostly be playing in North American evenings.

2. Can I cheat?

No. If Sony sends us a cheat report with your account in it, we will ban you real quick-like.

3. Can I play for multiple sides/sites?

No! If we find out you are a traitor will we execute you. Then we will come back to the computer and delete your character, as well.

4. Can I be a jerk?

You could be, I'm sure, but I really hope you won't be. This is just a fun event for all our readers. Let's keep it pleasant. (Transhumanist trash talk is, however, highly encouraged.)

5. When will I get a key? When does the game start?

The game will run from January 19th to February 13th.

6. Have you noticed we have skulls on our caps? Are we the baddies?

One thing we have noticed in our 1,000 mile retreat is that the Terran farms are in dire need of mechination.

Gameplay FAQ

Here are some FAQs (and answers) from Sony:

1. What are the minimum requirements to load and play PS on my PC?

The minimum specifications for PlanetSide are as follows:

Windows. 98/2000/ME/XP
Pentium. III 1.0 GHz or greater
256 MB RAM GeForce2 class card with 64MB Video RAM
DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card 56k + Internet connection 4X speed CD-ROM 3.25 GB hard drive space DirectX 8.1 or greater

The recommended specifications are as follows:

Windows. 98/2000/ME/XP
Pentium. III 1.6 GHz or greater
512 MB RAM Direct3D compliant video card with 64MB+ RAM
DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card Broadband Internet connection 8X speed CD-ROM 3.5 GB hard drive space DirectX 8.1 or greater

2) What is the minimum ping you want to have to be able to play PS and be remotely competitive?

The lower the better but I’ve seen pings in the 2-300 range and that’s been playable.

3) In order to create an account with our Blog War key, do we have to put a credit card down?

No, you should not have to.

4) If people already have SOE accounts with PS, would that account work or should a new account be made to level the playing field?

The account would have to be a new account without PlanetSide on it. If you already happen to have a pre-existing SOE Station account without PlanetSide on it, these keys can be used on that.

5) Will the game be downloadable directly from SOE or through a partner site?

It is only available via SOE.

6) Will there be a server just for this event?

Yes. "Gemini".

7) If people can come and go as they please, will they just join the current party upon login?

Yes.

8) Did SOE ever fix the problem of White/Missing Textures?

For the most part white/missing textures have been sorted out however due the variance in hardware, drivers, operating systems, and the like, all the problems may not be resolved for everyone.

Here's more information about our faction:

The Vanu Sovereignty (VS), a loose transhumanist cult of academics, intellectuals, and technology worshippers who believe that human destiny lies in the further development and exploitation of the alien technology. Their leadership is the clandestine Sovereignty Council, the composition of which is unknown without itself and the existence of which is obscured to those outside the Sovereignty. They see the Republic as pedantic and outmoded, a used-up idea and restriction on the continuing ascendancy of the species through the synthesis of man and machine. They also see the New Conglomerate as a savage, ochlocratic band of thugs who have repackaged old mistakes in new dressings and are desperately afraid of new concepts which they cannot grasp, and the future these promise to the far-sighted. Their view of the future is one of scientific perfection and purity: they believe that the Vanu used the power of their advanced technologies to transcend their physical limitations and the mundane world, ascending to a superior state of being, and ultimately, a higher plane of existence. Scientists and intellectuals through-and-through, they see this path as an enlightened ascension and hold the Ancients up as a shining example for mankind to follow. Hopefully and eagerly they envision humanity imitating this metamorphosis, firstly through the enhancement of the human condition via "hypertech" (foreseeable technological breakthroughs which have not yet quite arrived), and eventually, by the replacement of human beings altogether; from there, not even they can imagine yet. They are most reliant on alien science and technology, and often more than compensate for their shortcomings through the superiority of their engineering, utilising mind-bending physics, high-energy arrays, and other exotic weaponry to defend themselves.

This means we are purple, I believe.

The Escapist jumped the gun on us a little and already started recruiting. If you pop over to their forums to scout for intel, use this link to get a special Boing Boing Offworld badge on your account.

Never even heard of Planetside? This fantastic story, "The 1%", should give you a taste of the experience.

35 Comments

Agies

#1 – 7:39 AM January 16, 2009

Well shit. I've written for The Escapist on numerous occasions, but I love Offworld. I find myself torn between two factions. On the other hand those RPS guys can go eat a big one.

Joel Johnson

#2 – 8:02 AM January 16, 2009

That's the spirit!

Zenanon

#3 – 8:26 AM January 16, 2009

Oh man, Planetside is so great.

Blows every other MMOG out of the water, and I'd be playing it all the time were it not for the subscription.

FnordX

#4 – 8:27 AM January 16, 2009

So, uhm, how do we sign up for a key?

Dean Putney

#5 – 8:28 AM January 16, 2009

Hilarious. I don't know how helpful I'd be, but this sounds like fun. I'll have to check in with you about it at some point.

oxymoron69

#6 – 8:32 AM January 16, 2009

GO PURPLE!

DanielZKlein

#7 – 8:55 AM January 16, 2009

I'm not a 5 ms reaction time FPS genius (anymore--age, in this pre-singularity life of ours, is the cruellest mistress), but I've been playing my good share of FPSesses since DooM II and there was a time I was damn near UNBEATABLE at Quake 1 (by any of the three friends I had playing it with me) (one of whom was a dog) (okay, two dogs) (okay, they were all dogs, and two of them imaginary, and they didn't have PCs either).

So hell yeah, let's kick some ass!

The Poisoned Sponge

#8 – 9:00 AM January 16, 2009

You Offworld hordes shall join your partners in evil, the Escapists (apt name, I dare say!) in the piles upon piles of dead that are racked up by the superior technology and stick-to-it-ive-ness that Rock, Paper, Shotgun display and wield! Death to the non-believers! Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull-Throne! Pineapples for the Melon King!

Mekanikal

#9 – 10:00 AM January 16, 2009

I've already got a 23/3 full BFR cert VS on Gemini. Can I play?

Anonymous Anonymous

#10 – 10:05 AM January 16, 2009

Don't worry about Pings. All hit detection is done server-side like any other MMOG.

PS is still a lot of fun despite the graphics being long in the tooth (it still doesn't look half bad)

the_boy

#11 – 10:05 AM January 16, 2009

Just helped some friends down the hall set up a more or less permanent LAN room, so I'm doing my damned best to get them in on this. 3 solid gaming rigs, college students with easily flexible deadlines at the beginning of the semester. We were made for this.

Joel Johnson

#12 – 10:19 AM January 16, 2009

It's filling up quickly. I'll try to provision keys tonight so we can warm up over the weekend.

Mekanikal

#13 – 10:47 AM January 16, 2009

Oops my bad. Gemini was one of the West Coast servers before the mergers.

zak canard

#14 – 11:22 AM January 16, 2009

Despite the amount of time I lurk and post around RPS, if I can get in I'll be siding with Offworld as Vanu sound a lot of fun. I'm half hoping Offworld and RPS will for the best part join forces in game so they can give those Escapologists a serious arse kicking!

Brian "DoctaBu" Moore

#15 – 12:16 PM January 16, 2009

Ahhh! I hope I wasn't too late!

digit

#16 – 12:42 PM January 16, 2009

ill volunteer as the linux guinea pig!

Anonymous Anonymous

#17 – 1:40 PM January 16, 2009

Hey, i created an account to comment. It doesnt recognize me on here, but it does on BoingBoing. I would like a key! im neocow on BoingBoing (and here if it ever works.

subtle_turtle

#18 – 2:10 PM January 16, 2009

I would love to play. I frequent this blog and RPS, but your indie-game attitude has me hooked, so I'll proudly wave the Offworld banner given the chance!!!

Strophe

#19 – 2:17 PM January 16, 2009

I was too late! Nooooooooo....

Will you keep us civilians updated as to how the war progresses?

Random_Tangent

#20 – 2:27 PM January 16, 2009

I hope I was in time this morning, otherwise I'm joining the Escapists out of spite. Pure withering spite.

Mike Nowak

#21 – 4:00 PM January 16, 2009

Why does the boingboing login never work on offworld?

BlackTiger

#22 – 4:19 PM January 16, 2009

Damnit. I used to play Planetside pretty religiously, one of the best gunners in 1st armored cav for the NC... We made Vanguards do things that no tank should ever have been able to do, or so said the laws of physics...

grimc

#23 – 4:56 PM January 16, 2009

Are you sending email responses to requesters to let them know they made it? Just wondering.

Lonin

#24 – 7:11 PM January 16, 2009

Can we play with you guys if we didn't get in on the free trial keys?

Lonin

#25 – 7:15 PM January 16, 2009

I probably should've looked at the FAQ first, cool beans. I'll try and join up with you guys. If we're playing without one of the given accounts, who do we talk to in-game to get on the right side and stuff?

Dungeonbrownies

#26 – 10:34 PM January 16, 2009

I really really hope the keys go to the right people and not to eBay or some kiddos who cant shoot straight for their lives. I want Boinb Boing ViCtory Day damnit!

DanielZKlein

#27 – 8:24 AM January 17, 2009

You think you could update the post here when you've sent you the keys so I can make sure my key didn't go to spam?

Joel Johnson

#28 – 11:18 AM January 17, 2009

Keys will go out soon, but I'm still sorting the crapton of emails you guys sent in. :)

Mosh

#29 – 3:22 PM January 17, 2009

I would love to aid you in your crusade to take down the other bloggers!

I will need a horse, several weeks worth of supplies, a trusted assistant (preferably of diminutive stature), and, of course, a key.

Mosh

#30 – 3:26 PM January 17, 2009

Well I tried to email a request for a key but yahoo seems to not recognize the email address, I believe because of the +.

incidentalist

#31 – 6:37 PM January 17, 2009

I've created a Google Group for team discussion. Email me at incidentalist+planetside@gmail.com for invites. Joel, will you be creating an Outfit in-game for team members to join?

incidentalist

#32 – 6:38 PM January 17, 2009

Or visit http://groups.google.com/group/offworldpsw

pjamestx

#33 – 7:28 AM January 18, 2009

Just a heads up, I have to run this in Windows 95 compat mode to get it to work in Vista 32...

Brian "DoctaBu" Moore

#34 – 2:01 PM January 18, 2009

Damn. This must mean that I missed it, huh? Keys were already sent out?

VoxExMachina

#35 – 1:58 PM February 26, 2009

So how did it all work out?