Test Server Update (2013/05/09)

Here's another quick update on the big ticket stuff we've recently pushed to Test Server:

Interactive Tutorial

• When creating a new character, players will now have the option to participate in a brief tutorial covering the most basic mechanics of PlanetSide 2.
• This can be skipped via a checkbox on the character customization screen
• Existing characters can also run the tutorial at any time by going to the Support page and selecting the Go to Tutorial option.
• Covers:
  • Accessing main menu
  • Movement
  • Gravity Pads
  • Control Points
  • IFF Shields
  • Equipment Terminals
  • Recognizing Friend from Foe
  • Spotting
  • Basic Combat
  • Teleporters
  • Spawning
  • Redeployment
  • Warpgate Terminals
  • Instant Action

MAX ability updates

You guys have already seen various permutations of these as they've been developed, but just to make it official...

New VS MAX Ability: Zealot Overdrive

• Increases movement speed while active
• Speed buff does not increase with cert level
• Decreases armor effectiveness while active
• Increases weapon damage while active
• Damage increases with cert level

New NC MAX Ability: Aegis Shield

• Shield absorbs all incoming frontal damage while active
• Max is still vulnerable from the side and rear.
• Shield has large health pool and fast regen rate
• Health pool increases with cert level

New TR MAX Ability: Lockdown

• Increases fire rate, projectile speed, and reload speed when deployed
• All these stats increase with cert level
• Locks down the max into position and limits their turning radius until undeploying

These still need tuning and balancing, so keep the feedback coming

SCU Changes

• SCU overload time changed to 60 seconds
• SCU shields now come down at the 2 minute 30 second mark
• SCUs now shut down all terminals, turrets, spawns, spawn doors and the spawn room pain field when it explodes

Capture Time Adjustments

• Small Outposts = 2 minutes
• Large Outposts = 3 minutes
• Facilities = 5 minutes

Battle Flow Improvements

We are messing with Esamir's map pretty hard, so steer clear or expect some significant broken-ness for the near future. Test will be catching the continent at various states of undress, so be advised.

Thank you all for the continued support on Public Test server - we appreciate everyone that takes the time to help us improve the game!