August 2 marks a significant transition for APB Reloaded as it announces the shutdown of its console versions. This change prompts players to migrate their characters to the PC version of the game to preserve their progress and continue their adventures in this vibrant MMO.
A Brief History of APB Reloaded
APB Reloaded, originally launched as APB: All Points Bulletin by British studio Realtime Worlds, debuted as a subscription-based PC MMO in June 2010. The game, which drew comparisons to Grand Theft Auto for its urban open-world design, faced immediate challenges and saw its servers shut down within just a few months due to financial difficulties at Realtime Worlds.
In a twist of fate, the game was resurrected by American company K2 Network, whose subsidiary, Reloaded Productions, rebranded it as a free-to-play MMO under the title APB Reloaded. This new iteration found its way to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2016 and 2017, respectively, extending its reach to a broader console audience.
Transition to PC and Console Shutdown
California-based publisher Little Orbit, which acquired Reloaded Productions' parent company in 2018, announced in January 2024 that the console versions of the game would be discontinued. This decision was catalyzed by a combination of severe technical issues and unique publishing challenges, particularly the complexities of transferring game ownership between publishers on console platforms as outlined by Sony and Microsoft's policies.
Players are encouraged to transfer their console characters to the PC version by August 2, utilizing a straightforward process available through the GamersFirst website. This involves a simple account linking and email verification step, securing their progress on a new platform.