MAG just got a whole lot better

Over on the Official MAG Blog and the PlayStation Blog, Jeremy Dunham of Zipper Interactive has just posted the latest news on a huge update for MAG. The update will be released in early August and will contain the following fixes and improvements:

• A new “Happy Hour” Double XP bonus that’s applied to the first hour of any player’s gameplay session in a 24-hour period.

• Suppression will join Sabotage as a “Faction Neutral” gameplay mode, allowing any PMC to battle each other on any Suppression map.

• Faster download and patching code that allows us to update MAG with more content and bigger file sizes in a speedier way

• Redesigned versions of the Flores Basin (Raven) and Alyeska Terminus (Valor) Domination maps that include new obstacles and repaired exploits.

• New lighting effects for more attractive and realistic environments.

• Various fixes to address bugs or glitches to improve MAG’s overall performance.

From what MAG started out to be is now being perfected than ever before. MAG was released on January 26, 2010 and is rated “T” For Teen. Having somewhat mixed yet, generally positive reviews, MAG is the only console game to date that can have 256 players in one match and perform smoothly. If you haven’t tried out MAG yet then what are you waiting for!

Get ready to move out this Fall

So, that PS3 exclusive announcement that everyone is waiting for tonight just got announced a little bit earlier. SOCOM 4: US Navy Seals has just been announced on the PlayStation Blog. Zipper Interactive will be the team behind the game and will constantly update us on what’s going on with their newly announced title. But what about MAG you say? Well have no fear, as Zipper will still be handling MAG and have some upcoming content for the title which should be revealed fairly soon.

Ok, so back to SOCOM 4, What happening this time around! For starters, your in a new five man squad who is sent to a South Asian country and must fight in Urban and Jungle environments within six days.  Yes that’s the single player portion and of course 32 multiplayer will still make an appearance for those classic SOCOM fans. Such a huge announcement for a Classic title, also be sure to check out GameTrailer’s TV tonight at 12:30EST/PST for the reveal trailer. SOCOM 4 hits this fall and be sure we’ll keep your covered on the latest happenings for SOCOM 4.

The patch drops just like these guys.

Zipper has heard your cries and have released a patch note for the upcoming patch for MAG. while the game is still unbalanced this patch should have everything straight until another patch releases later on. Here is what patch (1.03) will contain as it drops tomorrow:

Patch v1.03

Available February 25, 2010 | 41MB (TPPS), 49MB (DLS)

Gameplay

• Overhauled tuning of multiple weapons of all types (see “Weapon” section below)
• Improved speed of weapon and gear swapping by approximately 500 milliseconds.
• Fixed bug in SVER’s Aralkum Mechanical Acquisition map and Absheron Refinery Domination map that allowed players to defuse a charge planted on a repaired gate or door.
• Added a “solid tone” sound effect near the end of a charge’s beeping detonation timer so that players know when the charge can no longer be defused and that they should vacate the area.
• “Medium Improved” Armor now works as intended with the speed properties of Medium Armor and a defensive value greater than Medium, but less than Heavy Armor.
• Changed resuscitated player’s camera orientation to match the last camera direction used while incapacitated instead of the pre-harm camera.
• Players no longer lose XP if a teammate is killed by an objective explosion caused by a charge they planted.
• Respec Point requirements in Barracks have been changed from 3K, 5K, 10K, 17K, 26K, and 26K-Repeat to 1K, 2K, 3K, and 3K-Repeat.
• Lowered the amount of damage necessary to kill an incapacitated enemy
• All fired projectiles (RPGs, Turret Rockets) have been given a steadier aim.
• Mines that haven’t been triggered are no longer removed from the map when the dead player that deploys them respawns unless that player changes their Loadout (note: The maximum number of mines you can plant cannot exceed the number you initially spawn with).
• Players no longer lose leadership points after entering “Veteran Mode”.

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The Shadow War has just begun. Which side will you choose?

MAG is finally out on PlayStation 3 but, does this 256 Multiplayer only game have enough for you to keep coming back?

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Not only has Zipper Interactive’s upcoming 256-player war epic, MAG, turned to gold status… tomorrow is when all North American players can begin readying up for the upcoming worldwide MAG Beta 5. In its fifth consecutive beta release, and final, the file that you’ll be able to download on the store tomorrow will permit access for anyone with a PlayStation 3 and an Internet connection for the ability to join the public beta for MAG starting on January 4th, 2010. MAG Beta 5 will run for about a week, ending its run on January 10th.

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