PlanetSide 2

PlanetSide 2 is a first-person shooter which features several open world continents that are each 64 km2 and support up to 2,000 concurrent players. Upon creating a character, players are able to join either the New Conglomerate (NC), Terran Republic (TR), or Vanu Sovereignty (VS) faction. Each faction has a unique style, and offers access to different weapons and vehicles - for example, the Vanu Sovereignty have an alien aesthetic and employ advanced technologies in their arsenal. Members of each faction continually attempt to lock down continents by capturing and defending territories, earning global benefits for all allies if they manage to do so.

Players can choose between six infantry classes that each possess unique specialities. These range from the Infiltrator, a sniper class that has access to a cloaking device, to the MAX (Mechanized Assault Exo-Suit), an armored infantry unit that dual-wields heavy weaponry. Players can also operate several air and ground vehicles that serve transport, spawn point and combat roles. By killing enemies and capturing objectives, players earn currency (Certs) which can be used to unlock upgrades and new weapons for their preferred class or vehicle. Players can also use real-world money to purchase new items and weapons that are primarily cosmetic in nature and offer no direct benefit over non-paying individuals.

In the year 2444, a mysterious wormhole forms over a war-torn Earth, and scientists report strange transmissions that all but confirm the existence of extraterrestrial life. The wormhole is predicted to re-open again in a century, and fear of a hostile, alien presence causes the global conflict to end. Nations around the world quickly agreed to a peace treaty and formed the Terran Republic, an authoritarian but benevolent United Nations-like organization that worked toward the peace and prosperity of humankind. As expected, the wormhole reopens after 100 years, but no further transmissions are detected; despite this, the Terran Republic remains in power, as the vast majority of humanity is satisfied with its governance.

Years later, explorer Thomas Connery discovers a segment of the Kuiper belt he dubs "the Moon Belt." Connery is voted into the position of Terran Republic president soon after. Suspecting the discovery of alien technology, multiple business leaders form the New Conglomerate, a libertarian organization seeking to capitalize on the discovery and free themselves from strict Terran Republic control. After his retirement, Connery recruits eccentric xenobiologist Henry Briggs for a second expedition to the Moon Belt, and the pair discovers an alien figurine. Upon touching the artifact, Briggs experiences a revelation and is left with a single message: "Vanu."

The first indications of a potential PlanetSide sequel appeared in September 2009, when Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) e-mailed PlanetSide subscribers with a survey asking for suggestions regarding the next installment of the series. On October 11, SOE president John Smedley posted on his LiveJournal account, revealing that the sequel's working title was PlanetSide Next. In December 2010, Smedley announced that SOE would be launching a first-person shooter in March 2011, hinting that the release would be PlanetSide Next; this was soon confirmed by Paul Williams of SOE.

Vehicle designs for PlanetSide Next, including those of the Galaxy aircraft and a New Conglomerate tank, were teased in early 2011 by Smedley. On March 31, 2011, SOE announced that it would be ending development of their spy-themed MMO The Agency and refocusing efforts on both EverQuest Next and PlanetSide Next following their closure of three game studios. Shortly after, Smedley announced that PlanetSide Next had been delayed as a result of switching to an entirely new engine, and would be made available later than initially anticipated.

PlanetSide 2 received "generally favorable reviews" from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.

Critics praised the large scale battles, impressive graphics and free-to-play model. Charles Onyett of IGN gave the game a score of 9/10, writing that the combined arms warfare of PlanetSide 2 is "often breathtaking, as lines of tanks fire at bases while aircraft light up the sky and hundreds of players fill the scene with healing beams and lethal weapons fire." Onyett also praised the game's "versatile classes, deep progression systems and various styles of air and ground vehicles," but noted "some polish issues" and small glitches present in the game. Writing for GameSpot, Tyler Hicks held the same opinion, writing that "the massive scale of battles to the detail put into the sprawling continents" allowed the game to "[surpass] its predecessor in nearly every regard," but similarly noticed small issues with "population disadvantages or the occasional crash."