I've played it, and the result from a technical perspective is pretty astonishing. MAG works, and it is quite unlike any other console shooter. Based on what I've experienced, it has its strengths, it has its weaknesses, but in a genre where familiarity breeds contempt, Zipper's core technology is clearly providing a gameplay experience not found elsewhere. In a somewhat over-populated market sector, this is important.
However, the usual Digital Foundry tech analysis can only go so far, because it's clear that the real technical achievement isn't located in the 3GB of client-side code and data you're invited to download when you enrol into the closed beta. All the real magic is happening in the US on the dedicated servers.
So there'll be two sides to this particular piece. We can - and will - give you the basic technical facts behind what we see in terms of frames and pixels in the MAG beta client, but more importantly, we spoke to the people that count at Zipper Interactive and SCEA to get a flavour of what's happening server-side in California.
After creating your character, MAG gameplay kicks off in epic style, with bird's eye view of the gameplay arena into which you'll spawn. The first thing you'll notice is the sheer population of the game. The spawn points are obviously busy, and are typically located near to strategically important flashpoints on the map. It's particularly tempting simply to sit back and watch the action play out on the battlefield in front of you. However, once you've selected your loadout of weapons and equipment, you're essentially thrust into the thick of it.
Initially it is a very daunting experience. MAG players are divided up into squads of eight, and in-game voice comms are limited to those players, but the action on-screen can feature a multitude of players, some aligned to your faction and some that aren't. There is an overwhelming sense of feeling small and insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
Never has teamplay been such an important factor as it is here. Squads need to communicate closely in order to survive, and squad leaders need to coordinate with the other teams in the same faction to stand any real chance of success up against similarly organised opposition. The first instinct is to get stuck in as a lone wolf, but it doesn't work. The best way to get the most out of the game it to read up on its intricacies with a good guide and attempt to form a friends-based squad.
DF: The MAG Factor
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Originally Posted by chig
