MAG Message Board

There are two situations that make it it painful to go back to an older game: when it's something you only liked because you were a kid and didn't know any better, and when you play a highly praised game.Read more...

Womp, womp: Sony has announced that SOCOM 4 and MAG, the two military shooters that never quite managed to become as successful as they would've liked, will be losing online multiplayer support early next year. Read more...

Scuttlebutt has it that the Sony Computer Entertainment studio Zipper Interactive, maker of combat shooters MAG and the SOCOM series, lost several employees in a round of layoffs today. Reached for comment, a Sony spokesperson confirmed layoffs at Zipper, characterizing them as "normal business practice and a result of cutting back on production resources after the launch of two major franchises." Sony would not specify how many positions were lost. More »

#ngp Many of the games being made for Sony's PSP successor, the NGP, appear to be build upon past PlayStation greatness. If that's how it goes, might we suggest a few more? More »

As MAG’s first birthday celebration comes to a close, we thought fans might find it interesting if we pulled back the curtain a bit and revealed info about MAG that no one outside of Zipper Interactive and Sony Computer Entertainment has ever known… until now!

Think you’re a MAG expert? Think again! Listed below are five facts listed in backwards order of their mind-blowing magnitude.

5. The three PMCs – Raven, SVER, and Valor – weren’t always known by those names. Over time, they underwent a number of title changes. Valor was known as the “Allied Forces” and “Hammer,” SVER was “SEVER” and “SIRSAT, and Raven was… well, check further down the list to see what Raven was called.

4. Though MAG was Zipper’s first “released” PS3 game, it wasn’t always planned to be. Prior to the greenlight for MAG, we were tossing around several ideas – including an espionage-themed action/platformer that thrived on chase sequences and the concept for what would ultimately become the game due out this April, SOCOM 4.

3. MAG could be even bigger. MAG is renowned for its 256-player support – and we earned the Guinness World Record for most simultaneous players in a console FPS as proof – but that’s not the limit of our technology. Truth be told, we can support a lot more than that. We picked 256 players as our target for game design reasons (how we divide up squads, platoons, etc). However, with our architecture, we could increase the number players well beyond the 256-person limit if we wanted to – we’d just want to make sure our design fit whatever super huge number we wanted to go after first.

2. MAG began its life as a SOCOM game. Originally, we had planned to make MAG a part of the SOCOM universe. In fact, its first working title was “SOCOM: MAG.” As the game began to take shape, however, it became apparent that what MAG was growing into was much different than SOCOM. The gameplay design, while still somewhat-tactical, continued to become less “SOCOM-like.” The emphasis on character progression and large-scale multiplayer battles with three completely different PMCs sealed the deal, and MAG happily spun off into its own universe. Oh, and remember that Raven “early title” we mentioned? Yeah, they were “Clawhammer!”

1. MAG started as a third-person shooter. Because it started as a SOCOM title, MAG was a third-person shooter for a good portion of its development cycle. When the first MAG trailer was shown at E3 2008, for instance, the game was still planned as a TPS (and the teaser hints at it pretty strongly). As we continued to refine MAG, however, and pull it father away from its SOCOM beginnings, we moved it into the first-person realm to help differentiate it even more. After we played it, when knew absolutely that going first-person was the right choice for the game and the rest, as they say, is history!

We hope you enjoyed this look into the Zipper vault of secrets and hope that you enjoyed our game even more.

Oh, MAG. You're such a sweetheart! It's your first birthday, and while customarily that means that we should be showering you with thoughtful presents and too-expensive, flowery-worded cards, you're the one who's giving gifts to us! For instance, you're increasing the game's "Happy Hour" experience bonus (a boosted XP rate the player has during his or her first hour of play each day) to 256 percent from January 26 through January 30? Oh, you shouldn't have!

Other promotions planned for the massive shooter's first anniversary include a temporary switch to "Faction Neutral" maps for the Domination and Acquisition game modes (available for the same time period listed above), as well as a chance to play against the Zipper QA team on the morning of January 26. Actually, they're probably very, very good at the game. We're not sure that being repeatedly decimated by MAG professionals is a very good present, now that we think about it.

It may sound clichéd, but wow, time really flies! It’s hard to believe that it has already been a full year since our massive 256-person PlayStation 3 exclusive shooter, MAG, was released all over the globe. To celebrate our one-year birthday, we’re unveiling a handful of promotions as a thank you to our fans throughout the week.

First up, starting Wednesday, January 26 at 12am Pacific Time, we’re changing all in-game queue and “Happy Hour” bonuses to 256% until Sunday, January 30 at 11:59pm. If you’ve been meaning to level up to grab our various “level 60” trophies, our promotional time period is a great time to go for it!

Speaking of January 26, all day from 10am-5pm Pacific Time, members of the Zipper Interactive QA team (our best players!) will be online and playing MAG throughout the day. If you’ve never participated in our “Play MAG with Zipper” events, they’re great fun and offer you the perfect opportunity to show us your skills.

Our third and final promotion is a special “Faction Neutral” switch for the Domination and Acquisition modes. For the first time ever in MAG “Live,” our two biggest game types will switch from being PMC-specific to being open for defense by any of our three factions. Like our 256% XP bonus, this mode switch will be in operation from January 26 at 12am Pacific to January 30 at 11:59pm.

But this isn’t all we’re doing to wish MAG a happy birthday. We’ll also be posting some additional posts throughout the week, including a breakdown of MAG statistics and numbers on Thursday and a special “Five Things You Never Knew About MAG” article on Friday morning. It should be fun.

As always, everyone here at Zipper Interactive wants you to know how much we appreciate all the support and feedback you have given us over the last year and we hope you’ve enjoyed playing the game as much as we’ve enjoyed making and improving it. Thank you very much!

It may sound clichéd, but wow, time really flies! It’s hard to believe that it has already been a full year since our massive 256-person PlayStation 3 exclusive shooter, MAG, was released all over the globe. To celebrate our one-year birthday, we’re unveiling a handful of promotions as a thank you to our fans throughout the week.

First up, starting Wednesday, January 26 at 12am Pacific Time, we’re changing all in-game queue and “Happy Hour” bonuses to 256% until Sunday, January 30 at 11:59pm. If you’ve been meaning to level up to grab our various “level 60” trophies, our promotional time period is a great time to go for it!

Speaking of January 26, all day from 10am-5pm Pacific Time, members of the Zipper Interactive QA team (our best players!) will be online and playing MAG throughout the day. If you’ve never participated in our “Play MAG with Zipper” events, they’re great fun and offer you the perfect opportunity to show us your skills.

Our third and final promotion is a special “Faction Neutral” switch for the Domination and Acquisition modes. For the first time ever in MAG “Live,” our two biggest game types will switch from being PMC-specific to being open for defense by any of our three factions. Like our 256% XP bonus, this mode switch will be in operation from January 26 at 12am Pacific to January 30 at 11:59pm.

But this isn’t all we’re doing to wish MAG a happy birthday. We’ll also be posting some additional posts throughout the week, including a breakdown of MAG statistics and numbers on Thursday and a special “Five Things You Never Knew About MAG” article on Friday morning. It should be fun.

As always, everyone here at Zipper Interactive wants you to know how much we appreciate all the support and feedback you have given us over the last year and we hope you’ve enjoyed playing the game as much as we’ve enjoyed making and improving it. Thank you very much!

PlayStation Plus subscribers have been getting access to a number of cool bonuses as of late, but a new MAG promotion may be one of the more novel perks yet. Following tomorrow's PSN update, a "Full Game Trial" of MAG will be available to download in the Plus section of the PlayStation Store. However, unlike most Plus content, you'll have access to this content for as long as your membership is active.

Of course, there's a catch: This is still only a game trial. Although you'll be able to play with and against actual owners of the game online for as long as you want, the full-game trial has an artificial level cap. You'll only be able to advance your MAG character up to level 8, enough to unlock access to the game's signature 256-player mode. Any experience you earn after level 8 will go unrewarded until you purchase the full digital license for $30.

The trial's level cap means you won't be able to become a squad leader or change your faction either, but if you want to keep playing for free, simply put an artificial cap on your gameplay goals, too: Become the greatest level-8 soldier of all time.

We’re extremely excited to announce that starting tomorrow, on December 21, MAG will be available in its entirety as a full game download on the PlayStation Store.

Priced identically to its boxed “Greatest Hits” counterpart, the downloadable version of MAG (4.7 GB) will run you a mere $29.99 and come complete with all the bells and whistles found in our patches up to v2.10.

To celebrate its release, PlayStation Plus users can try MAG out for free with an exclusive full game trial! Members can play the game and any of its original modes at no charge for as long as their PlayStation Plus membership lasts, with their only limitation being a level 8 character cap. However, members will continue to earn experience as long as they play the game, allowing them to automatically receive credit for time played once they’ve purchased the full product.

Membership has its benefits, yes?

Though we've lax, nay, negligent about tending the Joystiq clan we created, we're happy to see the under-appreciated MAG still chugging along. Today fans get the 2.10 update, which allows in-game screenshots and the ability to queue for several game modes simultaneously.

There's an XP bonus for players who line up for more modes, which seems like an extremely smart way of managing a community that may be losing players to newer shooters. If you'd like to peruse the full list, you can find it right here. We hope it's enough to distract you from the sting of being abandoned by your fearless, absentee Joystiq leaders.

[Thanks, Peter]

#dlc "Escalation," the three-way battle among all the factions of MAG, is available now on the PlayStation Network and comes at a discount for those who bought the previous DLC installment, "Interdiction" before Oct. 28. More »

The PS3′s massive, ever-changing global war just got bigger! Starting today our “Escalation Add-on Pack” introduces the exciting three-faction “Escalation” game mode that throws Raven, SVER and Valor into simultaneous battle on three brand new maps. As an added bonus, Escalation owners also get their hands on nine exclusive new weapons — including assault rifles, sniper rifles, and machine guns! The best part? All this can be yours for the low, low price of $9.99.

To commemorate the release of our new DLC, we’re also unleashing a variety of special offers to our existing and future fans. Here’s our list of deals:

• Escalation Add-on Pack: $7.99 Through November 9 (until 11:59pm Pacific), anyone who purchased our previous DLC pack, Interdiction, prior to Midnight Pacific Time on October 28 gets 20% off the Escalation asking price!
• Interdiction Add-on Pack: $4.99, reduced from its original price of $9.99; this is a permanent adjustment
• MAG Starter Kit: $14.99 Valued at almost $30, it’s everything new MAG users would want: Both the Interdiction and Escalation Add-on packs, a 30-day trial for MAG character slots B and C, six official MAG PS3 avatars that sport Raven, SVER, and Valor characters and badges, and three dynamic PS3 themes (one for each PMC).
• PlayStation Plus Members receive special bargains as well. Through December 14, “PS+” members can purchase Escalation at the discounted price of $7.99 and Interdiction at half price, for only $2.50!

But we’re not done yet. Gamers that play any of our add-on packs between November 2 and November 14 get additional XP bonuses. Specifically, anyone who plays Interdiction or Escalation within that timeframe earns a +200% bonus with every finished match. We’re also including an all-around +100% bonus for playing any MAG mode within the same time frame. In other words, it’s going to be a MAG XP frenzy!

One last thing we want to mention before we go, is how Escalation fits into MAG’s storyline. Followers of the game’s mythos have been asking us, and it goes a little something like this:

The Neuvonics Corporation has collapsed in the wake of rapid expansion and spending on cutting-edge energy facilities around the world. Three of their most prized investments are up for grabs after on-site personnel walked out late last week. It stands to reason that the security contract for these facilities will go to the company who possesses them, which is why Valor, Raven and SVER operatives are currently en route. Once the dust settles, if their energy production remains intact, the PMC in control stands to make a fortune from these contracts in the years to come.

For additional details regarding Escalation’s gameplay, including a detailed description of the game mode itself and the maps within, check our list of links below. Enjoy the new content!

• MAG Escalation Announcement (w/ Weapons)
• Escalation Map Video Flythroughs
• Escalation: A Closer Look

Want to talk about it? Visit our official MAG forums by clicking this link and discuss Escalation with your fellow fans!

The next round of MAG DLC, the Escalation pack, is set to arrive on November 2 for $9.99. The DLC adds the new Escalation mode, which some players may have tried during the recent beta. Escalation has each of the three 32-player teams attempting to take over two of three objectives. Should any team manage this feat, gameplay moves on to phase two, and said team must now defend a fourth objective for as long as possible. If the fourth objective falls, gameplay reverts back to phase one. Play continues until one team has reached a certain number of points or time runs out. In essence, Escalation sounds like a remixed version of Battlefield: Bad Company 2's Rush mode (which is by no means a bad thing).

The Escalation pack also adds three new maps -- Isla de Magma, Silverback Ridge and Radiant Barrens -- along with nine new weapons. To celebrate the Escalation pack, some other MAG goodies will be discounted on PSN come release day. First up, the Interdiction DLC will be reduced from $9.99 to $4.99. A $14.99 MAG starter kit will also available, bundling together the Escalation and Interdiction DLC along with a 30-day trial of two additional character slots, six PS3 avatars and three dynamic themes. Sounds like a pretty good deal for MAG newcomers.

This past summer, many of you took part in our latest MAG Beta program to help us test out a number of new features slated for our recently-released update, MAG 2.0, and future DLC. Thanks to your devotion, we gathered a surplus of fantastic data that allowed us to make MAG a better game… and we’re not done yet!

Though the MAG 2.0 patch has been available since the end of September, the DLC portion of the beta has remained unreleased — but not for too much longer. Starting November 2, our three-faction gunplay whirlwind, the “Escalation” Add-on Pack, will be available for download from the PlayStation Store for $9.99 (US)!

But we aren’t stopping there.

To celebrate the release of the Escalation DLC, we’re offering two other deals to existing and would-be fans. Check this out:

• Interdiction Add-on Pack: Now $4.99 (US); reduced from original price of $9.99 (US)
• MAG Starter Kit: $14.99 (US): An almost $30 (US) value and everything new MAG users could want: Interdiction and Escalation Add-on packs, a 30-day trial for MAG character slots B and C, six official MAG PS3 avatars that sport Raven, SVER, and Valor characters and badges, and three dynamic PS3 themes (one for each PMC).

If you didn’t get a chance to play it in our MAG Beta, the Escalation add-on supports up to 96 players, or one 32-man platoon for each PMC, as a separate in-game mode that pits the forces of Raven, SVER, and Valor against each other at the same time. The aspirations for each PMC is to earn the requisite number of points before time runs out or, if time does expire, to have the most points overall. Whichever team meets this goal wins the map and additional Shadow War points.

Escalation gameplay is set up in two phases: For phase one, all three teams battle to hold the map’s A, B and C objectives — but when any of the three PMCs gains control of two of the three objectives, phase two begins. In this second phase, the original three objectives are locked and a new fourth objective (D) opens up. Now, the PMC that forced the phase shift must defend objective D against both attacking groups as long as possible; if D is lost, then play reverts back to phase one again and the war continues on until we have a winner or time runs out.

As beta players have already seen, Escalation offers three completely different environments (maps) to the MAG universe, including the volcanic beaches “Isla de Magma,” the mountainous “Silverback Ridge,” and the desert wasteland of “Radiant Barrens.” As an added bonus, our new add-on pack isn’t just made up of new maps – there are also nine previously-unavailable weapons we’re throwing into the mix too:

Raven: Gotha Elite (Assault Rifle) | KP21 (Machine Gun) | Kinmark SRS (Sniper Rifle)
SVER: Tamsen MK2 (Assault Rifle | Ariet SFW (Machine Gun) | Rubakho SVR (Sniper Rifle)
Valor: M31 CIR (Assault Rifle) | M245 (Machine Gun) | Sentinel M421 (Sniper Rifle)

If this sounds like your brand of DLC fun, we’ll see you again on November 2!

If you need a little convincing before you think about introducing the PlayStation Move peripheral into your tightly regimented MAG strategies, you should probably check out the developer diary posted below. Don't think about it as a ball-tipped motion controller: Think of it like a marshal's baton.

In case you missed it, last week we released Patch 2.0 featuring Playstation Move compatibility for MAG. So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive from our community. We worked hard to implement PlayStation Move with MAG and are stoked to see it taking off. To get in on massive 256-player battles and learn more about dominating the battlefield with Playstation Move, check out the new Developer Diary below.

“The Move is not only precise but it also takes you in different direction, it feels like a natural extension of your hand and wrist. It just flows with your body and you stop thinking about having a controller. Those are the experiences that really pull you in as a player.” -Ben Jones, MAG level designer

With MAG available for only $29.99 as part of the PS3′s Greatest Hits line, now is the perfect time to jump!

#patch The 2.0 patch for Sony's MAG went live today, bringing with it PlayStation Move support and enough game tweaks and changes it could be considered a whole new game. More »

The big day is here! The MAG 2.0 patch is now available with PlayStation Move support!

There is so much new content in MAG 2.0 that telling you how important or huge this is for the game, its fans, and for us seems unnecessary. Take one look at the changes listed here and you’ll understand why we’re calling this MAG 2.0.

PlayStation Move support, an increased level cap, our revamped skill tree, the new economy system, and our highly-demanded clan deploy feature are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many fantastic new or improved items in MAG 2.0 it’s almost like a whole new game! Check out the patch notes on the MAG Blog to find the full list of updates.

A big thanks to all of you who have helped us get to this point with your support, your suggestions, and your mad Beta testing skills. We hope you have as much fun playing MAG 2.0 as we did making it.

It's probably been a while since you rallied your clan beneath the sacred banner of your PMC of choice for a 256-player skirmish in the conflict-torn battlefields of MAG. Today's as good a day as any to call your old war buddies to arms -- Zipper Interactive has activated patch 2.0 for the game, which introduces a wide variety of sweeping changes to a number of gameplay mechanics and character progression systems. The developer also increased the game's level cap, added Move support, and introduced a "clan deploy" feature, which lets your entire clan queue up for a match. Convenient!

Also, they bumped up the maximum number of players in a single game to 257, and man, you can really tell the difference. That one dude adds a level of intensity that -- okay, fine, that's not one of the changes. The real changes can be read after the jump.

Haven't picked up a copy of PS3's massively multiplayer first person shooter, MAG? If you wait just a few more days, you'll be able to get the Greatest Hits version for only $29.99. Available on September 28th, the budget re-release comes just in time for the big 2.0 patch, which adds support for PlayStation Move motion controls and a whole slew of online fixes and tweaks. Considering Zipper's upcoming game, SOCOM 4, won't be available until 2011, this may be a good way of satiating your tactical shooting urges.

[Thanks, frank!]

Move support and a level cap increase.

Suddenly, everyone is an expert but you.

We know you're awfully loyal to your chosen MAG army (S.V.E.R.4.E.V.E.R., suckas), but haven't you ever wondered how the other half two thirds lives? A new option will give you the ability to do just that -- players can now purchase a second and third character slot for $0.99 a piece. Here's the rub: These paid character slots will only be active for 30 days, at which point they'll need to be reactivated with another $0.99 payment. Don't worry if said renewal slips your mind -- any additional characters' info will be stored on the MAG servers until you decide to reactivate the extra slot.

Judging by the reaction to this announcement on the game's official forums, we're not sure everyone's going to spring for the extra slots. We know we certainly won't, because we wouldn't dare gird our loins with the colors of Raven and Valor, because that would be shameful.

We have tremendous plans for our “ever-changing global war” that is MAG — and we’re starting with PlayStation Move!

That’s right, later this Autumn MAG will offer full compatibility with the PlayStation Move! This added support means that users have another way to experience the most ambitious first-person shooter out there. Pinpoint accuracy and easy access to all of the game’s mechanics ensure that players of any type — be they hardened veterans or new recruits — can enjoy a shooting experience unlike any other.

But PlayStation Move support isn’t all we’re working on. Because our upcoming content is so important to the game and its future, we want your assistance to make sure we get it right! With that notion in mind we’re pleased to announce that, one week from today on August 24, we’re inviting existing MAG owners to take part in the all-new MAG Beta program!

What are you going to play and test, you ask? How does this hit you?

• Escalation Game Type — battle it out with all three factions at once on three never-before-seen maps
• New Weapons — each PMC has access to three new guns (9 total) for added firepower
• Clan Deploy — a highly-requested community feature that allows clan leaders to launch games with up to 128 clan members in a single match
• Updated Skill Tree — enjoy more customization than you’ve ever had before with new skills and an improved progression system
• In-game Economy System — earn “credit points” by completing objectives and killing enemies to purchase new weapons and gear
• Additional Character Slots — Create a persona for Raven, Valor and SVER on one account for maximum testing flexibility

To participate in the new MAG beta, all you have to do is download the client software from the PlayStation Store when it becomes available next week, insert your MAG disc into the PlayStation 3, sign-in to the beta client and… BOOM! You’re good to go. Reminder: You must have the MAG disc in your PS3 in order for the new beta client to work.

Amazingly, today’s announcement only scratches the surface of what’s planned for MAG’s future. That’s why we’re updating the Official MAG Blog constantly over the next few weeks with new and more detailed information of what you can look forward to, including a post today that explores, in detail, the complexities of our new Escalation game mode. We’re even holding a special edition of our popular Zipline Podcast this Friday that will answer your questions about our future plans with special guest, Zipper Game Director, Seth Luisi (if you have a question for the podcast, post it here)!

As always, the entire team at Zipper Interactive would like to thank you, our fans, for your feedback, loyalty and enthusiasm. Your continued support is what makes MAG what it is today, and it’s what inspires us to keep striving to make it better.

Move support isn't the only sweeping change (and change in sweeping arm movements) coming to the world of MAG. Several new gameplay additions are on the way, and Zipper is recruiting current players to make sure those changes don't ruin the game forever.

The beta, downloadable from the PlayStation Store starting August 24, includes the "Clan Deploy" feature, allowing leaders to choose gametypes and clan members; a new skill tree (with new skills!); a system that allows players to earn and spend "Credit Points," and even, yes, multiple character slots. Players will also get early access to the upcoming "Escalation" gametype, which will be released for real in future DLC. That mode has 96 players, representing all three factions, facing off in the same maps. Smells like the kind of thing you'd want to beta-test before releasing.

MAG is already out, but it's getting a new PlayStation 3 beta next week anyone. Sign up for it and you can test the game's new skill tree, in-game economy and three-way 96-player battles. More »

Beta to include a preview of future DLC.

Zipper Interactive must have received some positive feedback from its recent decision to make MAG's Sabotage gametype "Faction Neutral," effectively letting any of the game's three armies attack and defend any map. The developer recently announced that v1.07 of the title will be launched in early August, giving a similar treatment to the game's deathmatch-esque Suppression mode.

The update will also fix a few exploitable areas on a pair of maps, will improve visuals with additional lighting effects and will incorporate a "Happy Hour," which will give players double XP for the first hour they play online every day. That last part actually sounds like a pretty clever idea -- though we wouldn't suggest enjoying MAG's "Happy Hour" while simultaneously enjoying your favorite watering hole's "Happy Hour." All those Bloody Marys and boneless buffalo wings can't be good for your wartime instincts.

If you consider yourself the type of person who likes getting new video game features for free, then our next MAG patch — version 1.07, due in early August — is definitely something for you.

Yes friends, in just over a week from now, players will be treated to a number of features that you’ve been asking us for all summer in addition to a few surprises. Like what, you ask? Like these:

• 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.

Of course, there are a number of other additions and fixes coming with MAG v1.07, but the points listed above should whet your appetites while you wait for the full list of changes closer to the update.

Watch this space for patch details next week and, as always, let us know what you think of these modifications on our official forums.