Developer's Foreword
Hey there, everyone. I wanted to take a moment to thank you, the players, for a wonderful year of PlanetSide 2.
About this time last year, we mentioned during our last Livestream that 2021 would be all about shoring up cracks in the foundation. When I look at the systems we now have in place or have revisited; the major, multi-year bugs we've resolved; and the loads of quality of life features we've added; the progress that we've made toward that goal was substantial. That said, there have been plenty of challenges throughout: from high level departures of team members at the start of the year; to running into massive, unforeseen issues with key updates; to just trying to re-establish our footing, content cadence, and balance all the hats some of us are trying to wear. This year has certainly been an interesting ride, and no doubt you have all felt that to some degree as well.
The other public thank you I have is to my team here at Rogue Planet. This team has been putting in the effort every day, and I'm extremely grateful and fortunate to have access to all of their talent and dedication. It's important to remember that the game we make is unlike anything else on the market, and thousands of players enjoy shooting each other in the face each and every day. Sometimes it can be difficult to see, remember, or accept that joy when we're heads down trying to get updates out the door, but it's always there, and it's because of all of you. So, thank you too, team.
-Wrel, Lead Designer
Nine Years of War
It's been almost nine years since PlanetSide 2's PC release on Nov. 20, 2012, and the war is still going strong. To celebrate this special occasion, we've got some treats in store.
Double Experience!
Enjoy Double Experience for ALL PLAYERS from Nov. 17 - Nov. 25.
Commemorative Decal!
Redeem the code NINEYEARSPS2 to unlock a commemorative decal for your armor or vehicles! (PS4 players will find this in the Depot for 1 cert.)
Developer Livestream!
Watch our Livestream that contains a special preview of the new island continent of Oshur:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1208606607
Redeem NINEYEARSPS2 for a free, commemorative decal!
New Anniversary Bundles in the Depot!
Unlock access to new anniversary items this anniversary! In line with the theme of our update, many of the weapons and cosmetics have maritime aspects woven throughout them.
New helmets, Heavy Assault armors, and variant "meta" LMGs have made their way into this year's mix.
Fleet Admiral's Bundle - 7999 DBC
- Fair Winds Profile Banner
- Following Seas Banner Frame
- Fleet Admiral Title
- Quartermaster Title
- Deckhand Title
- The Swashbuckler (Melee Weapon)
- NS-44AE Mutiny (Common Pool Sidearm)
- Depth Charge Drop Pod
- Privateer Heavy Assault Armor (NC)
- Conquistador Heavy Assault Armor (TR)
- Crustacean Heavy Assault Armor (VS)
- Maritime Heavy Assault Armor (NSO)
- Privateer Helmet (NC)
- Conquistador Helmet (TR)
- Crustacean Helmet (VS)
- Maritime Helmet (NSO)
- "Treasured" LA-1 Anchor (NC LMG)
- "Treasured" MSW-R (TR LMG)
- "Treasured" Orion VS54 (VS LMG)
- "Treasured" XMG-100 (NSO LMG)
- Gangplank Camouflage
- High-seas Camouflage
- Heroic Boost - 12 Month
Gangplank camo, necessary for any sea-worthy (?) vessel. Yarr.
Fleet Admiral's Bundle - 3999 DBC
- Fair Winds Profile Banner
- Quartermaster Title
- Deckhand Title
- The Swashbuckler (Melee Weapon)
- Privateer Helmet (NC)
- Conquistador Helmet (TR)
- Crustacean Helmet (VS)
- Maritime Helmet (NSO)
- "Treasured" LA-1 Anchor (NC LMG)
- "Treasured" MSW-R (TR LMG)
- "Treasured" Orion VS54 (VS LMG)
- "Treasured" XMG-100 (NSO LMG)
- High-seas Camouflage
- Heroic Boost - 6 Month
"The Swashbuckler" energy cutlass is a stylish cosmetic variant of the default knife."
Fleet Admiral's Bundle - 1999 DBC
- Fair Winds Profile Banner
- Deckhand Title
- Privateer Helmet (NC)
- Conquistador Helmet (TR)
- Crustacean Helmet (VS)
- Maritime Helmet (NSO)
The new Fair Winds banner frame, coupled with the Following Seas profile banner is an elegant matchup.
Campaign 02, Distant Shores, Begins Now!
Our second-ever campaign, Distant Shores is now Live. Learn more about what Oshur once was, and the preparation needed to return.
We've made changes to the Campaign and Chapter UI to facilitate some new functionality with Campaigns.
- The first is that Chapter 01 will now be playable, even if Chapter 02 has already started. Though Chapter 01 must still be completed first.
- Chapters are now unlocked individually, instead of unlocking the Campaign in its entirety. Members still receive access to each Chapter for free.
These changes bring us a little closer to an eventual long-term goal of allowing old, "archived" Campaigns to remain playable or be brought back after they've expired.
New cosmetics, faction specific abilities, and prototype vehicle configurations will be available through the campaign.
Oh, that little guy? I wouldn't worry about that little guy.
A Note Regarding The Shattered Warpgate, on PS4
Due to hardware limitations, we're unable to bring the last chapter of The Shattered Warpgate to PS4 in good conscience. However, to reward the folks who were able to complete either the first or second chapter of Campaign 01, we will be giving all of the Chapter and Campaign completion rewards to your characters upon login. PS4 players will receive these rewards, and be able to partake in the Distant Shores campaign, after the update hits Live on that platform.
Race through A.S.P. 2!
Players are now able to move beyond the first level of the Advanced Specialization Program and reset their Battle Rank once more to unlock even more A.S.P. skills.
- The A.S.P. system becomes available for a character who has hit at least Battle Rank 100.
- Visit the My Profile screen to reset your Battle Rank, and unlock new passive skills for your character.
- Members bypass the certification cost of activating A.S.P.
Koltyr
Removed this continent from the rotation once again until we have better controls over the ability to open and close it. All large continents will once again unlock without population checks.
Balance Adjustments
Arbalest (TR only assault rifle)
- Drastically reduced vertical recoil for the first 4 shots in the burst.
- Stabilizing rotor now reduces cone of fire bloom by 25%, instead of reducing recoil by 30%.
MGR-C1 Charger(NC only carbine)
- Short reload from 2.475sec. to 2.15sec.
- Long reload from 3.38sec. to 2.75sec.
Reinforcements Module(Construction System)
- The defunct Reinforcements Module has been replaced with the Reconnaissance Module, which displays the location of nearby enemies.
- Players who previously had the Reinforcements Module unlocked will see the Reconnaissance Module instead.
- We are currently looking to address the Construction System with broader strokes in time for the new continent release next month.
Misc. Changes, Fixes, and Additions
- Esamir will now correctly appear locked on PS4's world map when the continent is unavailable.
- Fixed an issue with the NS Scorpion UI indicator not charging properly.
- The world map table in the upstairs Warpgate room should now allow players to Join Combat when used outside of the tutorial missions.
- The Anti-Vehicle MANA Turret can now zoom in with right-click.
- Replaced the defunct Reinforcements Module with a Reconnaissance Module that displays the location of nearby enemies.
- We've made some quality of life updates to the Depot for ease of browsing.
- Using the search bar no longer clears the search field when the results are displayed.
- A new "Banners" category now holds Profile Banners and Banner Frames, instead of inhabiting the Boost & Utilities category.
- The left-side nav bar now scrolls, instead of hiding other categories when their filters are selected.