Basically if you are an StarCraft, Eve online, Saga, or Ballerium player... this is the game that combines it all.
And i have to say.. Beyond Protocol has made me forget all about those other games. It is the one game me and my family of MMO and RTS hardcore gamers have looked out for a long time. Basically if you are an StarCraft, Eve online, Saga, or Ballerium player... this is the game that combines it all.
Gameplay: Well what is it? Basically you play it like starcraft + simcity.. you build it, you mine, you design. There are dozens of dozens of planets in many systems and it only keeps EXPANDING from there.. as player base grow, so do systems to accomodate the new players, even those that lose a war and decide to respawn, can be shifted to new respawn planets! An estimated total systems (with anywhere form 6-20 planets in them) are in the thousands!
As a player where are you? you start off in one planet in a system that has players similar to your level whether new or respawn. Wormholes connect to other systems that connect to even more systems that will eventually center around a few systems where we can all meet in the middle no matter level. BP invokes a system that protects its newbie players form getting massacred by older and more experienced levels throguh thier wormhole system that only conenct to a system if it is opened by the newbies inside.. so you get time to build yourself up, create allies, or even secure the system and form a guild/alliance for yourself.
The systems are endless.
Building: As said before, if you ever palyed starcraft or saga, the possibilities of comat are endless. It starts off with ofcoruse mining and building, technology and designing. The design mechanic you must see with yourself.. through mineral mining and alloying (combining minerals to fit your attributes) you can create an infinite number of designs. Ranging from customizable weapons, armors, shields, engines, and even hull designs. It can lead to infinite possibilty. The game also runs a sort of Eve Online aspect in terms of researching in a random special tech tree. As you go you constantly train specials that allow improvement to weapons, engines, buildings, you name it. There are even specials that allow you to do special things form cloaking to hyperspace! One problem that people think they might meet is the advantage of older players.. well it has bene handled through a tech tree system where after a certain number.. the older players start rolling for techs every 24 hrs.. meanwhile the latecomers or newbs can keep constantly researching and catch up. As they hit hte rolls, they get rolling at a faster rate so in the end, you will gradually catch up. Currently there are 6 years of content. So no worries there.
Combat: If you have ever played any SC, Saga, or even seen Eve online massive fleet battle. This is jsut like that. Although graphics are not nearly as good as the new Eve online set, it is much more suited to Saga and 3d SC. But it gives you every strategy and combat there is. You can do everything from hit and runs, to tanking, to DPS, formations, ambushes, carriers. You name it. The game allows a diversity of play and a combination of fleets. You can have anti missile/fighter ships, AOE ships, radar/jamming ships. just like eve online but you just get huge armies and can reach thousands upon thousands of units. (if you have the resources ofcourse). Buildigns can also be loaded with weapons and armor, planets can be taken over or bombarded by ships with bomb weapons, space stations can be built. And this is only the beginning.
Playerbase: BP is a persistent online strategy game. Basically your empire is running 24/7. So are you scared about getitng attacked? possible. But BP actually sends you email warning, can be sent in text to your phone or email. Aside from that.. your homeworld can always be set to be invulnerable for as long as you are offline. Not enough? allies/guildies, ships, wormhole guards, buildigns will still fight back. Still not enough? you can run full invulnerability! all prodcution stops but specials keep researching so you dont lose precious research time.
BP can cater to the casual gamer or to the hardcore gamer. Some say the playerbase is small.. not at all, there are many guilds now and new players arrive everyday. There was a needed balance change that caused some players to leave due to thier inability to adapt after they fully took advantage of a fault in gameplay. But major gameplay change was needed for that aspect. Ofcourse these players like to linger and shout about how much they hate the game and will make the world know it.. but all games have those spiteful players. Anyway, dont let them push you away and try it out for yourself.
As for the DEVS.. their commitment is unprecedented in any beta or game ive ever played. Being able to actually talk to the devs and give constructive input from chat to forums is a big plus in my book. Aside from that.. a senate system is actualyl about to come up. The senate is a system given by the devs where if a player takes control of a system, he becomes an emperor. When 7 emperors omce in the game, which is on the horizon, a senate opens up where they can make proposals for change. That is then passed by a vote among emperors and set to DEVS to review and then put to a vote! The vote is done by the PLAYERS. players that own planets or are kings/barons/dukes can cast vote dependent on planetary control. If it passes... the devs put it in!! what game has that? none. No game has that ability to impose change. Not throguh whining but through lobbying and hardwork, and reasoning witht he palyerbase.. you can mold the game to your will.
There is alot mroe to dicuss about the game.. like thier alias system where you can log into other players accounts(priveleges issued by accoutn owner ofcourse), see deisgns, help in defense, or have the DEVS look at your accoutn if you got a bug. Genius! but.. as i said before, there are tons of things to do and you can be a warmonger, a trader, a builder, a designer, a politician! And new content is on the horizon from rumored asteroid belts/space mining, new ways to explore, new ships, the game has tons of potential.
But anyway, me and my family have become a big fan of BP. But dont take my word for it or any others, try it for yourself. It is a combination of SC/Eve online/SAGA. An MMORTS that you have to atleast try. The game may be confusing at first.. it has a learning curve as bad as Eve online, but if u be patient and ask the helpful community.. be prepared to become an addict.