Ass Creed: Brotherhood - Multiplayer Beta Out Now

Really wasn't expecting much from this, but I'm loving the beta. The multiplayer is so fresh and different, can see myself getting pretty hooked if I was any good... :lol
 
Would like a bet key/shared account access if anyone has one available. I'm on the fence on buying this and would very much like to try it out!
 
Here are ten (10!) codes for the beta. Please note that these will only work for UK users, as they'll give UK-only PSN codes. Sorry to everyone else. First come first served! Please post when you've used a code so people know which are still free.

Enter the code at the following URL to get your PSN code.
Here are the codes:
P311G-ACB-LOTK-6138
N400X-ACB-VSRZ-6974
D328S-ACB-SPBP-5448
L682L-ACB-IZJT-5163
X891J-ACB-RSZP-5254
N276S-ACB-UAOD-1366
N891D-ACB-ZJLO-5162
F554W-ACB-BYFG-2074
C805L-ACB-PPQA-2514
L158Q-ACB-VMRN-8735
 
monkeyhat said:
Here are the codes:
P311G-ACB-LOTK-6138
N400X-ACB-VSRZ-6974
D328S-ACB-SPBP-5448
L682L-ACB-IZJT-5163
X891J-ACB-RSZP-5254
N276S-ACB-UAOD-1366
N891D-ACB-ZJLO-5162
F554W-ACB-BYFG-2074
C805L-ACB-PPQA-2514
L158Q-ACB-VMRN-8735 <----USED
I think the lurkers ate up all these codes already, as none of them work for my Ubi UK account. :(

Thanks, though.

EDIT: Uh, I guess it did work even though it told me invalid code. :lol Whatever! Thank you! I noted which one I used in the quoted text.
 
Jocchan said:
Agreed. Blending in the crowd is only effective if you do it very rarely, when you're already close to your target. Running the whole time makes it easier to survive, because - unless your pursuer is coming from the opposite direction and you don't notice him in time - you force your pursuers to run too, triggering an escape sequence.
Staying on buildings or tents is definitely helpful, you move faster and can do aerial kills while your victim on the ground is helpless.

It seems like there's a bit of a dichotomy going on: On the ground, you're easier to reach but harder to "find", while on the rooftops you are dead easy to find but annoyingly difficult to reach. In the games I played today I was finding myself getting a tiny bit annoyed when my compass pointed me at the rooftops because then I knew I'd have to give myself away to go after the bastard.

There's also the balance of "just run after and kill my targets for less points, but I'm harder to kill" and "slow down and kill my targets for more points, but I'm easier to kill". When your target is doing the former it can be a big pain in the ass. I know it wouldn't make any sense, but I kind of wish you could drop your contract for a different one if the fellow you're after is sprinting around like a loony toon.

Blending actually isn't bad for points if you're in first or second place. If you can get lucky, you can get "lure" points off of multiple people killing the wrong guy. The best is finding a group of 2-3 of your character (which is rare =/), hitting disguise and joining the group. Then watch as players come out of nowhere killing wrong target after wrong target. :lol
 
Dreavus said:
It seems like there's a bit of a dichotomy going on: On the ground, you're easier to reach but harder to "find", while on the rooftops you are dead easy to find but annoyingly difficult to reach. In the games I played today I was finding myself getting a tiny bit annoyed when my compass pointed me at the rooftops because then I knew I'd have to give myself away to go after the bastard.

There's also the balance of "just run after and kill my targets for less points, but I'm harder to kill" and "slow down and kill my targets for more points, but I'm easier to kill". When your target is doing the former it can be a big pain in the ass. I know it wouldn't make any sense, but I kind of wish you could drop your contract for a different one if the fellow you're after is sprinting around like a loony toon.

Blending actually isn't bad for points if you're in first or second place. If you can get lucky, you can get "lure" points off of multiple people killing the wrong guy. The best is finding a group of 2-3 of your character (which is rare =/), hitting disguise and joining the group. Then watch as players come out of nowhere killing wrong target after wrong target. :lol
Yes, in theory it's supposed to work quite well. In practice, though, it only does to an extent as you can obviously mix both strategies in each dichotomy to get the best of both worlds.

You can use the rooftops only as quick shortcuts to get faster to your target, and if you keep running you'll still be really hard to reach and force your pursuers to start a chase (which makes you aware of their position and allows you to easily jump down if needed, and also - very importantly - gives them less points if they manage to catch you). This, by itself, is not a problem: if you're on a rooftop you're already not caring about blending into the crowd.

Running on the ground, though, is way more effective than blending in. You can just run the hell out until you're close enough to your target and then stop and act like a NPC hoping your target comes towards you. This way you'll still get the most points, and you'll have protected yourself from pursuers before getting there (but you'll have already spent a large part of your hunt running like hell).

Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with that (the game is still fun, even when you're chasing some guy running all the time), but it seems to go a bit against what the game explains in the tutorial, and its focus on blending in. So, if they wanted you to do so, they could consider adding bonuses for catching an escaping target, discouraging everyone from starting a chase at all, or reintroduce one thing they changed from AC2 Multiplayer for the iPhone: the ability for each assassin to kill non-target players.

They obviously removed it to discourage random PvP if you're not the target, but in AC2:M it used to force everyone to blend in all the time. You'd rarely run or jump on a building unless you really had to, and it worked fine. If they gave you a small score (let's say +10) for killing a non-target player or even introduced a small score penalty for getting killed by a non-pursuer, everyone would be much more careful not to be discovered and very few would ignore their target to go against random players because the small score wouldn't be worth the effort. But, then again, they probably tested this extensively before removing it... so maybe it didn't work that well here.
 
After generously receiving a Dead Space 2 code from Irish, I will return the favour to GAF with an EU code for the ACB Beta (for EU users or ppl with an EU account,so redeem on your EU account :D ) Quote this post to reveal the code, and please reply if you've taken it. Happy hunting !

Liking the MP so far, I'll probably play it for a month or two after release. After playing a few games it seems people prefer the rooftop approach above the crowd blend approach. :lol
 
monkeyhat said:
Here are ten (10!) codes for the beta. Please note that these will only work for UK users, as they'll give UK-only PSN codes. Sorry to everyone else. First come first served! Please post when you've used a code so people know which are still free.

Enter the code at the following URL to get your PSN code.
Here are the codes:
(cut)
Posting those codes was very kind of you, but remember that a large part of the visitors here is made by non-registered lurkers. So, posting them publicly means they'll be very likely to get used by non-GAFfers first.
A smarter way to give them would be asking for PMs or using the tags, whose content doesn't get shown unless someone tries to quote your post (and only registered users can).
 
I don't know if you gaffers have heard. But once the kill count on the beta reaches 50,000 then ubisoft will release a new map for the beta. Can't wait. Also we are expecting an update with a new gametype. I believe it to be called Alliance, its under the cooperative gameplay types so i dont know if its maybe a team version of wanted. Maybe it will be released at 100,000 kills or something.
 
Jocchan said:
Yes, in theory it's supposed to work quite well. In practice, though, it only does to an extent as you can obviously mix both strategies in each dichotomy to get the best of both worlds.

You can use the rooftops only as quick shortcuts to get faster to your target, and if you keep running you'll still be really hard to reach and force your pursuers to start a chase (which makes you aware of their position and allows you to easily jump down if needed, and also - very importantly - gives them less points if they manage to catch you). This, by itself, is not a problem: if you're on a rooftop you're already not caring about blending into the crowd.

Running on the ground, though, is way more effective than blending in. You can just run the hell out until you're close enough to your target and then stop and act like a NPC hoping your target comes towards you. This way you'll still get the most points, and you'll have protected yourself from pursuers before getting there (but you'll have already spent a large part of your hunt running like hell).

Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with that (the game is still fun, even when you're chasing some guy running all the time), but it seems to go a bit against what the game explains in the tutorial, and its focus on blending in. So, if they wanted you to do so, they could consider adding bonuses for catching an escaping target, discouraging everyone from starting a chase at all, or reintroduce one thing they changed from AC2 Multiplayer for the iPhone: the ability for each assassin to kill non-target players.

They obviously removed it to discourage random PvP if you're not the target, but in AC2:M it used to force everyone to blend in all the time. You'd rarely run or jump on a building unless you really had to, and it worked fine. If they gave you a small score (let's say +10) for killing a non-target player or even introduced a small score penalty for getting killed by a non-pursuer, everyone would be much more careful not to be discovered and very few would ignore their target to go against random players because the small score wouldn't be worth the effort. But, then again, they probably tested this extensively before removing it... so maybe it didn't work that well here.

I see. I didn't play a whole lot yet but I think I see what you mean. I guess I was thinking of the ideal (and what the game is perhaps designed around) rather than what people are actually doing. :(

I think discouraging people to start chases (with negative points or giving less than 100 points or whatever) wouldn't change people's behavior, since they'd just do the "hybrid" strategy you were talking about and slow down when the target is in sight. I don't think people like starting chases in the first place - since it nets you less points and wastes a bunch of your time chasing after someone - but are forced to when the target is moving too quickly.

I'm trying to think of what the best solution would be. Maybe give more points for killing a target who's been running a certain amount? But that's too hard to do without chasing after them yourself, which by virtue gives you less points because that's not being stealthy. And if they offer more points for killing someone during a chase, well, then what's the point in trying to be stealthy at all? The game rewards discreet kills but you can't get them if your target is sprinting away from you.


As for killing non-targets, I dunno... maybe I just imagined it but, I'm PRETTY sure they let us do this in the PAX demo, and I thought it worked out well. It was as you say: if anyone did anything stupid someone nearby would kill them for a few extra points, that simple. A non-target wasn't worth as much as a targeted kill but that's probably for the better. It sidesteps the whole "sprint to my target THEN walk around all stealthy" because you could easily be killed on your way over there. I wonder why they took it out? Maybe to reward successful escapes a bit more? I know sometimes as the pursuer you may know who/where your chase target is but fail to get there in time. If you could kill anyone then you could just kill him even if he successfully "escaped" you, which would be kind of lame I guess.


EDIT: I was quickly looking for E3 impressions (same build that PAX had I believe), and it says you COULD kill non-targets in that build.

And once you know that the person in front of you is a player, they're fair game for assassination, whether they're your target or not.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/101480-E3-2010-Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood-Hands-On

Now I'm really curious to hear why they thought it should be removed.
 
They really should make it so if your Target is running, your Incognito/Silent bar goes down much slower if you run after them.

It's total BS when you are trying to get to your target and they are just running across an open space ontop of a building and you can't run after them or your bar will drop. If they are running it's obvious they wont notice you chasing them until you get close.

I also wish they would not show your attackers score when they kill you, it makes me so damn mad at times! I run right into someone, kill them and I get like +150. They run right at me kill me and get +600. WHY!!! <- I'm not serious about removing the attacker score. And I understand that there are a lot of varieties to the scoring. But I can't help but get annoyed at times.
 
Darknessbear said:
No you couldnt assassinate other assassins in the E3 build.

Are you positive? I'm pretty sure I remember killing people who gave themselves away like that. Maybe PAX was different.

EDIT:
Darknessbear said:
They really should make it so if your Target is running, your Incognito/Silent bar goes down much slower if you run after them.

It's total BS when you are trying to get to your target and they are just running across an open space ontop of a building and you can't run after them or your bar will drop. If they are running it's obvious they wont notice you chasing them until you get close.

I also wish they would not show your attackers score when they kill you, it makes me so damn mad at times! I run right into someone, kill them and I get like +150. They run right at me kill me and get +600. WHY!!! <- I'm not serious about removing the attacker score. And I understand that there are a lot of varieties to the scoring. But I can't help but get annoyed at times.

That's not a bad idea, having the meter drain slower if the target is running. Kinda makes "sense" too since if they're booking it they wouldn't be as aware of their surroundings.

As for showing score it just lets you know how good their kill was! I commend opponents who can get 500+ pt kills on me, and shake my head at those who run in for only 100 pt kills. :P
 
Killthee said:
P.M. sent.


I'll give MoonsaultSlayer 24 hours, if he doesn't respond I'll send you a P.M. with the info.

Spread the love. Thanks anyway. Got too many games at the moment with DR2, RDR, and Castlevania to get through lol.
 
Dreavus said:
I see. I didn't play a whole lot yet but I think I see what you mean. I guess I was thinking of the ideal (and what the game is perhaps designed around) rather than what people are actually doing. :(

I think discouraging people to start chases (with negative points or giving less than 100 points or whatever) wouldn't change people's behavior, since they'd just do the "hybrid" strategy you were talking about and slow down when the target is in sight. I don't think people like starting chases in the first place - since it nets you less points and wastes a bunch of your time chasing after someone - but are forced to when the target is moving too quickly.

I'm trying to think of what the best solution would be. Maybe give more points for killing a target who's been running a certain amount? But that's too hard to do without chasing after them yourself, which by virtue gives you less points because that's not being stealthy. And if they offer more points for killing someone during a chase, well, then what's the point in trying to be stealthy at all? The game rewards discreet kills but you can't get them if your target is sprinting away from you.


As for killing non-targets, I dunno... maybe I just imagined it but, I'm PRETTY sure they let us do this in the PAX demo, and I thought it worked out well. It was as you say: if anyone did anything stupid someone nearby would kill them for a few extra points, that simple. A non-target wasn't worth as much as a targeted kill but that's probably for the better. It sidesteps the whole "sprint to my target THEN walk around all stealthy" because you could easily be killed on your way over there. I wonder why they took it out? Maybe to reward successful escapes a bit more? I know sometimes as the pursuer you may know who/where your chase target is but fail to get there in time. If you could kill anyone then you could just kill him even if he successfully "escaped" you, which would be kind of lame I guess.


EDIT: I was quickly looking for E3 impressions (same build that PAX had I believe), and it says you COULD kill non-targets in that build.



http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/101480-E3-2010-Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood-Hands-On

Now I'm really curious to hear why they thought it should be removed.
Yeah, I'm not sure discouraging people to start chases would help much.
About them removing the ability to kill anyone (either from a previous version or from AC2: Multiplayer, it doesn't really matter), I think it's likely they did it to:
1. get the players to focus on their target instead of wasting their time killing other people
2. give the players more freedom: people running all the time may be annoying, but being forced to blend in all the time and walk at a snail's pace not to get killed would be extremely boring
In the end, the "mixed strategy" of not caring much and blending in only at the last moment is not bad per se. What's bad is the fact that a target that's always running gives you almost no chance to catch him without starting a chase, which means you're automatically giving up your bonuses.


Darknessbear said:
They really should make it so if your Target is running, your Incognito/Silent bar goes down much slower if you run after them.

It's total BS when you are trying to get to your target and they are just running across an open space ontop of a building and you can't run after them or your bar will drop. If they are running it's obvious they wont notice you chasing them until you get close.
Now this is a good idea.
 
In late September, we announced that select PlayStation Plus subscribers would be invited to participate in the PlayStation-exclusive Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood beta. Today, we are happy to announce that we have worked with Ubisoft to open this opportunity to all PlayStation Plus subscribers! Gamers interested in getting a first glimpse at the Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood multiplayer mode can access the beta from the PlayStation Plus category on the PlayStation Store.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010...en-to-all-playstation-plus-subscribers-today/
 
SolidSnakex said:
All European PS+ members have access to the beta.

Sexy. I've paid £11.99, have already got more free stuff than that value, entry in the AC:B beta and a great chance of getting into the KZ3 beta. All in a couple of hours.
 
Galvanise_ said:
Sexy. I've paid £11.99, have already got more free stuff than that value, entry in the AC:B beta and a great chance of getting into the KZ3 beta. All in a couple of hours.

you should have subscribed two days ago to get all the September stuff as well (Sam&Max alone is almost the price of 3 months PSN+)
 
SolidusDave said:
you should have subscribed two days ago to get all the September stuff as well (Sam&Max alone is almost the price of 3 months PSN+)

Yeah, I had planned to do it in early september as that was when my birthday was. Slipped my mind. It was the KZ3 beta that slapped me into doing it finally. I totally regret missing Sam and Max. :(
 
Jocchan said:
Yeah, I'm not sure discouraging people to start chases would help much.
About them removing the ability to kill anyone (either from a previous version or from AC2: Multiplayer, it doesn't really matter), I think it's likely they did it to:
1. get the players to focus on their target instead of wasting their time killing other people
2. give the players more freedom: people running all the time may be annoying, but being forced to blend in all the time and walk at a snail's pace not to get killed would be extremely boring
In the end, the "mixed strategy" of not caring much and blending in only at the last moment is not bad per se. What's bad is the fact that a target that's always running gives you almost no chance to catch him without starting a chase, which means you're automatically giving up your bonuses.

Yep. the way the game is built makes it hard to get around this. You can't reward both chases and stealth kills because then... it's kind of like not rewarding either of them at all. And it's clear they want stealth to be the focus.

Although after unlocking the gun today, I've found it's actually pretty good for nailing people running around on the rooftops. It nets you the same amount of points as a chase would too! Only 100 pts, but it's better than nothing, and it can save you a bunch of time. The downside is the cool down is a bit long, and I also hate to break up my disguise/smoke bomb combo. =/
 
Galvanise_ said:
Okay, where in the UK store do I download this from? Its not in my PS+ section.

oh... I think they count it as part of the September content even though it was just released last week? Not up via search.
 
MoonsaultSlayer said:
Spread the love. Thanks anyway. Got too many games at the moment with DR2, RDR, and Castlevania to get through lol.
Ok, I'll send him the info :D
 
SolidusDave said:
oh... I'm think they count it as part of the September content even though it was just released last week? Not up via search.

Great. Ahh well, I'm still quids in. This was just a bonus for me. Even so, if its meant to be available to all +subs. . .I'd like to give it a go.
 
Finally got to play a few rounds and I'm very impressed by how it works. They really made "The Ship" game mechanic work really well.

I also love how easy the controls are. Only two buttons necessary to be really good.
 
timkunedo said:
3 hours to download the huge beta and upon first boot a 123MB update?! :lol

I curse your 3 hours! I'll get to try it out in a few days once my bumfuck, middle-of-nowhere Interwebs hand-delivers my packets to me.
 
Diseased Yak said:
I curse your 3 hours! I'll get to try it out in a few days once my bumfuck, middle-of-nowhere Interwebs hand-delivers my packets to me.

haha! I was hoping yours would get downloaded tonight. OMG the multiplayer had me from the first assassination. My only complaint is you can't, or i never figured out how to, MUTE other players. I had to listen to some kid talk to his friend on the phone which apparently meant cursing every 3rd word. people never cease to amaze me.

Right now i think there are too many people per session. It's one assassination after another, which keeps it entertaining that's for sure, but people aren't playing very stealthy. I'm thinking 3 or 4 would be the sweet spot. Looks like you will be able to play private matches with friends which will be nice.

I had my doubts about this, but man...Ubi really has something here.
 
Impressions?

- Running around killing people is not fun. I, as a badass Assassin should be stealthing around through the crowds, working my way to my target and I should be rewarded duly. Simply holding sprint and running from target to target is not my idea of "fun". The boost perk can stay, but there needs to be a stamina bar for running and other High Profile actions. At least 50% of my kills have been through quietly milling through the crowds ON THE GROUND and flanking my target, and then going in for the kill, face to face.

- "Stunning" does not work. I have yet to successfully "stun" someone. This could be down to my god-like New Zealand internet connection or maybe I'm just not quick enough. I'm betting on the former. QTEs do not work in online multiplayer.

- There needs to be a bigger margin of error in the compass. Make it smaller. If there is someone running behind me, disrupting the crowds, I should be to hear the commotion and then plan my escape. Not see them a split second later and get whacked. It needs to be more obvious that you are being followed. Whoever said that there needs to be a look behind button is on the money. Triangle isn't being used, why not place it there?

Other than that it is pretty damn fun.
 
Mush said:
Impressions?

- "Stunning" does not work. I have yet to successfully "stun" someone. This could be down to my god-like New Zealand internet connection or maybe I'm just not quick enough. I'm betting on the former. QTEs do not work in online multiplayer.

From what I gather, it takes about 1-2 seconds from when you press the button to when your character actually lands the stun. It's not a QTE, it's just one button, and either you'll get him or you won't. If you're trying to hit stun at the same time your pursuer is pressing kill, you'll die. Even if you press it first, if he has good enough reactions he can do a little "counter attack" where he grabs your punching arm and kills you anyway. Pursuers have a huge advantage in any kind of "fight" like that. One time I was hiding in a small crowd of about 4 NPCs identical to me. Another player walks up obviously trying to choose which one to kill. I press stun to stop him, but i guess he mashed square fast enough because I got countered and died, EVEN THOUGH I got the "drop" on him so to speak. It's probably better in most cases to just run the hell away if your sure a pursuer is coming that close to you. The only time I've been able to reliably stun someone is after tossing a smoke bomb and they're choking to death.


In other news I finally unlocked crowd morph, and holy shit - this is the ability disguise wishes it could be. PERMANENTLY morphs all NPCs around you to your character. It's a million times better for hiding or for hanging out in a populated area of the map waiting for a target. You can even use it offensively if someone is standing with identical NPCs by changing them all to you, and then seeing which one didn't change. This skill is so good I almost feel like they should make some changes to disguise so it can compete. 0_o
 
StevePharma said:
After generously receiving a Dead Space 2 code from Irish, I will return the favour to GAF with an EU code for the ACB Beta (for EU users or ppl with an EU account,so redeem on your EU account :D ) Quote this post to reveal the code, and please reply if you've taken it. Happy hunting !

Liking the MP so far, I'll probably play it for a month or two after release. After playing a few games it seems people prefer the rooftop approach above the crowd blend approach. :lol
Taken.
Thanks dude! Off to download :)
 
Mush said:
Impressions?

- Running around killing people is not fun. I, as a badass Assassin should be stealthing around through the crowds, working my way to my target and I should be rewarded duly. Simply holding sprint and running from target to target is not my idea of "fun". The boost perk can stay, but there needs to be a stamina bar for running and other High Profile actions. At least 50% of my kills have been through quietly milling through the crowds ON THE GROUND and flanking my target, and then going in for the kill, face to face.

- "Stunning" does not work. I have yet to successfully "stun" someone. This could be down to my god-like New Zealand internet connection or maybe I'm just not quick enough. I'm betting on the former. QTEs do not work in online multiplayer.

- There needs to be a bigger margin of error in the compass. Make it smaller. If there is someone running behind me, disrupting the crowds, I should be to hear the commotion and then plan my escape. Not see them a split second later and get whacked. It needs to be more obvious that you are being followed. Whoever said that there needs to be a look behind button is on the money. Triangle isn't being used, why not place it there?

Other than that it is pretty damn fun.
If you run around killing people, you get less points and probably will lose against someone who's doing it stealthily. I've been #1 most of the time because I barely run.
I've stunned a few times, but the assassin's assassinate will generally overpower you if you're in a bad position.

Also, does anyone know if they're taking player feedback on some forum?
 
So yeah, first few games went off without a hitch, now the game is crashing my PS3 so damn often. Spent the last hour more on the loading screen than playing.
 
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