Global Agenda: Release Date, Preorder, Beta

In the most recent Global Agenda newsletter details have been released about the release date, pre-order bonuses and the start of beta.

• About Global Agenda
• Release Date
• Pre-order Bonuses
• System Requirements
• Gameplay Videos
• Screenshots

About Global Agenda

Story:

2155. From the ashes of the devastating Third Great War rose the Commonwealth, an oppressive world government determined to control the entire planet. The few remaining independent factions retaliate the only way they can, with elite teams of special operatives trained in advanced warfare tactics and equipped with high-tech weaponry. The future of humanity is their battleground, where knowledge is power, technology is a race, and everyone has a Global Agenda.

Features:

• Create your agent – Create, customize, and develop multiple agent characters, complementing your FPS skills with accessible RPG-style progression. Unlock weaponry and cutting edge devices including jetpacks, grenade launchers, mines, deployable turrets, stealth suits, holographic decoys, robotic droids and HUNDREDS of others.
• Co-Op with friends online – Four players share the same online mission experience – working as a team, communicating via built-in text and voice chat, infiltrating facilities, defeating end bosses, and earning technology upgrades.
• Compete in fast-paced, multiplayer matches – Teamwork and tactics are paramount within objective-based game types designed from the ground up to support intense and balanced player vs. player combat.

Release Date

First, the most important news: Global Agenda will be released on February 1, 2010. I certainly hope Hi-Rez Studios knows what they’re doing: if you’re been paying attention you should notice Star Trek Online is scheduled for release only a day after. While these two games don’t have much in common, it’s not always a wise idea to release two MMORPG’s in such a short timespan. Warhammer Online for example was released just a couple of months before Wrath of the Lich King, and it definitely hurt their subscriber numbers. I might be wrong and this may not have a huge impact on these two upcoming games, but if I have to choose (and I do), I definitely choose Star Trek.

Pre-Order Bonuses

You can pre-purchase Global Agenda from Steam (digital download) or from Amazon (special limited edition box). Customers who pre-purchase the game will receive the following benefits:

• Access to GA Beta – it will be available in January, but the exact dates are yet to be revealed
• Exclusive in-game head flair – special in-game helmet captured from the Commonwealth and exclusive Elf head flair
• Reserve Your Player Name and Agency Name – prior to the release you will be able to log in and make sure nobody uses your favorite character and Agency name
• Pre-download of the game
• Free 1 month Conquest subscription – all players who prepurchase will receive a one month worth of Conquest subscription (normal price $13)

If you ask me the benefits are hardly worth it unless you’re absolutely sure you will love this game. Not that you get much more by pre-ordering other games, but still you don’t get anything spectacular. Still, if you want to pre-order here’s the link again.

The game requires a one-time purchase but if you want to experience the full … experience, you probably will want to subscribe. It’s called a Conquest subscription and gives you access to Alliance vs. Alliance (AvA) world domination gameplay, mail system, crafting and new areas. Basically, you need to dish out $12,99 / €10,99 each month, otherwise you’ll be missing out on quite a few gameplay elements.

System Requirements

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista SP1 or Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit)
• Processor: 2.4+ GHZ Single Core
• RAM: 2 GB (XP), 3GB (Vista, Windows 7)
• Video Card: 256mb video ram or better with Shader Model 3.0+ (GeForce 8 series or higher/Radeon HD3000 series or higher)
• Hard Drive: 15 GB free space
• High bandwidth internet connection (DSL, Cable)

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista SP1 or Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit)
• Processor: 2.4+ GHZ Dual Core
• RAM: 3 GB (XP), 4GB (Vista, Windows 7)
• Video Card: 512mb video ram or better with Shader Model 3.0+
• Hard Drive: 20 GB free space
• High bandwidth internet connection (DSL, Cable)

Gameplay Videos

Fan-made gameplay vid:

Official Gameplay Trailer:

Screenshots