Following word of a sequel to Sony Online's massively multiplayer shooter PlanetSide, company president John Smedley has outlined his hopes for the project.

"To me, Planetside Next means we get a chance to take the essence of everything that was fun in Planetside and make it a lot better," he wrote in a blog post noticed by PlanetSide-Universe. "Massive battles on a scale no other FPS will touch. None of this 64 player stuff. REALLY MASSIVE. With much better organization, and a tight focus on making sure the action is always going on, with awesome graphics."

In addition, Smedley made note of frustrations he had with the original... Read more

Sony Online Entertainment has revealed plans to followup up its massively multiplayer first-person shooter PlanetSide (PC) with a new game set in the same universe.

"We plan to expand the PlanetSide universe with another game and we need your help with the design," reads a mass e-mail recently sent to current and former players. "Don't worry about the original PlanetSide, it isn't going anywhere."

The e-mail, republished by PlanetSide Universe, points to a survey that asks about various gameplay mechanics plus other MMO and FPS games. In addition, PSU points out that SOE recently acquired PlanetSide2.com and notes that SOE president John Smedley recently teased "PlanetSide Next" via Twitter. Thanks to Hamma for the tip.

According to this post on the PlanetSide forums, the subscription fee for this MMOFPS will be increasing. It previously cost $12.99 a month to play, as of April 2 it will be $14.99.

Sony Online Entertainment sent along some more information on their free PlanetSide promotion program we mentioned the other day. Interested players will be able to download a PlanetSide "Cannon Fodder" demo allowing them to play until Battle Rank 6. Upon exiting the game you will be directed to a website where you can choose to upgrade to a monthly subscription. There is also info about current players upgrading to Aftershock.

The PlanetSide forums have a new post by SOE's Enrico Pallazzo, outlining plans for this MMOFPS as the developers are planning to add several new vehicles and weapon variants. New players meanwhile will be able to play the game free of charge for up to 12 months. They will however be limited in how far they can move up on the BattleRank and CommanderRank. Thanks Evil Avatar.

Over at GameCloud this morning you can find a PlanetSide Q&A. Sony Online's Thom Terrazas is asked about the current status of this massively multiplayer first person shooter which launched two years ago.

There's a new team letter on the PlanetSide website, written by the latest Producer and Design Lead on the game. SamhaynePS explains what's in store for Sony Online Entertainment's MMOFPS. Thanks Blues News.

HomeLAN Fed has posted a new PlanetSide Q&A. Dave Georgeson of Sony Online Entertainment is asked about the status of this MMOFPS and plans to add new content.

The official PlanetSide website has been updated, offering information on Continental Dominion and Capitol Buildings which are being added to the game. There are some screenshots and a movie on this page. Thanks PlanetSide-Universe.com.

The PlanetSide website has been updating, offering a look at gameplay update plans. There is also a related producer's letter. Thanks HomeLAN Fed.

Action Vault has a new PlanetSide Q&A. Producer Dallas Dickinson is asked about future plans for this MMOFPS and the overall patching and updating process.

There is a new producer's letter on the PlanetSide website, mentioning among other things that there will be a server merge for this MMOFPS. Sony Online will fold Konried into Emerald and Johari into Markov, "to do our part in heightening the action in PlanetSide by putting more players into combat-heavy areas".

PlanetSide Universe has been updated with five more screenshots from Core Combat, the PlanetSide expansion pack.

Planetside Universe has two new screenshots from the Core Combat expansion pack for PlanetSide, and they also mention Sony Online's official site for the expansion pack has been updated. Lastly, there is a lenghty post about recent combat balance and experience system changes to the game here.

Over at Planetside Universe you can find five screenshots from Core Combat, the upcoming PlanetSide expansion pack. The shots show several of the new locations in the game.

There is a very brief PlanetSide: Core Combat on Game Gossip today. Producer Dallas Dickinson is asked about the new additions and the release date of this expansion pack.

According to this post on the official PlanetSide website, people who got accepted into the Core Combat expansion beta testing will now begin receiving their emails. There will be additional testing rounds with more people in the future. thanks r13.

There is a very lenghty PlanetSide update on the official site, offering information on gameplay changes coming to this persistant world shooter. There will be changes to the experience system, and many of the vehicles and weapons.

PlanetSide Universe is the latest site to feature a Q&A with PlanetSide producer Dallas Dickinson. Dickinson is asked about the Core Combat expansion pack among other things.

GameSpy Daily has posted ten new screenshots from Core Combat, the PlanetSide expansion pack currently in production. You can sign up to test the expansion if you have a Sony Online Station.com username.