Remember the fate of APB, the massively multiplayer online game from (now) defunct developer Realtime Worlds?

In the middle of September, it was announced that the ambitious game was scheduled to shut down after only months in operation following lower than expected player subscriptions and support.

After violent rumours swirled around Mother Internet regarding the possibility of another publisher or developer buying APB and the rights to its operation so as to keep the game running, it’s just been announced that Reloaded Productions, a subsidiary of free-to-play MMOG publisher Gamersfirst, has acquired all intellectual property rights to the title.

This means that Reloaded and Gamersfirst will re-launch APB as a free-to-play massively multiplayer online game during the first half of 2011, and will be developed by Reloaded using Unreal Engine 3.

CTO and COO of GamersFirst Bjorn Book-Larsson commented on the acquisition and what makes APB special:

“APB was a game that had several exceptional features and some brilliant ideas, even though it was plagued by some initial balance and monetization issues. We want to take all the unique features of this title, such as its unparalleled character, weapon and car customization systems, and convert the game to a true free-to-play game.

“We are deep into the planning and early execution stages for this next chapter of APB and we will share more details in the near future. In order to put ‘Gamers First’ we will also actively engage the community in many aspects of all the planned changes.”

Just in case you’re still in the dark about what exactly APB (and now APB: Reloaded) is, here’s the new blurb:

”APB: All Points Bulletin is a massively multiplayer online third-person shooter game based in the modern-day fictional city of San Paro featuring two factions, Enforcers and Criminals. Players can join either faction, and then form their own customized team and group to join the constant battle across the urban landscape.”

Got that? Good!