Realtime Worlds' open-world online shooter APB has languished in development limbo for years, with the development team surfacing only on a scant few occasions to provide an update on its progress. However, when Electronic Arts announced during this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo that it would be publishing the title through its EA Partners in spring 2010, a new sense of urgency sprang up about the title.

Taking one step closer to release, Realtime Worlds is now accepting applications from gamers interested in participating in APB's beta-testing phase. As detailed on the registration page, gamers are asked to fill out demographic and hardware specification details. Realtime Worlds did not indicate when it would begin sending out invitations to participate in the beta, saying only that the process would extend over the next few months leading up to release.

For more information, check out GameSpot's interview with Grand Theft Auto creator and Realtime Worlds creative director Dave Jones at E3, as well as impressions of the game's extensive character customization features.