Freedom Force vs. The 3rd Reich Interview
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GB: First of all, how is Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich coming along, and do you think you'll make a 2004 release date?
Ken: I'm going to hold off on this one. I'm fully confident we can deliver the game whenever we see fit. The question is, when do we want to release?
GB: Any recent milestones or obstacles you'd like to elaborate on?
Ken: There aren't really any great war-stories to speak of. The development of FFvTTR has gone amazingly smoothly. One of the nice things is we don't have external publisher milestones, so we can build the game in the manner most appropriate for successful completion of a great title, not one that has to be shown off incrementally. If you're a developer, you'll understand how that can help make a much better game!
GB: Tell us about the new Gamebryo engine you're using for the sequel. What graphical enhancements can we expect over the original game?
Ken: Thanks to Gamebryo, we've been able to improve the look and performance of FFvTTR by leaps and bounds over the original. We're able to do fantastic things with lighting that we couldn't imagine before. We can add tons more objects to the levels. Details, details, details. We're swimming in our newfound creative freedom. There are also some unannounced rendering tchotchkes that will knock your socks off.
GB: What sort of environments will players be traveling through this time around? Any favorite locations you can talk about?
Ken: That depends on what day you ask me. One day it'll be Berlin, another Cuba. Picking out favorites is never easy when you're so attached to them all. There are a bunch of truly unique levels that I can't really talk about right now, but gamers can expect a hugely diverse palate of environments.
GB: Along with the new playable heroes, will all of the original heroes be available in the sequel? Also, can you briefly detail a few of the new playable heroes? How about villains?
Ken: The entire cast of heroes will return.except for that ManBot fellow. Who knows what he's doing.
GB: Vehicles! Care to indulge on how many vehicles will be available throughout the game and exactly how they'll be controlled?
Ken: I can't get into specifics, but a tank will be one player-controlled vehicle. It will function similar to the way your characters do.
GB: What enhancements have you made to the AI in FFVSTR? Can you provide some examples of how a player's teammates will react on their own?
Ken: One thing that we constantly heard in feedback from the original, was that there was a little too much micro-management. The moment you left a teammate, they were vulnerable. We wanted to fix this by having them react. This gave us a whole new avenue for us to explore the characters. For example, El Diablo is more likely to chase after a foe and may cause collateral damage.
GB: Tell us a bit about how multiplayer and skirmishes will work in FF vs. the Third Reich, and what enhancements you've made over the original title.
Ken: More enhancements than you can shake Minuteman's cane at. We're talking new modes, completely revamped interface, tons of new features the list goes on and on. More to come on this very soon.
GB: Can you provide a few examples of the new super powers in the game and some specifics on what they do?
Ken: One new power is Green Genie's (Object Lesson.) Using this will turn your foe into a blunt object that you can then pick up and toss across the level or at another enemy.
GB: What does the future hold for the Freedom Force franchise? Where would you like to see the series go within the next several years?
Ken: There are so many different directions we want to take FF. I don't want to lead fans down the wrong path though, so I'll just keep my trap shut. We've hinted in the past only to take the game in a completely different direction.
GB: Lastly, if you had to pick a few particular comic book issues that have influenced Freedom Force, or the desire to make a superhero game in general, which would they be?
Ken: The early Marvel stuff was a huge influence. I also borrow a lot of plotting paradigms from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer writing staff (shameless fan boy here). Comic book plots are very particular- they are soap operas with the volume set to eleven. Most comic book games forget that. Freedom Force never will.
We appreciate your time, Ken.
