Smokejumper interview about BFR's

JakeLogan · 2004-08-04, 04:17 PM

Quote:
HomeLAN - We recently read in Computer Gaming World about plans to add large mech like vehicles to PlanetSide. How did this come about?

Dave Georgeson - We've always intended to add "heavy battle tanks" because the biggest tanks in the game currently are described to the players as "medium battle tanks". I've worked on a bunch of giant robot games, including some of the "Mechwarrior II" series and "Heavy Gear" series. I even ran a paper game company (way back when) that tried to compete with FASA (unsuccessfully) with a "Mecha!" game. So...heavy battle tanks being designed by a guy with giant robot experience. You come to your own conclusion. Wink

HomeLAN - What can you tell us about the three basic mechs that will be released?

Dave Georgeson - Only general descriptions for now. They're roughly 15-20 meters high. They have customizable hardpoints (you decide which weapons go where). They come in either one- or two-player configurations. The single-player version can fly, whereas the two-player version can't fly...but carries some massive ordnance instead. More details than that will have to wait a bit.

HomeLAN - What types of weapons and other customizations can be added to the mech?

Dave Georgeson - At feature launch, players will only be able to modify weapon loadouts and trunk configurations. However, other features are planned for the future after that initial release.

HomeLAN - How powerful will these mechs be compared to the other vehicles in the game?

Dave Georgeson - They were designed as "heavy battle tanks", so players should expect them to be tougher than "medium battle tanks" but they won't be able to completely dominate a battlefield. They're killable.

HomeLAN - How hard will it be for players to obtain these new vehicles?

Dave Georgeson - Initially, quite difficult. There's a process of "attuning" that has to happen down in the caverns before a player can link with the semi-sentient AT core within the BFR itself. Players have to commit to the task of completing that "attunement" before they can certify in running BattleFrames. Once that's done, getting a 'frame is as easy as acquring a vehicle (although the vehicle acquisition timer is quite long on these...so try to keep it alive as long as you can).

HomeLAN - What is the current plan on how and when to introduce these vehicles into Planetside?

Dave Georgeson - That would be telling. Smile

http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=25109

Got this from a clanmate