Phase Exodus interview

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Mr. Teatime
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Phase Exodus interview

Post by Mr. Teatime »

<strong>[Game -> Interview]</strong> - More info on <a href="http://wikipocalypse.duckandcover.cx/in ... Konstantin Kapustin">Person: Konstantin Kapustin</a> | More info on <a href="http://wikipocalypse.duckandcover.cx/in ... itle=Horns & Hoofs">Company: Horns & Hoofs</a> | More info on <a href="http://wikipocalypse.duckandcover.cx/in ... itle=Phase: Exodus">Game: Phase: Exodus</a>

An <a href="http://www.cgonline.com/content/view/35 ... terview</a> with the Project Leader of post-apocalyptic RPG <a href="http://www.russobit-m.ru/eng/games/exodus/">Phase Exodus</a>, <strong>Konstantin Kapustin<strong>,</strong></strong> has been put up at <a href="http://www.cgonline.com/">Computer Games Magazine</a>.

<blockquote>
<p><em><strong>Computer Games -</strong> How will quests be handled in the game?</em></p>

<em><strong>Konstantin Kapustin - </strong>Realization of quests in
Phase: Exodus is in many respects similar to usual role games. The
player has the handheld computer (PDA) where summary information on the
received quests is displayed, also it holds information about their
progress (or even a failure of separate quests). Reception of quests is
also rather traditional - through the dialogues with associates of
NPCs. Also there is another way to receive quest without dialogue, it
may occurs as a result of completion of plot stipulated action. Besides
the information on quests, the handheld computer carries the general
information on the character, his current equipment, and inventory. It
also keeps the information of all current player's characteristics.</em>

</blockquote>
It sounds like it's been heavily influenced by <em>Fallout</em>, which is never a bad thing. Hopefully it won't suffer from translation issues like a lot of foreign games do.

Spotted @ <a href="http://www.rpgcodex.com">RPG Codex</a>
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PiP
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Post by PiP »

the couple of sshots I saw over at Gamespot were _most_ promising; the trailer was also OK.
Thanks for covering this game in the news, Teatime; I wonder why nobody pays attention to this project (other than that it's in an early stage of development and those guys maybe boast too much, but didn't we discuss some less intrigueing games.mods?)

I can't go to the interview site because of the security system at the computer I'm using (game sites blocked, not DAC though).
Could anyone paste it all in the thread please?
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Fez
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Post by Fez »

Ok, here's the interview:


Phase: Exodus Interview

Konstantin Kapustin of Horns & Hoofs talks to Computer Games Magazine about Phase: Exodus, their upcoming sci-fi RPG title.


ImageImageImage
[screenshots end]

Interplay's classic RPG Fallout continues to be a big influence on game developers and later this year Russian based developer Horns & Hoofs plan to release their own post-apocalypse themed RPG Phase: Exodus. Computer Games Magazine got a chance to chat with the game's project leader Konstantin Kapustin to find out more about Phase: Exodus.

Computer Games - First, how did the idea for Phase Exodus come about?

Konstantin Kapustin - It was not at once actually. The most part of our development team played Fallout series a lot, and we were really impressed by these games. As it often the case, we’ve decided to make our own project in similar course to Fallout. That was the moment of Phase: Exodus’s idea appearing. Later we made some changes in our plans, but we still try to save the general line of best Fallout genre features in Phase: Exodus.

Computer Games - What can you tell us about the storyline for the game?

Konstantin Kapustin - Time: the near future, 2062 AD. Region: the Earth, the Russian Federation, East Siberia, Baikal. As the reason of the accident was the Earth’s crust shift because of the Earth’s axis tilt changing. It resulted in the destructive earthquakes, eruptions of volcanoes, floods, sharp change of climatic conditions etc. Natural cataclysms initiated the techno cataclysms: destruction of cities, industrial objects, sources of the electric power and etc. All these incidences have served as the reason of chemical and radioactive emissions.

The most part of the Earth became unfit for human life and only small areas stayed inhabited. Official authorities mostly lost any control on situation. Trying to survive, people organized in primitive groups and communities like: gangs, quasi-religious fanatics, warrior-pilgrims, new-era scientists etc. The valuable system of society totally changed. The most important things and values were: the foodstuff, weapon and various fuels and energy supply sources. Any stuff, necessary for survival. Eventually, the most successful communities organized to new more or less stable settlements.

Game actions take place at the former Russian Federation territory, East Siberia, near Baikal Lake. Main hero of the game recently find the secret documents about the Independent Station of Maintenance function. Trying to explain the communities his revelation, he was accused in heresy by the Council, and was forced to leave the Station in 2062.So, the only chance to survive for him is to find revolters, who had left the Station before his birth...

Computer Games - What can you tell us about the playable characters in Phase Exodus?

Konstantin Kapustin - Actually, there is only one playable character in Phase: Exodus, the main hero of the game. He was just usual inhabitant of one of populated places on the Earth. I mean the called already Independent Station of Maintenance. Many years in isolation from the external world resulted in appearing strange quasiscience there. It contained an incorrect idea of the world and of the Station’s essence and function at all.

The authorities of the station represented the unusual mix of religious and dictatorial control. That’s why, where the main hero has found the historically true information about the station, he became an outcast.

Computer Games - What kinds of skills will be available in the game?

Konstantin Kapustin - Mostly, there’re quite usual skill for such type of games, we we’ll have some innovations also. Anyway, the main list of skills is:melee fight, close combat, throwing, fire-arms (including pistols, guns, rifles etc.), heavy weapon, scout, sneak, thief, speech, barter, repair, lock pick, traps, first aid. The level of each skill varies from 0 up to 100.

Computer Games - What kinds of locations and settings will Phase Exodus have?

Konstantin Kapustin - In the game we adhere standard and traditional methods. From the very beginning we’ve decided to allocate "openness" of levels. The consecutive moving from city to city is caused only according the development of the basic plot, but the player’s activity on the global map has no limits at all. I.e. you don’t need to pass all quest stipulated locations for getting the nextone.
The closed and hidden zones depends on only the plot conditions.
We try to make the game environment different and various, but consistent in the main game style. Primitive and techno, ancient deserted cities and new settlements, all these locations are in the game. But anyway, all game universe is the postapocaliptical world and all locations look like it.

Computer Games - What kinds of weapons and items will the player have to use in the game?

Konstantin Kapustin - There are a lot weapon in the game from primitive to modern. Stones, sticks, bludgeons on the one hand and the Desert Eagle on the other. Also the game contains many different kinds of the armor protecting from various damages.

Phase:Exodus represents a wide range of medicines, explosives, technical means and devices. Some unique pieces of equipment can be collected from making elements (for example, a pistol with the muffler for “silent murder�). Any item in character using is a part of equipment. To make it more convenient they’re divided to some groups:

Weapons: The hero has: knifes, sticks, pistols and machine guns. It is possible to get information about a unit of weapon, to define service wear, to take it, to throw out of equipment, to charge, to repair and to modify. The hero can’t use some weapon (for example, heavy samples) dependently on his skills and state of health For example, forget about the two-handed guns if your hand is wounded.

Armor: The various kinds of armor are displayed. You can receive the information, define a condition, put it on, throw out from equipment, repair and modify. Each armor has the resistance to all kinds of damages. I should note here the armors, specially designed to protect against specific damages (for example, electricity), and also specific uniform of various fractions (could be used for protection or, for example, deceiving your enemy).

Drugs: All medicines or other substances for changing the basic characteristics or modifiers of a character are presented in the game.
Drugs are useful as for the main hero as for other characters.
Remember: Some preparations (drugs) have side effects.

Stuff: Welcome to use: key-masters, cords, tools, etc.

Computer Games - What kinds of enemies and NPCs will the player have to face in Phase:Exodus?

Konstantin Kapustin - Muts: People, who undergone radioactive or chemical infection that brings about physiological and physical changes are called “muts� in the game. Muts doesn’t contact with surrounding people, they just make attacks on caravans and travelers. Cannibalism is spread among these creatures. Actually, Zones of muts are outlawed and must be destroyed.

Petrol Fortresses: Walking through the most overcrowded and dangerous trade routes between Zones player can easily meet trade and military strengthened posts with guards and tradespeople.

Religious-fanatical sect: Religious - fanatical sect was formed after the global catastrophe in the new social settings. Members of this sect just believe in GOD and calling themselves The Supreme Brother of Fire. It’s a numerous and well-organized sect with several strengthened monasteries. Warriors of this sect practice people and animals burning in their sacrifices and rituals.

Community of Outcome : This community was formed by the groups of rebels from Independent Station of Maintenance. It’s a scientific - trade organization fighting against official military forces.

Warriors of Christ: It’s a military and religious sect that takes under the control all trade routes between Irkutsk and Horongoe and also the Wells, extracting clean water from depths of the lake. They believe, that all that happened with Earth is nothing else but the Apocalypse and all survived people are sinners. And the mission of Warriors of Christ is to clean Earth from Devil.

The wanderers.: It is the Union of independent warrior-pilgrims - good hunters and pathfinders. The wanderers spending their life’s traveling through taiga. Sometimes they join to communities, serving them as mercenaries etc.

UOS: The Universal Organic Soldiers is a special army created by Bio-service of the Fund before cataclysm. These soldiers are combine row of more exceeding human characteristics. They are more powerful, enduring and less sensitive to pain etc. They form the basis of garrisons of Petrol Fortresses.

Computer Games - How will quests be handled in the game?

Konstantin Kapustin - Realization of quests in Phase: Exodus is in many respects similar to usual role games. The player has the handheld computer (PDA) where summary information on the received quests is displayed, also it holds information about their progress (or even a failure of separate quests). Reception of quests is also rather traditional - through the dialogues with associates of NPCs. Also there is another way to receive quest without dialogue, it may occurs as a result of completion of plot stipulated action. Besides the information on quests, the handheld computer carries the general information on the character, his current equipment, and inventory. It also keeps the information of all current player’s characteristics.

Computer Games - Will there be any multiplayer features in the game?

Konstantin Kapustin - No

Computer Games - What other important gameplay elements will Phase Exodus have?

Konstantin Kapustin - We included various but quite traditional and favorite for RPG fans gameplay features. The hero can battle, communicate, trade with other characters, freely travel on a global map, and investigate cities.There are no straight storyline rails in the game, we keep the non-linear plot.The system of quests is large enough and ramified, and the player has various ways to carry them out often enough. It is necessary to note, that the fights in the game happen in real time. However, don’t forget about a role element and it’s popular abilities like: to steal necessary subjects, to break open locks,
to collect and to repair equipment etc.

Computer Games - What can you tell us about the game’s graphics engine and its features?

Konstantin Kapustin - Phase: Exodus is based in our in-house engine created firstly and SPECIALLY for this project. We think that making the game on the in-house engine is much more handy for developers. Cuz you can foresee all necessary graphical features and made a good platform in your engine for realizing your best plans in the game.
So, for now I can just list some of our graphic engine features: slo-mo, dynamic and static shadows, reflections, glow effect, particle systems etc.

Computer Games - What is the current status of the game and when will it be released?

Konstantin Kapustin - At the current stage we’re finishing the alpha version. We plan the release date on the end of 2005 spring.

Computer Games - Are there any plans to release a demo of the game and if so what will it contain?

Konstantin Kapustin - Actually, any demo will reveal the plot intrigue. We thought about the demo short time ago, but now we think the release date is already not so far, it’s better to show the audience the full game already. We’ll probably public the demo after release – in order to give some playing trials to doubting gamers :)

End of interview

Hope you got that.
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