Creators of the Imperium Galactica series, one of the best space strategy series of the last few years, Hungarian developers at Digital Reality, are preparing a completely new piece of ultimate game experience. Their new game is called Haegemonia: Legions of Iron. We`ve managed to make an interview with Gabor Feher, member of the development team. And here it is!
Creators of the Imperium Galactica series, one of the best space strategy series of the last few years, Hungarian developers at Digital Reality, are preparing a completely new piece of ultimate game experience. Their new game is called Haegemonia: Legions of Iron. We`ve managed to make an interview with Gabor Feher, member of the development team. And here it is!
First of all there are a few basic information on Haegemonia: Legions of Iron:
- it`s another realtime space strategy game, as were all the games from Digital Reality up to now
- spectacular 3D graphics
- sophisticated multiplayer support
- an epic story beginning with the inner conflicts of humanity and slowly spreading beyond the borders of our solar system
- empire building aspect, though the main emphasis is placed on the space battles.
And now straight to the promised interview with Gabor Feher.
Doupě: Do you consider your Imperium Galactica saga to be worldwide successful?
Gabor Feher: It was a great success although conventional space strategy games are not mass market products. But we are dedicated to produce strategy games - as most of the developers in the team like these and we can build on our past experience!
Doupě: I know that the third instalment of IG is beeing developed by another company. Why not by Digital Reality?
G.F.: This is a long story - we did not own the rights and the name rights were sold to another development team. Although we regret it, we wish the best for them and hope that IG3 will be a good game in the end.
Doupě: Should Haegemonia be some indirect successor of IG2? Or is it a completely new game?
G.F.: We build on our past experiences surely, but Haegemonia will be practically a new game: the story will be completely new and most of the game elements were revised as well - practically we have built a new universe instead of just trying to continue one- which was also refreshing. We also built the graphic engine up from the beginning to ensure the new level of graphics required in 2002.
Doupě: Do you think that 2D space strategies like the first IG are still perspective nowadays or are they definitely dead?
G.F.: I don`t think you can sell any type of game now with the mark "2D". It is partly good, partly bad: some game types really do not require three dimensional graphics, but the developers are forced to put it in. However in space (strategy) games there is definitely place for 3D! The real question is game control here: if you can handle it, then 3D can be a real enrichment to the gameplay.
Doupě: Why does your company favours only space strategy games?
G.F.: We are trying to do some other game types currently. Space strategies are "trademarks" from Digital Reality, but you can expect some other games from us soon.
Doupě: How many extraterrestrial races are there in Haegemonia: Legions of Iron?
G.F.: There are 2 main rivals and some other races with minor roles. In multiplayer mode these two races together with the humans will be playable.
Doupě: What`s the maximal size of one player`s army? Tens, hundreds, thousand of ships?
G.F.: We are thinking of squads in Haegemonia. The number of squads will be limited, but if you build them from fighters, then there can be battles involving dozens, even hundreds of ships!
Doupě: What about the ground battles? Will there be any?
G.F.: We will emphasize the space battles in this game. There will be no ground battles like in IG2, rather space battles involving planetary defences.
Doupě: How big will the ships be? Will the players meet some of those super-great capital ships?
G.F.: As Haegemonia is not a space simulator, we had to make some compromize regarding the ships` sizes. If we make huge ships, then the small fighters are not visible on the same scale! We prefer a view where all ships can be seen in the same perspective, therefore the biggest ship to ship ratio will be around 20:1, maybe 25:1.
Doupě: Could you please tell us something more about the background story?
G.F.: The story begins with the inner conflicts of humanity, then continues with the first steps in space. We returned to the old tradition of IG1: the player will have to rise in ranks to ensure him/herself the necessary influence on things. You will be guided at the beginning and receive more freedom in decisions only later on. You will also have to handle the meeting with the aforementioned alien races: decide who is on your side and who is against you!
Doupě: How many endings does your game have?
G.F.: We plan one, quite surprising ending, but this is not 100 percent sure right now.
Doupě: What is the size of the universe in final stages of the game?
G.F.: There are around 35-40 solar systems altogether, but you never play in all of them simultaneously. At the latter levels you will have to control 3-4 systems (the enemy too) and the game will play in around 10 systems.
Doupě: When will the game be released?
G.F.: Planned release date is Q2 2002. We do work hard to achieve this and hopefully you will get another fine space strategy game from us at that time...
Links: official game site, developer`s website - http://www.digitalreality.hu/, European publisher - http://www.cryo-interactive.com/, American publisher - http://www.dreamcatchergames.com/.