bapenguin
07-27-2006, 12:11 PM
JustPressPlay (http://www.justpressplay.net/games/interviews/maelstrom.html) has an interview with Maelstrom (http://www.codemasters.com/maelstrom/) lead designer Carl Johnson. Maelstrom is a new RTS for the PC which features enviormental effects as well as deformable terrain.To what extent will the deformable terrain effect gameplay?
The terrain is a huge part of gameplay for many reasons. First off most of your terrain interaction will have to do with water – no matter what faction you are (Hai-Genti love water). The water is designed to behave exactly as it would in nature, so expect it to fill depressions and run down mountains – always seeking sea level. So, if your base is flooded and you need to drain it, create a canal that leads away from the base, and voila – you’re dry. On the other hand if you need to flood an area you can do that as well. As far as building up the terrain, it can offer great defensive assets, imagine creating wall surrounding your base with a single chokepoint for enemies – its wholesale carnage! It’s really up to the player’s imagination on what they want to do; we’re just giving them the option.
Sounds pretty interesting. I wonder what other natural disaster type things are in the game.
The terrain is a huge part of gameplay for many reasons. First off most of your terrain interaction will have to do with water – no matter what faction you are (Hai-Genti love water). The water is designed to behave exactly as it would in nature, so expect it to fill depressions and run down mountains – always seeking sea level. So, if your base is flooded and you need to drain it, create a canal that leads away from the base, and voila – you’re dry. On the other hand if you need to flood an area you can do that as well. As far as building up the terrain, it can offer great defensive assets, imagine creating wall surrounding your base with a single chokepoint for enemies – its wholesale carnage! It’s really up to the player’s imagination on what they want to do; we’re just giving them the option.
Sounds pretty interesting. I wonder what other natural disaster type things are in the game.