Computer and Video Games Interview

[Mahdi]

Computer and Video Games has posted another interview with our favourite RTS producer, Chris Longpre, concerning Emperor: Battle For Dune. Not a lot of new information is posted, however there is a bit:

CVG: How will this approach benefit players?

Chris Longpre: It opens up the game much more. Information will be given to the players in order to help them determine how to proceed along the campaigns. Players have to make their decisions based on the amount of resources they can acquire from previously conquered territories. Players will also have to take into account the resources of their opponent when they decide how to proceed.

CVG: What will be in the game in terms of replay value? Once a player has completed the game, will they want to go back to it?

Chris Longpre: I honestly think that the replay value of the game will be its strongest selling point. Each battle, even on the same map with same houses, will play out differently due to the advanced AI we have in place.

There are also over 100 missions available on the 33-territory campaign map. So, as the player advances along different paths during subsequent games, they will be guaranteed a totally different experience each time.

CVG: How do you feel about porting PC-based games to console platforms?

Chris Longpre: History has shown that something gets lost in ports from PC to console and vice-versa. I think you can count on one hand the cross-platform titles that have truly succeeded.

Although Westwood's strategy game ports have done well, there are still lots of considerations to make a PC strategy game fun for console gamers. With Emperor, we'll just have to see....

We already knew that the number of units you had in adjoining territories mattered in campaign mode, but I think that this was the first time that it is mentioned that your resources held in other territories will matter, along with the resources of your enemy. To see the whole article, click here.

Finally, do you think E:BFD should have a console version? And if so, what console should it use (nintendo 64, playstation, playstation 2, etc.)?