HomeLAN Escalation Interview

Source: <a href="http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=27155"target="_blank">HomeLAN</a>
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<td colspan="2">Novalogic's Joint Operations expanded the regular multiplayer shooter to include huge maps, tons of land, sea and air vehicles and support for 150 players in one game. Now the developer/publisher plans to give fans some more action for the upcoming expansion pack Joint Operations: Escalation. HomeLAN got a chance to chat with Novalogic producer Joel Taubel to find out more about their plans for the expansion. 
 
HomeLAN - First, was Novalogic pleased with the reactions that Joint Operations received? 
 
Joel Taubel - Very pleased in both the reaction from consumers and from critics. Joint Ops has been our best reviewed title to date, and it showed that we are heading in the right direction with our games. 
 
HomeLAN - When the time game to create Joint Ops: Escalation, what were the development team's main goals? 
 
Joel Taubel - The first thing we did was look at the feedback that we got for JO. What did people like? What did they dislike? After that, our main brief was to refine and improve the gameplay experience, and to expand on the features of Joint Ops. A lot of expansion packs simply offer new maps, weapons etc. We decided to improve the code, add new features such as the improved damage model, enhanced sniper countermeasures etc. We will also continue to update Typhoon Rising to take advantage of the new code features in Escalation. 
 
HomeLAN - What can you tell us about the new vehicles that will be a part of the expansion? 
 
Joel Taubel - We have 8 new vehicles, including the M1A1 Abrams, The Apache attack chopper and my personal favorite, the dirt bike. One of the things we learned from JO was that people wanted more powerful attack vehicles and faster means of transportation into the Hot Zones. This is what we have given them in Escalation. 
 
HomeLAN - What will the new multiplayer maps be like in Joint Ops: Escalation? 
 
Joel Taubel - Escalation will have 7 unique terrains, combining for over 30 maps across the 4 gametypes. (AAS, TDM, TKOTH and Co-Op) The maps in Escalation are more varied. These core terrains feature various settings including Rocket launch facilities, Chemical Plants and Airports. These make for better ‘set piece’ battles with more cover against snipers, buildings to explore and so on. 
One of the other things we have done with the maps is to cluster some of the spawn points so they overlap. This allows players to jump into the action much quicker. We have really worked to balance these maps so that no one class can dominate a game. 
 
HomeLAN - What other new gameplay content and features will be added to the expansion? 
 
Joel Taubel - We have added numerous little tweaks to the gameplay to build on what we achieved with JO. We realized that the sniper class was a little too powerful, so we have increased scope drift on the rifles, as well as designing the levels with more cover to lower spawn raping. Another feature we have added is overheating on the emplaced weapons. They very quickly became uberweapons on certain maps in JO, so to counter that they now heat up with prolonged use. Once they overheat, the weapons lock and have to cool down. 
 
We have also added body armor and parachutes as selectable loadout options. If selected, these are placed in your equipment slot instead of a Stinger, Claymore or AT4 etc. The body armor obviously gives the player more protection at the expense of an additional weapon, while the parachutes are a one use only deal. Once you have used them you have to return to the armory to restock. 
 
HomeLAN - What improvements will be made to the game's graphics engine and multiplayer code for Joint Ops: Escalation? 
Joel Taubel - There are a lot of new particle effects in Escalation. These range from a huge waterfall in one level, to lots of ambient effects such as fireflies and mosquitoes in swampy areas. We have also added more weather effects, certain maps get foggy in the morning and as the sun rises, the fog dissipates. We also now have rain effects in game, making for some very damp feeling battles! 
 
HomeLAN - What other things in the expansion do you think are important? 
Joel Taubel - The main ones would be the new player damage model, improved sniper counter measures, emplaced weapons overheating and the ambient effects. 
 
HomeLAN - What is the current status of the game's progress and when will it be released? 
 
Joel Taubel - Escalation should go gold next week, and we are shipping the game to stores on November 16th. 
 
HomeLAN - What are NovaLogic’s plans after the release of the expansion pack? 
 
Joel Taubel - Have a few days to relax & regroup! We will then look at addressing any potential issues that may arise with Escalation, as well as move focus to the console versions of Delta Force: Black Hawk Down that ship next year. 
 
HomeLAN - Finally is there anything else you wish to say about Joint Ops: Escalation? 
 
Joel Taubel - Escalation is definitely more than a basic expansion; it really improves and enhances Joint Operations. I think that those people who loved the huge scale, tactical battles from the original game will really dig it, and Escalation will also open the game up to the people who want faster paced, instant action. 

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