Chrome interview

The genre of First Person Shooters is saturated with more games than even the range of Counter Terrorist MODS with realistic weapons, but a truly groundbreaking addition to these games is more infrequent than an original episode of Friends. The newest contender for the post of "the next Half-Life" is Chrome, a tactical FPS from Techland, and it looks like it’s got a lot going for it. Bartek Paul, a designer on Chrome talks us through some of the elements of the game.

Techland's technical techniques

Rag doll deaths. Beautiful with or without explosions.

Chrome runs on Techland’s very own engine, and perhaps benefits from having the engine tailored precisely to the features required in the game. It has been said that Chrome’s engine can handle push throughs of 100,000 polygons at 60 frames per second on average hardware.

- Extensive use of Direct3D combined with appropriate data processing enables the game to reach a very high polygon level. The Chrome Engine uses the D3D, which is why the game runs very smoothly and without problems on newer computers, says Bartek Paul.

A lot of focus has been put into the physics engine within the game, and encapsulating rag doll deaths is one of the primary reasons.

- Right from the beginning we aimed to create a game with very realistic body movement and I must admit that we are very satisfied with the results. We worked very hard on developing the interaction between particular body parts and the environment. I think the players will really like the special effects, such as a corpse sliding down some obstacles. It’s very impressive, he explains.

Tactics means you decide how to do it

Maybe if he hadn't been drunk driving, he wouldn't have crashed into a tree in the middle of a battlefield.

However, the realistically modeled physics doesn’t stop there, as during the game you can control eight types of vehicles from trucks and four wheelers to armored transporters and shuttles, all modeled with the physics engine. Undoubtedly there will be elements in the environment modeled by physics too, so that if you shoot over a barrel, it will spin and fall over realistically.

Nobody can deny that the game looks superb in the screenshots we’ve seen, and the trailer available on the official website certainly doesn’t disappoint, but as important as graphics are in a game, to set itself apart from other FPS games, Chrome is planned to break a few boundaries.

- What differs our game the most from other similar games is the tactics element enhanced by the cyber-implant system. This is probably the most
distinctive feature of our game, says Bartek Paul

Apparently it is possible to customize yourself so much that you become an immensely stealthy assassin or a walking battle tank. Chrome’s biggest selling point is the focus on the tactical elements of the game, and this certainly hasn’t been skimped on.

- One of the main advantages of Chrome is the player’s freedom of choice regarding the tactics. In each mission, the player is able to use a wide range of implants, specialized equipment, and a large variety of weapons and vehicles. The way to use the equipment is totally up to the player. When testing the same level for the 100th time we are still able to find new ways to cope with the same obstacles. Sometimes we have to develop brand new tactics for the same mission because our AI is very unpredictable.

Lost in space - ish

Note to self, when creating sprawling environments don't forget the huge run down bases.

The environment itself will make a huge difference, too. When designing Chrome Techland wanted to get rid of the terrain limitations. Thus the locations are simply huge.

- This leads us to another feature, which is the player’s freedom of action. The terrain in the game is so extensive that without using proper equipment (scanners, compass, etc.) the player will get lost very quickly. This freedom, together with the very high realism of the game, is another unique feature of the game. For example in many situations the player will have to use his skills and take advantage of the environment at the same time, Bartek Paul tells us.

Locations, story and mods

The locations seem to burst with atmosphere... or my monitor needs cleaning.

The environments already in place include desert canyons, perilous jungles, arctic climates and snowstorms and the game itself takes place over 14 massive missions, linked by a 22nd century background story. Fortunately, very little of the background story will be thrust upon you, and it will be down to the players as to how much of it they chooses to uncover. The main story is strong with sudden plot twists, heavy action and a dramatic story of heroism (lucky for us), and will be mainly told through cut scenes rendered using the game engine, although as is almost necessary in modern FPS games, Half-Life-esque scripted sequences will play out directly in the game, all with full lip sync. To round off the story, radio dialogs will also occur, keeping the player learning things throughout the missions.

When considering the potential for a mod community to form around the game, the developers are very straightforward.

- The entire game architecture was prepared in a way that enables the players to create their own mods, Bartek Paul ensures.

Should the tools for some reason not be released with the game, they will be released shortly after the game ships, which will allow the team to make the tools user-friendlier and various other adjustments.

It had beta be good

See, they CAN make interior locations too!

At the moment, Techland are just completing the beta version of Chrome, and are working hard to aim for a summer release. An early demo of the game (possibly a public tech test) was scheduled to be released last year, but this was cancelled to give the public a more complete first look at the game, however an updated demo will allow us all to play a bit of Chrome before the game appears on your local store’s shelves.

Bartek had one final thing to say.

- We are very interested in any opinions or suggestions from the gamers. If you would like to share your comments, please use our forum.