Codename: Panzers Phase One Interview

Attempting to make their own mark on the competitive scene of RTS games, CDV Entertainment announced a World War II based strategy, entitled Codename: Panzers Phase One. The game puts players into the high-powered battles of WWII. You'll be fighting across bleak mountain landscapes, towns with shell-riddled buildings, treacherous swamps, and so on.

Codename: Panzers Phase One also features some impressive 3D graphics and intense real-time combat. To learn more about this interesting strategy, we sat down to have a brief chat with Attila Banki-Horvath and Janos Ibranyi; two members of Stormregion (the Hungarian development crew that previously worked on the RTS S.W.I.N.E.). (Note: Anyone named Atilla instantly gains my respect. - Six)

Who’s doin’ the shootin’? Not me!

Tally ho! Tank busters save the day!

Action Trip: Your team at Stormregion proved they're capable of creating a solid RTS game - S.W.I.N.E. Did this experience help you in any way?

Attila Banki-Horvath and Janos Ibranyi: All the time. The most important thing we've learned is how to work as a team. We've also learned a great deal about the intricacies of the whole process of making an RTS - how a mission plan becomes a real map with buildings and enemy units on it, etc. It allows us to create campaigns easily with little to no complications, so we can reach our milestones on schedule.

AT: Over the years, World War II has inspired so many video games, it would be almost impossible to name them all. Tell us what specific period during WW II will be covered in Panzers.

AB and JI: We cover the entire war, from beginning to end, chronologically, but we're focusing primarily on the combat in Europe (for now). The German campaign starts with the invasion of Poland, and the Soviet campaign ends with the occupation of Berlin - which is the end of the war (for Europe, that is). The game doesn't cover the battles in Africa. An additional Mission CD may probably have something in these areas.

AT: Describe some of the missions we'll see in Panzers. Do you intend on reviving some of the historical events that took place in WW II?

AB and JI: You can fight the Battle at Stalingrad, using both German and Russian forces. Also, we managed to recreate the Battle at Kursk, the landing in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the occupation of Crete. In one mission Tito's partisans will cause a lot of of trouble for you (playing as the Germans).

AT: What is the most challenging aspect of this strategy game?

AB and JI: The battle itself! All soldiers, vehicles, and planes are there to make you feel like you're really part of a WWII battle. The units are well-balanced, and they all have the same purpose as they had in the actual war: tanks for assault, artillery for long range support, armored cars for reconnaissance, infantry for all purposes, and so on. Several cut-scenes and in-game animations will unfold the story of the campaign, featuring huge battles and famous heroes, so it'll all be similar to a war movie.

AT: How does your game differ from numerous strategy games out there?

AB and JI: We've done a lot of fine-tuning to the game, which we hope will make a big difference. The infantry, for example, can hear engine noise and gunfire. You don't see the enemy but a symbol appears showing that an enemy tank is advancing or a gun is firing... The soldiers can capture enemy armored vehicles and use it against its former owners. Completing mission goals provides prestige, while causing civil causalities decreases your prestige. When a squad of soldiers enters a house, the inside becomes visible and you see them taking positions within the compound. And that's not all, there are many other features, which we'll leave as a surprise...

AT: We're interested what specifics are you adding to the unit behavior patterns to improve the AI in general.

The streets are getting really crowded these days.

This is what happens when you drink and drive a tram.

AB and JI: Here are some examples for the "army-level" AI:

• It can protect areas and buildings, and consider priorities.
• It sends reserved units to an area where they are needed most - for instance, to groups that have suffered heavy losses.
• Decision making - enemies will retreat, advance, or hold their position after carefully assessing the situation.
• Transporting munitions and sending a repair car and traction trucks to units that are in dire need of help.

AT: Tell us which nations will be making an appearance. And, reveal some of the vehicles and units we'll get to use.

AB and JI: German, Russian, American, and English units are the leading roles. French, Polish, Hungarian, and Yugoslavian partisan units are the supporting roles. You'll control numerous tanks (e.g.: Sherman M4A3, Cromwell IV, Tiger I E, T-34/76) and self-propelled guns (e.g.: Tug III B, Wespe, Sturmtiger, Bishop, M12, M7 Priest, SU122, ISU 152). Of course, expect to see plenty more when the final version comes out.

AT: What kind of engine are you using?

AB and JI: It's called Gepard - an updated version of the graphics engine used in S.W.I.N.E. The engine was partially rewritten and most importantly supplemented with advanced technology. We're really happy that you like the graphics. But we still feel there are many things that need improvement, so we'll be hard at work in the coming months.

AT: Does Panzers feature a multiplayer mode? If so describe some of the modes players can look forward to.

AB and JI: We've got deathmatch, Kill the Leader, and Hold the line... the others are secret for now. Up to 8 players can participate in battles against each other divided into two sides.

AT: When will the game hit stores?

AB and JI: It'll be waiting for you under the Christmas tree.

AT: Feel free to add anything else about Panzers if you wish.

AB and JI: I hope our southern neighbors will have a good time playing Panzers (He was in fact referring to Serbia, which lies south of Hungary, which is where we are - VADAR), as well as our friends over the Atlantic. (He was in fact referring to America, which lies west of Hungary, which is where I am...and many of you are, too. - Six)

Thanks for your interest!

Stormregion team