Title: Alpha Prime

Date: 08.07.2006

Genre: FPS

Platform: PC

Developer: Black Element

Publisher: TBA

We had the chance to talk with Jiri Rydl, marketing and pr manager at IDEA games, about Alpha Prime, a

first-person shooter in development by Black Element.

Since you’ll be focusing on delivering a single-player experience, will Alpha Prime be a strictly run-and-gun style of play, or will there be other types?

There are always several options available as to how you can clear the enemies from the level. The first one is to run into the middle of the room and start shooting into every possible corner, but I can assure you from my own experience, that this is the most difficult option. To stay alive for a while you have to use cover behind corners, doors, tables, valves etc. The other possibility is to create traps. You can pick up an empty can and throw it somewhere near you hiding in the shadows. Then just wait until the patrolling soldier shows his back to you as he's trying to find out what caused the noise.

We know there will be vehicles for the player to control. What can you tell us about them and how they affect gameplay?

After playing Alpha Prime for some time you find yourself stuck on the asteroid surface, where there is (surprise!) no air. Fortunately you have some air available in your mining suit, but it's just enough for a few minutes before you'll kick the bucket. Sometimes you can find air reservoirs near mining facilities, but in the open areas you have to move very quickly between the places. That is where a small vehicle becomes very handy.

Alpha Prime will place an emphasis on direct combat, fighting the enemy straight up. Since this is the case, will the player simply be mowing down enemies or will the enemy AI actually present a challenge as they try to “out-think” the player?

Mining robots would be the standard enemy from the beginning, they are stupid and not so powerful. Later on you'll meet Special Forces soldiers, these are well equipped and organized. They take cover, call for help, try to flank you or run away when injured, but they'll never surrender. And when they are finally done, the boss is coming.

What types of enemies will there be?

In the mining facility you can find large number of robots, beginning with maintenance human-like bots, which usually even don't attack you, and ending with large defense "spiders" with machine gun pointed at your head. Faster, smarter and better equipped enemies would be Special Forces soldiers for whom you weren't prepared, but they go after you, so you have to defend.

We know the majority of the game takes place in a variety of in-doors locations. How are you meeting the challenge of keeping the game fresh so the player is not bored with the same thing over and over?

From the beginning you are moving around the corridors of the mining facility, but later in the game you will shoot from a train, traveling among different places on the asteroid, you will drive a vehicle to run away from your enemies or you will use an air conditioning system to find your way around a strong defense. Every environment offers a large number of technical equipment and gadgets including cameras, wall-mounted weapons or even robots, which can be hacked and used for scouting upon or killing the enemies. In some levels you have to use loaders for moving crates that block your path or for creating stairs to an upper level. I believe there is always something new around the next corner for you as you're playing the game!

We’ve noticed that many FPS from the European territories have trouble getting the attention of gamers from the North American area. Have you personally seen this?

Yes, that's unfortunately true. I believe that the problem is mainly due to a weak relationship between European developers and American publishers. Of course there are successful developers in Europe to, for instance Battlefield creators Dice are from Sweden or one of IDEA games' studios - Bohemia Interactive, creators of Operation Flashpoint are from the Czech Republic. It's possible to reach US players, but its much harder then staying in the " Old World".

If so, what is being done to Alpha Prime to help its appeal to western gamers?

We presented Alpha Prime to many journalists at E3 a few weeks ago and we gave a them fully playable demo to introduce them to the game, now we are in touch working on previews and interviews with them. Developers are polishing the review version before we will send it to every magazine in the world. Also we are in touch with several companies offering online distribution to avoid the usual delays that can happen with getting the game into US shops. Let's see how many players will be interested in downloading Alpha Prime over the internet.

Many games from Europe tend to slip through the cracks in both coverage and awareness. How do you see that changing in the coming years?

One of the ways to reach the US market is to find a strong publisher in that area. It's similar to movies IMHO. It's very hard to see Czech or even French or German movies in US. The only winner in this case is Great Britain, because they share a language, but as you probably know from your own experience, British English is not American English and London is not New York. So England is just one step ahead but not too far.

Sometimes the media and gamers tend to make too big a deal of non-linear gameplay. However, games such as Half-Life 2 have shown that linear gameplay can be just as exhilarating. What’s your view on this?

As a player I prefer linear gameplay with optional side quests, I like to feel as though I'm being the main character, playing the role developers prepared for me. That's why I like games like Far Cry, Half Life, Halo or Alpha Prime. As you said, it depends on the developer, how they can use the advantages of (non) linear gameplay and make players happy.

Tell us about the weapons and items the player will use in Alpha Prime. How many can we expect and are there any surprises?

There are eight weapons ready for you: pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, rocket launcher, flame-thrower and grenades. Your enemies will use them too, so don't be surprised to find a grenade rolling towards your feet. First fight with a heavy soldier in armor trying to barbecue you with his flame-thrower would certainly be one of many nice memories!

Every developer wants their title to be a success, but is Alpha Prime being created with further adventures in mind? Or will you consider that after you see how the game does in sales?

I believe that the guys from Black Element Software have enough ideas for both a sequel to Alpha Prime and a completely new title. You are right that the decision is based, amongst other factors, on the sales outcome.

Many FPS games fall into the trap of creating levels that are quite basic in atmosphere, design and flow, which can ruin the ‘mood’ of the game. How has Black Element taken on this challenge?

I hope you will find out for yourself in a few weeks by playing Alpha Prime, but let me tell you about a few nice tweaks prepared for you. For instance in one level you find yourself on one side of a big hall with a ruined bridge. You have to hack into an electric crane, learn to use it and then make your way on the hook to the other side of the hall. And of course there are more places like this, changing the mood from high adrenaline action to mind boggling situations and back again.

What are some games in the past that you draw inspiration from?

Games like System Shock 2, F.E.A.R., Doom 3 or Quake 4 to name a few.

Was there anything at E3 this year that impressed you or got you excited?

To tell you the truth, no. There were bunch of "possibly would be interesting" titles such as BioShock, Spore, Crysis or Gears of War, but I learned that games presented at E3 could quite easily end up as below average titles, so I am not overexcited right now.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

In a few weeks there will be a new website presented at www.alpha-prime.com, so don't miss it!

Reviewed By: Alex Hammond