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Interview: [ASH]
The Falklands War MOD have been hard at work for the last few months now, and they're still at it. Every so often they post great looking pictures on their site of the new units, weapons, vehicles and terrain we can look forward to once it's released. I managed to interview [ASH] (project leader) about the progress of their MOD, and to gain some insight into what goes into MOD making:
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): Everyone knows that the Falklands War would make an ideal MOD with the OFP Engine, but what were your reasons for deciding to base the MOD on the Falklands conflict?
[ASH]: I think the fact that I'm British and I remember watching the whole thing on tv when I was about 12 inspired me deeply to do something along the lines of The Falklands War.. The OFP engine is just so suited for this kind of
conflict, and I and probably hundreds of others knew that before long there would be at least a dozen WW2 and Vietnam mods out soon after.. I really wanted to do something a bit different especially with British units, and started out making a few small coop maps based on various events of the Falklands War.. It was only when a friend of mine (I'm sure he'll love his name in lights [SBS]Stealth) suggested that we work together to make more maps.. I then decided to create an entire campaign/mod instead..
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): What role will the player take in the campaign? Will it be based on an individual, or will the player be able to take control of various men within different forces, such as SAS, Royal Marines, Naval pilots...
Also, will there be a campaign/missions for both sides in the conflict?
[ASH]: This is something that we are still working on.. Originally I would have liked to have the mod based on the original OFP.. (i.e pilot, soldier, tank commander, Special Forces), but the fact that so many regiments were involved during the war it would be very hard to do this.. I think we are looking at having one character in say 2/3 Parachute Regiment, likewise with RM Commandos, one as SAS AND SBS, and a Royal Navy pilot.
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): Will there be any single player and multiplayer elements in the MOD?
[ASH]: The Mod will primarily be a single player campaign, with a few objective based mp missions as well as a couple of coop missions.
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): Q.What sort of units and vehicles can we look forward to? Will there be many vehicle type missions, or will you focus on squad based combat?
[ASH]: Hell yes! Without giving too much away, you can expect to be able to perform CAP Harrier missions.. Rescue/Recon/Supply/Stealth missions with Wessex, ONE Chinook, Scout, Lynx and Sea King helicopters.. We will also be having several land vehicles such as Scorpion and Scimitar tanks (I have VERY accurate technical drawings very kindly sent by the makers of the latter two), also several other units including a Land Rover.. Again.. I don't want to give TOO much away *cocks gun and aims to head*
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): We've all seen the in game screenshots of the Sea Harrier, probably the most wanted aircraft add-on in the community. Will this harrier have STOVL (Short Take Off and Vertical Landing)?
[ASH]: Col Klink (or GOD) as he is often known as Promises that the Harrier will have full VTOL, and it WILL be able to take off from an Aircraft Carrier.
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): One of the most famous aspects of the conflict was Naval based. Will we see any Naval vessels, if so, what types, and how will they be used in the campaign?
[ASH]: We are having several ships in the mod.. Both Aircraft Carriers, a few type 42 destroyers, and many types of landing craft for the San Carlos landings.. Most of the major ships will be used in cutscenes however....
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): There were civilians on the Island at the time of the conflict, do you have plans to make some civilian add-ons.
[ASH]: Yes.. There will be civilians involved.. And there will be missions involving them..
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): What will the terrain be like? Will it be an exact replica of the real Island? Will there be new buildings and structures to look forward to?
[ASH]: Now this is the question I've been waiting for.. CBFASI has HIGHLY accurate maps from 1982 of the islands.. We are having unbelievably accurate (and I MEAN accurate!) scale maps of the major battle zones.. Including the San Carlos area, Port Stanley, Goose Green and Darwin.. And Ascension Island.. Just wait and see how accurate they are. We are also having new buildings in the area such as Government House, Ajax Bay field hospital and most of the buildings that were on the islands at the time.
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): How will the MOD be organised? Will it simply consist of pbo files to place in the add-ons/campaign/DTA folder?
[ASH]: I don't have that information at the moment unfortunetely.. It will however be quite a huge mod though.. At least 150mb in size... But will be easy to install.. We are looking into the idea of having a 'front end' interface with installer...
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): Will we get some good old British voices?
[ASH]: Oh yes! We have people from all over the UK offering their voices for the mod.. In fact yours truly will be offering his voice as well..
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): Do you plan to produce your own sound track for the MOD?
[ASH]: We have a guy who has done a few soundtracks for various other sources, he is doing a complete new soundtrack for the mod.. We also have a rock band who will be doing 1 or 2 songs as well..
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): Aside from the facts of the conflict, will there be a story line, maybe based on a single squad or group of soldiers?
[ASH]: There will be a story within a story if you know what I mean.. Basically that's all I can say..
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): Could you give us a predicted date for release?
[ASH]: We were originally looking for a November release.. But the fact that we have many new ideas and new models, there was going to be the possibility of a delay.. We are doing the best we can, and don't want to release the mod until it's absolutely perfect... I always hate it when developers say "It will be release when it's ready!", but now I totally understand! It's damn hard work getting the whole thing perfect.. I won't say I'm a perfectionist but there's no way I'll release it if the thing is amateurish; unplayable and rubbish! We are taking our time and trying to make this the best we can...
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): With the rumours of the public release of Oxygen, there will be an increase in the birth of new MODs and projects. As a project leader, is there any advice you could give to a new MOD leader?
[ASH]: All I would say is... Get an idea... Get some STRONG background research... Be brave and broadcast your intentions on what you have in mind.. Get a VERY strong dedicated team to work with if possible... Be cool and PATIENT!!!!! (I cannot emphasise this enough!)...I'm so lucky to be working with really cool guys such as Skaven, Col Klink, CBFASI..... Get a forum!!! And finally teamwork is essential! Get contacts if possible with people and or companies that were involved... A cheeky email or phone call works wonders TRUST ME!
OpFlashpoint.org (Sentinel): What's it been like working with the Flashpoint game engine, have there been difficulties?
[ASH]: Only the fact that it is very hard to make config.cpp files...
OpFlashpoint.org (Sentinel): Have you received any assistance from BIS with regards to your work?
[ASH]: Yes.. BIS have been very helpful, Oxygen has been granted to at least 5 members of the addon team.
OpFlashpoint.org (Sentinel): Whats been the toughest aspect so far with development?
[ASH]: I would have to say using WrpEdit, making new textures... And trying to find out of date pictures of old equipment..
OpFlashpoint.org (Intruder): What's your favourite beer? I prefer Fosters :)
[ASH]: This was actually the first question I answered! Too many to choose from, but if a few then: Budweiser,Miller,Carling, vodka,sambuca and basically anything alcholic ;)
OpFlashpoint.org: Thanks for time and input, best of luck to you an your team.
[ASH]: No, thank you!
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