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Exclusive Interview: Matt Wagner & The Future of Flanker
By Bob "Groucho" Marks

Game Titles: Flanker 2.5 & Flanker: Attack (Working Title)
Category: Jet Simulation
Developer: Eagle Dynamics
Publisher: SSI / GAME Studios (formerly Mattel Interactive)
Release Date: February 2001
Links: | Flanker 2.5 Early Preview | Flanker Web Ring | SSI's Flanker Forum |
Article Type: Interview
Article Date: January 18th, 2001

Insignia of the Sukhoi Design Bureau

Things are appearing pretty grim for the fan of pointy-nosed flight sims, especially if your tastes run towards the hardcore band of the spectrum. Sure, the pretty yet apparently realism-challenged Typhoon is due out soon, and Falcon 4.0 continues to evolve and improve. Beyond these, what else is there? Might as well go drown one's sorrows with a bracing avionics-coolant cocktail.

Not so fast, comrade. The good people at SSI / GAME Studios (formerly part of Mattel Interactive) are hard at work on Flanker 2.5 and its successor, a little jewel that goes by the working title Flanker: Attack. These folks aren't lacking in talent, either. Two well known names have recently enlisted in the ranks: Matt Wagner, formerly of the Janes team at Electronic Arts, and Tim Goodlet, ex-Microprose development team.

Inquiring minds want to know: What's up with Flanker? I, coincidentally, happen to have one of those minds and therefore fired an email off to Mssrs. Wagner and Goodlett late last week to get the official word. My timing was less than exquisite. I missed by a day Tim Goodlett, Executive Producer for Simulation Products, and Director of Product Development, Carl Norman, both of whom are preparing for a trip to the Eagle Dynamic Studios in Moscow. Apparently, they are heading over there to hammer out the final details for Flanker: Attack. While that's partially conjecture, I think it's safe to assume that they are not over there in mid-January for the Hawaiian Tropic Mid-Russia Big Wave Surfing Invitational.

In any case, I was able to get some answers back from an obviously busy Matt Wagner. So, Flankerholics, here's the latest from Novato...


Groucho: There seems to be some confusion as to the distribution of Flanker 2.5. Will
it be released as a downloadable patch or as a no-charge CD for registered users? Will Flanker 2.0 be repackaged into a v2.5 Gold edition for retail sale?

Wagner: The methods of distribution have not been finalized. When they are, later
this month, I'll be making an announcement on the popular flight simulation websites.

Groucho: When do you anticipate F2.5 will be released?

Wagner: Flanker 2.5 is currently in test and should be available in early-to mid-February.

Groucho: What are some of the key enhancements that we'll see in Flanker 2.5?

Wagner: As we already posted on our forums, here's what we have planned:

• The player can now fly the MiG-29K. The MiG-29K is a multi-role, navalized version of the MiG-29 Fulcrum. The Fulcrum is a twin-engine fighter that is renowned for its spectacular maneuverability and deadly weapon systems.
  
  
• Warships will now move and engage enemy naval units. Using the powerful mission editor, the player can create multiple navigation waypoints for any naval vessel in the game. This includes everything from a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to a patrol boat. Many of the ships are equipped with powerful anti-ship missiles systems that are capable of sinking enemy fleets at over a hundred miles away. Additionally, the advent of moving vessels adds the unique challenge of landing a jet on a moving aircraft carrier.
  
  
• Players can now aerial refuel while flying the Su-33 and MiG-29K. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of modern combat aviation, Flanker 2.5 will allow the player to attempt the challenge of snagging the basket.
  
  
• New special effects have been implemented. These include: new bomb and bullet explosions, new blast effect when armor vehicles are destroyed, new missile smoke, new water explosions, more detailed and realistic plane explosions, improved explosions when oil tanks are destroyed, and a special explosion effect for napalm.
  
  
• Aircraft will now attack as a team against a single enemy aircraft. No longer will a flight of multiple aircraft attack an enemy aircraft one aircraft at a time.
  
  
• MFC Interface was implemented (Standard Windows Interface). This option allows much greater frame rates while using the mission editor and other menu screens.
  
  
• Players can now land on roads.
  
  
• Missions now start in a new paused mode. This removes the stuttering seen at the beginning of mission of previous versions of Flanker 2.0.
  
  
• MER (Multiple Ejector Racks) and TER (Triple Ejector Racks) have been added.
  
  
• View system and camera enhancements including a weapon to target view, a new dogfight view, and a padlock from tower view have been added.
  
  
• Missile effectiveness has been adjusted.
  
  
• The Kh-65 air-to-surface missile has been added.
  
  
• Flight model enhancements for both player-flyable and AI controlled aircraft are present.
  
  
• Additional wingman communication options have been included.
  

In addition to the features listed above, a large assortment of minor enhancements and fixes have also been included.

***********
Disclaimer
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All of the above is subject to change. As with any software development project, there are always variables that may prevent us from doing everything we plan to include or keep in this upgrade.
***********

Mig-29k cockpit

Groucho: The inclusion of mobile, dynamic naval units is a welcome addition to F2.5. Will there be a new campaign to take advantage of this functionality?

Wagner: Yes, one of our external testers is currently hard at work on a newcampaign.

Groucho: Is F2.5 a "next step" to Flanker: Attack, or will Attack be a whole new standalone sim?

Wagner: Yes, the next project after Flanker 2.5 will be a stand-alone title.

Groucho: One of the biggest criticisms of the Flanker 2.X series was the lack of a dynamic or even a semi-dynamic campaign. Will Flanker:Attack sport such a campaign?

Wagner: The feature list of Flanker: Attack (temporary title) has not been finalized.

When Tim and Carl return from Moscow late this month, we should have it nailed down. When this happens, we'll be able to announce the feature-set then.

Groucho: With the inclusion of the A-10 as a flyable aircraft in Flanker: Attack, will the low level terrain modeling be enhanced? Will ground units be mobile like naval units?

Wagner: See previous response.

Groucho: What areas will the enlarged map of Flanker: Attack include?

Wagner: See above.

Groucho: There are rumors of a flyable F-16 Falcon in Flanker: Attack. True?

Wagner: Okay, I can tell you this about Flanker Attack (temporary title)... No, a flyable F-16 will definitely not be in Flanker: Attack (temporary title).

Groucho: What is the anticipated release window of Flanker: Attack?

Wagner: September 2001.

Groucho: Is Flanker:Attack another incremental step towards a new massive multiplayer, multi vehicle simulation?

Wagner: Again, please see above.

Groucho: The teaming of Tim Goodlet and Matt Wagner has created a simulation "supergroup" of sorts. Do you sense any extra pressure on you and your team because of this?

Wagner: Speaking for myself, not really. Tim and I are well aware of what must be done to make the next project successful and are focused on that task.

**** End of Interview ***

So fellow Flankerites, as you can see, I did try to ask the hard questions about low-level terrain, new map regions, and the prospect of a massive multiplayer, multi vehicle sim. Despite all my whining, wheedling, and cajoling, Matt is going to stay mum on those items until that feature list is officially announced. Until then, we'll all just have to wait and see.

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