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Interview with Bohemia Interactive
COMBATSIM: Is this primarily an online action game? If so, can you explain the game architecture and layout (the way the multiplayer works)?
MS: We think there are three areas in Flash Point each of them with about the same priority: multiplayer (both massive online and standard LAN or Internet play), single player campaign and mission editor. Single player is very important for newcomers and I expect most of hard core fans will play it as well. Multiplayer is so great for this type of game that it is absolute must. And mission editor enables people to fully exploit the potential of the game because it is so complex we are not able to create a good mission for every possible combination in the game.
Online multiplayer is an ideal use for the complex world we have created in Flash Point and I personally think it is the best mode of use of the Flash Point. But we're not limiting the player's experience to the online multiplayer only. But we are preparing unique gameplay scheme designed purely for massive multiplayer gaming over the Internet. Other part of the game is LAN / Internet game - it would allow people an instant combat without the complexity of the dedicated server. In the Flash Point Online, you'll join a dedicated server and create an account or log in. There will be three sides engaged in any of available conflicts: soviet, U.S. and rebels. You start as private and you'll be able to be promoted and get more responsibility and options (commanding of other units - both AI soldier bots and human controlled soldiers). In the normal multiplayer you'll not need a dedicated server - one of the players will select mission (or even create new multiplayer mission) and the combat begins.
Fig. 3. Engaging the EnemyCOMBATSIM: From the information provided on your website, it appears that players can take many roles. What are they and how do they interact with the game? For example, can a soldier kill a tank etc?
MS: Yes, soldier can play any role you can imagine in Flash Point game. There are infantry units, including riflemen, AT soldiers, miners or snipers. There are various mobile units - jeeps, trucks (but imagine that you can have loaded back of your truck with other 10 soldiers). There are armored units, APCs and tanks (with gunner, driver and commander) and there are aircraft units (helicopters and A10 plane at the moment). And everything ends on the water with boats (currently Mark II PBR). We was including almost everything people asked us for.
Player can get in and get out at any time. Player can control any of the vehicles or just sit to the back and let the AI drive its way. Player can sit as a gunner in a tank shooting down targets or he can become the commander of the tank. Really, there are not too many things that are not possible in Flash Point.
COMBATSIM: What resolutions will players be able to use in Flashpoint? Does it support OpenGL/Glide/D3D?
MS: Flash Point uses our proprietary 3D engine "Real Virtuality" developed from scratch. Its open object core enables easy implementation of various rendering models. Currently, we're going for Direct3D and Glide in the native mode. (We've had a software engine and OpenGL as well but we haven't found a real use for these two renederers.) The engine uses all features of now a days 3D cards but it scales to older cards as well. There are not any known limits in the resolution - but we haven't tested more than 1600 x 1200 yet so I can't ensure Flash Point will run in 3200 x 2400.
Fig. 4. One of the many interfacesCOMBATSIM: What do you expect the minimum computer specifications to play Flashpoint? For online play, what connection type do you recommend? Does it support LAN play?
MS: Realistic minimum to play the game (you know, most of the publishers are telling you the minimum to start the game - I saw Flash Point running on P166 + Voodoo 1 but I can't recommend this) is PII - 266 / 64 megs / 8 megs 3D graphics card. I use PII - 300 / 128 megs / 8 megs Voodoo 2 and I want to keep this machine and finish Flash Point on it.
