Introduction

Digital Illusions and Electronic Arts released Battlefield 2142 in October 2006 and the game represented a different sci-fi direction for the multiplayer shooter series. The game has stated on the top 10 best selling PC games list since its release and now DICE and EA are preparing their first downloadable "booster pack" for the game titled Northern Strike. FiringSquad chatted with the booster pack's producer Kristoffer Bergqvist to find out more about their plans for Northern Strike.

FiringSquad: First, is DICE and EA pleased with how Battlefield 2142 was received from previous Battlefield fans?

Kristoffer Bergqvist: It was a challenge to communicate how different Battlefield 2142 was to Battlefield 2, and how much unique gameplay that was put into it. Ultimately I believe we hit our goal, to have two different games that were played side-by-side. Even though I personally mostly play 2142 (Northern Strike right now, to be honest) I still love BF2 and won’t stop playing it any time soon.

FiringSquad: How did the idea for Northern Strike come about?

Kristoffer Bergqvist: We spent a lot of time discussing what we wanted to achieve for the gameplay. Once we decided on the expanded infantry experience and the asymmetrical assault type of levels the urban post-apocalyptic Europe was an obvious choice. The urban landscape allows us to shape the levels for the type of infantry combat we want, and they add an awesome backdrop as well.

FiringSquad: What can you tell us about the three new maps in Northern Strike?

Kristoffer Bergqvist: The new levels takes place in snow covered Europe, where the Pan Asian Coalition took advantage of EU concentrating their troops to the south, and quickly seized control of several important key locations. The battles we are visiting are, in turn, a fierce night battle in Liberation of Leipzig, a daring assault on a remote Titan harbor in the high alps in Port Bavaria and an epic battle over Rheine, where the EU coalition 200 years to the day after the allied forces crossed the river on their way to Berlin tries to cease control over a bridgehead at Bridge of Remagen.

FiringSquad: What new vehicles will be made available in the booster pack?

Kristoffer Bergqvist: Northern Strike introduces one brand new vehicle type on for each faction. The European forces get the Goliath, a monstrous self-repairing infantry support vehicle carrying five guns and a grenade launcher. To take it out will take a coordinated effort from the Pan Asian army.
The PAC vehicle is the opposite of the Goliath. It’s a small, very fast and very agile, hovering infantry hunter, named the Hachimoto. It has a gunner position with full-auto grenade launchers and TV-guided missiles for vehicle-to-vehicle combat. When in the hands of a well-coordinated driver-gunner pair this one is deadlier than anything else on the battlefield.

FiringSquad: What new weapons and items will be available via unlockable items in Northern Strike?

Kristoffer Bergqvist: Ten new unlocks will be available in Northern Strike. It’s a mix of weapons, like the shotgun firing small sticky projectiles that will blow up on enemies close to them – a great way to scare people of their hiding spots, and items like the Motion Mine Bait which you can throw and then have enemy Motion Mines chasing it like a bunch of puppies after a rubber ball.