Exteel Interview (con't)

FiringSquad: How would you describe the basic gameplay for Exteel?

Sang-In Lee: The basic gameplay for Exteel blends the immersive thrill of an FPS with the furious intensity of Hong Kong cinema. One of the core elements of this kind of frenetic combat is the jetpack. Using the jetpack smartly gives players the feeling of high-speed chases, like driving a race car or engaging in a dogfight. The combat system uses a “soft-targeting system” (or “Auto Lock”), which makes the game accessible to a broad base of fans, but still gives the advantage to those who take the time to master the various weapon ranges and capabilities.


FiringSquad: Will there be any single player modes in the game and if so what can you tell us about them?

Sang-In Lee: There is no single player mode in the Korean version due to the fact that the game was primarily designed for multi-player mode. As we attract a broader player base we believe new users may desire some time to get familiar with the controls and options before being thrown into player-vs-player matches. For that reason, we are planning to add a way for users to get accustomed to Exteel (a sort of tutorial) by using NPCs. Beyond that, there will not be a single-player mode.

FiringSquad: What multiplayer features will there be in Exteel?

Sang-In Lee: There are currently four game modes: Death Match, Team Death Match, Territory Control, and Hold The Line. Among them, Team Death Match and Territory Control are Exteel's primary play styles. Team Death Match is the mode where two teams battle each other. There are no control points or strategic goals. The teams fight until the time runs out and the team with the highest score wins. In Territory Control mode, two teams battle each other for strategic goals. Each team starts with a base, and there are neutral bases spread over the map. You can capture neutral bases and use them as re-spawn points and health pads. If either team captures the other’s home base, the team wins. Finally, Hold The Line pits your team, in defense of your base, against waves of NPC Mechanaughts. If the bots capture any spawn points before the timer ends, the players lose. This is the mode where beginners can become accustomed to the game and this mode can strengthen teamwork among players.


FiringSquad: What main gameplay features do you consider to be important?

Sang-In Lee: Exteel has an Auto Lock (or soft-targeting) system to help targeting. Each weapon type has different strengths and weaknesses, such as rate of fire, damage, range, and cooling rate. The players who best understand how to use their particular weapons in the field will ultimately dominate the battleground.

Sang-In Lee: Another important feature in Exteel is the jetpack, which allows bursts of speed and vertical lifting (high-jumping or minor flight).  Using the jetpack efficiently will allow users to swiftly dart around the landscape, adding a degree of high-speed tactics to each battle.

However, some of the most exciting features are the special maneuvers.  Using the right combination of weapons, players can execute wild, deadly combination blows. Maneuvers have to be carefully selected and require skill to pull off in combat, but they can turn the tide of a fight. We’re very excited about this feature and hope that the North American players will feel equally excited about it.

As an online multiplayer game, the outcome of every Exteel skirmish will depend on how well players work together to plan and execute a successful strategy. A motley collection of skilled loners will find themselves hard pressed to overcome potentially weaker players who engage in solid teamwork.


FiringSquad: What are the team's favorite mechs and weapons so far?

Sang-In Lee: The Beam Spitter, the Omega Tristone Launcher, and the Ray Chaser are the team’s favorite weapons. The Beam Spitter is a single-handed, futuristic submachine gun; twin guns can be wielded to convey the crazy gun-play of Hong Kong action flicks. The Omega Tristone Launcher is a two-handed  siege weapon that launches a single missile. Because it only fires one missile at a time, it is less likely to overheat. Both of these weapons are also easy to use, so you’ll see many players using them. The Beam Spitter has a shorter range, but a wide targeting arc, so it’s easy to hit an enemy in range. The Omega Tristone Launcher, on the other hand, is normally used from remote distances, like a sniper weapon. The Ray Chaser is a long-range energy rifle that has a high damage rating, but also a long recharge time so it requires careful timing. We also enjoy the Death Hurler and Blitz Rocket Launcher, but you don’t see them as often on the battlefield.