Gameplay and Engine

Firingsquad: Will it be a simultaneous release for PC and Dreamcast or are we looking at a staggered release?

Greg: We're aiming for simultaneous release ­ our goal is to get the Dreamcast version into SEGA's QA process and then fine tune the PC version while we're waiting for DC bugs (hopefully there are none).

Deploy the parachute

Firingsquad: What does the game offer besides a lot of gun blazing and alien ass kicking (not that we need more than that but...)? Interaction with NPCs or the environment?

Greg: I'd say the largest novel features in MDK2 is humor, followed by puzzles. Max, Kurt and the Doctor have an interesting set of relationships that are explored throughout the game. As I already mentioned we have extensive cut scenes that are used to tell the story.

Also, in many cases, the environments themselves are puzzles that the character must overcome. MDK2 is really not a case of run, shoot and ask questions later.

A psychedelic water slide

Firingsquad: Will it be possible to make mods? Perhaps a mission editor to create your own adventures?

Greg: Unfortunately there will not be any user modifiability of MDK2.

Firingsquad: It's fairly common knowledge that you developed a new engine, the BioWare Omen Engine, which is going to be used for the game. It seems like a lot of trouble to go to (especially considering the competition from id, Monolith and Epic in the 3D FPS/3rd person engine market.) Is MDK2 the only game you plan on making with it? Is there at least the possibility of an expansion if all goes well with MDK2?

Greg: BioWare has a couple of other games under its hat that have yet to be announced. It would only make sense to use our own engine for those games. Making an engine is a lot of work so it only makes sense to reuse it whenever possible.

Part of the problem with using a 3rd party engine is you have to make such significant modifications to the engine in order to create a new gameplay experience that at the end of the day you often are not be further ahead of someone using their own custom engine.

Will there be an expansion? I can't say it this point. We're concentrating on getting MDK2 done rather than worrying about what's next.