Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter PC Interview

Fans of UbiSoft and Red Storm's military tactical shooter series Ghost Recon were disappointed last year when the second game in the series failed to be released on the PC as originally promised. That won't be the case with the release this week of the PC version of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter which has additional content not seen in the console versions but also has the honor to be the first released game to support the AEGIA PC physics processor. FiringSquad got a chance to chat with UbiSoft producer Mathieu Girard about the PC port, which was developed largely by Swedish studio GRIN.

FiringSquad: First, was UbiSoft and Red Stom pleased with the reactions that the Xbox 360 version of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter received from fans and critics?
Mathieu Girard: More than pleased!! The game was very well welcomed by all fans and critics! We all worked hard to make Ghost Recon a reference on Xbox 360. It was difficult to find the perfect equilibrium between easy access gameplay and complex possibilities. We were also very proud to propose such complete Single player and Multiplayer modes. We are now assured that the Multiplayer mode will captivate all players for a long period of time on Xbox Live!
FiringSquad: While the Xbox 360 version got a ton of great reviews, the same cannot be said for the PS2 and Xbox versions. What ultimately happened with those versions and will those be the final Ghost Recon games on current gen consoles?
Mathieu Girard: Our idea was to really create a specific GRAW game for each platform. I don’t think that the Xbox and PS2 versions necessarily deserved such critics; these games certainly suffered the comparison with the Xbox 360 version. These games proposed a great challenge adapted to the platforms’ capabilities and even proposed a different but interesting gameplay with a unique controllable teammate. Nothing has been planned yet on new current gen releases.
FiringSquad: Why was the decision made to give the main development duties to the PC version of Advanced Wafighter to a third party developer, GRIN?
Mathieu Girard: From the beginning we wanted to create a specific PC version for GRAW and from that statement a third party developer seemed to be the best solution. GRIN appeared to be an excellent choice for two reasons. First, their powerful 3D engine. They’ve been working on it for several years, gradually improving it and increasing its list of features. It is a very versatile engine, one that easily adapts to new technology, and one to which new features are easily added. The engine’s performance in rendering both long sight ranges and close up details also makes it ideal for tactical shooters. Close and long range battle has never been so detailed as they are in GRAW PC.
In addition to the Diesel Engine, they have a set of very powerful tools that help them in creating content for the game – such as our map editor in which we piece together the buildings and objects that make up the battle field, and our visual effects and sound editor.
FiringSquad: Is the PC version of the game based on the Xbox 360 version or is it being developed from the ground-up?
Mathieu Girard: GRAW PC and consoles share a common basis: same background, storyline and characters but that is it for the comparison. The specific development of GRAW PC started around a year and half ago, separately from the 360 one.
FiringSquad: Will the main storyline and campaign from the console versions of the game be the same for the PC version? Yes, only slight differentiations.
FiringSquad: What additional content (missions, weapons, etc) will be added to the PC version?
Mathieu Girard: Let’s just say that we have two completely different games and as a result two separate developments. All the art assets have been completely remade, the game engine is different, level design has been rebuilt, all the AI and behaviours are completely specific and maps are at least twice the size of the consoles. GRAW fans can be optimist GRAW PC has been developed with a specific emphasize on tactics / strategy and very specific MP modes.
FiringSquad: What multiplayer modes will be available for the PC version of Advanced Warfighter?
Mathieu Girard: Cooperative lets you play the campaign with up to three other ghost players. One assumes the role of the team leader and issues orders through the HUD and tactical map to his fellow players, which they see as waypoints on their interface. This is a real evolution compared to games where a microphone is needed to play in coop. Deathmatch is also on the way thanks to an update that we will issue post-release, but the MP mode we are the most proud about is the Domination one, an innovative new mode, featuring the control city block zones connected by supply lines.
FiringSquad: What can you tell us about the graphical features for the PC version?
Mathieu Girard: Once again GRAW PC integrates specific graphics compared to the consoles. The first person view changes a lot of things and adds a real immersive aspect from my point of view. Graphics are intentionally more ‘sober’ and realistic and definitely fit the ambiance we tried to achieve in the game.
FiringSquad: This version of the game will be one of the first that will support the AGEIA PC physics card. What additional physics effects will be added to the PC version of Advanced Warfighter and how do they affect the gameplay, if any?
Mathieu Girard: It does not really affect the gameplay but of course visually it will be much more impressive. For instance damage effects will be calculated in real time and players will have the opportunity to experience mind-blowing special effects such as particles effects during explosions.
FiringSquad: Will there be any mod tools released for the PC version of the game?
Mathieu Girard: This is not planned so far.
FiringSquad: What can you tell us about the future of the Ghost Recon series at this point?
Mathieu Girard: We’ll work even harder to give our fans something even better!
FiringSquad: Finally is there anything else you wish to say about the PC version of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter?
Mathieu Girard: JOIN THE GHOSTS! :)