Interview with Illusion Softwerks: H&D2

Hidden and Dangerous 2 Q&A
Interview conducted by Take 2, interviewing the folks at Illusion Softwerks.

The next instalment of World War II through the eyes of the Special Air Service.

The original Hidden & Dangerous released in 1999 to widespread acclaim, was the forerunner for the squad based tactical action game. With sales in excess of one million copies Hidden & Dangerous established itself as a leading franchise in the genre. We at Illusion Softworks, the creators of Hidden & Dangerous have for the last four years, been quietly developing and perfecting the sequel.

Set over European, African and Asian continents and reflecting on the theatres of war in which the SAS operated, Hidden & Dangerous 2 will be every bit as ground breaking as the launch of the original game. In more than 20 missions from the desolate winter of the Arctic to the searing heat of the Libyan desert, Hidden & Dangerous 2 will immerse the player through both single and multi-play in the ranks of the SAS as you battle the armed forces of Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese Empire.

Hidden & Dangerous 2 is incredible in its ambition, detail and execution - if you think you have seen anything better, think again!

2. What's type of game is H&D2?

H&D2 is a 1st or 3rd person tactical action game. That means you can play it in a 1st or 3rd person view, or if you wish, like a "top-down" RTS game in real-time. The player can use a mixture of these game styles to complete their objective, but you don't need to use any if you don't want to.

3. How does H&D2 differ from its predecessor?

The basic game principles are similar to H&D except everything has been completely overhauled and vastly improved upon the original game. It's
simply the best game we can make to give the player an utterly amazing gameplay experience.

We have developed a new tactical mode that has also brought the game to a totally new level of control and versatility. You'll find deviously intelligent A.I. in the game; with enemies forming groups to out flank the player and defend themselves realistically. They'll also try to retreat when they find there's no chance to win.

All the new WWII models used in the game have been painstakingly recreated by the 3D artists, bringing you closer to fighting in a real WWII world. It's simply amazing to see the game running.

4. Why has the game been in development for so long?

A sequel needs lots of ideas to impress the player more than the original. We wanted to create a completely new game that built on the solid foundations of its predecessor, not just an updated game. It also took some time to develop the new game engine, the LS3D engine, and ensure it could manage all the graphical and physical aspects required to realize the new game world. The quality of games has become much higher over the years and we have strived to surpass other games of a similar ilk.

5. How does H&D2 differ from others in its genre?

H&D2 is a very unique game that combines a number of styles from other games. The storyline takes place in many different locations, all which offer very specific terrain and vegetation. This allows the player a far greater tactical scope to achieve his objectives.

There are many details in each level that could affect the player's game. Realistic ballistics have also been implemented so the player will have to take physical rules into account if they want to hit their target. Will your weapon shoot through that wall? Or will the enemies weapon have enough force to shoot through your cover? All objects in the world have physical weight.

6. What have been your inspirations for this sequel?

There have been many sources. Firstly, the original H&D. All the aspects we weren't able to incorporate into the original will now be in H&D2. Movies are another inspiration, since H&D was released back in 1998 there have been some great WWII movies: Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line or Band of Brothers to name just a few. We have also read hundreds of reference books related to operations made by the Special Forces units operating in WWII. We also can't forget all the military and H&D fans that have posted their many ideas for the new game on the forums. They really helped decide which direction to go for the sequel!

7. Which parts of the H&D are we most proud of?

Simply put, we're trying to make everything better than other games we've released before. AI, vehicle physics, sounds, music, game-play, the experience, graphics, environments, the list goes on... We'll let you decide what we could be proud of, or what we couldn't.

8. How do the different environments in the game change the gaming experience?

It's all about a terrain, obstacles and other objects that make each territory different. The style of fighting is different in the open spaces of Africa than it is on the close-quarter streets of a small village, or jungle. You'll find that sniper rifle is not much of use in some of them.

9. What are the benefits in the changes to the Map Mode?

All the orders a player issues to his men will be performed exactly to the letter. Through using the Map Mode, you can order your squad to hide behind a tree, or carry out numerous actions in the game. The map uses the same game engine as the 3rd or 1st person views; it quickly and simply lets you see more of the terrain. This Map mode gives you the ability to give signals to his men when planning your attack. Overall, the amount of control the player has when using the map is vast.

10. Why should we buy the game?

H&D2 is not just one game. It's a number of different types of games rolled into one. Playing the game in the map mode, 3rd person, or 1st person it's always a great tactical simulation. It's very realistic, and very impressive. All of those who play the game will find themselves wincing before firing a shot.

11. What are the required system specifications for H&D2?

OS:Windows 98se/2000/ME/XP
PROCESSOR: Intel Pentium III / AMD Athlon 1Ghz
MEMORY (RAM):128MB
HARD DRIVE SPACE: 2.4GB
CD / DVD DRIVE: 4x
GRAPHICS: 32 MB 100% Direct 3D and DirectX 8 Compatible.
SOUND CARD:100% DirectX 8 Compatible Sound Card.
DIRECTX:DirectX 9
MULTIPLAYER LAN:TCP/IP Network.
MULTIPLAYER INTERNET:56k Modem (Client only) / ISDN / Broadband
INPUT DEVICES: MSCompatible Keyboard and Mouse.

RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
OS:Windows 98se/2000/ME/XP
PROCESSOR:Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 2Ghz
MEMORY (RAM):512MB
HARD DRIVE SPACE: 2.4GB
CD / DVD DRIVE: 4x
GRAPHICS CARD:128 MB 100% Direct 3D and DirectX8 Compatible.
SOUND CARD:100% DirectX8 Compatible Sound Card with Environmental Audio
Support.
DIRECTX:DirectX 9
LAN: TCP/IP Network
INTERNET: Broadband Connection.