Link here: http://web.archive.org/web/20020607211021/http://www.avpnews.com/community/interviews/ampint1.html
Conducted by Sadogoat, October 21, 2000
This interview was conducted over IRC with some of the members of the AMP team - the group who are currently working on the much-anticipated Aliens Versus Predator Mission Pack for Aliens Versus Predator Gold Edition.
Our interviewees are:
Eldritch - Project Co-ordinator, Programmer, and "PR dude"
AVP - Story Developer, Lead Sound Engineer, and "PR dude"
Oblivion - 3D Modeller & Level Designer
Mr Kipling - Graphics Developer
Glock - Lead QA Tester
SG: For those who aren't familiar with the AMP project, when did it all start? And how did you become involved?
Eldritch: It started in late '99 by myself. When skins became possible, I became very interested in fixing all those "flaws" AvP had (and still has). So I tried to assemble
a team of good and dedicated members to run the show with me. My first choice was AvP, mostly because we knew each other since the Vault of Modifications days. Then, slowly but surely, a team was forming..
AVP: I joined when he started it in December '99 and began working on the story then.
Mr Kipling: I personally was confronted by Eldritch about a month ago, me and him had been in contact for a while (through Xenoworks) and he asked me to help with
the graphics in the MP skins and textures etc.
Glock: I had personally been in contact with much of the AMP team for a long time. Ever since I'd left PlanetAvP, I had been more involved in other non-AvP stuff -
but then I saw the potential with the AMP, so I decided to join them, and Eldritch obliged. This was a few days ago, so I'm the newbie on the team :)
Oblivion: Man, I can't even remember when I joined....I originally joined AMP as the Packager, but then changed my profession to 3D modeller when I started doing
work with 3D Max.
SG: What exactly is AMP? Are we talking about three entirely new AvP episodes here, one for each species? Or something uniquely new?
Eldritch: It is a Mission Pack (AMP means Aliens versus Predator Mission Pack) for Aliens versus Predator Gold. We thought the original storyline and setting was a bit
lame - it did not have the passion and depth it should've had. So, we first sat down (me and AvP) and discussed what we wanted out of this. We came up with an entirely new setting and story, and we are beginning to bring the terror to the human race (a.k.a the Marine).
AVP: Yeah one campaign for the Marine. In developing this story, I've been doing it more like i was making the Alien that should have come after Aliens. With this
thinking I've been very serious in making the plot - every situation with have meaning, every location will be new, there will be strongly developed characters (to the best the game will let us).
Eldritch: Playing the Predator has no real fear in it, neither has the Alien game, so we think that terror is best displayed against the weakest of the three races, the
humans. (There will be) only new episodes for the Marine but they don't focus on the Marines only.
AVP: There will be a Predator level released.
Eldritch: Yes, a sort of prequel. It'll be both a single and a multiplayer level. We want it to build a sort of pre-story for the Mission Pack's story.
AVP: No way we're gonna explain the Predator's motivation with the way the AI is, so we make a prequel level.
SG: Can you give us a rough outline of the new story? Where it takes place, for example? And what kicks off the conflict?
Eldritch: I think AvP can answer that best, right AvP?
AVP: It takes place on XC-2154, a planet that orbits binary suns on the end of our galactic arm. Why? Well when I think Aliens, I think desolation and what's further
out than the galactic halo? There has been established a military garrison outpost (Centurion base) and Company-funded civilian research center on Cassus where people go about their daily routines and work. The civvies on Cassus are part of the Galactic Halo Research Project (GHRP) - its purpose to do just that. The Marines who are doing tours on Cassus are part of USC Expeditionary Forces - soldiers who are rigorously trained to operate independently well beyond the colonized frontier. You play as one of these soldiers.
The Aliens? I can't say how they come into play - just that the level (in which) they do will really be something (remember its gotta be up to the standards of the Alien derelict and Aliens nest scene). I'll also say that the decisions that bring the aliens into play are gonna make Ash and Gorman look like a hero and genius. There will be brushes with them early in the pack, but you will not truly encounter them until later in the pack. (As for) pacing, in Alien you saw the face hugger and everything (it) wasn't until later that the crew found out what they're up against.
Mr Kipling: And the Predator... well you'll have to wait for the level :)
Eldritch: Yes, the prequel level will explain how the Preds ended up there. We might not even have Aliens at all... perhaps something new... who knows :)
(Robocop!!)
AVP: You're gonna get it all - as for a outline think starts like Alien, turns into Aliens, then into a Predator theme, then the end? he he cant say. I do mean in feel not
actual look - we ain't gonna rip off sets from the movies that would be lame.
SG: So far, the AMP suggests alot of new features and improvements. Tackling each once at a time, let's start with levels....how will these look and feel in relation to
the game's originals? Bigger? Smaller? More outside areas? Unique environments?
Eldritch: The levels in original AvP are aimed towards the high speed at which the game is set. No wall will remain flat, that is our goal. And, we'll present some new
and unique areas, outdoor areas, everything almost.
Oblivion: Atmosphere is the word. We want you to move around in these levels like you would if you were in an Alien movie. Creep around corners, constantly check
your ammo... try to keep from tripping on bodies - you'll see dozens of your slain compadres as you go through the levels.
AVP: They will be elaborate - movie set quality. And there will be importance in the locations, nothing will be thrown in for the heck of it. There will also be pacing
like any good movie or story would have. The aliens wont be used for target practice, rather events will unfold like they should, connected and with meaning.
Mr Kipling: They will have more character, so rather then rushing through them at 100 mph, players will be encouraged to look around.
Glock: Personally, I think of the movie Aliens as a really good blueprint for what must be done with AMP. I'm a stickler for film realism. ;)
SG: The Predator Ship preview teaser has been well-received around the community since it's release, although one assumes there's yet to be lighting and other
effects or features added. This is a level alot of people have been waiting for - what awaits them in the final version?
Eldritch: Unspeakable joy - a beautiful sight. Please note that the "teaser" was from 3D Studio MAX, not from LeadWorks, so we still can make texturing, lighting and
other stuff when S_Hole decides to being editing it.
Oblivion: Well, as of right now, S_Hole's computer is out of service - so he can't work on the Pred ship level right now. But it will definitely not disappoint.
AVP: You will get to see the Cassus horizon.
Mr Kipling: As was mentioned before it'll set the scene so to speak.
SG: The AMP website already shows off new game features in it's screenshots, or improvements on AvP's original features. Can you elaborate more on what changes
are being made, and what made you want to make them?
Eldritch: Primarily, we want movie realism. In the original AvP, some weapons were so weak they could noy kill a fly - and that Image Intensifier…man, did that suck.
I dont really think that imagery equipment in the future would look that corny. The changes we've made so far are Flares, Intensifier, weapons, speed, toughness, equipment and weapons.
Oblivion: Right now, I am doing models of all of the pickup items that will be in the Mission Pack. You no longer start out every level with the image intensifier and
flares. You will need to find these things as you go through the game. The same goes for the motion tracker. It'll give you that feel of accomplishment when you finally find a new item to use.
AVP: Yep, being the story person, its my hope that after this is done everybody will know what a 'LP-40 rifle' is, and perhaps even accept our changes as part of the
AvP universe, discussing and arguing how they work in forums.
Mr Kipling: And of course the Alien life cycle is a biggy :)
AVP: Oh yeah, big biggie.
Mr Kipling: Man, I need some coffee.
Eldritch: In the AMP build of the game, you feel really secure using even a Pistol, which you'll never feel in the original AvP.
AVP: Yep, but you'll also know that death can come with a empty clip - unlike AvP where you can circle strafe so its a extreme on both ends.
Eldritch: Yes, but, if you're low on ammo, you can just reload manually by pressing the new Reload button :)
Mr Kipling: Realism is the key but still trying to keep with an authentic movie feel.
Eldritch: To sum it all up, we want movie realism (which differs from real-life realism).
SG: New weapons on the horizon then? Many have said it can't be done. But you guys seem to have proven them wrong. What can you tell us about these new
additions to the Marine arsenal?
AVP: Ohhhhh they are gonna kick ass. Some were on the old website so I'll mention only them. Nothing flashy though, everything will be gritty and realistic - ie. have
a real use. No skeeters. One of these weapons will be for use in vacuum and low pressure environments. Since theres no drag or gravity in space, there are no restrictions on how heavy the rounds are - they will be quite devastating. Stay tuned to the Mission Pack website, along with information about Cassus, Centurian base, and the EXF some of these weapons will get spec pages at the Experience site.
Mr Kipling: The sort of thing you'd expect to be found/used.
Eldritch: And no useless weapons (like the original Smartgun and Flamethrower).
AVP: We also are gonna add some new equipment, for example a EVA-type suit for levels that require it.
SG: The long-desired Shotgun perhaps?
AVP: Yes, and the shotgun.
Eldritch: So you can "eat this" most of the time...
AVP: One of the weapon systems - I can't say which - is gonna allow you to totally turn the table on the Predator, let you become the hunter.
SG: Ok, let's drag Kipling away from his coffee for a moment......I assume there will be totally new skins in the game. Will this apply to all characters, including the
default player skin(s)?
Mr Kipling: Yes, what we wanted for the Mission Pack is something totally new and original. Basically the whole thing is going through the works - that includes
character textures.
AVP: More skin choices might be a possibility to if the code works the way we want.
Eldritch: I can say the code does handle models and skins in a very very complicated way. I am not sure I can fix it so you'll get to choose skin or even remove the
random assignment of skin parts.
Mr Kipling: We hope to manipulate this so we can add such features a multiple skins but this is still in the works.
SG: You mentioned the inclusion of new models earlier on. Will this extend to the possibility of brand new enemies, or new strains of Alien?
AVP: Hmmm types of aliens.....
Eldritch: We have discussed new strains, but nothing is going to be as "ridiculous" as Alien Resurrection's new strains (*cough* Newborn *cough*)
AVP: Well they do adapt rather well don't they? Since Cassus is a world that undergoes frequent gravity shifts and gets bombarded by massive amounts of radiation.
Use your imagination to think of how they would have to form to survive there.
Eldritch: Yes, aliens adapt VERY well (just see how the facehugger in Alien repaired itself when wounded).
SG: One for AvP here....you've been doing sound work for AvP for pretty much as far back as the AvP mod scene has been alive. What sort of ambience are you
looking to create for the Mission Pack? AvP was a bit sparse on it, save for the odd ship's engine effects - while more modern releases like Alien Resurrection have the distant screams of dying victims, and the ship's computer making regular announcements. What kind of effect have you been trying to achieve?
AVP: Well, I'm not big on drawing - other than writing, I see sounds as my way of presenting this world. I'm going for a distinctive 'sound' for each area and the pack
entirely. There will be plenty of ambience and screams where they are needed - my goal is to create a sense of unease with sounds, even normal sounds you'd hear in. say, the base com room. To me the sounds are one of the biggest parts of the movies. If i can come up with some stuff that even compares to the atmosphere processor strumming or medlab effect in Alien, I will be most happy.
SG: What kind of multiplayer options will the Mission Pack support? Will any of the levels be MP compatible? Will there be new MP modes like 'Capture The Flag'
perhaps?
Eldritch: At least I have planned to implement some new styles. CTF is a possibility.
AVP: We hope to make the single player levels Co-Op friendly.
Eldritch: Full Co-Op is being looked into. I think we'll try to make the AMP's Multiplayer aimed more towards strategic play - Marines moving in fire-teams, watching
each others' backs, covering the front with their trackers, while Aliens wait in the shadows. We no longer have Predators that are tough as tanks. Pistols can actually kill Predators quite fast.
SG: Kind of like Aliens Online-style team play?
Eldritch: Yes, Aliens Online has been in my mind all along, since Sammer - our second sound engineer - mentioned details about Aliens Online. One example: You and
a friend play Marines. You have Pulse Rifle and he has a Smartgun. As his weapon takes up both hands, he cannot use the Motion Tracker, so you have to. That is a bit more strategic, and realistic.
AVP: And put importance on the motion tracker.
Eldritch: Yes, the motion tracker actually has a use now that the game speed has been slowed.
AVP: After playing through a whole game with it - the useless one thats in AvP - it becomes uninteresting. All weapons and items are gonna get the presence they
deserve in the Mission Pack.
Eldritch: Many things feel useless in the original AvP. The (AMP) secret weapons will surely bring you all down, worshipping AMP for all eternity *evil laugh*
AVP: World domination!
SG: This project has been going on for quite some time now, and alot of anticipation has been building for it. Are you working to a deadline for release, or is it a case
of 3D Realms' now-popular line "When it's done"?
Eldritch: We are still collaborating on what can be done and what can't, as we are 100% sure of the capabilities of the available modding tools, the code and other
things, we get to work.
Oblivion: When it's done, then we'll release it. There will be no "betas" released, but there will be plenty of other stuff for you to see while you wait. If we released a
beta of the MP, then the final version wouldn't be as interesting. People will have already played the hell out of the beta and the new weapons, so they wouldn't be as impressed with the full version.
Mr Kipling: So far most of the Mission Pack's work as been in the concept area.
Eldritch: We are aiming towards releasing this pack before AvP: The Sequel but we have no intention of taking away the interest in AvP 2 at all AVP: Yes, because
theyve been saying things about making a story based game with pacing.
Eldritch: AvP 2 is THE game I'm waiting for.
AVP: We do not want to be overshadowed, it doesnt matter if we were doing this before AVP 2, a commerical product will get the attention. I dont think there's
anyway we could take interest away from AVP 2
SG: Does the AMP team contemplate tackling AvP2 editing once it's been released - given that it will be more 'custom-friendly'?
Eldritch: If we are still around, and want to continue our work, I am pretty sure we'll get something together. I dont really know how custom-friendly Lithtech is, at
least to us consumers (I know it can be tailored for the creators of the game using the engine).
Oblivion: Well, I'm certainly willing to continue with AvP 2 after the Mission Pack is done. The Lithtech engine is very impressive. We would be able to do a lot of
things that can't be done in AvP. In any case, I am really looking forward to seeing what is possible with Lithtech.
SG: Anything else any of you would like to add?
AVP: Be afraid be very afraid - AMP is hardcore sci-fi!
Glock: Make sure you have a couple of clean pairs of underwear. ;)
Oblivion: Warning: If you have a pacemaker or a serious heart condition, consult a doctor before playi.... ah hell, play it anyway!
Eldritch: Stay tuned good folks. AMP knows the secret to life. 'This is AMP, last hope for Aliens Versus Predator, signing off...'