Today we talk with developer MiST-LAND abouts its upcoming 3D rewrite of the popular tactical strategy game created by Sir-Tech Software (who you may also know for it's other popular series Wizardry). We learn just what exactly will change in this new game beyond the graphics from the team working on the game. Let's get started!

The first big question is how did MiST-Land and Game Factory get hold of the rights to this ultra popular franchise?



MiST-LAND: Our companies have been cooperating for quite a long time already. The first game released by SFI was “The Power of Law” (COPS 2170). Now we are working on the project named ALFA antiterror. You know this is a franchise contract. Owing to the cooperation we’ve got rights to develop two games.



Is MiST-LAND using an existing turn-based game technology used in one of its previous titles or is Jagged Alliance 3D being built from scratch?



MiST-LAND: Oh, we used the best technologies created by the company in Ja3D. We have considered all our experience we have gained while developing tactical games. Besides we performed market research before we set to develop the game. At the present moment we are working on a real-time Ja3D with ‘a smart pause’. We guess the innovation may sound a bit shocking to the fans of the JA series. But there’s nothing to worry about. Ja3D branches somehow from the main idea of the sequel. It’s a kind of experiment. The Ja3 we are going to create after Ja3D is to be a classic turn-based game.

Tell us what elements from the original game series will be carried over into this new game?



MiST-LAND: It goes without saying we’ll do our best to preserve the atmosphere of the original game, regardless of the changes in the project design. Now we try to work out a nonlinear story-line, as well. There are going to be four missions in the game. And we plan to introduce four main characters. Each of them will have different characteristics, different features. Thus there will be four different ways to complete the game. Besides, we are going to introduce several fractions that may offer missions to the character to complete. Throughout the game the player will encounter familiar mercenaries taken from the original game, a great variety of amour and high interaction of the levels. The last means that it’s possible to destroy almost everything on the level.



Will there be any drastic changes to the gameplay found in Jagged Alliance?



MiST-LAND: Sure! First of all it’s possible to play the game in real time now and do it in 3D interactive levels. Then the mercenaries and their enemy learn to use stationary weapon (machine-guns etc.) Though we’ve reduced the strategic part of the game and the character won’t be able to merely move across the map of the country. Then there is no irregular troop management. All these features will be restored in Ja3, which is going to be max. orthodox and classical.

Do you consider this a port of Jagged Alliance to 3D or a brand new game?



MiST-LAND: We consider it a brand new game preserving the settings of Ja and its rules, as well. That’s why we say Ja3 will make a sequel to Ja2, but we’ll work on it after we are through with Ja3D. And let me mention once again, it’s an experimental version, a new game that we create within the limits of JA franchise.



What kinds of missions will players be charged with in single player campaign?



MiST-LAND: There are a number of various missions. Starting with a simple quest to destroy everything on a certain level, for example, and finishing with the task to snake in and eliminate a certain character. Other missions, such as sabotaging or escorting characters, defending or attacking objects, in short the whole range of the modern wars operations is present.

Will terrain play a major role in the game? How will it affect tactics beyond the obvious implications?



MiST-LAND: A good question! Look, 3D graphics makes it possible to create variable terrain. This makes for tactics because numerous surface imperfections are good to hide in, be used as trenches. (By the way, there will be common trenches in the game as well.) Then a certain type of ground will have its own degree of camo. For example, in thick green grass the character is invisible but we cannot say the same about him lying on the asphalt.



Give us a few examples of some of the classic mercenaries for hire that will return to this new game?



MiST-LAND: There are going to be 30 favorite characters from the original series. To decide which characters to pick we had to visit Fan Forums in the Internet.



What kind of camera control will players have in this new 3D world? Will it be a fixed camera or fully moveable?



MiST-LAND: The camera’s fixed at a certain height at the angle of 45 degree to the terrain (zooming mode is available). If you wish to see how it works view the screenshots. We think this quite handy since it allows viewing quite much and at the same time saves the trouble of moving the camera.



How far along is the game at this point? Does MiST-Land have publishing partners in place for Europe or North America?



MiST-LAND: All the rights reserved and belong to GFI and SFI companies. Thus these very companies are going to publish it. We’ve planned autumn 2005 as the release date for the game.

Final Question: Will the game be shown at the Electronic Entertainment Expo next month in Las Angeles?



MiST-LAND: Yes, and we will be really glad to see you at our booth #6515 in Kentia Hall (GFI) :)

We'd like to thank MiST-LAND for taking the time to talk to us and Game Factory Interactive for giving us the chance to talk more about this game. Jagged Aliiance 3D will be shown off more at E3 next month, so be sure to watch our E3 Expo coverage beginning May 16th! For more details about the game follow the links below:

Vital Statistics:

Developer: Mist Land-South ( www.mistgames.ru )

Publisher: Game Factory Interactive ( www.gfi-online.ru )

Publisher - North America: Strategy First ( www.strategyfirst.com )