Wolfenstein Interview

OCMS: What can you tell us about the A.I. in the game?

PS: We knew from the beginning that we wanted Wolfenstein to deliver the gameplay experience that people would expect having played Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Wolfenstein 3D. At the same time, we also wanted to introduce the Wolfenstein experience to people that might be new to the franchise. At its core, the game is about fast action and combat. Starting there, we built layers on that foundation to highlight and push different gameplay and to keep the player involved. Even basic Nazi soldiers will take advantage of cover, use blind fire attacks and work to flank the player. On top of that we’ve got the awesome Wolfenstein universe to draw from. While the game is set in World War II, it’s not a World War II game. You can expect some cool enemies that are created in a world where dark and twisted science merges with the mysterious strangeness of the occult. Wolfenstein allows us to offer surprises around every corner – it’s a pretty cool universe to be let loose in. When you factor in the weapon upgrades and the Veil, you find a layered system that gives the player the opportunity to take on combat the way they like. Additionally, Wolfenstein allows for a ton of play styles thanks to the upgrade system. Whether you want to sneak around and pick off enemies with silencers or go in guns blazing, the A.I. has been designed to act accordingly.

OCMS: Blending action with a detailed plot can always be tricky. How have you attempted to create this element, and will scripted events be a part of the game?

PS: Wolfenstein has always been about fast-paced combat with explosions and surprises around every corner, so we knew that keeping that intact was essential to the game. We also wanted to make sure that this time around players could also enjoy a really deep and engaging story, so we added NPC groups for B.J. to interact with throughout the game and push the story forward.

An example of these groups is the Kreisau Circle. These are citizens of Isenstadt who have taken up arms against the invading Nazis and are helping B.J. in his discovery of the Nazis plan. Interacting with these groups gives players important story elements as well as missions throughout the game.

OCMS: The past game dealt heavy with the supernatural, will that continue in the new games?

PS: The Wolfenstein franchise is known for its supernatural elements and unexpected twists. The goal when designing this game was to keep ratcheting up the intensity in terms of combat and the supernatural throughout the campaign, and to keep players unsure about what was around the next corner.

OCMS: What are the biggest obstacles you faced in creating the game and the biggest success?

PS: One big obstacle that we faced was the fact that people might view this as “just another World War II game.” However, this is also one of the biggest successes of the Wolfenstein franchise. Wolfenstein takes place during World War II and features Nazis, but other than that it is very much its own experience. Since it is not an attempt to be historically relevant, we can throw a lot of unexpected twists at the player and give them a fresh experience. With occult, supernatural and sci-fi undertones the game really stands out.

As Kevin Cloud once said, saying Wolfenstein is a World War II game is like saying Indiana Jones is a World War II movie.

OCMS: What are some of the enemies players will face and will there be Boss battles?

PS: Players will face a variety of different enemies in the game. There will be battle-hardened Nazi soldiers, but there will also be a lot of enemies that have harnessed the Veil to make themselves more combat effective. A few examples of this are the Scribe and the Heavy Trooper. The Scribe has learned to utilize the Veil and can put shields around his allies, move with blazing speed, and throw energy projectiles at the player. The Heavy Trooper wields a devastating Particle Cannon and is like a walking tank. Players will have to use their weapons and their cunning to take down these enemies.

Players will be really impressed with the Veil-created bosses they will have to face in order to stop the Nazis..

OCMS: What formats will the game be released on?

PS: The game will be released on the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3

OCMS: Roughly how long is the game?

PS: Game length is based on what style of player you are.Those who want to explore, find all the treasures, and get all of the unlocks will spend more time with the game than those people who will just run and gun through the levels..

OCMS: Thank you!