Emperor: Battle for Dune FAQs with Chris Longpre

21. Which 3D APIs will be supported?

Direct3D will be required.

22. Are there any plans for 3D audio support?

We are supporting 3D audio libraries, and looking into several specific 3D audio features.

23. What are you doing to ensure the replay value of this game?

Besides the numerous combinations of the three main houses with the five sub-houses, every battle is unique in the way it can be won. Each battle, even on the same map with same houses, will play out differently due to the advanced AI. Further, there are more than 100 missions available for placement on the 33-territory campaign map. So subsequent games will offer quite a bit of variety, and many missions are unique to a particular side. Players will really want to play all three sides to see all the missions and the three storylines.

24. Tell us how you plan on implementing online multi-player support.

We are fully supporting matchmaking via Westwood Online (WOL), a free service for Westwood customers. In addition, we have added QuickMatch functionality, which makes hooking up with similarly-skilled opponents very easy. Also, the addition of a Buddy List, and improved game searching code, makes finding a game very simple.

25. What kind of steps are you taking to insure good latency for players using modems?

We have developed some new techniques for controlling the amount of game data being sent to each player, which reduces the effects of latency. Additionally, we have a small amount of packet buffering which smoothes out spurious spikes in latency and packet loss.

26. What is the anticipated ship date?

It�s still early, but we should be finishing the game in 2001.

27. With Red Alert 2 just launched, how do you see the Dune and C&C franchises co-existing?

Quite well! They two franchises have existed side-by-side for years now. Their themes are quite different, and may appeal to different types of gamers, but they are both about exciting RTS gaming.

28. Will the efforts put into making Emperor: Battle for Dune cause any delays with Renegade?

None, as the Renegade and Emperor teams are unique and not codependent.

29. How will Emperor stand out from the huge amount of RTS games out there?

New depths of strategy have been added to the campaigns: choosing which territory to attack next, which alliance to pursue, how to collect reserve and reinforcement units to take out that entrenched territory, etc. Also, new layers of tactical choices: you can choose from three unique sides and ally with up to two of the five sub-houses. You can also choose cooperative campaign games. Team up with a buddy and dominate the computer! In addition, Emperor features gorgeous and compelling visuals on Arrakis, Caladan, Geidi Prime & Draconis 4.

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