PC Games Interview with Achim Heidelauf, Producer of Codename: Panzers (issue 01/05) Phase Two | The tanks are rolling again: Our interview will tell what you can expect from the next phase of this tactical wonder besides burning hot desert sand. Already in spring 2005 the Hungarian developer Stormregion (SWINE) will be sending the next phase of its tactical hit Codename: Panzers Phase One into the race to win the favor of armchair generals out there. Which means it's high time for PC Games and CDV producer Achim Heidelauf to uncover the first interesting details for Phase Two. A while ago the rumor went around that the main focus of Phase Two was the multiplayer mode. Is that really the case? We always saw Phase One as a single-player game with an additional online mode. With Phase Two we're developing a homogenous mixture from the beginning. While we're on the subject of multiplayer: A lot of buyers rightly complain about bugs in the multiplayer mode. Are you going to be able to take care of this with Phase Two? A lot of fans have written saying that they'd like to have a multiplayer mode with unit production and the taking over of buildings as game elements. Although these features were never planned, we've decided to incorporate an extensive Domination Mode. That wasn't exactly a mistake, but this unplanned step didn't actually contribute to the stability of the net code. This, however, can't happen in Phase Two since the multiplayer mode has been well programmed, which means that huge last minute changes won't be necessary. What can you tell us about the new settings and story? The greatest part of the axis campaign takes place in Africa. And the missions are with the Allies residing in Italy. Whoever finishes both campaigns gets to enjoy a bonus campaign in Yugoslavia. The story is more important to us in comparison to its predecessor. That's why we commissioned a world-famous author. Unfortunately, I can't say any more, except that along with the heroes from Phase One the Italian brothers Dario und Sergio turn up again. Can we expect famous battles like in El Alamein or Tobruk? Yes, both of those battles will be in Phase Two. Operation Husky will be included as well. But, like in Phase One, the missions orientate themselves only superficially with their historical role models. Gaming fun is the most important aspect. One hundred percent correctness can be found in other titles. What kind of new gadgets can we expect? We've built over 20 new units. The Italians now have the M13/40, the Carro Armato and the Semovente ATGs. The Allies, on the other hand, will have the M3 Grant/Lee, the Daimler Dingo and the Bofors 40mm Halftrack. And what's your favorite? I just had to have a mobile flamethrower. That's why Stormregion built the Flame Tank 1. In one of the screen shots you can see a huge fortress. Phase One didn't have buildings like that. What's so special about this building? An important feature is the various types of new buildings. It's possible in Phase Two to destroy parts of certain structures. For example, you can destroy only the watch towers of a palace. The desert fortress you mentioned is made up of almost one hundred parts. It's a lot of fun to occupy or defend these huge fortresses like the opposing big boss in an action game. That can sometimes take up to a couple of hours. In the first part there were a few problems with path finding. Tanks often got caught while doing maneuvers. Will you improve the AI? Creating a perfect pathfinder on such detailed city maps is almost impossible. Naturally, we're aware of the problem and will further improve this part of the program. Do you see Phase Two as an extension or a complete new game? Phase Two is a new game and playable without the first part. It's comparable with Phase One from complexity. Will you have to cut the German version again? No, it doesn't look like it. The community is hoping for an editor. Are you going to publicize one this year? There will definitely be an editor package included. With these tools everything will be possible: You can make your own maps for single and multiplayer, extensive missions with scripted results and design various mission goals, change units, etc. … Beside all that there's a program for in-between sequences, and masters of design have the possibility to create completely new buildings and units. In the past you always put bonus maps online - the last one being "Karlsruhe 1945". Will you be providing fans with fresh download maps in the future, too? The four bonus maps we had so far I developed in my free time. The feedback was enormous; therefore, I'm already working on a Christmas map that should be finished by mid December. Another surprise should be coming from Stormregion soon. Can you give us a small foretaste of Phase Three? There's no way I could even think of saying anything on that subject. But it will be cold and in Spain… oh, just forget it. *laugh*