Ask Iron Grip: Warlord developers a question, more FABULOUS PRIZES!

[LordDon]

Isotx has been kind enough to accept an invitation to talk to the Immortal Machines podcast for Episode 25. Since giving incentive to ask questions worked so well last time we thought we'd do it again!

Iron Grip: Warlord is one of those cool indie games that not nearly enough people have heard about. It started as Iron Grip: The Oppression, a Half Life 2 mod that mixed RTS and FPS elements. Iron Grip: Warlord is a standalone game built by Isotx on the Quake 3 engine that adds tower defense to the previous mix, and it is flush with steampunk style.

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If you haven't played either before, give the demo (http://igwarlord.isotx.com/splash/) a try and ask any questions you'd like answered from this up-and-coming developer

As an incentive, should any be necessary, we will be giving away two copies of the game, to people whose questions get asked during the interview. MagGnome and his magic ping pong balls will make their triumphant return.

You have the next two weeks, until January 11th or 12th, to ask your questions in this thread. Winners will be announced after the interview is recorded.

Proceed!

A couple of notes of formality re: the contest -

(1) In the event that a question is asked multiple times, the first person to ask it will be the contest entry. Similarity of questions will be at our discretion.

(2) While you are encouraged to ask multiple questions, that does not equate to multiple contest entries.

[CappinCanuck]

Well, I haven't heard anything about the title just yet, but the genre mix has always interested me. I'm downloading the demo and will give it a try.

I do have one question right off the bat though, from experience, probably another after I try it out.


There have been a lot of developments over the years for FPS-RTS since Savage, but few or none, including Savage, have balanced the genres well enough to entice the mainstream. What has Iron Grip done to alleviate the long-term issue of FPS-RTS games being simplified versions of each genre mixed together, and offering little complexity or depth, in comparison to genre-dedicated titles?

[CappinCanuck]

This needs more posts, makes us look real bad if the devs are checking on these forums :D.

Edit: Just got back home, so I'm downloading the demo.

[MagGnome]

No one has any questions? Come on guys!

[LordDon]

Srsly, it's a free game.

[Xerxes]

It went from a Half Life 2 mod to a Quake 3 mod? Why the downgrade? Or are these two separate games?

[blair]

It went from a Half Life 2 mod to a Quake 3 mod? Why the downgrade? Or are these two separate games?
My guess: Since the quake3 engine is open-source they can distribute their game standalonen without paying for the source engine.

[CappinCanuck]

My guess: Since the quake3 engine is open-source they can distribute their game standalonen without paying for the source engine.

That's what I was thinking as well. Unfortunately, it may be far too dated. Perhaps they will use the sale of this title towards purchasing a better engine for the next? I hope so because that's my primary issue after the first play. Hopefully the devs will be explaining that one :).

I haven't run into any players yet in the demo, just bots. I am looking forward to getting a feel for the game with other actual people. I did have a great time with it though.

[MagGnome]

That's what I was thinking as well. Unfortunately, it may be far too dated. Perhaps they will use the sale of this title towards purchasing a better engine for the next? I hope so because that's my primary issue after the first play. Hopefully the devs will be explaining that one :).

I haven't run into any players yet in the demo, just bots. I am looking forward to getting a feel for the game with other actual people. I did have a great time with it though.

I downloaded the demo and would like to give it a shot, so if you want to play sometime let me know.

[LordDon]

I downloaded the demo and would like to give it a shot, so if you want to play sometime let me know.

Maybe we can plan this for Wednesday?

[CappinCanuck]

Maybe we can plan this for Wednesday?

Sure! Anytime really, perk of being unemployed.

[Voodoo]

Count me in!

[MagGnome]

Wednesday should work for me!

[LordDon]

Tossed something up in matchmaking (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=14781). Maybe we can create a CoG Steam group event as well.

[CappinCanuck]

Tossed something up in matchmaking (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=14781). Maybe we can create a CoG Steam group event as well.

This will bring many 'a competitors and questions. Why oh why did I open my mouth? :D

[mightbe]

The visual style is definitely interesting and I've long thought that the fps/rts mix was something that needed more exploring. Savage, Dark Reign, and Herzog Zwei were their generation's exciting example of this.

What's going to make Iron Grip: Warlord stand out in this generation?

[Trebor]

I downloaded Iron Grip and tried it out back on the 29th. It's a fun game that keeps you moving and thinking tactically. It's nice having the RTS view to switch to for situational awareness with the FPS game play. There are plenty of buildings and alley ways to run down and setup ambushes for the bad guys when they show up. Of course if you try to run away they will follow and kill you so make sure your gun is bigger than theirs! I've always been a big fan of Battlezone and Battlezone 2 where you have an FPS/ RTS mode of play. I think it makes for a more challenging game experience. It would be great to see more of these as [mightbe] stated. As for the comment about the dated look using the Quake III [id Tech 3] engine in all honesty, I was too busy having fun running around the map setting up ambush sites in RTS mode and shooting Confederates in FPS mode to notice.

[Voodoo]

Just thought I'd post a gameplay video...

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[Xerxes]

I was knocking the graphics but that shit looks fun.

[LordDon]

I was knocking the graphics but that shit looks fun.

Exactly! It's like chocolate and peanut butter!

[MagGnome]

Exactly! It's like chocolate and peanut butter!

A nasty, overrated combination?

[Xerxes]

A nasty, overrated combination?

No that would be chocolate, peanut butter, and NUTS. :eek:

[CappinCanuck]

No that would be chocolate, peanut butter, and NUTS. :eek:

I'd like those nuts better if they were rendered in a UT3 engine, giggity :D

[MagGnome]

No that would be chocolate, peanut butter, and NUTS. :eek:

Chocolate + nuts = great

Chocolate + peanut butter = meh

I will admit that some of the higher quality chocolate and peanut butter confections are alright, but Reese's are an abomination. Then again they contain neither chocolate nor peanut butter.

[Xerxes]

Chocolate + nuts = great

Chocolate + peanut butter = meh

I will admit that some of the higher quality chocolate and peanut butter confections are alright, but Reese's are an abomination. Then again they contain neither chocolate nor peanut butter.

NOPE! :D

Real chocolate and PB is good.

Reese's is like
http://blog.prescriptionaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/goobergrape.jpg

[MagGnome]

But it's America's favorite! :p

[LordDon]

Can one of the owners of the CoG steam group create an event for this? (can rank and file users create them?)

[Voodoo]

Can one of the owners of the CoG steam group create an event for this? (can rank and file users create them?)

Yeah I should be able to do that. What time?

[LordDon]

Yeah I should be able to do that. What time?

Should we shoot for 8:00 Eastern/5:00 Pacific or would that be too early?

[Voodoo]

Should we shoot for 8:00 Eastern/5:00 Pacific or would that be too early?

I think it is fine. I'll make the event.

EDIT: Event created. Iron Grip wasn't listed as an available Steam game so I tied it to Audiosurf. :D

[Xerxes]

Q: Why did they go with the Quake 3 engine? Do they already have plans for new version with a more modern engine if this game?

[LordDon]

Man, hard was hard! We seemed to get the hang of it eventually though. It's cool having multiple guys running around building and repairing machinegun nests and upgrading them while taking potshots.

[MagGnome]

I'm sorry I missed out on this. :(

[BrassGecko]

I didn't try this until well after the event, and just went for single player.. I think that was a mistake. I didn't really enjoy it, but I think it's mostly because I couldn't figure out what exactly was going on (and I reeeeally want a better map to look at, I don't enjoy trial and error to figure out where the enemies are going!). So, first impression is blah, but I like the idea and wouldn't mind giving it another shot.

[LordDon]

I had a rough time finding my way around the first few rounds but you pick up quick where the troop routes are, especially if you have other guys setting up defenses to help you out.

[CappinCanuck]

I had a rough time finding my way around the first few rounds but you pick up quick where the troop routes are, especially if you have other guys setting up defenses to help you out.

Yeah, it takes a few rounds. Even just to get the hang of what you should be buying and where to put things in RTS mode. A machine gun, rocket launcher, support station and at least two upgraded MG nests, I have found, to be the most important early on. I find the RL to be a better investment than an anti-vehicle turret, you just have to keep an eye on when tanks/walkers are coming.