Want to know more about Frozen Synapse? Ask the developer!

[Ravenlock]

This is an extremely short-notice request, so I'll understand if participation is low. However: I'll be chatting tomorrow afternoon with Paul Taylor, co-founder of Mode 7 Games (http://www.mode7games.com/content/about.html), currently in the middle of beta testing their top-down tactical multiplayer game Frozen Synapse (http://www.frozensynapse.com).

It's probable that most of you haven't played Frozen Synapse yet, since the method of entry into the beta is to pre-order the game, but I've been playing it for a little over a week and let me tell you, if you're a fan of X-Com, Jagged Alliance, Fallout: Tactics, Laser Squad Nemesis, etc, this is something you should look into. RockPaperShotgun, as they are wont to do, wrote up a great summary piece over here (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/04/19/preview-frozen-synapse/), so I'd encourage you to read that and watch the accompanying video for more details about how the game plays. If you're interested, the pre-order gets you 2 copies, so it works out to a pretty reasonable $13 per person.

So what should I ask him? Feel free to pose whatever questions you want via replies in this thread, and I'll get in as many as I can during my conversation with him tomorrow, which will then be released as the IndieCast for the next episode of Immortal Machines. I don't have any fabulous prizes to offer you this time around (or at least, I don't think I do - who knows what could happen! :p), but isn't access to a developer's brain a prize all its own? ;)

[nabokovfan87]

That game looks wicket tight, this is why I listen to you guys.

Ask him what the design thought was behind making it a turn-based in a world of action packed games, and what kind of games influnced the team's design?

Also, any plans for d2d, steam, etc.

from their site (might help to get the word out and possibly explain how getting added on steam works)

Will Frozen Synapse be on Steam?
We would love Frozen Synapse to be distributed on Steam: we are currently working on a build to submit to Valve. If you pre-order the game, this will directly impact our ability to achieve distribution on Steam by making the best possible game we can. Also, there is a thread over at the Steam forums about the game, which might be a good place to let Valve know you want us on there.

[CappinCanuck]

I see a lot of discussion on upcoming changes, additions, feedback implementation towards release. What will be happening post-release? Can we expect regular continued expansion, updates or fixes?

[Ravenlock]

It's been stated that the release of the game is slated for "late 2010", btw, so this is still pretty early in the beta at this point. Just so you guys have a frame of reference.

[nabokovfan87]

Was also wondering how their older game works, the sword fighting (not controls but gameplay how is it layed out), if you guys get into their back catalog?

[Telefrog]

I already have the beta for this and I love it. People have compared it to X-Com or LSN, but it's actually more like chess in that the game is all about moves and counters rather than tactical firefights. Because it has guns and grenades, people think it's like Jagged Alliance, but the maps are so small (there is no FOW) and tight and the firepower is so immediately deadly, that the gameplay becomes all about outmaneuvering your opponent. Very cool little game.

Do me a favor and ask if they can get a better update system. Right now, you have to launch the game, hit update, copy the link in the popup, then close the game and use your browser to get the update. It's the exact opposite of intuitive and convenient.

[Ravenlock]

Well, I think people compare it to X-COM and LSN (and other similar games) because those are the most similar reference points to which it can be easily compared and immediately understood. A game in which you order a unit to walk to a point, aim a certain way, lob a grenade, and then take cover, is mechanically a lot more like LSN than it is like chess. ;)

But yes, it arguably places more emphasis on positioning and outmaneuvering than those games - or rather, perhaps, it places less emphasis on anything OTHER than positioning. It really is about being in the right place at the right time, and if you are, you win, with no other factors being considered. Very mathematical, not at all random (except the obvious randomness of a human opponent).

[CappinCanuck]

Hey Raven, when can we expect this episode to go up? I'm interested to hear it, this game is shiny.

[Voodoo]

Hey Raven, when can we expect this episode to go up? I'm interested to hear it, this game is shiny.
I'll be publishing Episode 32 this evening and will also be doing my work-over on Eric's interview. I have no doubt that you'll see it extremely soon. :)

[nabokovfan87]

Anyone who has the game, is there a map editor/creator and how easy is it to get your map out if you have tried (is there some type of lbp cloud system)?

[Ravenlock]

No, and therefore the second question has no answer.

We didn't discuss user created maps in the interview, so I'm not sure whether they have any plan to implement them in the future. They might have answered that in another interview somewhere or on their site, if you want to Google around. :)

[nabokovfan87]

I thought I saw some in a video, I will have to look back.

EDIT: It was the "bid for territory" mode, thats what made me think of it.