DOUG RADCLIFFE CHAT
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ShadowStar> Please tell me that the "instant action" is going to be fixed at some point in the future!  Being able to only fly one ship and NOT configure it!!!  Might as well auto delete off the hard drive after using it twice... But great game!

Doug@StarLancer> I dunno, I only did the strategy guide, I didn't participate in the actual making of the game!
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skylighter> I was just wondering if you had any tips on beating Mission 24, the one with the ion cannon at the base; I've tried numerous times but I can't seem to beat it?

Doug@StarLancer> Are you getting shot by the ion cannon?

skylighter> I got away from it in a Shroud, but the Rippers keep on dying and don't lay enough charges

skylighter> I was just wondering if there are specific targets I should eliminate first, and others that I should ignore, and the best ship for the job

Doug@StarLancer> The rippers are usually knocked out by the Coalition force that comes in from behind them. Concentrate on getting there quickly as the rippers come in.  You have access to all ships at that point, so any from the upper tier you feel comfortable with should work pretty well.

skylighter> should I go straight for the Turrets and should I worry about the Krugens?

Doug@StarLancer> The base turrets pose more of a threat to the rippers than the kurgens.
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Ananab_Tilps> So Doug, what do you think game designers should do in order to make dogfighting a little less like jousting -- going back and forth and back and forth until someone dies?

Doug@StarLancer> Starlancer starts in that direction, cause ships have side thrusters for some strafing maneuvers. Allegiance (another Microsoft game on the zone) adds to that even more; circle strafing is even more important in dogfighting.  I think giving ships more maneuvering options will definitely create some exciting dogfights.  Starlancer is certainly a step in that direction.
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MJCommand> In mission 21, after I destroy part of the Second Fleet and the torpedos, how can I keep the Coalition bomber from uncloaking (in the little movie) and destroying the Yamato?

Doug@StarLancer> I recall that mission as extremely tough.  If I remember correctly, those bombers come in and cloak, allowing you to forget about them until they suddenly appear near the Yamato. You can concentrate on them as soon as they appear, attempting to stay close for when they appear, or stick close to the Yamato with locking missiles ready and intercept the torpedoes with missiles before they strike the carrier.  Those cloaking bombers are tough; fortunately the Coalition didn't implement them often!
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MJCommand> Are the bombers uncloaked at all before the movie starts and they launch the torps?

Doug@StarLancer> I believe they come in the mission area uncloaked briefly, but cloak soon after to get close to the Yamato.  Look for the opportunity to lock onto them before they cloak.
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ElectricBrain> On page 5 of your guide, there is a screenshot of the controls screen showing mouse support.  How is this possible?

Doug@StarLancer> Strategy guides are done on pre-release versions of the game all the way up to the final, gold master version.  It's possible changes were made to the controls screen during development and the screen was left in there anyhow.
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ElectricBrain> What is your favourite strategy for taking out people in multiplayer?

Doug@StarLancer> I enjoyed the Reaper for the most part; I found its guns very easy to use. During the test I enjoyed getting close to asteroids and causing the other players to get tangled up as I turned around and filled their hull with my primary weapons =)
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RL_Kafka_> I love the game!!!! that flight engines is the best ive seen, gives ya that real 3-D feel not that turret feel. When is PT 2 gonna arrive

Doug@StarLancer> I enjoyed the game also!  I don't understand your question, though..  oh PT 2, I don't know!  Will have to ask Digital Anvil!
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AF_DIStrust> In Mission 23, When Im take out the Torpedos lunched from the Pukov, Moose says something and then I land on the Yamato.  What am I doing wrong.

Doug@StarLancer> What happens at that point, you lose the mission?

AF_DIStrust> yes

Doug@StarLancer> hmm, you sure you are intercepting the torpedoes and the Yamato is surviving the barrage?

AF_DIStrust> yes, I land on it after moose says what he does and then i land on her and i lose

Doug@StarLancer> Do you recall what he says?  I don't recall ever landing on the Yamato without requesting to land beforehand!

AF_DIStrust> I think I remember him saying "You Blew it" and he has also said other things too, its different everytime I play

AF_DIStrust> I think Ive been killing some one when i blow up a torp but I always make sure no one is in my way

Doug@StarLancer> I believe the Yamato can only suffer 4-5 torpedo blasts, so it's possible it's getting struck and you aren't noticing.  I can't think of any other reason other than, as you said, you're accidentally striking a friendly target.  Doubt it's that tough.
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AF_DIStrust> What do you think of the Shroud as a multi-player fighter?

Doug@StarLancer> The Shroud has some really weak primary weapons, which can be tough in close dogfights, but it's so maneuverable that it's easier to get away if need be.  I found its primary weapons to be tough to overcome, but if you're good with quick maneuvers, you'll run circles around the larger fighters.
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Jaklar> How much access did you have with the design team while working on the strategy guide? Did the game change a lot while you were writing? Thanks for the book, it's been a big help getting through a few of the missions!

Doug@StarLancer> I must have played about 20 different builds of the game.  The design team was extremely helpful and made amazing flowcharts for each mission (to navigate through all the various paths of each mission). The game's missions didn't change much, only the graphics and sound, which got better and better during development.  And glad you're enjoying the book, thanks!
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MJCommand> Do you know if we will be seeing a StarLancer mission editor like FRED2 in FreeSpace 2?

Doug@StarLancer> I've seen conflicting reports about the editor.  I was told during development that they're wouldn't be an editor released, but recently I saw that there could be.  I'm not sure what route they're taking.  I certainly hope they do as user-created missions add a lot to a game's longevity!
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ElectricBrain> On mission 11 with the Czar, is it possible fo rthe Czar to survive and pop up again in later missions?  It doesnt say clearly what happens in the guide.  By the way, your guide is awesome.  Its so detailed, much more detailed than mine, of course!

Doug@StarLancer> Thanks EB!  As far as I know, and I'm pretty sure, the Czar won't pop up in later missions.  The ship from an earlier mission (the name escapes me, you likely remember) can, however.
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nrgized> Do you know if the rear turrets work on the fighters? or why they don't?

Doug@StarLancer> I know the rear turrets were operational throughout development (I remember getting shot with them) and expect they are still working.  Do you not notice them working?

nrgized> i do not notice them working

Doug@StarLancer> I'm sorry I can't help you more, nrgized.  There isn't a toggle for them, so they should be working for you.  I remember them not being as useful as a good missile or a quick 180 for a frontal assault =)
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nrgized> why is it that out of all the wing men you get klaus is the only one that knows what he is doing?  why is it that out of all the wing men you get klaus is the only one that knows what he is doing?

Doug@StarLancer> Wingmen have always been troublesome in this genre.  I imagine it's tough to balance them being too good (making the game too easier for you) or them being too weak (making it harder on you).
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ElectricBrain> What were the specs on your computer when you made the guide?

Doug@StarLancer> A P2 333, 192 MB RAM, nVidia TNT.  It ran very well at 1024.  I imagine you can scale down the detail for slower systems.  What are you running it on and how's the performance?

ElectricBrain> Will you be making a guide for future Lancer games/expansions?

ElectricBrain> i ran it on.....

ElectricBrain> Piii 450, 128, v770 ultra, sblive

ElectricBrain> smooth as a baby's bottom

Doug@StarLancer> I'd love to do the Freelancer guide but won't know for awhile since it's a next-year title.  You usually don't start until the last few months of development.
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MJCommand> Here's a hypothetical question:  If the StarLancer development team took aspects of their game from other games of the same genre (space flight sim), which game would you say StarLancer is most like?

Doug@StarLancer> Naturally it's roots are in Wing Commander (since both were co-designed by Chris Roberts).  I think it's storyline is most like Wing Commander (minus the cut scenes and ship board conversation) and it's action is intense like FreeSpace 2.
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nrgized> when could we possibly see follow up games or expansions if any?

Doug@StarLancer> Good question.  Freelancer, which has been referred to as its prequel, is due out early next year (tentatively).  As for an official expansion, I'm not sure.  I know they were discussing it during the end of Starlancer's development, but I haven't heard anything new.  If they are working on one (and haven't announced it) it's possible you'd see it this year, but again, don't know the official word.
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MBison> Upon dissecting the story, I think it's pretty clear that Klaus is a traitor. Is he the major "Bad Guy" in the next installment?

Doug@StarLancer> heh, I dunno.  Starlancer had its share of traitors and backstabbers, I'd hate to see more. Could be interesting in a sequel, however!
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MBison> Is it true that you your next guide is a Messiah follow up?

Doug@StarLancer> I did the official guide for Messiah, but don't know of any plans for a follow-up (besides potentially a Dreamcast and PS2 version, if they're planned).
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KenGod> is this game based on the game "wing commander"?

Doug@StarLancer> Wing Commander (and its sequels) were developed by Chris Roberts.  Digital Anvil was formed by Chris Roberts and Eric Roberts, so while it's technically not based on Wing Commander, it does share similarities.
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TCA_Guardian> Will StarLancer' online game get away from the singleplayer missions?

Doug@StarLancer> You can play Starlancer online in either deathmatch or co-operative missions. The co-operative missions are actually the single-player game and you can actually advance your progress in the single-player game by playing multiplayer (kinda confusing, heh).

Doug@StarLancer> If you play deathmatch, you won't have any affect on your single player progress, but if you're stuck in a mission, hop on the Zone and get some friends to help you out!
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TCA_Guardian> What I mean is there going to be new online missions other than the single missions?

Doug@StarLancer> ooh!  Dunno, it could be a part of an expansion pack, if there's one planned, but as far as I know, there are no plans to release new missions for download.
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MJCommand> What is your favorite game genre, and what is your favorite game in that genre?

Doug@StarLancer> If I had to pick a general genre, it would be action, whether it be space sim action like Starlancer or first-person action.  However, I also enjoy strategy games.  And my favorite game of all time is Myth and Myth 2!  Though I'm not picky =)