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Q&A: EA Montreal on Army of Two

  • By James Kozanecki, GameSpot AU
  • Posted Mar 5, 2008 12:02 am PT

We sit down with assistant producer Matt Turner to talk about Army of Two's lengthy delay, creating a unique preorder campaign, and how it tackles the war on terror.

Army of Two is due out in the United States this week, with its Australian release following closely behind on March 13. We managed to catch up with Matt Turner, who is the assistant producer on Army of Two, and chat with him about why the game was delayed, swearing in video games, partner artificial intelligence, and the role of contractors in modern-day warfare.

GameSpot AU: Army of Two has had quite an extensive preordering campaign, even hosting a competition for would-be users to design a sniper rifle and submachine gun for the game. How important do you think it is to have a strong preorder campaign for a game to be successful?

Matt Turner: It is always a great bonus to the overall sales of a game, but in reality, if your game is good it will do well regardless of the preorder numbers. Preorders are a nice indication of the current buzz of a game as well as a great tool to get people talking about the game more.

GS AU: Why was Army of Two delayed so much?

MT: In October we were finished [with] AO2. But some of us on the dev team weren't totally satisfied with the end result. There were a bunch of little details that still needed some tuning. To the great relief of the dev team, the powers that be at EA granted us three extra months to polish our game. And that is precisely what we did. We took the time to perfect and refine certain features of the game that could only reach their potential through extensive focus testing and time...and to be honest, it really paid off.

GS AU: Similar to what TV and movies has gone through, swearing has become more and more common in games recently. Do you think it enhances the experience at all?

MT: Swearing is only good when it's relevant within the context of the story. Our story happens to follow two mercenaries. In reality, mercs are pretty rough customers, and we felt that to have our heroes talking like Disney characters would not have only greatly detracted from the feeling we were trying to communicate, it would have just sounded wrong. So we went for it all the way. And in our case it works and certainly enhances the rawness of the experience we are trying to convey.

GS AU: The armour that Salem and Rios wear is an interesting mix of Crysis meets Mad Max. How many different designs did you go through?

MT: Actually, all the designs for the armor came from the team way before EA had signed Crysis.

GS AU: Will users be able to customise the armour that Salem and Rios wear?

MT: They will have three different levels of body armour they can use: light, medium, and heavy. The players will also be able purchase cosmetic face masks to customize the look of their character.

GS AU: Can you explain to us exactly how the partner artificial intelligence works?

MT: We wanted to make our partner artificial intelligence (PAI) behave as closely to a real player as possible. So rather than giving the player a precise orders system (i.e., a cursor that indicates for the PAI to advance to a precise location), we thought it would be better to give more loose parameters that the PAI could then behave within. There are three basic commands: advance, hold position, and cover me. Within these three orders, there is an aggressive mode and a passive mode. When in aggressive mode, the PAI will execute his order with no regard for his personal health. When in passive mode, he will fire only when fired on or attack when he is threatened to fail his order.

There are two ways to exercise these commands. The first (and most common) is with the Partner Wheel (your D pad), which is represented by a dynamic icon in the lower right hand corner of your HUD. The second way (and maybe the coolest) is by plugging in your headset and using your voice to command him...that is fun.

What is also sweet about this is that he has been given some emotion. He talks back, gives you a high five when you kick butt, and slaps your head when you make a bonehead move. He is actually really fun to play with.

GS AU: Will we be seeing any downloadable content for Army of Two after it's released?

MT: I can't go into too much depth but we are planning to hit hard with the downloadable content right after launch. We have some awesome stuff on deck.

GS AU: What sort of achievements can gamers expect to see on the Xbox 360 version of the game?

MT: There is a nice variety of achievements from single-player campaign mode, to co-op, to versus. It is a shooter, so expect a lot of them to revolve around shooting things. And there's a couple of funny ones thrown in for good measure.

GS AU: How have you found it [to be] working on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game simultaneously?

MT: It has been quite easy. The gameplay has not suffered from one to the other, and we have even had fun implementing the strengths of each console...like the Sixaxis on PS3 and achievements on Xbox. Both teams were able to work together and solve problems in real time.

GS AU: The two contractors in Army of Two have a very different role to what contractors do in the real world. What are your thoughts on the use of contractors in war?

MT: Well, my personal opinion on the subject doesn't really matter. As far as the game goes, we thought that the topic was one of relevance in present-day society and people would be intrigued by the context. But that's where it stops. We thought that the PMC world would be a great backdrop for a fun shooter game and decided to leave it at that. If our game encourages people to go out and do research on the topic then great! But we are simply using it as a vessel for a fun piece of gaming.

GS AU: The game deals with a few political topics such as September 11. How did you go about bringing them up without offending people who've been affected by it?

MT: We were highly aware and sensitive to the reality of these subjects when we decided to write them in. So to respect those involved and the gravity of the events, we only used them as an indicator of time and context, kept all references low-key and created our own content rather than using actual archive footage. I think that what we ended up with was a very tasteful and relevant acknowledgement to something that we should never forget.

55 Comments

  • keko_villarreal

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 8:14 pm GMT

    This game gotta have a really good online game mode, teams, like cod4 but with custumisible weapons, its gonna be a really good game, so im gonna get it, just i recomend u to watch videos form youtube of army of two when the game starts being sold so u can watch how this game is played like and i you like the way u play it!

    AO2 GTAIV DMC4 COD4

  • Pete5506

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 3:29 pm GMT

    The game looks fun, I may rent it

  • starwarsbeasts

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 3:17 pm GMT

    eh i hate it when games have cursing ---I CAN'T GET THEM

  • Beaglesniffer

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 2:31 pm GMT

    meh maybe not just 2v2 still gr8 tho

  • ps3kid97

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 2:27 pm GMT

    last question was good
    still ggettin it
    and ps3 all day

  • Beaglesniffer

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 1:57 pm GMT

    i think one of the multiplayer modes is actually up to 8 players 4 groups of 2, not sure if that would be all against all or 2 teams against two but i heard that somewhere o well i will see when i buy it

  • Gorilla97

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 1:48 pm GMT

    i picked this up today, but haven't played it yet ~ trying to get some time in with Bully: Scholarship Edition before i jump into another game. plus, a friend might be coming up this weekend and we'll be able to hit the co-op together.

  • life4hire

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 1:34 pm GMT

    I will be picking it up today. All the videos look awesome.

    This game is something truely unique and I look forward to other games now having to match what Army of Two has done with co-op.

    Finally an revolutionary new game!

  • Mike0193

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 1:00 pm GMT

    i don't care if people say that this game is over rated, i'm going today and will try to buy it at gamestop (they better have it, since i asked yesterday and they said they'll have it today). I really can't wait to get this.

  • thekodaman

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 12:31 pm GMT

    Honestly, Army of Two doesn't look like anything special, the lacklustre visuals and the overly-simplified shooting mechanics don't help it either.

  • s_emi_xxxxx

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 12:24 pm GMT

    Will this ever come to PC Platform ?

  • StegrShmil

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 11:54 am GMT

    Co-op is awesome but only 2 on 2 multiplayer. That probably wont last very long, but the missions they make you do could be pretty good. Oh well i'm still pumped

  • jrmyecomp

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 10:08 am GMT

    finally a decent ea game the trailers are hillarious

  • oli54321

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 10:04 am GMT

    The reason why 9/11 is such a sensitive subject and things like Pearl Harbour and other things aren't is because it happened so recently compared to those other examples. therefore people are more sensitive.

  • goku365

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 10:03 am GMT

    coool game!!!!

  • ag1002

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 9:50 am GMT

    I'm getting this game today (if EB Games gets their shipment). I can't wait to play coop with my friend

  • BigDaveyDogz

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 9:34 am GMT

    I was planning on getting this game, then planning on NOT getting this game...but now I'm planning on getting it again lol. Maybe I'll rent it but from what I'm hearing its a solid title.

    People who bash EA don't know what they are talking about...I've been playing kick ass EA games since the Sega Genesis...and some god awful ones on the Genesis as well, its been the same since then if u think about it.

  • Montrealien

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 9:21 am GMT

    I run a Microplay in Mtl, we just got them. and there is no street date like another poster said, we sell em right now.

  • volcomstoner180

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 9:15 am GMT

    im pumped for this game
    woooooooooh
    finally a decent co op game!

  • BaconBurns

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 9:05 am GMT

    I can't wait to play this.

  • AGMalicious

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 8:58 am GMT

    Well at least the game will be down right sweet and I don't see what the big deal with 9/11 is. I lost family in it but I've gotten over as should the rest of the world.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 8:42 am GMT

    september 11th was so long ago. people must learn to continue on with their lives. in 30 years from now we will have games revolving around the world trade centre incident just like we have WW2 shooters

  • dstryr13

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 8:37 am GMT

    @ Dukaver
    official release date was yesterday, sell date is today
    there have been mixed dates thrown around but the official AO2 site has March 4th

    games sounds solid, i just dont like the 4p only multiplayer but it could work out
    after all it will force teamwork

  • Mason-McGlasson

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 8:34 am GMT

    Dukaver

    I've worked at gamestop for 2 years. EB games is no longer eb games and is now gamestop. The game is not street dated and you will be able to buy it March 5th. It was released the 4th.

  • Montrealien

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 8:15 am GMT

    lostsoulsofmn said..

    finally, a possibly good game by EA.

    Yeah, millions of EA games sold every year, people hate this company. Oh wait!.. it`sonly that 5% of the market that stays in forums and thinks they are the Elite of gamers that think this...right, that`s it.

    I know a few people that worked on this game, they worked their arses off on the second crunch time, I`m happy to see this game is being recieved well, even though the stereotypical dweeb thinks EA sucks all the time.

  • brian5

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 8:11 am GMT

    Since everyone worth a damm has quit this site & we won't be getting the review from Gamespot for another couple of week's at best. I thought I would post some numbers from other sites. IGN = 7.9 & 1up gave it a "B". 1up changed there rating scale to a letter grade recently. I was able to pick this up yesterday (4th) via pre-order and have to say it's a solid game. Graphics on par with Gears and the gameplay is fun & responsive with some minor A.I. hic-ups however since most don't have this game yet multiplayer was non-exsitent last night which is were I believe this game will truly shine. Fingers crossed. -Stu-

  • lostsoulsofmn

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 7:46 am GMT

    finally, a possibly good game by EA

  • Caboose7293

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 6:21 am GMT

    I've already gotten it and it is definitely awesome. I preordered from gamestop and got it yesterday and it's a blast.

  • damned_beast

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 6:20 am GMT

    Im hopefully getting this today.

    Atleast someone is moving forward with the september 11th event in a game... its been in movies... why cant they have it in a game? It drives the story.

  • Dukaver

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 6:19 am GMT

    OfficialBed, Yes EB should be getting it today (I work there so I know XD) but the official street launch date is March 6th, so you most likely wont be able to get it today since we arent allowed to sell products we recieve before their official street date. If it doesn't have a street date attached to the shipping log, then you should be able to get it today, but essentially its a 50/50 chance.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:41 am GMT

    i believe eb games is getting it today, so i should expect a call

  • Scubei

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:41 am GMT

    it comes out today and I will be taking it home. I can't wait for the downloads and actually be able to talk to my NPC.

  • Gen-Gawl

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:37 am GMT

    " To the great relief of the dev team the powers that be at EA granted us three extra months to polish our game"

    Nice. I really hope this is a new trend for EA.

  • jpcold

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:17 am GMT

    as someone with family and friends involved in 9/11 i dont think it matters if they have a guy watching on a tv screen fake footage from the event, the media once said they would never show the buildings again but i see it all the time in music videos,movies, and news reports, and quite frankly its a good backstory for a game like this. im going to buy the game and im going to play it like ive played other shooters and im sure any reference to that date is going to be tastful and add character to the gameplay and want you to shoot the bad guys a little bit more

  • GIJames248

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:16 am GMT

    I'm glad EA is finally putting some emphasis on new games rather than sequels.

  • KaneLynch47

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:14 am GMT

    "Good to know they were given more dev time, but I seriously hope that when he says they "went for it all the way" with swearing, they didn't just make Kane & Lynch-levels of cursing. It's not big or clever." I totally agree about K&L. Language is fine Strong Language is fine but K&L had EXTREME Language and it wasn't as fun to play

  • xgalacticax

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:08 am GMT

    I want this game

  • artiebillymac

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 4:43 am GMT

    So getting this when its released in australia lol .

  • airsoftmanic

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 4:41 am GMT

    this game just keeps sounding better and better.
    and seriously, guys, i think you over react when real events are put into video games.
    "9/11 is in this game? oh im not buying it then" seriously? obviously im a brit so that doesn't sway me too much but if the London Bombings were in here and your job was to kill the little S.O.B's as a game objective then count me in.
    at least they've thought about it. i can think of a few games which weren't so subtle on the whole terrorism thing.
    9/11 was bad, i know because i was in the area. but this is a game, just put it aside. or else what are you showing?

  • smadiso1

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 4:39 am GMT

    Getting harder to wait for this game...get it moving EA! Though it's good to hear they took some extra time to make this game "polished" in their eyes. Too many games get rushed these days and the gamers pay in the end with a cruddy product. If this one turns out great because of the delay, it will be well worth the extra wait.

  • Webswinger-93

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 4:24 am GMT

    I think I'm going to buy this instead of R6V2... Wacthed some gameplay on RSV and it looks really sloppy and bad.

  • jriddle89

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 4:20 am GMT

    I think it would've been worse if the devs deny 9/11 ever happened....right? It is part of our history and always will, you can't change that. Same thing about having Pearl Harbor in games, but where is the outcry for that?

  • iuns

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 3:28 am GMT

    Downloadable content straight after the realse, EA did that with need for speed carbon a while back; it was like 1000 points for a few cars......

  • Emraldo

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 3:28 am GMT

    "putting september 11th in a game is sick, no matter how taste full you think you're being, I really wanted this game, but there's not a chance in hell I'm buying a game that would stoop so low to shock."

    He said there are 'low key references'. But you're right, we should pretend it didn't happen, and keep all video games based in worlds filled with marshmallows and butterflies.

  • speed45823

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 3:25 am GMT

    I have been playing this game for a while and i have to say...im impressed...so far.

  • TheNumber_12 posted Mar 5, 2008 3:20 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    TheNumber_12

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 3:20 am GMT (hide)

    putting september 11th in a game is sick, no matter how taste full you think you're being, I really wanted this game, but there's not a chance in hell I'm buying a game that would stoop so low to shock.

  • Lazyimperial

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 2:41 am GMT

    This article really boosts my confidence in this game's quality. It is nice to know that EA is giving devs the time they need to polish their products and get everything just right, and it certainly makes me feel more inclined to buy their products. Hopefully Army of Two does well enough to justify to the corporates the benefits of giving the teams enough time to get everything up to snuff. Otherwise, they might just go back to rush jobs for cheap bucks. hehehe

  • ZhugeMarc

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 2:25 am GMT

    Good to know they were given more dev time, but I seriously hope that when he says they "went for it all the way" with swearing, they didn't just make Kane & Lynch-levels of cursing. It's not big or clever.

  • is0lati0n

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 2:20 am GMT

    If the delay has paid off, I might re-consider.

  • AncientDozer

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 1:56 am GMT

    EA may not have the best reord on certain things but they are a powerful company and they must be doing something right. Don't sell themselves short and do a bit more thinking than the cursory "lolz EA sucz".

    They have their fair share of good and bad games just like everyone else.

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