Frontlines: Fuel of War Designer Diary #2 - Unleash the Drones of War

By Staff, GameSpotPosted Nov 15, 2007 3:43 pm PT

Learn about all the cool mechanical remote-control war machines at your disposal in this large-scale first-person action game.

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Get drone tech specialization training in this video.

With its large levels and emphasis on infantry and vehicle combat, Frontlines: Fuel of War is a game that follows in the footsteps of the Battlefield series. Set in the near future, Frontlines is about a war between the Western Coalition and the Red Star Alliance for control of the world's last oil reserves. In the single-player and multiplayer campaigns, you'll engage in large-scale battles, using every weapon and vehicle at your disposal. This arsenal includes drones, which are remote-control war machines that you can use if you decide to equip your character with the drone-tech capability. Drones will let you take the enemy out without exposing your precious hide. We'll let Dennis Crow from developer Kaos Studios explain. Frontlines will ship next year.

The Drones of War

By Dennis Crow
Associate Producer, Kaos Studios

Want to know more about the drone-tech role in Frontlines: Fuel of War? I'm Dennis Crow from the Frontlines development team, and I'm here to help.

They may look like cute little toys, but drones are deadly serious business in Frontlines.

For the uninitiated, drones represent one of the many truly unique layers of gameplay found in Frontlines. Drones can destroy tanks, bring down helicopters, decimate opposing defenses, and take out that annoying sniper lying prone on the roof. They allow the player freedom to be at two, three, or even four places at once. If you're putting together a squad for some multiplayer actions, having a drone-tech player on your side is always a smart move.

Here is a breakdown of the lethal drone arsenal available to players in Frontlines. Don't forget to check out our latest video, which shows our drones tearing it up in combat!

Western Coalition drone techs have access to the flying MQ38 Hunter Drone. This recon unit can remotely scout combat environments and relay the presence of hostile forces back to all allied units. The Hunter also carries a small explosive payload, allowing users to detonate it on the fly, taking out nearby enemies and structures.

More advanced drone-tech operatives have access to the AQ series of drones. The AQ431 Assault Drone is a twin-tread armored assault drone with mounted 7.62mm minigun. It excels at providing suppressing and covering fire for friendly troops, as well as assaulting enemy infantry. The assault drone allows the operator to decimate enemy forces while remaining out of harm's way.

When facing entrenched or heavily armored targets, the AQ432 Mortar Drone is a soldier's best friend. It utilizes the same twin-tread chassis as the AQ431, but replaces the minigun with a set of four 60mm mortar cannons. Because the ammunition is stacked in the mortar tubes, the drone is able to pound enemy armor and fixed-gun positions into quick submission.

Red Star Alliance drone techs have a number of drones at their disposal as well. The TR1 Tiger Runner Assault Drone is the ultimate Red Star antivehicle weapon. While it may look like a child's toy, the TR1 carries enough explosive power to zip under and destroy any vehicle currently on the field. In addition, the Tiger Runner can operate on nearly any surface, thanks to its oversized wheels and ground-hugging design.

The TE1 Tiger Eye Recon Drone is a modified civilian R/C helicopter, which has been outfitted with a radar array to relay enemy locations to friendly soldiers. The Tiger Eye also carries a demolition charge, making it something of a flying bomb.

Drones will let you attack targets from a position of relative safety.

The TC1 Tiger Claw Attack Drone is an upgraded version of the TE1 Tiger Eye Recon Drone. While maintaining the radar capabilities of the TE1, the addition of a second set of rotors improves handling and provides stability for the six side-mounted rocket tubes. The Tiger Claw has the same radar as the TE1, but the addition of rockets allows the drone to take out soft targets, as well as light armored vehicles.

While the drones are very powerful and versatile tools, there are many things on the battlefield that can put them (and you) in mortal peril. EMP technicians have a number of tools designed to aggravate the drone-tech player. To begin with, their radar-absorption ability allows them to remain hidden from your drone's radar array. In addition, their EMP rockets and EMP generators are designed to disrupt any electrical currents nearby. This includes drones, and can render your arsenal useless. Also, watch out for sharpshooters trying to pick you off, and remember that you are venerable while controlling a drone! Try enlisting your squad mates for protection while operating a drone.

Have fun, know your role, and I'll see you in Frontlines!

59 Comments

  • solidum-jurgin

    Posted Aug 7, 2008 9:21 pm PT

    well that's a very good game i love it cozy this is the dawn of new era of war well drones makes this game more challenging

  • elitegeek13

    Posted Mar 21, 2008 7:17 am PT

    I personally find the whole drone thing rather interesting. Believe me, there is nothing wrong in trying something new....just look at Patapon or Big Little World for example. However, i am hoping that the pc version is better than the 360 edition, as it came off as a BF2 rip.

    I think it would be cool if they added an anti drone vehicle or something....maybe with like different weapons for taking out different drones.

    As for the abuse of drones i think that its nonexistent. the drones are loud enough in the game and the only way they can accomplish their mission is through stealth...if infantry sees them soon enough they're toast.

  • rayray345

    Posted Mar 11, 2008 10:03 pm PT

    To me its not buy worthy, but I would probably rent it. : /

  • zombie8me

    Posted Mar 7, 2008 8:53 am PT

    I believe the drones are a good addition to Frontlines. It just presents another obstacle for the player to be aware of and look out for. I'll be awaiting Frontlines release and I'll make sure to go out and pick it up.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Dec 29, 2007 10:37 am PT

    played the demo, thought it played terrible, good sound effects though : /

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Dec 11, 2007 9:38 am PT

    goin under an armoured tank and blowing it up with a remote controlled car??? mmmmmmm

  • 42316

    Posted Dec 7, 2007 11:14 pm PT

    LOL....wat foolish people....the devs are obviously gonna balance out the drones power, whether they make them fairly weak and easy to kill or by some other way, they'll do it....and wat ya'll have to remember is that when a player is using a drone, he is totally vulnerable so if you take him/her, you take out the drone.....

  • Inverni

    Posted Dec 2, 2007 4:12 pm PT

    lol I love the people complaining about the drone's unrealism. It's a futuristic combat game, if you don't like the fact that *in the future* they found an easier way to kill you then stop playing futuristic games. I'm sure the devs will balance it out, it's really obvious that they might be too powerful so they've probably thought it over, it's not like they are retarded.

  • KillaB123

    Posted Nov 30, 2007 12:56 pm PT

    Yeah I saw alot of emp equipment in another video

  • stevenj101

    Posted Nov 30, 2007 10:11 am PT

    drones sound a little too powerful.... hopefully anit-drone players will balance out and make it more fair.... it sounds interesting so il probably experiement with the game

  • killzone_gamer

    Posted Nov 29, 2007 12:58 pm PT

    Looks good but i agree with some other ppl that the drones should be less powerful. If you find a good enoutgh spot you could just sit there and kill everyone lol.

  • xunhallowed

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    This seems very balanced. All the noobs will use drones, and the EMP dudes with radar jamming will just snipe them while they're remotely controlling the drones. And, if the whole team tries to guard Drone Man, grenade. Boom. Sounds fair to me.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 11:05 am PT

    They should just rename it : Fronlines Drones of War lol

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 11:04 am PT

    'fattyhead' i completly agree m8

  • Gruug

    Posted Nov 25, 2007 12:49 am PT

    So you think drones are "toys". Guess you haven't been watching the news lately. Drones have been around for a long time. And now they are getting smaller and more versatile. None of the drones in this game are outside the realm of possibility. The big thing is that in a game they can't become the ONLY means to the ends. Still have to have a balance. I trust they will get it right.

  • fattyhead

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 6:13 pm PT

    Don't get me wrong this game looks okay. Minus the drones. The whole drone thing taking out tanks, helicopters and decimating defences? Wtf is this? If they can do all these wtf is the point of tanks and helicoptors. Why don't we just build an army lil retarded drones and fight each other like that. It sounds rediculous how much power they're given too. I don't like the idea of having a war game where stupid toys are running all around the battlefield like a children's playground. Think about it, it not only looks dumb, it takes away the realism and feel to the game. They should have an option where you can disable drones or at least cut back the amount of killing power they have.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 24, 2007 2:53 am PT

    remove the drones and what have you got?? mmmmmmmm

  • MYSTROW1

    Posted Nov 22, 2007 10:35 am PT

    this game looks very good and i will get it

  • Fauij

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 8:48 pm PT

    drones r retarded, i rather kill some one with a real weapon than a toy

  • Ba0ng89

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 8:32 pm PT

    ahahah so Drones are pretty much rocket and snipers eh. Pretty nice though :]

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