PAN picks up Bandits

Grin has announced that PAN Interactive has picked up the PC version of its next game, Bandits, and has signed a deal for the worldwide publishing rights. Bandits uses the latest version of the graphics engine introduced in Grin's first game, Ballistics , which got some attention for being one of the first games to use DirectX 8 vertex and pixel shader effects. Bandits is a vehicle combat game set in Mad Max-like wastelands. We spoke to Grin's CEO, Bo Andersson, to get more details on the game.

GameSpot: How far is the game into development?

Bo Andersson: The single-player part, with all the missions and the full story, is done and is being play tested by an in-house team. We have been honing the gameplay for the last month. It is really a great project to work with, as Grin has independently financed most of the development, and that has allowed us to give Bandits the time it needs and demands. The hardest part has been to keep quiet about the project.

The multiplayer part is still in development and parallel testing. We are implementing GameSpy support and testing the scoring system for the head-to-head fights right now.

GS: Grin's previous game, Ballistics, was released late last year. Is the same team working on Bandits? Has any of your work on Ballistics carried over to Bandits?

BA: The Ballistics team has been working on Bandits, and it sure shows in the graphical sense. We have added quite a few talented people to the project as well. Ballistics used the Grin 3D engine, which at the time was the first engine to really use T&L [hardware transform and lighting] and pixel and vertex shading in a game environment. Bandits is built from that engine with a lot of additions. We have added such things as deformable ground and a separate special effects engine to Bandits, so, to say the least, it's action-packed.

GS: How many different types of vehicles are in the game? Are all the vehicles upgradeable?

BA: As the game is story-driven, our heroes, Fennec and Rewdalf, are riding several different battle cars through the adventure. How many missions we can't say just yet, but what we can say is that they are all carefully constructed to give the player different driving and fighting features. We aim for quality instead of quantity.

As for the enemies and allies, you will be up against more than 30 different grunts, costars, and other sinister enemies.

GS: Will the game have multiplayer modes?

BA: Yes, and it is a big part of Bandits. We have put a great effort into creating something new and truly fun for the online community. Bandits will for sure appeal to all the clan guys out there who just can't wait to start their own Mad Max-like gangs and roam the deserts.

GS: PAN has been announced as the worldwide publisher. Are there specific plans to release the game in the US?

BA: PAN has stepped in and acquired the PC worldwide rights. As of now, they are setting up deals for all non-Nordic countries. For the US, they have no set release date, as there are several parties looking at the title. My guess is, though, that Bandits will be on the shelves in the US about Q4 2002.

GS: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

BA: Oh, there is just so much to say about this game--but one really cool thing in the near future will be the introduction to the Bandits setting that Grin will be releasing soon. It will be called Tormees' Diary, and it will consist of a 19-episode travel report from the badlands, including screens, sketches, and even some handheld-camera films of Tormees' adventures. Also, keep an eye on our site.

GS: Thanks for your time, Bo.