Q&A: Pyro Studios

Pyro Studios is well known for its hit game Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines. The game sold approximately 1 million copies worldwide, so developing a sequel at some point was almost a no-brainer for the developer. Now that day has come, and the company is developing Commandos 2 for the PC, the Dreamcast, and the PlayStation 2. Although the game was rumored to have been cancelled for the Dreamcast, the developers assure us that it's well on its way to Sega's console. Our entire Q&A with Pyro Studios follows.

GameSpot: Commandos was a huge success for Pyro Studios. Now you've been working on the sequel for over two years. What would you say are the most crucial differences between the sequel and the original?

Pyro Studios: Everything is different. New engine, new graphics, a new game approach to start with, and a budget that is four times bigger than the original Commandos.

GS: Will there be specific gameplay changes for the PS2 or the DC version?

PS: No, gameplay will be similar on the PC, PS2, and DC, apart from the necessary interface changes.

GS: What do you think will be the biggest benefit for console players regarding Commandos 2?

PS: Commandos 2 is a game that will bring a completely new experience to console players. All the depth of a PC strategy game, very easily accessible through a very simple interface, and easy to pick up game mechanics.

GS: You opted for real-time 3D environments within buildings. What was the reason for that?

PS: Inside the buildings there is a lot of detail in every room, with lots of objects. The only way to guarantee the visibility of the player characters at any time was in a full 3D environment.

GS: How many missions and gameplay modes will be available in Commandos 2?

PS: Commandos will have 12 missions plus the tutorials. Each of these missions will be divided between the outdoor and indoor scenarios, which will mean a huge gameplay area.

GS: Do you have plans to bring the Commandos series to consoles other than the PS2 and the DC?

PS: Who knows? It will depend very much on the definitive release dates of the new machines, especially the Xbox. We do not want to release Commandos 2 on the Xbox or the GameCube a long time after the PS2 and DC versions.

GS: Where do you currently stand in the project? What are the next tasks the team is currently working on?

PS: We are finalizing the last two maps, and afterward we will work on the tutorials. The basic work right now until the end of the project will be gameplay testing.

GS: Thanks you for your time.

PS: Thank you.

Commandos 2, which will be published by Eidos, is set to ship in the spring of 2001 on the PC, the Dreamcast, and the PlayStation 2.