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Infosite "Dal'noboyshchiki-3", June 15, 2004
Interview (# 1) with Igor Belago
1. Can you describe Softlab-nsk company?
Company was established in 1991 by the group of programmers, who participated in the development the country's first space and aviation trainers, based on the principles of virtual reality. Training theme is for us one of the basic things to this day. We release several space, flying, railroad and now even sea trainers yearly.
The games we began to be occupied in 1994. In 1996 to order of American company "The Other 90%" we released the first series of the games, based on the technology of neurophysiologic control. In the beginning of 1997 we started development of a series of "Dal'noboyshchiki" (in English "Hard Truck"). These series proved to be extremely successful in Russia, in America and in Europe. But the main thing is that we became very interested in games of these types!
2. Can you describe where and when and what conceived idea about the creation of game "Dal'noboyshchiki 3"?
Our purpose was to make the interesting, saturated and diverse game as it is possible unlike to previous series of truck games. California, with its thousands of kilometers of roads, which lie on the mountains, the oceanic coast, the efflorescent valleys, deserts and burnt out canyons, with its enormous metropolises and small provincial town in the style "western", with its burning midday intense heat and pouring rains - proved to be ideal place for the development of "Dal'noboyshchiki 3". Moreover here, there is a very developed structure of trucking cargo base, and the powerful, solid army of drivers.
3. How much do you have a people in the company? Do manage you the work?
SoftLab-Nsk has approximately 60 people. In our division is about 30. Work - thing is relative. When we made first truck game, there was 10 people. Each new game takes about 5 more workers than in previous game. According to his assumption we must have approximately 240 people now, but we manage by the existing team.
4. Do you agreeable, to pass directly to the game? Describe a little the engine of "Dal'noboyshchiki 3", please.
The engine is our. We rebuilt it practically entirely from the moment of output "Dal'noboyshchiki 2". The changes concern graphics, physics and AI. The results already can be assessed according to screenshots you saw.
5. Can you tell us about the approximately date of open the official site of game, please?
Site is practically ready. It leaves soon.
6. Can you describe in more detail what you will demonstrate at E3 Expo 2004?
At E3 we showed new video file and the cargo terminal area demo version.
7. Can you tell us the percentage of the readiness of the game, please?
It is difficult to estimate, but it is deliberately more than 50%.
8. Can you tell more about the vehicles and their special features, please?
More than 200 vehicles counting different colorings are planned. More than half of them are trucks. The prototypes of trucks became the models of brands Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Navistar International and others most known in America.
9. Can you say some words about the damages of trucks. The emitted doors, cowlings, the broken windscreen (windows), the punctured tires, all this will be in the game. That's rights?
Specifically, yes.
10. Will in the game be present movies? For example the movie, which shows how our machine loads cargo?
Yes they will be, all these movies are based on the engine.
11. Have we an opportunity to drive by car in the game?
Ii is too early for this question.
12. The mirrors, the whistle, yard-keepers and other trifles will be in the game or not?
Yes, of course.
13. It would be desirable to present the question about the camera. How will camera be located in cab? Just as in "Dal'noboyshchiki 2" (in English "Hard Truck 2" and "King of the Road")?
Camera will obtain large freedom of movement and it will be able to be placed not only on the spot of driver, but also on the passenger's seat.
14. How I know the actions of Dalnoboyschiki 3 will occur in America, in California. The question is about the language in which the friends of main hero will speak: the English or on the Russian language?
This is like in the cinema - certainly in the Russian.
15. Does the release date is extended up to 2005?
We'll plan to finish game at the end of 2004, but it will be released surely in 2005.
16. Can you describe what do you work on in game, please?
We continue design of cities, vehicles, characters, and we work on the scenario.
17. Is it possible to us to transport automobiles in the game? is there a special trailer for this transportation?
Yes, this semitrailer will be.
18. What does the game begin? Russian fellow from Russia arrive to America with small capital to the earnings, he buy cheap, weak truck and he begin his expansion in America, this thus?
Approximately, yes,
19. Approximately how does the game take place?
Most likely it will be released on three CD.
20. Must the player take a long time to accumulate money to buy the plainest truck?
Not to accumulate, but to earn. Everything depends on mind and skill to conduct machine.
21. Will we be able to reach for example the gasoline pump on foot?
Yes.
22. What is happened if the player goes into bankruptcy? Will we be able to take out the loan?
For you, it is necessary to begin game first with the complete destruction. But if you have some properties (machines, offices, etc.), then it will be possible to convert these properties into money.
23. Igor Belago, let us know, do you yourself play in "Dal'noboyshchiki 3"? Do you test it?
Certainly, in each Thursday we begin the total checking of the existing version of game.
24. How many CD do you plan release the game for?
3CD.
25. How many trucks will be in the game and how many is already prepared?
The majority of trucks is already modelled.
26. Can you describe briefly the subject of game?
No. Otherwise then play will not be interesting.
27. Day and night, the sun, rain, fog, snow I hope all of these will be in the game. Can you something add?
There will be practically entire enumerated.
28. Is it possible in the game to buy tires and other spare parts?
Yes.
29. Now is time to question about cargos. What kind of cargoes can we transport?
Very different loads: from the "CD games" to "astral segregators". The clients are different.
30. Will traffic congestion occur in the case of road accident?
You will have to repair your truck in the case of breakdown and search alternate routes in the case of traffic congestion.
31. If AI-driver bangs at our truck's tail could we call the police and force scoundrel to compensate for our damages?
All AI-drivers will be punished for their faults - not the gamer only.
32. Will we be able to talk with other people (not only with those, who are in bar)?
Players can have many possibilities of contacts with other characters - both with good and not very...
33. Could passing AI-trucker to share a little bit of fuel (diesel) with as?
34. Could we take suffered pedestrian to hospital in the case of road collision?
35. Will convoys be possible in the game?
36. We heard it can be given a lift of fellow-travelers? What if one of them will be found a robber?
It's too early to answer these questions. Many of answers will appear only in the game itself.
37. Is it possible to increase the level of player during the game?
It is possible and so must be.
38. Will armed to the teeth gangs drive along Californian roads?
39. Will each vehicle have its own engine sound?
40. If I was to coffee, for example, my truck could be stolen?
I can not answer yet.
41. Could you brag of new physical model for R'n'R?
Yes, we can brag exactly. But you will have to test this yourself.
42. Do gamers torment you with questions about the game?
Yes … Unfortunately, we physically are not capable to answer to everybody.
43. We hope AI-trucks will drive with their trailers (tractor + trailer). Is that so?
Yes of course.
44. I have observed on one of the screens that driver's place into AI-truck was empty. When you intend to put driver on his snug seat?
He has already sat.
45. What kind of communication do we give us in the game? It may be mobile phone or walkie-talkie?
Walkie-talkie is sure to be. But it will slightly differ from usual radio transmitter.
46. Whether will the main character speak? If yes - in which language?
In Russian, of course.
47. Do you look ahead? Development of "Dal'noboyshchiki 4" for example?
Right up to the 50'th. Time will show whether these plans will come true.
48. Are there Universities in Novosibirsk under your support? For example somebody could to be taught on the programmer and to be employed at your company without problems?
Yes. Novosibirsk State University is our favorite educational institution.
49. Are there large truck-stops for truckers relaxation?
Sure.
50. How we can buy a truck - on special truck-stops or with assist of truck dealers?
You can get it at Truck Dealers. Like in real world, similarly.
51. How we can hire drivers in our virtual company?
As in reality - through recruit offices. The question lies in the fact that whether liked driver wants to work in your company.
52. We will have our own office and garage where hired drivers will come from time to time. Is it so?
Yes, of course.
53. As a rule, truckers like to tune their war-horses after their own fashion. Will we have to drive standard polish trucks as if they are just now from the factory? Will we be able to "cook" some own decorations at our truck?
A lot of truck's upgrades will be in the game - both for better performance and to our heart.
54. You have already told that we will be able to upgrade our truck. In this case will change characteristics of modified component only or outward appearance too? E.g. tires?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
55. Can we see how our wheel is changed or something similar?
Something similar - yes.
Thanks for interest to our game.
Igor Belago
Softlab-NSK
Infosite "Dal'noboyshchiki-3" (rus.)
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