Videogames.com's Joe Fielder recently spoke with Michael Mendheim, creative and design director of Cyclone Studios - the development house owned by The 3DO Company - about its upcoming Nintendo 64 game BattleTanx and its PlayStation title Army Men 3D.

　　Here's what he had to say on BattleTanx:

　　GameSpot News: What was your objective in selecting the locations you selected for the game? How do the cities vary from one another?

　　Michael Mendheim: We use cities that are famous and instantly recognizable to the consumer such as Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco and Fremont Street in Las Vegas. The cities are aesthetically diverse from each other so that each level is a new visual feast for the players' eyes.

　　We also took existing sections of cities like Times Square in New York and re-created them in a fantasy setting. For example, since the story takes place in the post-Apocalypse, it gave us the liberty to re-create New York as "Ground Zero." Yes, we nuked out New York.

　　The art team lead by Peter Traugot also created Area 51, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Midtown tunnel in Manhattan, among numerous other locations. All cities were faithfully and painstakingly re-created. BattleTanx is the only game on any console system that allows the player to drive a tank through his favorite cities and destroy them.

　　GSN: When determining the types of weapons the tanks will employ, such as the nuclear missile, what other game's weapon systems did you look at, if any?

　　MM: The design team is made up of hard-core gamers. We looked at all the "hot" Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation games for inspiration. We also imagined ourselves driving a BattleTanx in a city like Chicago, destroying buildings and enemies - and then asked ourselves what weaponswould we want.

　　Currently, our two favorite weapons systems are the Nuke and Guided Missile. The Nuke allows the game player to destroy the entire environment and all but the most heavily armored vehicles with a simple button press. The player will actually see the city disintegrate before his eyes when using this awesome weapon. Perhaps the coolest weapon in the game is the Guided Missile; the player controls the guided missile using the control pad. He can aim the missile through narrow corridors and between buildings as he hunts for his target.

　　GSN: How did you decide to include the weapons you chose?

　　MM: Fun factor and technical limitations.

　　GSN: How are you utilizing the screen space and playing environment in multiplayer mode?

　　MM: For four-player mode the screen will be split into quads with a radar map positioned at screen center. The four-player environments run at 20fps (single player at 30fps) with varying levels of detail.

　　GSN: Is strategy possible or is it full-on blow things up?

　　MM: BattleTanx is a classic arcade action/shooter, a fast-paced game of 3D Armored Tank Combat. However, the game is more than just a shooter; in campaign and multiplayer modes there is an underlying layer of depth to the game that absolutely relies on battle tactics and strategies. The player will also need to manage his tank reserves in a campaign gamesince tanks carry over from level to level. I think players will be pleasantly surprised to find that BattleTanx is an incredibly simple and fun game to play, layered with tactical depth. Our commander and chief, Trip Hawkins, would never allow any 3DO product to ship that didn'trequire the game player to think and make interesting decisions while playing.

　　GSN: What's the best tank and why?

　　MM: Everybody has their favorites, but the mighty Goliath tank is my personal favorite.

　　The player can switch from the vehicle he is controlling to his Goliath tank in real time. The Goliath tank is the biggest and baddest BattleTanx in the game. It is positioned on a rail which it can slide across at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, while firing its devastating howitzer cannon. The player can take his Goliath off its rail - its speed reduces - and then maneuver it across the battlefield.

　　GSN: How does the game score in replay value?

　　MM: There are four different styles of play:

　　Deathmatch: In this single- or multiplayer mode of play, the objective is to be the first army to have ten kills (number of kills to end a game will be a selectable option for the player).

　　Battlelord Mode: In this single- or multiplayer mode of play, the objective is to rescuethe opposing tribe's Queen Lord and then return her to your home base. The enemy will be trying to capture your Queen Lord at the same time, which makes this a game of intense action as well as battle tactics. The game player must choose carefully when to attack and when to defend if he plans to sustain his race.

　　Last Man Mode: In this single- or multiplayer mode of play, the objective is simple - kill them before they kill you! Last man mode is a simple-to-play blast fest where the last tank standing wins.

　　Campaign: In this single-player mode of play, the game player will experience the BattleTanx story. The player will start with one tank. He will need to journey across the continent in search of his one true love who is being held by evil forces in a quarantine zone located in the Northwest. To successfully cross the continent the player will need to build and manage his army along the way. The campaign consists of 17 action-packed levels with graphic illustrations and full motion video sequences that bridge the BattleTanx storyline throughout the game.

　　GSN: What's the storyline?

　　MM: The BattleTanx story goes something like this....

　　When there is nothing left to live for...what would you die for?

　　January 3, 2001: The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta classifies a newly discovered virus as a Level 4 Hot Agent, for which there are no vaccines or cures. This virus is selective, choosing only the females of the species to act as its host. Estimated to have a 99.9 percent fatality rate, it signals the beginning of the end for the human race. March 23, 2001: With female death rates increasing at astronomical rates, the United States government declares martial law. Army and National Guard troops advance on all major cities with orders to evacuate all females to secure quarantine zones in Northern California.

　　To help combat mounting civil unrest, government forces are authorized to use deadly force against males opposing this action. Countries from around the world take similar precautions in hopes of preventing the spread of the "Petticoat Plague."

　　While these events are unfolding, the player is introduced to Griffin Spade and his bride-to-be Madison (Madison is one of the few women who is immune to the plague). Griffin and Madison share an incredible love. When the army starts to round up women and place them in quarantinezones, their husbands, fathers, brothers revolt. Madison, fearing Griffin will be killed trying to protect her, surrenders herself to the government forces.

　　April 19, 2001: Renegade units of the National Guard split ranks and mutiny, joining civilian forces and fracturing the chain of military command. Civil war erupts across America as males organize militias to oppose government forces in an effort to protect their families. China invades Russia to secure their quarantine zones. The Russians respond with tactical nuclear weapons. The Pentagon goes on Defcon 1 alert, which leads to the inevitable... global thermonuclear war. Madison is moved west to the quarantine zones by government forces. Griffin receives the news in the form of a letter that Madison leaves for him. As the world comes to an end... Griffin is alone.

　　May 6, 2001: Civilization ends.... The post-Apocalypse begins....

　　The virus, having burned itself out, is no longer a threat. The remaining survivors of the devastation now face extinction because for every thousand males, there is only one female. Over time, the males begin to regroup and form tribal gangs, who without the influence of female guidance, have reverted back to their most primitive instinct... the will to survive.

　　To survive they will need weapons to defend themselves and women to replenish their population. Woman are a very rare commodity in this postapocalyptic nightmare; weapons however are not.

　　Against overwhelming odds and unparalleled danger, Griffin Spade now begins his journey across a decimated landscape toward the quarantine zones to find and rescue Madison, his one and only true love.

　　GSN: What sort of variety do you have between each mission?

　　MM: In the campaign the player will be treated to statistics showing him how he performed during battle and between stages we will be telling the BattleTanx story using full motion video sequences and exquisite 2D art. GSN: Who are the key players in the game's development?

　　MM: Trip Hawkins was instrumental in providing the guiding conceptual spark that ignited the game. In addition, Trip has given creative guidance and support throughout the development process.

　　Rob Zdybel, the game's technical director, has also been a creative contributor to the product's design. In my opinion Rob has done the impossible - he brought the game to life while providing silky smooth frame rates, 30fps in single player and 20fps in four player. Without Rob Zdybel there is no game.

　　Peter Traugot, the game's art director, has implemented the vision of the game. Peter and his art team have managed to create some of the most compelling environments ever seen on the N64. The player will actually be able to destroy cities like Chicago and Las Vegas.

　　Now, on to Army Men 3D:

　　GameSpot News: Would you say that the gameplay of Army Men 3D best emulates war or war played with plastic army men?

　　Michael Mendheim: A little of both. Army Men 3D immerses the player into the fantasy of real war just like what we experience when we play or played with the real plastic toys. The aim of playing with these toys was to mimic all types of real war situations, from full-scale battles in the desert to covert rescue operations in the mountains. Army Men 3D has all the magic of the plastic toys now enhanced with the special effects of a Sony PlayStation, and the result is great. And at the same time, Army Men 3D offers many subtle and some not-so-subtle reminders that these little soldiers are indeed plastic, which is more like war played with plastic army men.

　　GSN: How does the nostalgia factor tie in to the gameplay?

　　MM: There are many links to playing with the toys, which creates a wonderful feeling of nostalgia. The army men all melt, shatter, and assume the classic poses that we all know so well. Seeing them act like the real plastic soldiers gives the player a strong sense of what this game and property are all about.

　　GSN: Could you tell us about the vehicles and weapons and how they're used?

　　MM: One of the great things about Army Men 3D is that as Sarge, you get to become all the classic army men throughout the game. Here are the guys you get to play and their weapons:

　　Rifle Man: The Rifle Man is adept with his rifle and can be relied on in most situations to take down enemies within medium range.

　　Grenadier: The Grenadier is an agent of localized mass destruction. Although his offensive actions are somewhat slower than those of a Rifle Man, he can destroy a full complement of oncoming soldiers with one shot. His abilities are best against entrenched opponents.

　　Bazooka Man: The Bazooka Man wields tremendous, though localized, firepower. Although some time is required to reload his weapon between shots, he is fully capable of destroying most vehicles and all enemy soldiers in one shot.

　　Mortar Man: Equipped with the most destructive transportable weapon, the Mortar Man is nevertheless hampered by his weapon's long reload time. Mortars are best used against stationary targets.

　　Flamethrower: This highly capable soldier will light up the night. His weapon fires a stream of a highly volatile solution, which is ignited at the exit point of the barrel. Care must be taken when deciding to use this weapon, as all plastic is vulnerable to flame.

　　Minesweeper: When you see a minesweeper at work, be glad. Although it can take some time to clear a minefield, a single mine can often debilitate an entire group of soldiers, blowing bits of plastic everywhere.

　　And here are the vehicles you get to drive in the game:

　　Jeep: Your basic all-terrain vehicle, the jeep is equipped with a mounted machine gun and light armor. Although it is the lightest of the vehicles, it has an impressive top speed and small turning radius.

　　Halftrack: The halftrack has a four-man carrying capacity and a mounted machine gun. Its half-inch thick armor plating offers good defense, but slows the vehicle's top speed.

　　Cargo Truck: Need to move a squad of soldiers across the field of battle for rapid deployment? The cargo truck is for you. Check your route for enemies, though: The vehicle has no armor or weapons.

　　Tank: The tank's accuracy, firepower, and overall durability are truly exceptional. Each carries a 105mm main gun and two-inch thick armor plate.

　　GSN: War games tend to specialize in going for cool battlefield voice work. What have you done with Army Men 3D?

　　MM: We will have numerous voices both from your troops and your commander during battles. The Green commander will give you your missions and send info as you need it. Your squad will supply important communications, especially during heavy battles.

　　GSN: How fast is the game running?

　　MM: 30fps.

　　GSN: What's the storyline?

　　MM: The war and animosity between colors is so old that no one really knows why or where it all began. More to the point, no one cares. All colors have adjusted their economy to not only meet the demands of prolonged war, but to thrive from it. Over the years the war has stabilized tothe extent that all sides can benefit from it with acceptable casualties.

　　But now things have changed. Strange unexplainable weapons have begun appearing within the tan arsenal, like shiny objects that reflect the sun and burn a man at great distances. The Green command is understandably upset. These devices seem to be under tan control, and that threatens to tip the balance of power. Green command knows that this would certainly plunge them all into an uncertainty that no one wants. They call on Sarge.

　　You are a Green army sergeant (Sarge) sent on an assignment to stop the tan army from capturing a mysterious portal located in the Gray occupied area of the world. Command has given you a set of orders and best wishes. The rest is up to you. Through the missions you will uncover clues about the portal and pieces of the key needed to gain entrance to this mysterious and magical gateway. As Sarge succeeds through the missions he will be given reinforcements, such as weapons, vehicles, and soldiers for his squad.

　　For shots and more information on the game, be sure to check out the previews on videogames.com.