As State of Emergency's March release on the Xbox nears, we continue our series of looks at the game. The game was developed by UK-based Vis Entertainment and released on the PlayStation 2 last year. Today we talk to Jamie Bryan, the game's director, about the weapons in the Xbox version of State of Emergency.

　　GameSpot: What are the advantages and disadvantages of the various weapons you'll use in the game?

　　The AK-47, handier than a Swiss Army knife. Jamie Bryan: All the weapons have advantages and disadvantages. For example, grenades are renowned for bouncing back to you, so aim carefully. Pistols are good for going one-on-one with an enemy, but they're not so quick when faced with a large group of opponents. Flamethrowers are excellent against large groups of enemies--just don't stand beside any vehicles when using one, or you might go up in flames yourself.

　　GS: Which weapon causes the most damage?

　　JB: The rocket launcher. You can take out almost anything in the game with it. Be careful with that one, though. It explodes upon impact, and if you're too close, you're going end up blowing yourself up!

　　GS: Can any of the weapons be thrown or used to bludgeon?

　　JB: Yes. When you run out of ammunition, you can use the empty weapon to protect yourself. They don't pack as powerful of a punch, but they're better than nothing at all. For example, you can use the M16 to smash your enemy in the face before you run to find a new weapon that will cause more damage.

　　GS: How many different types of weapons are there to choose from?

　　JB: There are loads of environmental weapons to choose from. Most of the stuff you see around the different environments can be used to smash your enemies with--benches, trash cans, stools, street signs, traffic cones, and plenty more. There are looters running around each map, and you can knock them down and pick up their stolen goods. Looters carry TVs, VCRs, microwaves--pretty much anything they can get their greedy little hands on--all of which can be used as weapons. We also put together a huge array of shooting weapons to defend Capitol City with. Grenade launchers, Uzis, pistols. There are 12 in all, and as we said before, they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. There are melee weapons as well--the old favorites like swords and axes, as well as new surprises like Tasers, pepper spray, Molotov cocktails, and more. When out of ammo and fighting hand-to-hand, don't underestimate the power of a melee weapons.

　　GS: Do any weapons slow you down?

　　JB: Yes, some of the larger weapons, like the grenade launcher and the rocket launcher, make you run a little slower. And remember, if you blow yourself up, you'll be a lot slower! On the other hand, the sheer power of these weapons can make it all worthwhile.

　　GS: What is the best weapon to use when being attacked by a crowd of people?

　　click to enlarge JB: I'd say either the M16 or the AK-47--you can shoot very rapidly from a close distance or from further away. The M16 has a longer range, but the AK-47 is more powerful against a large group of opponents. The shotgun is good for shooting charging opponents--it has a large cone of fire, but a short range. 1-1 The AK-47, handier than a Swiss Army knife.

　　GS: How did you intend for the weapons to add to the gameplay experience?

　　JB: Since there are so many people and opponents in the game, we knew we needed a lot of different weapons so you could accomplish your goals. Some missions require the power of a rocket launcher or a grenade launcher to get the job done, while other missions require the more-delicate touch and precise aiming of a pistol.

　　GS: Can weapons ever be upgraded by picking up power-ups?

　　JB: In the deathmatch multiplayer mode you can find the equipment helper power-up, which upgrades all your gang members' weapons. For example, if your gang members are unarmed, when you grab this power-up, they will become equipped with melee weapons. If they already have melee weapons, they will now have more-powerful shooting weapons. 1-2 When all else fails, try fire!

　　GS: Do any of the weapons cause environmental damage? Can you damage any vehicles or buildings?

　　When all else fails, try fire! JB: Absolutely. Pick up a rocket launcher, take a shot, and see what ensues. The vehicles can be exploded just by getting shot at. Try it with the AK-47--just make sure at you're a safe distance so you don't become a part of the wreckage. 1-3 Grenade launchers are very useful.

　　GS: What is your favorite weapon to use and why?

　　JB: The AK-47 is my favorite weapon to use while playing last clone standing, because you can shoot at a lot of enemies very quickly and rack up a lot of genetically modified clones in a short time, which is especially helpful when playing against your friends in the multiplayer modes.

　　GS: Thanks for your time.