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Tortuga: Pirate's Revenge Q&A Feature
Derek dela Fuente
02/02/2005
Derek dela Fuente risks the high seas to chat with Ascaron on their forthcoming action/adventure...
Billed as an action adventure game with hints of Pirates, coming from German publisher Ascaron, it certainly appears to have a lot going for it. It may have the familiar look of a number of other titles but Ascaron has built their reputation on solid gameplay, so why change things if the formula works.
Tortuga is set around unrest in the Caribbean in the year 1660... Spain grows weaker under the pressure of the New Nations, while these attempt to secure their share of the âgolden cakeâ. England and France have few ships under their command, and so decide to legitimize cutthroats and employ pirates, like buccaneers. Gradually, many cities turn into a paradise for criminals, becoming havens where their stolen, smuggled goods and slaves are traded.
During these darkening times most civil servants are corrupt, officers are brutal and governors are power-hungry. Worst of all is the Spanish governor DeRojas, who intends to remove the weak Spanish Viceroy from power and then build his own empire, an inhuman empire of suppression and exploitation.
A number of threads give extra spice to the story but centres around Aurelius, a former slave. A swashbuckler and a treasure hunter, Aurelius leads his ship through the unknown waters around the islands in the Caribbean. They called him 'Boy' or 'Slave'. They beat him with whips, they abducted his people, and they murdered his family. When the ageing pirate captain Diego unshackles him the tide turns: Aurelius, the black pirate captain, is now hunting down his former tormentors.
A feast of action is on offer which also include tactical battles at sea and skill-based sword fights dominate the action segment. The extensive adventure features many main and side quests. Additionally, over 35 opening, interim and concluding sequences lead you through the game world.
Derek dela Fuente spoke with Alan Wild, Product Manager (International), in a quick fire interview to find out more about the drama that unfolds on the high seas!
TVG: Ascaron has a rich history. Can you tell the readers a little bit about the company and some of the releases?
Ascaron is one of the pioneers in the development of computer games, we are also one of the leading developers of computer games in Germany and have been prominent in the sales charts for more than a decade with titles such as Patrician, ANSTOSS, Vermeer, Port Royale, Tortuga: Pirates of the New World and SACRED.
Ascaron is headquartered in Gütersloh (Germany) and maintains a development studio in Aachen (Germany), as well as an international department in Birmingham (UK). Currently, Ascaron markets its products in more than 30 countries and over 15 languages.
TVG: Please tell our readers about the team/individuals that are creating the game â“ what they have worked on before and the aspirations for the game?
The Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge team was set up to form a new unit. We merged the best people we could get for the job. Some of the team worked together before on action titles like Sacred, and strategy games like the Port Royale and the Patrician series.
Hendrik Grüne is our Project Leader. He is very competent and open minded on issues regarding the needs of art and technology.
Our Lead Artist, Daniel Lieske, is a talented and gifted artist with experience in creating worlds with superb graphical environments.
David Klein, Ralf Rüdiger and Michael Kopietz are our programmers with expertise in visual effects, interface design, sea battle action and fencing, while Roman Grow ensures overall game quality and brushes up the mission balancing.
Michael Bhatty is our Lead Game Designer and is responsible for game concept, atmospheric supervision and story telling.
TVG: The game is billed as an action adventure so what are some of the âactionsâ on offer? Are we talking about sword fights and swashbuckling action along the lines of Galleon for instance or perhaps Sid Meierâs Pirates?
We consider Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge as homage to the classical pirate movies and early adventure games. With sword fights, hard fought sea battles, stunning cinematics and numerous events, Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge follows the successes and narrow escapes in the twisting, cutting life of a pirate.
TVG: What are some of the main tasks and sub tasks/objectives for the player and how much is strategy and tactics deployed within the game?
Our main tasks revolve around the portrayal of a pirate story with genuine feeling, player immersion and adventure. Strategy and tactics will definitely play a part through Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge and, for example, come into play during the sea battles.
TVG: What kind of trading and use of resources are activated within the game as well as diplomacy?
The trading aspects of Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge are focused on the principle of âget booty and sell itâ as fast as possible and then get back to your ship and hunt down the next unlucky trader. Resources include ammunition types, sailors and, of course, gold.
TVG: What is the starting point for the player, what kind of recruitment starts the game and how important is progression in terms bigger ships for ultimate success?
The game starts with a scene setting intro movie introducing the player to their pirate background and drawing them into the very essence of Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge. We are then plunged straight into the action by way of an early encounter.
TVG: Is there an important backdrop and evolving story to the game? Please expand!
We follow the path of Aurelius the pirate through a dramatic story line, and through him we participate in an unrelenting quest for revenge, love and gold.
TVG: Tell us about some of the parameters for a tactical sea battle?
Sea battles are strategic encounters performed within a real 3D environment. You can zoom in and around the ships for a true pirateâs eye view of the action. There will also be atmospheric effects during the battles.
TVG: How is dialogue handled?
To enhance the dramatic story, we have dialogues where characters each have their own characteristics and styles, bringing a movie quality to the various scenes and interactions.
This will be evident in interactions between the player and other characters. Particularly with regard to comments and retorts during such times as when Aureliusâ meets with the more unsavoury types.
TVG: How focused is the team on technical and technology issues? Tell us one interesting technology innovative.
Michael Kopietz, our VFX-wizard, has included a pixel shading system which allows us to present fantastic sea battles with some extremely cool and eerie effects.
TVG: Give us two interesting facts about the game that you feel sum up the uniqueness of the game!
Graphically Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge mixes the best of both worlds, combining exciting 3D-graphics with impressive 2D-graphics, lovingly crafted by Daniel Lieske, our leading game artist.
The gameplay of the sea battles will be something unique, as we have developed a new way of fighting and manoeuvring with just your mouse.
Tortuga â“ Pirateâs Revenge combines pirate action and mysterious adventure with a striking new style and innovation.
Tortuga: Pirates Revenge is scheduled for a UK release in Q1 2005, so swashbuckling fans should keep an eye out for when it ships to retail.
