Mercenaries 2: World in Flames Interview

Mercenaries 2 is Pandemic’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2005 original, and this time the destruction is going up a notch. Coming to next-gen, PC and PS2, we spoke to senior producer Jonathan Zamkoff about blowing stuff up.

Pro-G: The open world/sandbox genre is now consistently busy. What is it that distinguishes Mercenaries 2 from other games set in a similarly open world?

Jonathan Zamkoff: We think we are the only game out there taking the hill between military and civilian. The clearest metaphor is Mercs 2 is Tarantino (zany characters, ridiculous scenarios, dark humour) meets Bruckheimer (great action, huge explosions, lots of car chases). Plus no sandbox game out there even comes close to the level of Boom-Boom destruction that we’re pulling off in Mercs 2.

Pro-G: How have you balanced the topicality of Mercenaries 2’s connection with news headlines and the over-the-top, tongue in cheek attitude the game has?

JZ: We dropped Mercs in the midst of a modern day ripped from the headlines: a potential oil conflict in Venezuela. From there we wrote the entire cast of characters into a purely fictitious story using the backdrop of Venezuela as our setting. So yes, the game takes place in VZ, but no we are not trying to create parallels with any real people or news events taking place in the country.

Pro-G: In wake of the whole Manhunt 2 fiasco, do you think Mercenaries 2 might be a victim the mainstream media’s readiness to jump on games with controversial content?

JZ: Nah we really shy away from hardcore content. No blood, silly dialogue, crazy humorous characters, penalties for killing civilians, no real Venezuelan landmarks. We’re not trying to court controversy; we’re trying to make a fun, resonant, summer action blockbuster movie done as an interactive experience.

Pro-G: Tell me a little about how players can take advantage of playing with fire.

KZ: Just remember that everything, literally everything is destructible. From buildings, to cars, to oil tankers. The whole destruction experience has you playing with fire! And then of course you have my favourite canopy clearing ordinance, the FUEL AIR BOMB!

Pro-G: And how does the 2-player co-op work?

KZ: Simple. Seamless integration of MP into our single-player game. Player 2 can jump into player 1’s game anytime, anywhere, as long as Player 1 wants them to. And co-op in Mercs is the epitome of 1+1 does not equal 2 permutations, but instead 1+1 equals 2,000 permutations.

Pro-G: Can you really destroy, buy or steal everything in game, and was this a technical challenge?

KZ: Yes and yes. Our director Cameron and I have a deal; if you can’t destroy, buy, or steal it, it doesn’t go into the game. Period. Ever.

Pro-G: Is there more focus on the on-foot action or the driving?

KZ: Remember Mercs is “what not how”. It’s completely up to you. Walk, drive, run, fly, swim, boat, whatever the player wants. With over 130 unique vehicles ranging from beat up jalopies, to dirt bikes, to sports cars, to attack choppers, jet skis, and massive assault ships, the player has a lot of toys to play with.

Pro-G: Why was the decision made to work across four major formats?

KZ: The concept of Mercs is so compelling that we really want to reach out to the casual consumer this time around. As big a market as North America is we recognize the huge sales potential in Europe and Asia on the PS2 and PC, so since we’re already putting so much effort behind creating the core game, it was worth it to us to go the extra mile and get the game running on all four major consoles. And yes, we considered the Wii as well, but just ran out of manpower to make it happen. Personally I think that Mercs would make a totally kick #!@ Wii game!

Pro-G: From the preview day, I wouldn’t really describe the game as ‘subtle’.

KZ: We are subtle. Subtle like two hot chicks slathered in napalm flying on the back of a magic unicorn. Pounding on a kettle drum. S-u-b-t-l-e.

Pro-G: Thanks for your time.