Heroes Portal www.heroesportal.net (International)

Blitz-interview with Slava Salnikov (ZVS), head of the WoG-team:

LEOSAN:
Heroes: In the Wake of Gods are developing rapidly. It might seem that I've just tried 3.54 for the first time, and here we are waiting for 3.59 already. What do you think of WoG's future? Will the series be finished with 3.59? Looks like there's only 4.0 ahead.

ZVS:
Version 3.59 will be the last one. But it will have almost everything needed for delicate tweaking of custom maps and campaigns. Including new custom dialogs, which the mapmaker will be able to set up by means of ERM or templates (there will be a special utility for it). It will be possible to attach your own resources by loading custom LOD files, which means you'll be able to replace standard game resources for a single map or add your own ones.

LEOSAN:
Many think that version 3.58 was an unsuccessful one. And that the best WoG is 3.57. What do you think of it?

ZVS:
I think, it's a subjective opinion. 3.58 includes everything from 3.57 and thus can't be worse. The fact is that WoGify scripts and WoG itself are independent things. Theoretically, you may use scripts from 3.57 with 3.58, and the game should only become more stable.
3.58 scripts themselves (which are two times larger in number than in 3.57), though, might really be less reliable. That's the reason why we are preparing a script patch for WoG 3.58f and I hope it will be out soon.
Besides, I'd like to recommend a special version of multiplayer mod for 3.58f. I'm talking about Heroes III Tournament Edition being developed by Horn (Alexander Vinogradov) and his associates. This version contains fully revised WoGify scripts, as well as a few other important innovations, e.g. the chess-clock. This mod was tested many times in multiplayer games and we can say it's quite reliable (which only confirms normal functioning of WoG' network variant [without using unsafe scripts]).
A must-try for everyone.

LEOSAN:
What's the purpose of making new WoG sequels?

ZVS:
There's no obvious purpose really.
For example, someone may be cultivating lemon at home. What crop can he expect? To buy lemons is definitely faster and probably cheaper. But something still makes people do things they like.
Maybe that's the answer.
If someone likes the new version of WoG, than that's the purpose of the project. If someone looks at WoG and wishes to create something by himself - that's a purpose. Even if someone returns to another favorite game of his after trying wog - that's a purpose too (possibility to choose moulds the personality).

LEOSAN:
What do you like most in WoG yourself? Which part, which feature?

ZVS:
Of course, I always like things which are not yet in the WoG.
I think that the most important milestones are WoGifications (first appeared in version 3.56), Commanders (3.57), stack experience system (3.58). And I'm sure that the full customization of the game in 3.59 will be liked too. In fact, it will be an engine allowing to create your own new game with it.

LEOSAN:
What can you tell of WoG 3.59? What awaits us in it? New features, monsters, campaigns? Of course, if there would be any - that's just my guess.

ZVS:
It's too early to speak of it. Many of the things which are being implemented right now I've already described above. Of the ones not mentioned yet - magic. It is certain that you'll be able to tune it for your needs in 3.59 by modifying existing spells and adding new ones. Creatures will have their own spell books, slightly resembling the way it is done in Heroes 4. Commanders will have their own unique spells, plus a nonlinear system of their developing.
And, of course, everything will be optional.

LEOSAN:
Will there be russian versions of the main WoG campaigns in 3.59?

ZVS:
Yes. They are already being translated. We're planning at least two large unique campaigns for 3.59.

LEOSAN:
What do you think of the New Town Group? Shall we see the new town in 3.59? What's the developing prospect of this project?

ZVS:
For now, we expect the new town to appear in 3.59. But even if it won't be completely ready at the point of releasing 3.59, there certainly will be support for a new town. That means that the town may be added later, or, which is even more important, there may be alternative new towns. That is, if there will be another team wishing to create another new town, it may be incorporated into the game as well.
You may learn more details about the new town from it's developers team. It seems to me that they are doing a very good work. The team is independent from WoG, but, judging by the results they are showing, I'm sure of the new town's appearance. And what next - it's better to ask them.

LEOSAN:
What is at least preliminary date of release of 3.59?

ZVS:
There aren't any. A few more months - that's for sure. Can't say anything more.

LEOSAN:
What's your attitude towards Heroes now? Aren't you bored with them, as a man devoting himself to their development?

ZVS:
I like all versions of Heroes. And I hope that I'll like Heroes V too, if, of course, I can launch them.
Every separate small part of developing may really seem routine and uninteresting. But when you see it in the game together with all the other new features, the impression is completely different.

LEOSAN:
The NTG team is working on the town for quite some time now. So here’s an obvious question: what’s ready?

NordStar:
Creatures’ graphics are 90-95% ready. It means that only def-file is standing in the way of their insertion into the game. Town’s appearance is 60% ready. And the music, basically.

LEOSAN:
The recently introduced town screen looks fine. Is it final?

NordStar:
No, it isn’t final. The scarabs’ dwelling is being designed at the moment. We will also change the landscape a bit, add some decorative elements and that famous “houses”.

LEOSAN:
What can you tell about Bastion’s specific buildings?

NordStar:
First of all, the marketplace will have two upgrades – first for resources (basic) and second for gold. It is not typical of other towns. And the idea is that this should emphasize the economic power of the town. There are thoughts of an original moat for the town, but this moment is not entirely decided and may be changed yet. Much depends on implementation possibility. There will be a building which increases defenders’ speed by 1 during town siege by enemy. Here I should note that an alternative idea appeared recently. It is funny that the idea originates from graphics, not vice versa. That is to say, idea of the graphics appeared first, and the properties for it – later.
There definitely will be a building for raising skills for money. As well as a blacksmith upgrade for purchasing additional war machines. Maybe that’s all. One more thing is reserved, but its appearance is unlikely, so I won’t mention it.

LEOSAN:
Impressive.
Especially raising skills for money… Wouldn’t that be a disbalance in team’s opinion?

NordStar:
No, as this feature will be limited strongly. So it won’t break the balance.

LEOSAN:
And the Grail? Are it’s properties decided?

NordStar:
Actually they are, except perhaps some possible corrections during the implementation process. Here I’ll keep some secrets, as it is surely no fun to know just everything in advance. I’ll just say that the Grail’s effect will be very unusual for HMM, but quite logical for such a town. A straight-away warning: where there is Grail – forget about balance. Although, the Bastion’s Grail is unlikely to become the most powerful among the other towns. At least it’s far from Conflux in power.

LEOSAN:
Well, that’s the main thing.
Alas, an old set of new monster pictures is still displayed on the site. What about pictures of the monsters not currently displayed? When will we be able to see them?

NordStar:
I would not like to make promises. Actually, it is possible at any moment. Depends on the situation with the site.
I’d say that everything goes quite well – at the moment, the Scarab, Overseer and Guardian are ready, Amt and Ammut are coming soon, also all kinds of Anubises. When I say “they are ready”, I mean the graphics. After it, there will be much unpleasant minor work for which we had no time yet. Hope there will be some soon.

LEOSAN:
The Heroes section is a pleasure to look at. The descriptions are complete and interesting. Are these ready heroes, or just examples?

NordStar:
The ones displayed on the site are ready for implementation (some are implemented in the emulator). More than half of all heroes are decided now, but the portraits are not ready for every of them. That isn’t really a huge problem, but we draw them from scratch so we need time. They will be soon displayed on the site. Although, some properties may only be implemented in version 3.59, as they concern heroes’ magic.

LEOSAN:
Did you think through the story of appearance of a new town in the Heroes world?

NordStar:
Yes, we did. So to speak, a global warming.

LEOSAN:
Can you describe the story briefly?

NordStar:
Very briefly:
End of the war between good and evil forces, mean and tough Mutare Drake comes across some wild nations in her vast empire. And then a war for honor and love commences.

LEOSAN:
Campaign for the new town. What development stage is it on now, how many maps are ready, and will there be something new for us? And, finally, what language will it be in?

NordStar:
The original campaign is being created in Russian, but there also will be an English release. The campaign is behindhand among other works now. There is not much ready yet, so we would always appreciate some help – if you are good at map drawing (not even ERM scripting), welcome to the team.

LEOSAN:
What do you personally like most in the new town?

NordStar:
A provocative question.
Personally I am occupied by this all for so long, that right now I like most the people I’m working together with. They are great guys, fanatics of the Heroes, and I get real pleasure from communicating with them.

LEOSAN:
By the way, speaking of fanatics.
I’ve accidentally came across the site of some DTT team which seems to be trying to develop another town. What do you think of it?

NordStar:
The dark elves’ town?
I can only wish them good luck. Especially knowing how hard it is to achieve a good quality.

LEOSAN:
Is there an approximate date of Bastion’s release?

NordStar:
Approximate, yes. Hope that it is just my arrant pessimism to blame for it being such as it is. Of course, I won’t name it.

LEOSAN:
Well, let this mysterious note be the end of our interview.
Thank you and good luck to your project!

NordStar:
Good luck to you too.