| | Randall Bills on MechAssault
If there is anyone who understands the BattleTech andMechWarrior universe better than Randall Bills, I haven't met him. And, after a fun session of head-to-head 'Mech action on the heavy-metal Xbox game MechAssault, I asked Bills for his impressions.
Coleman: So, what did you think?
Bills: Very cool. Things blow'd up real good!
Coleman: You've been involved in theBattleTech and MechWarrior universe for how long?
Bills: Sometimes I try not to think about it. I started playing BattleTech in 1986. I was hired at FASA (the company that published BattleTech) in 1996, and my firstBattleTech novel was published in 2000. Also in 2000, I became the BattleTech line developer at FASA. In 2001, after FASA closed its doors, I worked on a freelance basis for WizKids Games, helping to develop the universe for the newMechWarrior: Dark Age Collectible Miniatures Game. Now, I'm on fulltime with WizKids as the continuity editor forMechWarrior, as well as for Crimson Skies. I still continue as the BattleTech line developer for FanPro LLC as well.
Coleman: You have also been involved with some of the other MechWarrior-style games, haven't you?MechWarrior and MechCommander?
Bills: To one extent or another, yes. I've often approved the major storylines, and a lot of times, they'll pass ideas and dialogue by me to see how 'BattleTech-y' they are.
Coleman: And, when you jumped intoMechAssault, what was the first thing that really stood out?
Bills: Well, as with all of the MechWarriorline of games, the graphics. Each one usually manages to up the bar from previous games, giving us a visual feast that almost makes you forget to shoot the other guy; you just want to stare at all the eye candy. Of course, the 'Mechs were amazing, but even the level of detail on the buildings was stunning. For example, glass shattered in sprays, as laser and autocannon fire racked across a building. Just awesome.
Coleman: I watched you struggle with the controls for a few minutes. Was it hard to adapt to the new style, compared to a PC game that relies so much on the keyboard?
Bills: At first, yeah. Since you have two independent controls with your right and left hand, for a few minutes, I felt like I was trying to pat my head and rub my stomach. However, it didn't take me long to get it, and once I did, the new controls were wonderful. The ability to twist and turn—even while executing a jumping maneuver!—was so fluid it really pulled me right into the game.
Coleman: Yeah, once you got going, you were hell on … er … feet. What was your favorite 'Mech to pilot? And, why?
Bills:Well, I've yet to play them all—although that will be remedied quickly—but so far, the Summoner takes the cake. It's got the jump jets I've fallen in love with and some good laser hitting power, backed by the ever-useful missiles for long range shots.
Coleman:And, for the record, in our head-on match, who got more kills?
Bills: What can I say? I loved my jump jets too much to trade them for those super-charged particle projector cannons you rely on. But, once I got them mastered, I was leaping and dropping out of the way of those lightning balls; I'm willing to bet my accuracy rating was a lot higher.
Coleman: Yeah, yeah. (grumble) You also spent a great deal of time in the Cougar, fighting through some campaign play. What did you think of the storyline game?
Bills: One of the aspects of the BattleTechand MechWarrior universe I love so much is its ability to seamlessly translate onto almost any media. For me, it is always a kick to see the universe I've known and loved for years finding a new platform and a new market. When the opening cinematic shows the map of the Inner Sphere and the Wolf's Dragoons logo … well, it sends a tickle down the spine.
Coleman: So … you might want to play the game again? Just maybe?
Bills: Are you kidding! If I wasn't planning on it already, now I KNOW I'm putting the Xbox on my birthday wish list. After all, sitting cozy at home while I scrap your 'Mech out from under you on Xbox Live just makes me all warm and fuzzy. Not to mention, I've got several dozen friends and fellowBattleTech fans on several continents that would just love to take me on. And, I look forward to making each and everyone of them a Dispossessed MechWarrior.
By Loren Coleman |
