Assault Rifle Mode:

This is an Interview with one of the Blizzard representatives on "Starcraft Ghost".

Will there be any way to communicate with forces on your side, such as ordering allied marines to select certain targets?

Nova does have the ability, through Call Downs, to direct vehicle deployment and set targets for other units. Currently, we do not have her issuing commands to units such as Terran Marines, as she is usually on a covert mission, or takes a very focused role in the heat of large-scale battles.

We have seen pictures of vehicles but how will these actually work in the game (player control etc) and have you pinned down which vehicles Nova will be able to use?

We wanted to bring as many elements of the StarCraft universe as possible to life in this game. Vehicles play a major role in the battles and strategies of any confrontation, and so it was important for us to represent them and more importantly, for players to have a chance to jump behind the wheel.Currently, Nova is able to command the Vulture-Class Hover Bike as well as the Goliath Combat Walker. She can also call Arclite Siege Tanks for placement in key strategic positions on the open battlefield.

Who is putting together the game's sound music and cinematics? Are these elements being done jointly between Nihilistc and Blizzard and will cinematics appear between every mission?

This is indeed a joint effort between the two companies. Our usual great crew in the Blizzard Film Department is handling the pre-rendered cinematic sequences, and the in-game scenes are being designed by Nihilistic. The sound and music is being done through Nihilistic with oversight and StarCraft sound library usage provided by Blizzard.

Will StarCraft Ghost make use of any online capabilities such as Xbox Live and if so what types of games can we expect? (co-op/dm etc) We are spending a great deal of time and effort in researching how best to use the online capabilities of the consoles, for both updates, expanded materials and game play. We are looking at issues such as general user acceptance and integration of these types of online aspects, as well as how the game will best be served by the use of these types of features. As with any other decision we make in our games, we do not want to include something just because we can - it needs to make sense for the game. Can you reveal more about Nova's special abilities and how will these work? Will she gain abilities as the game progresses for example or have them all right from the off? Nova will definitely grow, both as a person and in her abilities, as the story of the game progresses. She starts with a basic set of abilities and weaponry, and as she receives more training and begins to unlock her true potential, she becomes a literal arsenal of psionic and military might. Currently, there are three different paths on which Nova can progress -Psionics, Personal Weapons, and Calldowns. Psionics include abilities such as Speed Mode (moving at a high rate of speed), Second Sight (seeing her enemies before they see her), and personal Cloaking (also known as entering Ghost mode). She can use these abilities alone, or in concert, to devastating effect. Nova's basic personal weaponry consists of the standard issue C-10 Canister Rifle that fires both high-speed rounds as well as grenades. She can also modify her assault weapon to use a multitude of other grenades types (high-explosive, heat seeking, concussion, lockdown) as well as affixing a rangefinder scope for sniping. Call Downs can be employed to designate landing sites for Arclite Siege Tanks, mark targets for the Yamato Guns of orbiting Battlecruisers, or launch a devastating, tactical Nuclear Strike! Has the development team set the amount of levels in the game yet and if so how long do you expect gameplay time to be? As opposed to setting an arbitrary number of levels for the game, we have focused on telling the story in compelling and accessible amounts. While this naturally breaks the game down into levels, it gives us the freedom to place our design emphasis on movng the plot and not meeting a numerical agenda. When we get closer to having the game laid out, we will be able to determine the number of levels, but currently the design changes are enough where we routinely build, break apart and fuse areas to better relate what is happening to Nova and those around her. What stage of development are you currently at and is there a new estimated release date? The technology is definitely in the polish stage, and we have the vast majority of assets built. We are working hard at laying out levels that are compelling to play and make sense in regards to the story line while we are also constantly scrutinizing the control, camera and game play mechanics. The cinematic team is well on their way to delivering more feature film quality cinematic sequences, and all in all the game is coming along in leaps and bounds. We do not have a new release window, but that means that as of today, we feel like we are still on schedule to release the game late this year. Here are some new things you can do in this great game:Utilize a Wide Range of Elite Ghost Abilities Outmaneuver your enemies at sonic speed Infiltrate bases and sneak past guards using the cloak ability Lock down vehicles and electronic devices to immobilize them Engage in both face-to-face firefights and planet-scale warfare Leverage the Resources of an Entire Army Call down massive Battlecruiser and Siege Tank strikes Take control of familiar StarCraft vehicles Wield a variety of familiar weapons, such as the Gauss Rifle and Perdition Flamethrower Join your allies in battle and do your part to ensure mission success Experience the World of StarCraft in 3D See the world of StarCraft on a personal level Visit familiar planetary settings Explore 3D environments designed for strategic interaction Use the camera to find unique strategic possibilities As Nova, players will be able to scale fences, hang from wires, climb poles and scale walls, and negotiate tightropes Unveil the Next Chapter in the StarCraft Saga Experience story-driven missions complete with multiple plot twists Play a crucial role in the rich StarCraft history Engage in combat with a variety of fully rendered units from the StarCraft universe, including the Terran, Zerg, and Protoss