Interview with Fusion Creative Design (08-13-2006)

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We talk to Eric C. Reuter from Fusion Creative Design for the second time about Convergence - a modification of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen (PC/Mac). This interview took place on the 13th April 2006.

STGU: It has been over a year since our last interview so could you describe what Convergence is for those who are new to the community.

Eric C. Reuter: Sure! Convergence is an all new mission for Kira, Worf and Sisko. It takes place a period of months after the timeframe of the original game, and centers around the planet SR-III, site of the crashed USS Ulysses, which plays a prominent role in this unofficial sequel. The game consists of approximately 20 playable levels, with 5 or so cinematic levels (as well as in-game cinematics). The main storyline involves the creation of a secret facility on SR-III, being manned by an unholy alliance of top-secret Starfleet personnel along with a contingent of Cardassians. The focus of this facility has been the creation of a super-weapon, using alien technology first revealed in "The Fallen" (Convergence Plotline).

Sisko heads for a survivor

STGU: How long has Convergence been in development since its concept?

Eric C. Reuter: I've been working on this for approximately 2.5 years, though the very first level was essentially complete in 2001. It was something I had thought about releasing as part of a 2-3 level download shortly after the game (The Fallen) was released. That got put on hold when I took a gig working on another retail game. I went back sometime in late 2003/early 2004 and started working on levels again...and it took on a life of it's own, and here is where it led.

STGU: Has the team grown at all?

Eric C. Reuter: The core team has remained the same, we've added some enthusiastic fans as new beta testers in the last few months. The team I work with are the most wonderful folks I could have ever asked to be associated with. Each one of them volunteering their time to test, to brainstorm, to provide feedback, and help promote Convergence. We've all become friends over the time we've been together as well, and it's been a fantastic experience to work with all of them.

Jem'Hadar Soldier

STGU: What can we expect to see in this final version?

Eric C. Reuter: I think you will see a surprising polished and professional product, especially for a mod. But more importantly, expect to be challenged, surprised, your skills tested, and your wits required! There is a lot of action in Convergence. Towards the end of the project, we decided to ramp up the combat even more, so that it plays more like a 3rd-Person version of an intense first-person shooter, such as Half-Life. Convergence is an adrenaline rush...at least that's what we hope people will get from it. We've stayed true to the Trek universe as much as possible, and the amount of combat and intensity is justified by the nature of what is happening in the plot. A huge battle is being waged by the forces of the Dominion, the Cardassians, The Grigari and of course, Starfleet. That is not to say this a run and gun affair...you will need to use your wits, develop different strategies for different areas, make use of your environment, and your trusty tricorder!

STGU: How do you think the final version of Convergence is going to be received by the community?

Eric C. Reuter: I can only hope that people will enjoy playing it. I think they will. A lot of time and passion and work went into it, and I think it shows. I am very hopefull that it will be well received.

Sisko takes cover

STGU: Will you be adding more to Convergence or do you have any plans to mod other games?

Eric C. Reuter: I don't quite know what's next. I think I'd love to do more modding on a Star Trek related title, as I am passionate about the subject! The Fallen is a very old title, by most standards, and I don't know how much demand or interest there would be for any more mods like that of Convergence, though I'd be happy to think about it if there was a demand for it. I'd hate to spend another 6 months or a year working on something that nobody would / could play!. I certainly won't be idle for long...design is in my blood.

STGU: Have you thought about converting The Fallen to another series? For example the team over at Space Station K7 have converted Elite Force to The Original Series and made new missions for that game.

Eric C. Reuter: I don't have the talent to model and skin and animate new characters. I'd have to recruit someone who could do that. If I could, then anything is possible! I'd like to do a mod of an FPS game, such as EF1/2 or even use the Source engine from HL2...or possibly UT. In pretty much every scenario I can envision, It looks like I need a good modeler/animator. I don't think I've got the time to learn that particular skill to be anywhere near where I'd need to be. So, I guess I need to advertise!. Anyone out there who wants to be a part of a team with me who can offer up these skills is welcome to get in touch! I want to continue to work on something. I love Star Trek, and I'd love to create something new for fans to enjoy.

My strengths are in design and gameplay for FPS and 3rd Person action titles. That's where I will concentrate my efforts. A number of my existing teammates have told me they'd stick around to help, to test and to brainstorm whatever I work on next, and I'm grateful to them for that! Could always use another level designer too. Trying to do this alone is a very long and time-consuming process.

A Jem'Hadar beats a survivor

Game Over

STGU: Do you think the Star Trek Gaming franchise has been re-born with Bethesda Softworks (new publisher for Star Trek games), and do you have any suggestions for them?

I hope this signals a re-birth. The verdict is still out, in my book...time will tell. I am more optimistic now than I have been in the past few years. I would suggest that they not forget about the FPS and 3rd-Person action gamer who also loves Star Trek. There are levels of immersion and action and being able to identify with the characters, and the experience of the Trek universe that are only possible in these kinds of games. Multiplayer is important, no doubt...especially in the FPS titles...but a strong and engaging single-player experience is something I crave, and I would love to see more titles that do something like "The Fallen" did....capture the essence of an incredible series and make it come to life in a way not as easily accomplished in tactical or strategic / RTS titles.

STGU: Hopefully there will be another FPS/RPG Star Trek game in the future. What recent games do you think the publisher/developer could learn a lot from?

Eric C. Reuter: I would tell them to look at Half-Life II. Compelling story, good character interaction and development. The overall pace of the game is perfect, and the way the action flowed. It's a masterpiece. If they want to produce a FPS title for the Trek universe, you could learn all you need to know from studying HL2.

I don't think there is a better representative of the single-player RPG in existence than an older game....Squaresoft's FFVII. That game transcends RPGs....it's a game that still stands up today as an amazing experience. It wasn't a game..you lived it. Anyone who wants to know how to craft an RPG, how to draw someone in and make you care about the characters in a game...needs to play this, and to look at how it was done.

The combination of action and free exploration found in The Fallen, and the strategic use of dialogue, cut scenes, and being able to hail your teammates and crew on the Defiant and at DS9 was a unique combination. I think it still stands as a fine example of how to allow the player to become immersed in a game and in control, yet at the same time be able to look at things as if you are a part of the original series and crew. Elite Force was a fine FPS...but it wasn't tied closely to the series...not close enough for the player to feel they were involved in a compelling story...an episode, if you will. At least that's how it was for me. I loved the game...but I would have loved it more if I had the same feeling of really being part of something.

For me...what I crave..is to be a part of the universe I know. To feel like I am participating in the adventure with the characters I know...or at least within a Trek universe that makes me feel that I am "there". It's the whole package...the ships, the locations, the races...the colorful characters, the music...and a story. Something that I can sink my teeth into and become a part of.