In focus: Panzer Tactics DS (Part two)

In part one of our interview with Johanna Schober, the project manager of turn-based WWII strategy title Panzer Tactics DS, we covered the impetus behind the design. Now we move onto game mechanics.

One potentially daunting feature for any DS general to get to grips with will be the game's 150 different units, covering elements such as tanks, armoured cars, artillery, planes, ships, and various troop specialisations.

"This was one of our biggest concerns, so we focused on it early in development," says Schober. "First of all, we colour-coded the units according to their nationality. Each has its own shade of camouflage. The difference isn't huge, but it ensures you can always distinguish your units from the enemy's."

"Secondly, we have arranged the units into weapon classes and designed a unit-unlocking system in a way that makes sure the player never has a huge amount of similar units at their disposal. In fact, you have a maximum of three units of any class at any given point in the game. Breaking the bulk of units down into manageable pieces makes it easy to get the pros and cons of each unit quickly."

Additionally, the most important information about each unit, such as strength, nationality and hierarchy, is displayed directly on the main map area. More detailed data sits on the top DS screen.

"Our priority throughout Panzer Tactics DS' development has been to make things easy for Advance Wars players who are out for the next, bigger challenge to get into," Schober stresses.

The game also employs some ideas familiar from role-playing games as well as the deeper strategy titles. You'll be able to build up in-game currency, which you can spend buying new units as you fight, and, if you're playing the Campaign mode, you'll take your surviving units through to the next mission.

"They'll get stronger and more experienced with each fight and will also learn new attack techniques as they reach higher levels. Such units will become extremely valuable over time," Schober explains.

Perhaps the most innovative part of Panzer Tactics DS promises to be the online multiplayer options. Using the global Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the four-player mode will enable you to select Friends Only or just dive into a game with whoever is available online.

"The game allows you to narrow your search to certain map sizes or the amount of currency available. And before the game starts, you'll always see who you're playing with, so you can decide whether you want to enter that game or not," says Schober.

Especially crucial for anyone who's suffered playing Mario Kart DS or Metroid Prime: Hunters, Schober promises the game's backend infrastructure will be programmed to deal with bad losers.

"We will track 'illegal' disconnects to make sure that players who cut off when they're losing are flagged," she reveals.

The tracks are rolling, and just smell that diesel! Panzer Tactics DS is due to be released this summer.