Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking to Scott "Skizot" Deason, leader of Project Revolution. Project Revolution is currently under development, it is attempting to bring StarCraft onto the WarCraft III engine. Here is what he had to say:
Okay, let us get started. First the boring stuff: name, age and location.
- Scott Deason, 24, Florida
For those that are not yet aware, briefly what is Project Revolution?
- Project revolution is a full TC of wc3 turning it into Starcraft.
Nick:SkizotName: Scott DeasonCountry: United StatesLeader and 3D artist of
Project RevoutionHow many are working on the PR?
- There are 14 active members and about 10 inactive.
Is there any money involved or are you just all passionate for the game?
- No money period. unless people choose to donate on thier own. ;)
Ok, if someone wants to donate, can they do this via the homepage?
- hehehe. i was joking.. though they can send small unmarked bills to me personally :)
Ah ok, I was just wondering in case there were people who wanted to donate money.
How did you personally get involved, and then become the leader?
- Back when wc3 was in beta i was part of a team that was working on creating new maps, without and editor. Modelling is more my passion.. so when i heard this mod was beginning to form i came onboard as a skinner.. when kdub decided he wanted to fall back a bit... i took over in his stead.
I know your not saying any release date at the moment, but what are the major things that you have got left to do?
- Some animation and modelling... lots of code.
And you will not give us any indication to when this will complete right?
- I can say this... it's longer than a week, shorter than 5 years :)
Haha ok. What would you see are the advantages of playing StarCraft on the WarCraft III engine?
- 1600x1200 resolution *drool* hehe... we’re not trying to make advantages.. we’re trying to make starcraft. If it’s any different that the original.... it’s not what we planned. We know there will be sacrifices... but we’re working out hardest to make them unnoticeable.
Just have a look at the awsome 3D design for the Terran Battleship!
So would you say there will be no noticeable disadvantages?
- None that we can help
Will all the spells be able to work, dark swarm for example, cause I could imagine they could be quiet hard to make?
- We already have a few of the hardest spells done.
Out of what has already been made, what would you say was the hardest?
- Carriers and interceptors
And how long did they take?
- 6-8 months
That’s quiet a long time!
- Yeah we know :(
Will the game feel like StarCraft. For example in WarCraft there is a delay when a unit changes direction, will that still be there?
- There are some things we can't change.
Ok, but you don’t think it will take away the feeling of StarCraft when playing?
- We're doing our best to alleviate those issues
Are there any little extra features that do not exist in StarCraft that will be included in PR?
- A few, but i'm not gonna say anything as they are kinda secrets ;)
I heard that there were quiet vague ideas for a campaign, have these ideas progressed at all? Or is this part of the extra features?
- The campaign ideas are still ideas.. we don't know if we're gonna do them or not.
Do you have a favorite unit or building that has been created so far?
- Infested terran :)
What is the general response that you have received from the community, are they supportive?
- 90% supportive 10% pain the the.....
Are there any extreme things that those 10% do to you?
- nothing major yet
Ok, that’s good. Hopefully I havn’t given anyone inspiration to do so :)
- I hope so too :)
Does it seem more popular among the WarCraft or the StarCraft community?
- It seems to be a 50/50 tossup. Ive heard from both sides and gotten generally good feedback from both
What is the best part about working on PR?
- The honeys that flock around game developers :)
I can imagine, and you being the leader must make even more flock to you ;)
- Haha
Have you done any previous work that people will recognize?
- I did some gta3 modelling. I worked on a quake 3 mod (The Strogg War). I've done lots of small stuff.. nothing this major
So what do you do when you’re not by a computer?
- Away from my computer? Heh that doesn't happen often. But i go out dancing and normal people stuff
Haha ok, so when you are by your computer, how much of your time goes to playing StarCraft and WarCraft?
- That's the thing... I don't play either. i make the games... but don't play the ones i make.... I'd always find something that could be better. And that means i would be working on it infinately
So you are somewhat of a perfectionist?
- Yeah
That’s good for us to know. But that is all I have to ask. Any shoutouts?
- kdizzle... my girlfriend moni... and uh.. hi mom
Thanks for the interview, and good luck with PR and your dancing :)
Links
Project Revolution - Homepage
