Revival of Delta Force Series
Timi Studio has brought back the beloved Delta Force series, originally launched in 1998, known for shaping the landscape of tactical shooters.
This latest installment marks a significant evolution, transitioning to a free-to-play online model featuring two main gameplay styles.
Players can engage in the traditional warfare mode, where teams work together to achieve specific objectives, or dive into the operations mode, reminiscent of extraction shooters.
Delta Force offers extensive customization options, allowing players to modify weapons and choose from various operator classes.
Additionally, it introduces a cooperative version of the iconic Black Hawk Down campaign, appealing to a wide range of first-person shooter enthusiasts.
Recently, Game Rant had the opportunity to speak with Ricky Liao, the game design director.
In the discussion, Liao elaborated on Delta Force’s commitment to honoring its storied history while infusing new elements into the gameplay experience.
He also shared insights into the development team’s aspirations and future objectives for the game.
This interview has been condensed for clarity and focus.
Q: When it comes to the legacy of the Delta Force series, what aspects do you think were essential to preserve from the earlier titles?
A: Having been an avid fan of the Delta Force franchise since childhood, I can say that the most striking element for me was the immersive experience it provided. The moment I first engaged with the game, I felt as though I had stepped into the shoes of a soldier embarking on daunting missions that seemed almost beyond reach.
For instance, in the classic Black Hawk Down, I truly felt like I was that soldier navigating a realistic battleground. I had to keep track of my ammunition and health while maneuvering through an expansive environment filled with tactical choices. Unlike many other shooter games that rely heavily on cutscenes to convey their narrative, this one allowed me to actively participate in the unfolding story, which was a refreshing experience I hadn't encountered elsewhere.
As we developed the new campaign for Black Hawk Down, our goal was to recreate that same sense of involvement and immersion for our players. We want them to feel like they are integral to the narrative rather than just passive observers. One mission, for example, places you in a defend-and-hold situation akin to a last stand. You will experience dwindling ammo, declining health, and the strain of your character's breathing, all while your vision blurs. This level of engagement is precisely what we aim to deliver.
Reflecting on what stood out in Black Hawk Down and similar games, the expansive and open maps were truly remarkable. It was the first time I felt a genuine interaction with the environment and other players, allowing for long-range engagements and diverse tactical approaches. The map design offered ample room for exploration and experimentation, which is an element we are eager to enhance and carry forward in our upcoming game.
Q: You spoke about how the original Delta Force had unique features that were rare in other shooters. Are there elements in the wider shooter genre that you wish to see more of that you’re now able to incorporate into the latest Delta Force?
A: In our player-versus-player modes, we offer two distinct experiences: Operations and Warfare. Our design philosophy is centered around creating engaging experiences for players.
There are generally two categories of shooter games. The first category includes titles like Call of Duty, which emphasize fast-paced, competitive gameplay. The second category consists of strategic games such as CS:GO, Valorant, and Rainbow Six Siege, where teamwork and strategy are paramount. Each category has its own vibrant community and strengths.
Our goal is to merge the best features of both types. We aim to provide players with a sense of competition and fluidity in movement and combat, while also allowing for strategic gameplay that encourages players to take their time, analyze the situation, and devise a plan. Once players decide to act, the pace accelerates, delivering an adrenaline rush and intense exchanges.
Achieving the right equilibrium between excitement, fluidity, competitiveness, and strategy is crucial. This is the type of experience we are passionate about creating, and it’s what our players truly enjoy.
Q: With the introduction of the Black Hawk Down campaign, Delta Force transitioned from a PVP focus to incorporating PVE elements. Are there plans to further explore this direction?
A: Looking ahead, our primary goal is to enhance the existing features in both the warfare and operations modes. We have a wealth of ideas we still wish to pursue in these areas, and player feedback has been integral to our development process, particularly regarding map design and overall gameplay experience. Many of the suggestions we've received are promising, and we are eager to implement them to elevate the enjoyment for our players. Expect to see more regular and impactful updates from us, as we work to roll out improvements and fresh content for these modes.
In recent updates, we have made consistent strides in refining these gameplay modes. For instance, one of our recent patches focused on enhancing vehicle handling, resulting in significant improvements. Future patches will follow a similar trend. This upcoming season, we plan to unveil a revamped selection of maps, providing players with a completely new experience. This strategy will extend into subsequent patches as well, where we aim to introduce new maps and mechanics to keep the gameplay feeling dynamic and engaging.
In addition to these enhancements, players can look forward to exciting new content as well, including fresh operators, weapons, maps, and vehicles that they have come to enjoy from us.
Game Development Insights
Q: Some players have expressed interest in a mode focused solely on infantry combat. Do you think this contradicts Delta Force's identity as a game that utilizes combined arms, or is it something you might consider implementing?
A: In our approach to warfare mode, we aim to ensure that each map presents a distinct experience. This is a core principle when we design new maps. For instance, we are planning to introduce an archipelago map that encourages both land and naval engagements. Additionally, we are exploring canyon maps that will provide verticality for exploration, along with urban maps that emphasize close-quarters battle. Our intention is not to mandate the use of any one element; rather, we want players to enjoy a fluid and captivating warfare experience that remains engaging with every new map introduced.
Q: Can you describe the development process for defining each operator's capabilities and ensuring they can function effectively as both teammates and adversaries?
A: When designing operators, we focus on aligning their abilities with the game’s intense action-oriented ethos. For example, operators such as D-Wolf and Vyron are designed as aggressive assault specialists, excelling at penetrating enemy defenses and leading offensives. While they possess a combat edge, they may not have skills for intelligence gathering or team support. To balance this, we include support and recon operators, each having distinct abilities and roles. A crucial part of our design philosophy is to ensure that every operator occupies a unique niche and skill set that complements the overarching game dynamics.
For new operators, our goal is to ensure they feel distinct and memorable. We don’t judge an operator's success solely on their popularity or usage rates. Instead, we look for the potential to cultivate a dedicated player community—those who choose to stick with and master these operators over time. This, to us, is the ultimate indicator of effective operator design.
Q: In tactical shooters, realism often sparks debate. How do you balance realism with fun in your game design?
A: That's an insightful question and a persistent challenge for us at Delta Force. As a class-based operator shooter, we frequently introduce new characters, which complicates our approach. While we sometimes develop exciting gameplay elements that prioritize fun, they may not always align with realistic portrayals.
When we conceptualize a new operator, we begin by crafting prototypes of their abilities and engage in playtesting to confirm their effectiveness. Following that, we evaluate whether their skill set is plausible and can be backed by real-world technology, including military tools. It's only after ensuring their capabilities are solid that we proceed with development. This meticulous process also aids in shaping the operator's character and narrative. Consequently, producing an operator, from initial concept to final game integration, can be quite a lengthy endeavor.
Regarding level creation and world design, we strive to adhere to a coherent, futuristic aesthetic. Set in 2035, our game environments are designed to reflect possibilities that could realistically emerge in the near future or logical advancements we might expect a decade from now. We want players to engage with a world that feels both imaginative and believable.
Q: Can you elaborate on the development of Delta Force's extensive array of weapons and customization options? How do you manage the complexities of balancing these features?
A: Absolutely, it's quite a comprehensive task for our team. We operate with two distinct modes, each supporting a diverse set of operators, weaponry, gadgets, and modifications. Our approach to balancing is unique for each mode.
This tailored strategy is essential to ensure that players enjoy their experience in both modes. We also consider how these modes interact when combined.
There isn't a universal method for balancing that addresses every possible situation in our game. Instead, we meticulously analyze all potential scenarios and concentrate on balancing each one on its own. This dedicated approach helps us create a gameplay experience that is both polished and enjoyable across various contexts.
Game Development Challenges
Q: What challenges did you face when trying to achieve the right feel in the game, be it related to weapons, vehicles, or characters?
A: Honestly, the challenge lies not in a single element but in harmonizing all components within our gameplay. The real test is ensuring that every aspect works seamlessly together. For instance, merging the combat dynamics of one game into a map designed for another wouldn’t yield the desired outcome. Our primary challenge is orchestrating these various elements so they integrate smoothly, resulting in a distinctive and enjoyable experience for players. This intricate balancing act is both the most daunting and the most gratifying part of our development journey.
During playtesting, we dedicate a significant amount of time discussing which elements require fine-tuning — whether it’s the character, the vehicle, the environment, or the weaponry. Identifying the right component to adjust can be time-consuming, but it’s essential for creating that elusive "magic" moment. Ultimately, the effort is immensely fulfilling, and we take pride in delivering the game on schedule while ensuring a fantastic experience for our audience.
Q: The time it takes to eliminate an opponent is crucial in shooter games. It influences whether the gameplay feels more like Halo or Counter-Strike. What led to the combat pace in Delta Force?
A: Time to kill (TTK) is fundamental to our design philosophy, shaping the experience we aim to provide. During the initial stages of development, we dedicated considerable effort to determining the optimal TTK, as it greatly influences combat pacing and the overall gameplay experience.
As we're developing a Delta Force game, we are committed to honoring its legacy, which means crafting a game that rewards strategic thinking alongside combat skills. This led us to adopt the OODA loop model. Perhaps you're familiar with this concept?
Different games operate under various paradigms. For instance, in Rainbow Six, players often spend significant time in the observing and orienting phases to gather necessary information before making decisions. When action occurs, it is typically quick and decisive. Contrarily, in Call of Duty, the focus is heavily on immediate combat without much preparatory observation or orientation.
For our game, we want to encourage players to take a bit more time in the observation and orientation stages. While the action won't last as long as it does in Call of Duty, it will extend beyond what you find in Counter-Strike. We believe this balance is appropriate for the Delta Force brand and aligns with the immersive experience we intend to create for players.
Q: How do you incorporate player feedback into the development of Delta Force? Can you share an instance where feedback significantly influenced your decisions?
A: Player feedback plays a crucial role in shaping our design choices. A notable instance occurred last year when we released a patch aimed at improving character animations and movements. Initially, we believed that the character actions were too fast and not realistic enough, so we slowed them down to enhance strategic gameplay.
To our surprise, after the update, players expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the characters felt less responsive than before. Recognizing the importance of this feedback, we paused our ongoing work to carefully evaluate these concerns. Ultimately, we chose to revert the changes and added additional animation transitions to enhance both responsiveness and realism. This decision significantly improved the game's overall quality.
This example illustrates our commitment to maintaining an ongoing feedback loop with our players. Our community team diligently monitors player comments, and our designers, including myself, engage directly with the community to gather their input.
The transparency and trust we've built with our players have fostered a vibrant community willing to share their thoughts and ideas. This collaborative spirit allows us to co-create the game alongside our players. We often find inspiration in the creative content generated by our community, such as delightful artwork from our Japanese fans, engaging cosplay, captivating stories, and inventive theories, which we may incorporate into the game in the future.
Our current development strategy prioritizes enhancing the core gameplay experience and fine-tuning the operational modes.
We're in the process of designing a brand-new map that will offer a fresh experience compared to previous environments.
Additionally, in our warfare mode, we are crafting new maps that will incorporate dynamic in-game events, significantly altering both the atmosphere and gameplay mechanics.
Players have expressed their enthusiasm for boss encounters, indicating a desire for more interactions of this nature. While we cannot make any promises, we are definitely exploring this idea further.
We also believe that Delta Force has great potential in the esports arena. Both gameplay modes are not only enjoyable for players but also engaging for spectators.
Thus, we are dedicated to optimizing both modes to better fit within the esports framework. We are also testing various formats to develop an esports environment that provides a satisfying experience for both competitors and fans alike.
On a more granular level, we are addressing various aspects such as map aesthetics and the visual design of certain features. However, in terms of the overarching vision for the game, we feel that we remain aligned with our original goals established five years ago when our journey began.
What are Delta Force and Delta Force Coins?
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