Smugglers 4 Developer Interview by Game Tunnel

In case you missed it, and if you did you are really missing out, Smugglers 3 was an amazing sequel in the fantastic Smugglers series.� Finishing as one of our Top 10 Games of 2004, it proved to be a tremendous amount of fun and has kept us wondering when the next installment of the series might be ready.� Now FOUR years later, Smugglers 4 is nearing completion and we're excited to bring you some early news of the game in the form of an interview with the game's creator Niels Bauer.� Read on intrepid explorer!

Let's start with a question about yourself and your games. Who are you and what kind of games do you make?
Niels Bauer: I am Niels Bauer and I am the owner of a small independent game company called 'Niels Bauer Games.' With a changing team of freelance artists we create turn-based strategy games for PC-Windows since 1998. Our Smugglers series dates back to 2000/2001 with a new sequel - Smugglers 4 - about to be released 2008.

Are you full-time developing independent games?
Niels Bauer: Our games are successful enough to justify working full-time on them, however I have also studied law in the past and I am right now employed at the prosecution. The best description of my position is possibly a legal clerk, however the legal system in Germany is different than in the US.

So you said you are right now working on Smugglers 4. Can you describe what the Smugglers series is about?
Niels Bauer: Smugglers 4 is a turn-based space trading game. I want to quote from our fan forum: 'In the Smugglers series, you have the option to be a greedy trader, an ambitious bounty hunter, a ruthless pirate, or a multitude of the many professions that the game has to offer. Through trading, fulfilling missions, or pirating, you earn the money and skills necessary to improve your ship and upgrade your equipment. Additionally, you'll have to manage a crew, conduct planetary raids, and fight decisive battles. The opportunities are virtually limitless, and your actions will have an ultimately impact on the galactic scale.'

What's new in Smugglers 4 compared to Smugglers 3?
Niels Bauer: "The game got improved in almost all ways. There have been complaints about the space combat system, so we completely overworked it. Instead of fighting ship portraits you now have a real combat screen showing off both ships firing at each other. We also included some roleplaying game features like different combat skills earned for each military rank you receive. Furthermore you will immediately notice the new interface, which now looks a lot more sci-fi-like. All ships are created new from scratch, there is a more realistic offer/demand based trading system, crew combat is improved and you can choose among many different professions. Smuggling and pirating also will be more profitable. We are even planning to include planetary invasions."

Where did the idea for Smugglers 4 came to you?
Niels Bauer: "I am an old fan of Elite, Privateer and other space trading games. Back in 2000/2001 I wanted to make a little game for myself with similar features, but as a turn-based strategy game. When I had finished a rough version of Smugglers 1 I showed it around and noticed that my friends got seriously addicted even to this early version. This was the birth of the Smugglers series."

Can you tell us some of the most fun, most difficult or most unique issues you encountered when developing Smugglers 4?
Niels Bauer: "Balancing this game is very difficult. As a developer you have to make sure you all professions possible in the game (trader, combat trader, mercenary, bounty-hunter, pirate, smuggler) are all equally profitable. This means a lot of testing and tweaking. Luckily I have a team of trusted fans who have been chosen to play the test-versions and give feedback.

When will Smugglers 4 be released?
Niels Bauer: "It will be released in 2008, but I can't really be more specific at that point."

Can you try to explain in one sentence what's the secret of developing addictive games?"
Niels Bauer: "The player has to be rewarded for every accomplishment in the game, even for the very small."

Any thoughts about expanding the business or future plans?"
Niels Bauer: "I plan to release an add-on for Smugglers 4 in late 2008 or early 2009. I might also start on a (small) online version of Smugglers. Beside that I think it's really time for a sequel for TV Manager."

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By: Russell Carroll
Posted: Friday March 21, 2008