Gaming Headlines recently had the opportunity to chat to the producer of IMC's forthcoming RTS game Sparta: Ancient Wars. Everything seems to be coming together quite nicely...

What time-span does the game cover?

The game will feature a time-span in the first century BC, when Sparta was one of the leading factions around the Mediterranean Sea. It was the best choice to establish various landscapes, sea battles and of course detailed economic structures and workflows as perfect basement for a growing tribe.

Will there be historical events such as the fierce Peloponnesian War against the Athenians?

As Sparta – Ancient Wars is set in a realistic scenario, based on known facts and proven events, we are developing many different missions, where actual events will play a big role. We need to implement this to give the players a perfect benefit with an ancient scenario game. Our intention is to deliver one of the most detailed RTS games set in ancient times, with a scenario  exactly like the one a player is starting in. So we will not cover futuristic things or magical stuff – this would destroy the realistic appeal and is not the target we are aiming for.

What other races or civilisations will we be able to play as, other than Sparta itself?

Beside the mighty warriors of Sparta, we will introduce two other factions at the E3 in Los Angeles – so please be patient with further  questions on this. But if you think of the ancient time when Sparta – Ancient Wars is set, you can easily  guess against which enemy they will be fighting!

Will any of the Greek gods or other hero units make an appearance?

No gods will be implemented, because as I said above we would like to deliver a realistic game with realistic behaviour of its units. Therefore we skipped the whole mystical and magical part, which for example played a big role in the great Age of Mythology. But at school you never heard that gods forced some wonders or threw flashes at units – so this is pure fiction and not to discuss in our game. But we have heroes, which will develop during the campaigns to bring health to their tribe, freedom and more abilities. As well we are thinking about different single actions, but it is too early to discuss this now.

What sort of balance do you have between resource management and battle action?

It really depends on the mission you are playing. Of course most missions will be well balanced between both parties, but to give more variety we implement as well missions where you for example must guard some diplomats from an ambush, must harvest a special amount of resource or simply lay siege on an enemies city. So the balancing of fighting, economic and as well diplomacy is our main concern in the campaign mode. When you will play the multiplayer mode this is totally different, because you will normally  try to build up a capable city where you can start to develop a military structure with soldiers and other offensive units to beat your buddy – but if you prefer to make a match to resources, it is possible, too! So the fun during playing Sparta is our main focus, and because of this our main work will start during balancing the game.

What size armies will you usually be fighting with?

It is up to you – really! If you prefer to play with some small groups to attack a little bit here, and a little bit there – that’s possible! But in general you will set up a capable army with many different units to arrange war. The number of units will not be limited in “Sparta – Ancient Wars”, so the size can be massive, in case you are able to build and handle it. So the balance between resources and military units will be the key to success!

Which feature of the game are you most proud of and why?

At E3 we will unveil some very unique features we are very proud of, but I can say right now that the physics engine is very capable and brings much fun to play with. Imagine how funny and satisfying it is to build a catapult to fire heavy bullets towards the agricultural buildings of an enemy. Besides destroying a farm or field, the debris will hit local workers and will wound or even kill them. Because you fire from a hill down to a valley, the boulder can roll downhill and hit some more military units and finally stop at the main hall – still damaging all hit units and buildings.

How far is Sparta: Ancient Wars toward completion?

We are no friends of telling an exact date to complete the game, because there is still a long way to go, but we are aiming a release in 2006. Technically, the game is in good progress but the main work with balancing the campaigns, setting up the multiplayer mode and fixing bugs is coming up – and when you  produce a high end RTS game this is the most important point where good games separate from average games. Balancing is the key to success and we are aware of this fact. For now we build up a great engine with stunning graphics and cool features, in the end it will be a great game to have fun playing it and also to just lean back and watching it!

We'll certainly be keeping an eye on this one.  More news after E3!