(continued from previous page) ...to say about it, they gave us a rating promptly and there wasn’t anything really that needed to be debated.

PSU: Will there be SIXAXIS or Dualshock 3 support for PlayStation 3 gamers?

Gniady: There will be SIXAXIS support for the game. It will be an optional function where the player can use motion controls to reload or melee attack if they wish. This can be turned on or off and while it is set to on the player will still be able to use the buttons for these functions as well.

PSU: Have you noticed any differences between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game?

Gniady: Not really, they are very similar graphically. The control schemes are also the same.

PSU: What improvements are being made to the AI system? What can we expect if we try and go Rambo on a group of armed hostiles?

Gniady: The AI is pretty relentless. If they spot you and you try to run away to another part of the level they will track you down. If you injure one and do not kill them they will shoot at you from the ground until they are dead. It is important to make sure everyone is dead in Payback, I have gotten into the habit of shooting a couple of extra rounds into each enemy corpse to be sure they are dead. Often times you will throw a grenade or just gun down a bunch of enemies and create a pile of bodies. Problem is sometimes one or two may still be alive on the ground either bleeding out or severely injured. You quickly learn your lesson when you are killed by one of these guys.

As far as going Rambo…what difficulty will you be trying this on? It can be done, and it is very satisfying, but you need to be a skilled player to go all Rambo all the time. There are certainly parts of the game where you are encouraged to charge forward and shoot anything that moves, but it takes a particularly skilled player to go Rambo style on sequences that we designed with taking cover in mind. Let’s just say it can be done and it is awesome.

PSU: Can we expect to see the same level of destructible environments that we see in the gore system? To what extent will we be able to destroy our surroundings?

Gniady: The level of destruction for the environment around you often caters to the damage system. You can blow up cars and do a high amount of damage and dismemberment. Certain parts of the environment will crumble and fall apart as it is shot, things like pillars and support beams. All surfaces will reflect being shot by bullets and all surfaces can also be coated in the blood of your enemies.

PSU:  How many players will be supported for online? Any offline action available (Co-op)?

Gniady: All multiplayer modes will support 2-12 players online. As far as offline multiplayer we also have incorporated LAN play for 2-12 players. There isn’t co-op gameplay, Thomas Mason is a mercenary and works strictly alone.

PSU: What multiplayer options will be available to the player? Customizable Soldiers? Game Mode Options?

Gniady: There are a number of gameplay settings such as round time, player lives, and all that kind of stuff. The player will choose from pre-made multiplayer skins. The player will be able to however create a custom weapons loadout for multiplayer from all of our weapons and attachments.

PSU: Will there be a demo available for Xbox Live and PlayStation Network? If so, is there a set date?

Gniady: There will not be a demo.

PSU: Anything else you’d like to add? Please feel free to comment on anything important we may have missed.

Gniady: I am excited to see everyone’s reaction to the damage and dismemberment system, and then their reaction to me blowing off all of their limbs online!

PSU would like to thank Gniady for putting aside some of his time to answer our questions. Soldier of Fortune: Payback is out now for PS3 ... (continued on next page)