Will there be a traditional top-down view?

Battlezone has both a first-person view and a traditional top-down view; you can change between them using the Comm Tower, which you can order your constructor to build provided there is a source of power in range. Be careful, though; connecting to the satellite using the Comm Tower will reveal your location to your enemy!

How extensive are the bases in the game?

There are seven unique types of buildings that can be used to build up a base, providing functions from additional pilots and bio-metal storage to power, defenses and access to satellite systems. There are also the Recycler, Factory and Armory, deployable vehicles that bring the total to ten different kinds of building. Of course you will find it hard to keep a base functional with only one power supply and defended with only one gun tower, and you'll find your bases grow quite significantly during gameplay.

How long has the game been in development?

Development of Battlezone began in August 1996, and the finished product was released in February 1998. The eighteen months in between was spent designing, developing, making and testing (and playing) the game that sits in your hands today!

How many players does Battlezone support via multiplayer?

Battlezone's multiplayer supports between two and eight players for Deathmatch, and either two or two to four for Strategy maps.

How big are the maps for multiplayer?

Multiplayer maps in Battlezone vary widely in size, from as small as 450m to 4500m corner-to-corner. Larger maps provide much more room for grand strategy and sweeping unit movements while smaller ones make for much faster and more chaotic combat, and we wanted to strike a balance between these two forms of play. The smaller maps are typically found in the Deathmatch section, with larger ones designed for Strategy.

Why did Activision buy the Battlezone name?

Battlezone was mostly complete when the decision to use the Battlezone name came along. It was chosen because we felt an association with an existing game would make it more noticeable as people would remember the original when they saw it. When you ask someone to name a tank-based action game, Battlezone is usually the first thing into their heads. We wanted to harness that and use it to strengthen the impact of the things we're doing to the action genre.

What are the system requirements?

The full list of Battlezone's system requirements can be found on the features page. If you aren't sure your video card will support Battlezone's 3D hardware acceleration, make sure to check our list.

What 3D graphics hardware is Battlezone going to support?

A partial list of supported video cards can be found here. It shows all the video cards and chipsets we've tested that work with Battlezone. We update the list as we test new cards, so check back now and again if you can't find yours there!

How can you control all your units from inside the tank?

Battlezone uses a unique command interface that allows you to control your units from within your tank without using the mouse - allowing you to command with the number and function keys while moving as you would in any traditional action game. For more details on the interface, take a look at the Interface page.

Can teams play against individuals in multi-player mode?

Yes! You can use the ally function to work co-operatively with another player while retaining command of your Recycler and the rest of your base and units. Your forces will then be allied and you can work on destroying the enemy together.

Will Battlezone have Internet servers?

Yes! Activision will run several dedicated matchmaking servers using Activlink, and HEAT.net will be usable with Battlezone as well.

How will internet play will be implemented in Battlezone?

Activision will run a series of Activnet matchmaking servers accessible both in-game and through the HEAT.net client. Through these matchmaking servers players will be able to chat and host games, with all the network communication going between between the host and other players.

What was your vision for Battlezone?

Battlezone grew from the desire to create a game that blended the strategy elements of games like Command and Conquer and Warcraft with the action of Quake, Interstate '76 and MechWarrior II. The idea grew from the minds of George Collins, Andrew Goldman and Brad Pickering, went through several different iterations and implementations, picked up the Battlezone license and finally became the game you know today.

How are you going to mesh the action and strategy genres?

For the most part, you'll be able to play Battlezone just like an action game, with strategy elements thrown in - or if you'd prefer, as a strategy game with action elements. Which you use more is down to you! You can control your units from the traditional top-down view if you wish, or you can ignore them and gun the enemy down yourself (though you can expect a much greater challenge that way!). We think Battlezone is best played as a mix of the best of both worlds, however - lead the first wave of an assault and control your units at the same time from the cockpit of your tank, just like a real commander would!

What graphics engine is Battlezone using?

Battlezone uses Microsoft's DirectX. Versions before 1.4 were designed for DirectX 5.0, while the new patch fixes compatibility issues with DirectX 6.

What programs and languages were used for the game's graphics and code?

Battlezone is written in C and C++, which we programmed using Visual Studio 97. All of the 3D models were created using Softimage|3D and we used Adobe Photoshop to make the textures. All of the maps were created in-game, and the editor we used will ship with the game so you can use it too!

How did you make distant mountains disappear in the mist?

The fog in Battlezone was added for three reasons: it increases performance, because as objects behind the fog aren't seen by the player they don't have to be drawn by the qame; it hides repeating textures that only become obvious when the player is far away from them; and because it looks awesome! The fog is drawn like a curtain straight across the player's view at a set distance - once objects are far enough away for the curtain to cover them, they actually disappear entirely until they are close enough to be visible again!

What is the difference between sync and dynamic join multi player games?

When a sync join game is started, the players who are in its lobby are spawned at the same time, and the game is locked until it is over. In a dynamic join game, players can join in at any time.

Can I link a cannon with a rocket or a mortar?

Yes, you can! If you hold the CTRL key and press the Function key corresponding to that hardpoint, you can link two weapons of different types together. Be careful how you do this, though; some weapons work differently to others and you might find it difficult to hit your target with both at the same time!

Can I change alliances during a multiplayer strategy game?

Yes! You can press the "y" key at any time to ally yourself to another player, or the "u" key to unally from them. Beware, though; this means your allies can betray you, too!