Si: Hello,can you please tell us about yourself.
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Si: Mission Barbarossa is an addon to Blitzkrieg. What new features does it bring?
Nico Zettler: In a way there’s nothing ground-breaking about Mission Barbarossa itself, but just a myriad of little details we added compared to Blitzkrieg. We want to think the sum of them will eventually add up to a markedly different playing experience from the original Blitzkrieg - the kind of game play that should give good vibes to experienced war gamers; and, hopefully, induce more generic RTS players into liking World War 2 real-time war gaming. In Mission Barbarossa, what we wanted most to convey to the player is a sense of historical accuracy, while keeping it a fun and challenging gaming experience.
Si: Operation Barbarossa was the beginning of German Eastern Front Campaign and the beginning of the end of Hitler’s plans. Can the player change the course of history?
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Si: With what historical events does the campaign end?
Nico Zettler: The new German campaign portrays the progress of General Guderian’s 2nd Panzer Group during the first weeks of Operation Barbarossa. As part of Army Group Centre the player starts the campaign with the 2nd Panzers’ initial attacks into the Soviet-held Polish territory at Brest-Litovsk and ends with the successful encirclement and capture of Smolensk.
Si: The weather played a very significant role during those times. Is it so important in the game as well?
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Si: What about supplies does the player need to take care of supplying troops with ammunition?
Nico Zettler: As in the original game the supply of ammunition plays an important role in Mission: Barbarossa. The player will find that certain units carry restricted ammunition and will require a regular supply of provisions to remain effective. The refitting of infantry squads is also limited in order to stress the fact that the infantry played a vital role during operations and shouldn’t be squandered needlessly.
Si: Do the units gain experience during battles and are the units transferred between battles?
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Si: Technology always plays an important role during a war, is it implemented?
Nico Zettler: Well, Mission:Barbarossa represents only a short period of World War 2 (June to September 1941) so expect no huge jumps on the German side in terms of technology! In retrospect, German materiel was anything but impressive during the early years of the war. Still, as the player progresses through the campaign he’ll gain access to more effective equipment such as better tanks, effective antitank guns and rocket launchers. But most of all, there are a few surprises on the Russian side the player will have to discover… the hard way!
Si: Is there any multiplayer?
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Si: Do you plan any more add ons for Blitzkrieg?
Nico Zettler: Yes, we do. We could tell you about it, but then we’d have to train that 88mm Flak on you…
