Tim Campbell Interview

MMORPG.com:

In the new trailer you talk about the Imperium of Man. Can you tell us how the Space Marines and Imperial Guard will work together?

Tim Campbell:

The Imperium of Man is drawn to the Sargos Sector because of a significant disturbance in the Warp that jeopardizes a rich mining world. We are not ready to disclose any further details yet around the circumstances, but rest assured that we are working on something that is truly epic and will deliver on the expectations of the Warhammer 40,000 fan base.

MMORPG.com:

You mentioned in another interview that there will only be two overall factions in the game. Can you explain how this will work and what armies will be working together?

Tim Campbell:

We are working very closely with Games Workshop to ensure that the experience that we will deliver in Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online will remain true and faithful to the IP. We know that this particular issue has been a subject of much debate. However, once we have finished revealing all of the races, classes and key storylines for the game and how they all interrelate to one another, we know that the fans are going to love it. How could they not when Games Workshop is closely working with us on making sure that the game stays true to the lore and the IP.

MMORPG.com:

How do you plan to balance the shooter combat and melee combat in Warhammer 40,000? Both styles are very relevant to the table top game.

Tim Campbell:

We agree. You cannot bring the world of Warhammer 40,000 to life without embracing both shooter and melee play styles. Our plan for balancing the two is to make sure that we are accounting for both styles in every aspect of the game design. From pace to controls to enemy AI behaviors to zone design, we have had to be mindful of the fact that the players will have both powerful guns that fire off numerous rounds of ammunition and melee weapons that deliver devastating attacks. It’s a challenge to say the least, but we feel that the balance that we are driving toward here is probably the most important pillar of our game and will really set us apart from other more traditional MMOs.

MMORPG.com:

Tech Priests are clearly mentioned in the trailer, can you tell us a little more about them?

Tim Campbell:

For anyone unfamiliar with the Warhammer 40,000 universe Tech Priests are pretty badass and generally form the brains of the Emperor’s servants. As their name suggests they are skilled technicians and scientists and take human form, but they also have mechanical body elements which makes them really cool looking as well. I wish I could give you more details about their role in the game, but I can’t at this stage. All I can say is that it’s really cool they are a part of this game and you’ll have to stay tuned for more details.

MMORPG.com:

How has work on the game been going? Is the team excited about meeting milestones?

Tim Campbell:

The team is extremely excited at this stage and we are building the game in earnest. With all of the underlying technology development and prototyping out of the way, it is thrilling to see the world of our game come to life on almost a daily basis.

MMORPG.com:

Both trailers have made a big splash among players. Will we see an Orc or Chaos trailer soon?

Tim Campbell:

Our goal is continue revealing more and more details about all of the races in our game as we move forward. We are thrilled that the community has responded so favorably to the trailers released to date. We feel like we’re just getting started and hope to deliver even more exciting material in the months to come.

MMORPG.com:

As fans of Warhammer 40,000 what are your favorite parts of working with the IP?

Tim Campbell:

We are really excited about being able to dive into the depth of the lore. The table top game is fantastic and drives fan interest. However, there is so much narrative and history in the Codexes that is difficult to cover in the table top format. We feel extremely lucky to have the benefit of this rich material to help us flesh out a deep, rich, immersive experience in our game.

MMORPG.com:

How will you handle the many Space Marine Chapters in the game? Will there be some form of customization for players?

Tim Campbell:

All I can say for now is that the chapter that we are focusing on for our base playable Space Marine is the Black Templars. There are many reasons for choosing this particular chapter that will be revealed over time. As for what other Space Marine chapters will make an appearance in DMO, we’ll keep you posted, but it’s safe to presume that there will be some sort of customization option for players, after all this is an MMO we’re talking about! ;)

MMORPG.com:

Can you give three core elements to the game that you feel are essential in meeting expectations of the Warhammer 40,000 fan base?

Tim Campbell:

The team’s number one priority is making sure that they fully bring to life the unique, rich, and violent warhammer 40,000 universe to life. Fans have been waiting for a long time for their chance to truly live in the universe and we want to make sure that we deliver on that experience.

As they say in the “Grim darkness of the far future there is only war”, so obviously combat is a huge part of bringing that experience to life. With our focus on embracing both the shooter and melee combat styles, we really feel that the players will get a chance to experience eternal battle that rages across the warhammer 40,000 universe.

Finally we really want to get across the epic scope of the warhammer 40,000 universe. This is a setting where war is waged across sectors where men and aliens fight and die on battlefields as massive Titans, like you saw in the videos, stride across the battlefield laying waste to everything that stands in their path.

MMORPG.com:

What is your choice for Table Top army and why?

Tim Campbell:

Personally, I have grown very fond of the Grey Knights. I love the mystery and secrecy around their connection to the Inquisition and their ability to use psyker abilities as well as a potent array of the more convention Space Marine arsenal. They rock!