Intellicons

(This interview was held on Kali between Heiko "HH-Software Images" Herrmann and Razor Blade himself right after the final version of the Mandrill was compiled. It was slightly edited by HH for easier readability)

HH: First of all: what do you think is the most important improvement over its predecessor Phobos Encounter?
Razor: Well, the entire process of how the levels were built was changed... there were several drafts made for each level. Every texture is aligned now, which is by far the largest improvement. And the structures and layouts are far more varied and interesting than in Phobos. Phobos was still nice in its own right, since it was the first home-brew set to demonstrate custom robots. Now there are over 20 :)

HH: Is there anything that creates a "deja-vu"-effect like "ah, this is razor's work"? Like Luke has always had those one-cube exits?
Razor: Hmm. Maybe I just concentrate more on explosive robot-destroying action over puzzles... albeit there are several non-mandatory puzzles in Mandrill. I don't know, I can't think of any real consistency Mandrill is as different to Phobos as Phobos was from Chasm.

HH: Yeah, but i remember that something i missed in entropy 1 by Luke Schneider was the secrets... and from what i have seen Mandrill at least has some secrets :). Why do you think action is more important than secret areas?
Razor: Yes, that was one major thing going into the series was that there would have to be secret areas. I tend to be impatient sometimes with video games -- take a Descent level for instance. If a puzzle holds me up for more than five minutes, chances are I'll stop playing it... unless the level up until then was really superb. There is a consistency, that you reminded me of -- there are always two secret levels in my sets :)
HH: Hehe yes! Hm, well but i think secrets that are not important to solve the mission, just to get better weapons and the like (which you will find only in the 2nd or 3rd play), i think those are quite interesting :).
Razor: Yes, those are the type Mandrill has -- none are really crucial to completing your mission. But they make things far easier down the road. You know. Look at how many posts there on alt.games.descent all of the time regarding the same normal D2 levels... Look at how many posts there are on alt.games.descent all of the time regarding the same normal D2 levels... I mean, the Reactor room in that old D1 level... Level 21... that was just crazy
HH: yep, but isn't it rather easy compared to D2 Level 23 ;)

HH: ok, now to the most interesting question: how well do you think it will compete against Entropy 2 from Luke Schneider?
Razor: We can't compare the two sets -- Luke and I have differing styles. We are both good in our own rights. I think, however, that if you had to though... Mandrill would give E2 a run for its money.
HH: Lets compare them in the features/effect they have, e.g. E2 has custom robot weapons, that Mandrill does not have. What does Mandrill in return has what E2 doesn't have?
Razor: Kinda' simple -- E2 has blinking lights, Mandrill doesn't :). I believe the robots in Mandrill have much better characteristics... they all act differently. Mandrill has some real interesting things about it to -- such as the mission where you have to destroy the missile. We also have two really innovative boss mechs, designed by Garry Knudson. They are just killer. There are actually two of one of them, and they work as a tag-team.
HH: so if you kill one the other dies too you mean?
Razor: Yes... also. All of the Mandrill robots have joint data. That means, of course, they can actually move their individual parts... which ties into the characteristics I mentioned earlier.

HH: What can we expect next? Any plans for a sequel? Or waiting for D3?
Razor: I have no plans for a future set anytime soon. I don't want to say anything I can't guarantee here... but as far as the Phobos Encounter. Goes (and hence Mandrill, since it really is the sequel to Phobos), this is the end.
HH: From the story you mean?
Razor: The story, yes... Mandrill picks up on Phobos Encounter's tale.
HH: Is Phobos related to Chasm too?
Razor: No, they are totally unrelated -- Chasm's story has problems... because it sort of clashes with D2's real storyline.

HH: what got you started in Descent?
Razor: It began when I stopped in at the local computer store... and got the demo. At first, I actually hated Descent -- I couldn't figure out how to play it worth squat. And so it sat, on the hard drive, for a good two months... then, one day I was bored... decided to start it up and play it again. The rest is history. I suppose it goes to show that you can't reject Descent early because the controls take some getting used to (especially after playing Doom or whatnot).

HH: when was the first time you wanted to make a siplayer level series?
Razor: As soon as I got Devil, which took a while since I personally didn't have an Internet connection, I started on one
HH: How long is that ago?
Razor: It ended up having 12 levels in all for Descent 1 -- nearly all comprised of nothing but 20x20x20 cubes. No lighting or anything. I'd say it was over 1 1/2 years ago. They were never released. Since I didn't have the Internet readily at the time (and therefore no Kali), single-player levels were the only real way to go

HH: I see so many people announcing new and big single player collections on the DDL, the newsgroup etc. About 90% of them are never finished. What do you think are they doing wrong?
Razor: They have high hopes and aspirations -- you should never announce anything until it is well started upon. Set reachable goals -- even if that means just having a single level. It is good to be enthusiastic, yes... but you can't be afraid to evaluate yourself and ask "Is this goal really attainable?"
HH: (exactly what I always say :) )

HH: What are you starting first when you begin a series/level? Story? Struture? Architecture? Texturing?
Definitely a story -- sitting down in Microsoft Word and typing out a story. Then, a level setup, and how the story develops between levels. Lastly, the actual building of the levels. The robots were made on and off between phases of construction. Still though, Mandrill's original story is vaguely like it is now -- I've thrown in several other elements... originally, Mandrill was not Phobos 2. But, because of the rapidly changing plot, it became that way

HH: Are there any final words you want to send to the pilots who will now descend into the world of Mandrill?
Razor: Sit back, strap yourself in, and hold on tight -- you haven't seen anything like this... good luck :)

HH: great thanks for your time and this fantastic level series :)
Razor: And thank you, Heiko, for the music and all of the other stuff you did.