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New TimeShift Q&A

Shiva Stella — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:01:49 -0500

A new Q&A regarding TimeShift, a sci-fi shooter in which players can control time, has been posted over at Sierra's community forums.

The game is launching for the Xbox 360 and PC on October 30 followed by a PlayStation 3 release on December 4.

Hit the jump to view the Q&A.

Q: Can you operate ground and/or air vehicles in TimeShift?

Yes -- throughout the single player campaign you'll have access to the Quad ATV, and on certain missions you'll board a massive zeppelin to take down enemy threats from the sky.

Q: Can you destroy the bigger threats like the large robots?

As you'll quickly find out, Krone is sending everything in his army to wipe you out of existence -- and while his forces are powerful, nothing is invulnerable with time on your side.

Q: Are there more sophisticated route finding puzzles than seen in the demo involving use of time effects?

The puzzles shown in the demo are just a taste of what you can expect in the full single player campaign. Be prepared to make use of time in ways you've never dreamed of!

Q: How big is the time bubble the multiplayer time grenades create?

Bubbles from the time grenades are large enough to encapsulate a fleeing opponent or two, depending on your accuracy throwing the grenade. Of course, you can add the Athletic modifier to the match to increase everyone's speed for a real challenge.

Q: Most of the paths seem linear and scripted. Other than the method you use to complete an area, is there any open-endedness, such as varied paths or routes?

Absolutely. The single player levels are built based on a node design, where we channel the player to each battlefield. In several occasions, there are multiple ways to gain access to the next central area that are up to the player to discover.

Q: Are there any unlockables in the TimeShift single player campaign like art work, videos or weapons?

Aside from the Achievements available in the Xbox 360 version of the game, we do have an unlockables menu that rewards players for progressing through the game. Depending on the level, you can unlock concept art, the FMVs, and the complete soundtrack. We also have an exclusive multiplayer skin that's only available if you preorder the game.

Q: How rich is the storyline? Is the player just going from one area to another and shooting up everything or are there nice storyline cutscenes and levels which are more of the exploration kind?

We?ve constructed TimeShift's narrative so it permeates the game on every level. As you play, you'll encounter cut-scenes that help fill in the gaps and provide more information about key characters, as well as witness in-game events that propel the story forward.

Q: Does the TimeShift single player campaign all occur in one location (example: Half Life) or is there a lot of traveling involved with a rich variety of locations (example: N.O.L.F.)?

The levels take place in a wide variety of locales, spanning decayed city streets, expansive valleys, weapons factories and more. However, all of the areas you'll visit in the game are part of Krone's alternate universe, so you expect the unexpected at every turn.

Q: Is the character all by himself, or does he interact with others, like being a special unit of an organization?

As the game starts, you find yourself allied with the underground resistance to Krone's rule. A good portion of the missions have you battling alongside allied insurgents called Occupants; however you are the only combatant on your side who has powers over time.

Q: What are the character's physical abilities? Which moves can he make?

Besides your character's unusual proficiency with firearms, you can wield each weapon you find as a blunt object to bash enemies. What's more, when using any of the time powers like Time Slow, Time Stop and Time Reverse, you'll be able to move freely around the environment at a much greater speed than your enemies, granting you ultra-fast movement.

Q: Is there VOIP in the PC version of TimeShift?

While the game won't launch with VOIP support, this is a feature we're planning on post-release.

Q: Is there anything like an online ranking system for the PC version?

As with the above question, online rankings for the PC aren't supported out of the box but should be addressed in a patch down the line.

Q: Can you customize your character's look and load out in multiplayer TimeShift?

Yes! In setting up your character, you can select from over 30 skins and infinite shades of colors. You can also adjust what weapons are available in a given match by creating a new preset and tweaking the load-outs, in addition to the myriad of options you can customize.

Q: How many multiplayer maps are included in TimeShift?

You can choose from the 14 available maps upon release, with more multiplayer arenas in the pipeline for download at a later date.

Q: Will we be able to change the voice of the announcer in multiplayer? I mean I think the announcer they have now sounds cool but I actually like the sound of the childlike voice of the single player.

Yes! In the multiplayer options screen, you can specify which multiplayer announcer you want to call your game.

Timeshift Screenshots, Weapons Info

The Gaming Horizon Archive — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 10:10:00 -0500

This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.The original author is Evan Lahti.

We've added 20 screenshots from both the PC and Xbox 360 versions of Timeshift, many of which show the game's unique arsenal in action. Maybe it's only fitting then, that we supply some details on how the weapons will work within the game, straight from Saber Interactive. Read below for more information, and enjoy the visuals.

KnuckleDusterThis small caliber one-handed pistol has excellent accuracy at all distances in primary fire mode. The primary mode shoots individual bullets with a zero blast radius and medium shot power. The ammo cartridges are small, so frequent reloading is required. Due to the small size of the cartridges, you can carry a large amount of spare ammunition. Alt-fire mode is rapid but less accurate and uses ammunition much more quickly than the primary mode.MagCannonThis weapon uses energy cells to shoot concentrated projectiles of magnesium. The two modes of fire utilize the same energy source, but have very different effects. The primary mode shoots projectiles at a medium rate of fire and is highly accurate up to medium range. The shot power is medium and the blast radius is small. This mode of fire is useful in combat situations against large numbers of mid to small-range opponents. The weapon allows for an average amount of shots before reloading. The alt-fire mode creates an extremely powerful projectile with a large blast radius. In this mode the weapon utilizes a significant portion of the internal energy cell for one shot. It is slow to fire and is best used against slow moving opponents, to pierce armor or break objects. The range of the alt-fire is considerably greater than that of the primary mode of attack.M74 BloodhoundThis shoulder-mounted rocket launcher has two unique modes of fire. The primary mode fires rockets that are effective at long range, cause high damage and have a high blast radius. The Bloodhound can only hold a small number of rockets, so you'll want to conserve ammunition and use it only against the toughest opponents. Alt-fire mode launches a guided rocket that you can aim as it flies toward its target.GearMasterThis double-barreled shotgun is extremely effective at close range. It shoots multiple pellets that spread out quickly, so its effectiveness at medium distances is limited, and at long range it is essentially useless. It has a zero blast radius, so you will not incur damage by using it at close range. This weapon reloads relatively slowly, so it is important to shoot accurately and to have room to maneuver after each shot. The Gearmaster carries a medium amount of ammunition. Alt-fire mode shoots both barrels, employing twice as many pellets for twice the damage at close range.KrossBowThis weapon shoots energy projectiles that penetrate an opponent or armor and detonates immediately. The projectiles fly at a medium-fast rate of fire and have a medium blast radius. This weapon holds a medium amount of ammunition, and requires frequent reloading. The KrossBow is extremely accurate at short to medium distances, but it will deteriorate in accuracy at greater distances. The KrossBow's alt-fire mode is as a sniper weapon. Its zoom lens allows you to target opponents from medium range.Echo RifleThis weapon is a single-shot sniper rifle. It possesses 8x zoom capabilities in alt-fire. The gun shoots large caliber projectiles that are extremely powerful and effective at long range. The weapon must be reloaded after every third shot and has a relatively lengthy reload time. The Echo Rifle is most effective in picking off opponents from a distance. It is best used against slow-moving or stationary opponents because of the difficulty in aiming in zoom mode. It is also easier to use the weapon from a stationary position and is thus not particularly useful in fast-paced combat situations.KP-HellRazerThis uzi-style weapon shoots incendiary bullets. Its alt-fire mode provides you with a close-range flamethrower. While the flames are less damaging than a bullet-burst, they are faster, have no recoil, and sow confusion and terror on groups of enemies.Stalker RifleThis automatic rifle fires powerful bullets at a high rate of fire and is extremely accurate at long distances. It has limited ammunition per cartridge and requires relatively frequent reloads. The alt-fire mode is a grenade launcher.Surge GunThis is your most powerful weapon, firing an energy charge that latches onto any enemy it comes in contact with and disintegrates them instantly. In alt-fire mode, the Surge Gun generates a massive pulse of energy that builds up until it fires and annihilates any enemy (or destructible object) in its vicinity.Clutch GrenadeClutch grenade adheres to enemies, using electro magnetic energy.Swarm GrenadeThese grenades are actually miniattack drones. When thrown, these drones deploy in the air and hover in place while firing electricity bolts at nearby opponents.

Static WeaponsIn addition to the handheld weapons and grenades you will also find static turrets in some levels of the game. Turrets can be used by you and your opponents. They are extremely lethal, and you are advised to use the TIME SHIFTING functions of your Quantum Suit to avoid their fire, or even to back an opponent out of a turret that he has recently mounted. The TimeShift world is populated by a host of opponents each with its own unique mode of attack and behavior.