This is the interview text from the article: "Interview with Cyanide: What's new in PCM09?". Some information from this interview was not used in the article, so by reading this you'll get the 'entirity'.
1. Hi Xavier. So, how are you doing?
I'm fine thank you. I spent my full work time on Pro Cycling Manager 2009 since august, and the project is going well.
2. Let's get straight to it. What's your overall feel of PCM09 so far? Is it any good?
I think that the 2009 edition will be well appreciated by the fans. The project started with a very stable 2008 version and the new features are mostly what the fans were expecting. We did a real effort to keep an eye on the suggestions.
3. Before we go into details, what are the main improvements, according to you, compared to PCM08?
The most noticeable improvements are in career mode and in track.
There are some nice improvements in graphics, as you may have noticed on the official screenshots, but the good news is that you will be able to run pcm09 well if you already could with the 08 version.
4. And what are the main new features? New track disciplines have been mentioned - is that all? ;)
The new track disciplines, which are 200M, scratch and points race, are coming together with a new AI and a better energy management. You will have to pay more attention to your rider's characs, it will influence your way of playing. The track mode has been a good surprise and we decided to improve it more in PCM2009.
The career mode made a real progress this year. The team objectives, the rider’s evolution, the transfers, the staff influence are more realistic than last year. There will be a new gameplay on the secondary sponsor choice and obviously, the "create your own team" mode will boost the players imagination.
On 3D road race mode, you will find a new GUI, with new rider's and race panel, and a new 'TV like' feature with real-time ranking.
4a. How has the staff influence been changed? Also, we've read a few more details about the create a team function in PCM09 in other interviews. I'm still wondering, though: How will it work? Will it work like a normal team, but with no riders from start? E.g. if you want a contracted rider, will you have to negotiate with him and pay a compensation to the rider's team? Will it be difficult to sign contracted riders in the 1st season? What influences the new team's sponsor objectives?
The coach influence has changed because you won't hire a coach for the reputation only, but you will have to look at his training skills, to choose a coach that fits well with your squad needs. The coach has an important impact on the rider progression.
We decided to let a lot of freedom in the 'create your team' mode. You'll be able to create an Astana-like team or a small continental team, depending on your budget choice. Then you will pick the riders you want (pro, amateur or young), without negociation. The only contraints are the budget cap and a min/max squad size. Your objectives will be automatically processed and you will begin in Continental division.
5. Speaking of track mode, let's go to the specifics: The inclusion of Scratch Race, Points Race, and 200m Flying Sprint into the track mode has already been mentioned in a French interview - but will the Track mode be extended in any other way? (e.g. more riders, more velodromes, a 'career' mode for track)
You will be able to choose between three velodromes, including one outdoor. The AI will include relays, attacks and less energy wasting from the AI riders. Unfortunately it won't be possible to do a career, but there will be a very entertaining omnium mode, available in solo and in network mode.
6. Also, do you plan on making a track ladder this year (unlike last year)?
There will be a track ladder. We will make efforts to make it fair and fun.
7. Since the 3D part was the one to be improved in the last edition of the series, the manager mode is very likely to be re-designed this year. Can you tell us more about the changes on that part? You mentioned something about sponsor goals in another interview.
Some big parts of the manager mode have changed. For example, the transfers have been enhanced with a new system of "target a rider". During the season, you'll receive some news asking which riders you will aim for next season. It will strongly influence the rider decision and you'll have to find the best way to keep your best riders and sign the others.
The sponsors and goals are definitely linked in pcm09. You will have to sign secondary sponsors, but with a real negotiation instead of a yes/no answer. You will have to sign for a monthly income and negotiate an objective, giving you a cash bonus if you are successful.
8. You also mentioned "a new way to manage finances" in the press release. What does this mean?
The budget will not be divided in strict parts like before (salaries/transfers/other). You will be free to manage your money as you want. Moreover, you will receive your income every month and a new finance page will help you to keep the balance positive. I must say that the former finance system was quite irritating sometimes, you could have millions in cash but you couldn't hire.
9. Have any changes been made to the energy bars? On the screenshots, it looks like something did happen.
The GUI has changed, but the energy bars will be based on the same principle.
10. In the press material you sent out, you mentioned an improved AI. Could you go into detail with this?
Like every year, the AI is improved. The most important changes should be visible in the sprints and in the climbs.
10a. How will we see the differences?
You can expect more team work and stunning attacks in the climbs and more moves in the bunch before a sprint.
11. Did you include any new stats / changes to the existing stats? A prologue stat has been suggested for a couple of years now. Is that something you've been giving some thought?
No, we will keep the same characs, but the AI improvements may change the balance.
A prologue stat is very hard to design. There are very few riders with noticeable prologue ability and the 3d scale is not helping much for short distances.
12. Will it be possible to easily convert PCM08 DB's to PCM09? Or said in another way, did you change the DB structure?
The structure of the DB has changed, but in the good way. I think it will be easier to work with the DB.
About converting a DB from PCM08 to a PCM09, it won't be possible to do it in one click, but you can already count on me to help for it.
13. On the topic of editing the game, do you plan to release database editors again? What about a new stage editor?
A new database editor will be given, but we don't communicate yet on the new features. It will contain more help contents and more tools to edit the database. There will be no new stage editor.
13a. And the jersey design? Will people have to redesign jerseys, or will it be the same format as PCM08?
Still the same jersey design.
14. Are you still trying to get team licenses? Also, speaking of licenses, will we see more licensed equipment in the game?
This is too soon to deal with it. We will try to get the maximum.
15. You've previously said that you, this being Cyanide, listen to the customers' wishes. Can you point out something that has been included in PCM09, based on a customer's idea?
Many of the new features were expected by the fans. The most important may be the "create your own team" mode, the sponsor interactions and the new track modes but there are a lot of other improvements that will please the players. Some suggested new pages are appearing in career mode, like a transfer page, a new finance page with more details, a rider's evolution graph...
15a. A new evolution graph? How will it look like? Many seem discontent with the stars system used in PCM08, so a new graph sounds interesting.
You'll still get the star system to evaluate the rider potential in each charac, but you'll have a graph showing the rider evolution. It will help you to know when your rider is in big progression time or if he is in decline.
16. I'm sure that many are wondering what you mean by a 2nd cycling game, as mentioned by Patrick (Storm). What's it about? It's time to unveil the secret ;)
Not yet :p.
17. Speaking of new games, PCM10 is being discussed a lot. Can you reveal anything new at the moment?
Nothing will be revealed right now. Let's focus on PCM09 first.
18. Lastly, the release date is set for June: On which platforms will we see PCM this year? PC, PSP -- and XBOX?
PC and PSP are announced.
Thanks a lot to Xavier / Eyolfur! Also thanks to Clément Pinget for his help during the process. |
