PSU arranged an interview with David Perkinson, Producer at LucasArts and asked him a bunch of questions about the upcoming game Fracture. This exciting title was announced earlier this month and you might want to check it out before you start reading the interview.

Perkinson talks about the story of the game which takes place in the year 2161 on Earth, in America to be precise (not in a galaxy far far away this time) and how we got there. It appears that the world has been changed by natural disasters and there are 2 factions that don’t like each other too much. Perkinson couldn’t really tell if you’d be able to play with both sides but he could tell that you’d be able to fight as Mason Briggs, a demolition expert whose loyalty lies with the Atlantic Alliance. One of the most exciting features about this game is definitely the ground deformation which allows you to blow op parts of the terrain. The interesting parts of the interview can be found below, You’ll need to head to PSU to read the entire story.

More screenshots are available at the official site

PSU: Can you explain in more detail about the “ground deformation” gameplay aspects that Fracture will offer? How will players be able to utilize this mysterious gameplay feature to their advantage or perhaps the enemy’s disadvantage?
Perkinson: Terrain deformation is the integral part of Fracture’s gameplay, and can be used for several purposes. It can be used by players for navigation, puzzle solving, destruction, creating cover, and for gaining tactical advantage. With a wide variety of both weapons and grenades that are able to shape the battlefield, players will have a tremendous amount of freedom in the way they choose to confront their enemies. Manipulating the terrain gives players the control to create their own advantages over an enemy. Riding a spike grenade to the tops of buildings will give players a bird’s eye view of the battlefield, putting their enemies below at a disadvantage.
Some people will use terrain deformation for cover as they advance on the enemies’ position, while others may choose to blow up the ground beneath the feet of enemies in a fortified bunker. For example, in the game the player is attacked by several enemies behind an elevated wall. In this situation there are multiple ways for him to take down the enemies. He could build cover where he stands and attack from a distance, or try a different route by raising the land with a tectonic grenade to create a ramp to the top of the wall.

PSU: Fracture claims to utilize “genetic enhancements” to increase player capabilities. Is this similar to the Implant features that Star Wars: KOTOR utilized?
Perkinson: The Pacificans have utilized genetic enhancements to build an army of super soldiers. As players progress through the campaign, they will encounter a number of enemies with genetic enhancements. One example among the many enemy classes is the Pacifican Hydra. Hydras bodies have been engineered to allow them to jump to extreme heights. From these heights they will fire rockets down at the player and his allies. There is an augmentation system planned to increase the player’s capabilities which we will be talking about in the future.

PSU: Can you go into more detail regarding cybernetics? How does cybernetics affect the player’s capabilities or the enemy’s capabilities?
Perkinson: The Atlantic Alliance has invested heavily into researching cybernetics, while the Pacificans have focused on genetic enhancements. The AI’s approach to combat, the weapons available to each side, and the appearance of the soldiers will reflect the technology of each respective side. The Atlantic Alliance employs powerful shield technology to combat their Pacifican opponents’ superior speed, agility, and strength. Pacifican weapons are built to output massive damage to match their aggressive tactics. On the other hand, the Atlantic Alliance uses weapons that aid more cautious strategies with versatile defensive and offensive capabilities. Players will also see several of the Atlantic Alliance’s other cybernetic augmentations within the campaign.

PSU: Will Fracture incorporate any multiplayer aspects? Co-op or online?
Perkinson: Day 1 Studios has an excellent multiplayer heritage and we are confident that terrain deformation and multiplayer will most definitely equal fun. The game will feature both Co-Op and online play.

There’s a lot of vague information, but just as Perkinson indicated, more will be revealed in the upcoming months. A release date hasn’t been set but a rough indication would be summer 2008 on both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.