ShellShock Nam'67 Takes Players on Their First Tour of Duty

by Louis Bedigian

“Expect an extremely intense and gritty gameplay experience that shows war for what it really is: hell.”

It’s a jungle out there.  You wait for hours, sitting on the cold cement, hoping for a miracle that takes you to the promised land.  Only the few, the proud and the lucky will be allowed to enter the promised land, a place where glory and accomplishments are in your hands.

In the year 2000, five hundred thousand gamers waited in line to get their hands on Sony’s next-gen console, PlayStation 2.  We were able to do this in complete safety because of the real battles fought over the past hundred years.  Battles fought not by thousands, but by millions – millions of men who sacrificed themselves for our country.

While many games focus on World War I or World War II, ShellShock Nam’67 focuses on the severity of Vietnam.

Eager to get shell-shocked, I hopped in an old warplane and flew to an abandoned minefield.  Deep within the field lied a secret base where Clayton Palma (US Producer) could be found experimenting on top-secret experiments.  Guns?  Tanks?  Rockets?  Nope – Clayton was hard at work on making ShellShock Nam’67 as realistic as possible.  Just how realistic will it be?  We asked Clayton to find out.

One of the key points being stressed about the game is its authenticity.  Tell us how the events of Vietnam have been transformed to a game world.  What kind of a war experience can players expect?
 

Clayton Palma: Players can expect an extremely intense and gritty gameplay experience that shows war for what it really is: hell. To this day, the war in Vietnam still conjures shocking images of tragedy and horror. We use this setting as the backdrop for our story of a young soldier’s first tour of duty.

Children get their first tour of bathroom duty at age 2 or 3.

That’s also when they realize their sense of smell.  Coincidence?

Weapons and vehicles – how many are featured in the game?  How was authenticity ensured?
 

CP: We have over 20 available weapons in the game, including the infamous AK-47 and experimental weaponry like rocket pistols (GyroJets). Players won’t be able to drive any vehicles, but we do allow them to rain death from above on helicopters.

Describe the game worlds.  We know they're likely to be organic...can you fill in the blanks?
 

CP: Missions take place amidst steamy jungles thick with vegetation, wide-open rice paddy fields, claustrophobic tunnels, and bombed-out urban areas. Even a normally peaceful Buddhist temple becomes a bloody battleground.

What are some of the difficulties that players have to overcome in this game?  I've heard there are booby traps and napalm attacks...
 

CP: Yes, players will have to be deal with numerous booby traps throughout the game. The act of disarming some of these traps is in itself a mini-game. The large scale battles will feature napalm attacks and air strikes, but dealing with unseen snipers will perhaps be the biggest challenge.

I’d hate to be the cameraman getting this shot.

Tell us about ShellShock's awesome injury system, and how injured soldiers keep on fighting.
 

CP: A wounded soldier will indeed try to keep fighting on. However, having a limb shot off is usually instantly fatal.

Another unique feature is the interactive base camp, which allows players to talk to other soldiers and build relationships.  Talk about that.
 

CP: Base camp provides players a chance to kick back and relax in between missions. The player can talk to his squad mates to get some insight into their characters or he can choose to practice with new weapons in the firing range. Some questionable “items” are also available for purchase within the base camp.

How do you think the soundtrack, which features music from the 1960s, will affect the way players perceive the game?
 

CP: ShellShock’s soundtrack enhances the authenticity of the era. In addition, we also feature a base camp DJ who comments on the news and events of the year 1967.

Hey!  The sign clearly says no smoking!

Have any original songs been written for the game?
 

CP: No.

How has the music been integrated?  Will players hear the sounds of Sonny and Cher as they charge into battle?
 

CP: The music is heard over the loud speakers in base camp. We felt that the licensed music didn’t really fit during the intense battle sequences.

Thank you for your time.