GB Feature: Jade Empire Interview

With Jade Empire’s release approaching quickly, we felt it would be a perfect time to fire a set of questions about the Xbox RPG over to BioWare joint-CEOs Ray Muzyka & Greg Zeschuk. One of our questions (and its answer) to follow:

GB: Can you explain a little how the followers work when compared with party members in KotOR? For example, once joined, will the player have the option of retaining them until completion, or will they have their own agenda and leave the party at key points?

Greg: The followers in Jade Empire all act independently and pursue their own strategies on the battlefield. Each of the followers you recruit to your cause has very different tactical abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, and the player defines their AI behavior to meet each new threat. Some followers are best in direct combat, while others are better tasked with support functions to help the character out with additional healing, Chi refresh, defense, or various special support abilities. You have the ability to set either an active combat role or a support role for most of the characters (a handful can do only support or combat based on their special abilities). Many followers have their own back story and personal agenda, and the way you interact with them (along with your actions in their presence) will determine your relationship with them. Like most of BioWare’s games there is even an option for romances with some of your followers.