Editing Docent Picolan/AcidCave interview

== AcidCave interview by BanBreaker [https://www.hota.acidcave.net/articles_interview_with_picolan.html] ==
''Note: This interview is quite old and originally made for a now-defunct site, ZGOP.net. Information about future plans is no longer relevant.''

'''BanBreaker:''' How did HotA Crew start? Who hit on idea to start such big project? How did you all gathered together?

'''Docent Picolan:''' It’s been a long time and I don’t remember in details, but it was something like this: in 2008 there were a lot of unrelated 'new town’ projects on DF2 forums (some kind of main Russian Heroes Community, as you know). Except me (and Cove) there were two or three teams, who tried to create gothic-themed town (Cathedral), [[Bulwark|Kronwerk]] etc. Many people were in two or three projects at the same time and we often talked among each other. so one day I (with [[Hippocamus]] and [[Alex-ander]]) came with the idea to unite all that stuff to one big team. Obviously everyone was happy to do it, because together we could make much more than a group of different teams.

'''BanBreaker:''' Title is quite important when it’s about huge mod. Why was it named '[[Horn of the Abyss]]’? Who originated it and when? Is there an interesting story behind it?

'''Picolan:''' There is a story, but I’m afraid it’s not very interesting :) In those days, I thought a lot about all this sea and pirate stuff, I read several books and articles on the Internet, watched couple of movies… So the name and the image of [[Horn of the Abyss]] appeared in my head, as I remember, at night – in a dream. so it’s pretty trivial story :) Next day I woke up and already knew that I’ll start this project in near future and call it HotA :)

'''BanBreaker:''' Planned release date was moved several times since 2008. It was explained by "technical difficulties". Can you give an example of such difficulty?

'''Picolan:''' In those days:
# There were no programmers/coders in HotA Crew.
# We were trying to make HotA on [[In the Wake of Gods|WoG]] engine (and that was a mistake, probably).
# Cove graphical content was not ready. Few times it changed almost completely.

'''BanBreaker:''' HotA v1.0 was released on the 31 December 2011. I assume it was not a coincidence. How is that day symbolic?

'''Picolan:''' It is hard to believe but it’s a truly coincidence. We planned to release the first version in the mid-December, but did not have time. And up to 31 December we worked at full capacity to make it in 2011 :) In Russia (Moscow time), the President has already started talking New Year speech (two or three minutes before the new year), and we just started uploading version 1.0. So it was fun :)

'''BanBreaker:''' It is said, that HotA compatibility with [[WoG]]/[[ERA]] is planned. Is there any progress with this matter?

'''Picolan:''' Yes, there is, but […] don’t expect it in the near future.

'''BanBreaker:''' Did you expect (in the beginnings), that your mod will become so popular?

'''Picolan:''' Well, the project was originally conceived with a rather serious and big plans :) So maybe yes, we did, at least, we’re happy that it has found it’s audience.

'''BanBreaker:''' Is it truth, that [[Forge (NWC)|Forge]] town is going to be one of HotA new factions?

'''Picolan:''' Yes, it is, but it will be (as I see it, I’m not speaking on whole HotA Crew behalf) quite different from the original [[NWC]] works. Not too much in the concept way, but in graphical and atmospheric, I think.

At least – it will not be worse (or some kind of 'unnatural’ in Heroes III style) than the [[Cove]]. [[Don_Komandorr]] (HotA crew member) sometimes informs about development in HC’s [[Forge (NWC)|Forge]] topic, so for now it is the only way to communicate with english-speaking audience :) Maybe in future HotA webpage will be making things a little bit simpler.

'''BanBreaker:''' Is [[Forge (NWC)|Forge]] going to be mentioned in HotA plot (campaign) or will it be only playable in single scenarios?

'''Picolan:''' Both.

'''BanBreaker:''' I heard, that there were changes applied by HotA Crew to original [[Forge (NWC)|Forge]] concept. What’s the reason of taking such a step? Can you say something more about these changes?

'''Picolan:''' Sadly, I cannot (only the same thing that I have already said – about graphical way, not conceptual). Product looks better when it is ready… and if it’s ready :)

'''BanBreaker:''' What is your personal attitude to this faction?

'''Picolan:''' I am, like many others in the crew, interested in working on challenging tasks :) And [[Forge (NWC)|Forge]] is very unusual and complicated.

'''BanBreaker:''' What’s your and your Team opinion about using units made by HotA Crew in other mods (like for example 'Hero of Light’ mod)? Do you mind?

'''Picolan:''' [[New World Computing|NWC]] didn’t mind their graphical resources being used, so why we should? :) So yes, we didn’t give a specific permit or something, but we don’t mind.

'''BanBreaker:''' How do you imagine final version of HotA? How much of it do you consider real (possible to create/apply)?

'''Picolan:''' I would like to believe that there will be no final version for me – this is an interesting and enjoyable hobby, so even if in five or ten years I’ll be working with the same people on the same stuff – I’ll be fully satisfied :)

'''BanBreaker:''' Can you encourage people, who read this to create their own modifications to HoMM3? Can you share some tips how to start it?

'''Picolan:''' If these people speak Russian or they are ready to read my really really really bad English – I’m happy to share any knowledge :) Years go by, but people are still playing Heroes III. It’s a brilliant game and it’s never getting old, so I respect and I am ready to help anyone who is engaged in modding.

''Edit: Hobbit''

[[Category: Behind the Scenes]]