The Delta Force title, as a gaming IP, dates back to the days when NovaLogic was developing the series—a significant period from 1998 to 2003. Now, a new game in the Delta Force series, formerly known as Delta Force: Hawk Ops, is being developed by Team Jade and will be published by TiMi Studio Group, a subsidiary of Tencent Games. Curious about the new game, we had the opportunity to speak with Delta Force Game Director Ricky Liao, who kindly took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about the game.
Q. What makes Delta Force unique within the genre?
Ricky Liao: Delta Force stands out for many reasons!
In terms of game modes, players can expect Warfare, a modern take on the large-scale war simulation that the franchise pioneered, enhanced by today’s technology. The gameplay is more engaging, with maps designed to promote frequent combat encounters, and each player can utilize call-in attacks to shift the tide of battle. Then there’s Hazard Operations, where the franchise meets extraction shooter. This mode features a growing roster of maps for players to explore as Operators of their choice. Looking ahead, we plan to integrate all Operations maps into one massive open-world map next year. For single-player and co-op fans, there’s a campaign—a faithful reboot of the 2003 classic Black Hawk Down, though I can’t reveal too much about it just yet.
Let me also talk a bit more about Operators. We wanted to strike a good balance between realism, added strategic depth, and self-expression, so we carefully introduced Operators based on the game’s fundamental classes. Operators are available in both multiplayer modes.
Finally, our Player First philosophy is a cornerstone of the game. We’re delivering a premium experience without a premium price tag because we don’t think it’s fair to charge extra when the game offers no pay-to-win microtransactions. We deeply value and appreciate player feedback and have incorporated it throughout the game’s lifecycle, making bold changes when necessary. For instance, during the Alpha test, we added bots to improve matchmaking times and ease the learning curve. However, based on feedback, the Open Beta will now include bot-free PvP matches for purists, alongside all-bot practice games for Warfare mode.
Q. How many accessibility options will the game have?
Ricky Liao: We’re providing extensive movement and control customization options so players can tailor their experience to their preferences. We’re also actively planning to expand these features. Additionally, we have other accessibility improvements in our backlog and will prioritize them based on community input.
Q. Will the single-player campaign be released alongside the multiplayer? If not, when can we expect it?
Ricky Liao: Delta Force’s multiplayer component will launch for PC on December 5th, while the campaign, which can be played solo or cooperatively, is slated for release in Q1 2025.
Q. What made you feel that now was the time to bring Delta Force back?
Ricky Liao: It’s almost surreal to think Delta Force began production nearly four years ago. After finishing Call of Duty: Mobile, we were thrilled to learn that the Delta Force IP was available. This franchise holds a special place in gaming history, especially in China, where it was incredibly popular in net cafes during the ’90s and 2000s. Many of us on the team are longtime fans. Additionally, we wanted to return to our roots in PC gaming. Delta Force’s core qualities—immersion, thrill, and scale—remain just as relevant today, and we aim to honor and evolve those pillars with this new installment.
Q. What makes Delta Force a Delta Force game?
Ricky Liao: Immersion, thrill, and grandeur define Delta Force. When it debuted in 1998, it broke the mold by offering large, open terrains and diverse ways to complete objectives, as opposed to the linear design of most games at the time. It was also notoriously unforgiving, which added to its appeal.
We’ve worked hard to uphold this legacy in Warfare mode while expanding on it with Operations. At its core, Operations features large, dynamic maps filled with evolving events, enemy configurations, and loot. Players can approach each run on their terms, but the stakes are high—getting taken down will cost you all the loot and gear you’ve collected and brought into the game, making the experience even more thrilling and fun.
Q. You recently stated that cheating is a cancer in the FPS genre. What plans do you have to take on such a monumental task?
Ricky Liao: Delta Force is our long-term commitment, and maintaining fair play is essential to its longevity. To combat cheating, we’ve implemented both hard and soft measures.
Hard measures include a trusted client-side tool and robust server-side protections. For instance, the server only feeds information about players within your line of sight, effectively countering cheats like wallhacks. Soft measures involve a dedicated anti-cheat task force that works closely with the community to address and resolve cheating incidents swiftly.
Q. Are there any plans to incorporate a game mode similar to, for example, zombies from Call of Duty?
Ricky Liao: Never say never! For now, we’re focused on the existing game modes. That said, players can expect constant new mini-modes, including Raid coming soon—a PvE experience inspired by classic Delta Force games. Players will collaborate on missions featuring vehicle combat, NPC escorting, and a climactic finale I won’t spoil.
Q. Unreal Engine 5 is known to be a stutter fest when it comes to playing games on PC. What have you done to ensure that won’t be the case?
Ricky Liao: You’ve probably noticed how smoothly the review build runs. (We did!) While the multiplayer is built on Unreal Engine 4, this demonstrates our commitment to optimizing performance for players. We prioritize actual performance on player devices over trailer visuals and have worked closely with Epic Games to maximize Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities without overloading player hardware.
Q. To follow up on that, why did you decide to use Unreal Engine 5 for the campaign while using Unreal Engine 4 for multiplayer?
Ricky Liao: This decision was about aligning the tools with our goals. Unreal Engine 4 excels in compatibility, connection quality, and multiplayer performance, while Unreal Engine 5 allows us to push graphical boundaries and immersion for the campaign. Keep in mind, Delta Force started development four years ago, and Unreal Engine 5 was still a new frontier. Even so, we embraced it for the campaign to ensure a cutting-edge experience.
Q. When Delta Force comes to consoles, will crossplay be available? Also, will there be mouse and keyboard support on consoles?
Ricky Liao: We’ll share more details closer to the console launch, but players can expect crossplay features in line with industry standards. However, mouse and keyboard support won’t be available on consoles.
Thank you, Ricky Liao, for taking the time to speak with us about Delta Force.
Delta Force will enter early access on December 5, 2024, for PC. However, the title will also be released on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S at a later date in 2025.
