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SOCOM Week: Interview with Ryan Eames

andrew yoon
East Coast Editor
Updated ·5 min read


The upcoming SOCOM: Tactical Strike is an international affair, bringing more than US NAVY SEALs into the battle. We talked to Ryan Eames, producer and generally awesome guy, about Tactical Strike's newfound global approach.

Tactical Strike features soldiers from all over the world. What are some of the squadrons you can play as?
We are excited to bring international Special Forces to the SOCOM franchise. We came up with a list of Special Forces we felt would fit well with the story and style of SOCOM Tactical Strike. This was certainly not an easy decision, as just like the U.S., there are many Special Forces to choose from. As we finalized the list, these are the groups that rose to the top:

  • U.S. Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land)

  • British SAS (Special Air Service)

  • Australian SASR (Special Air Service Regiment)

  • French GIGN (Groupement d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale)

  • Italian COMSUBIM (Commando Raggruppamento Subacquei ed Incursori Teseo Tesei)

  • Spanish UOE (Unidad de Operaciones Especiales)

  • German KSK (Kommando Spezialkrafte)

  • Netherlands KCT (Korps Commandotroepen)

  • South Korean 707th (707th Special Missions Battalion)


What spurred the decision to include so many other countries in the game?
In previous SOCOM games there has always been support from international Special Forces teams that play a roll as the Bravo Element in certain AO's. The choice to include entire fireteams was a logical step in bringing a more global focus to the game. Offering players from around the world the chance to play as their own Special Force allows them to experience SOCOM in a more personal light, much as U.S. gamers have. Also, including the international Special Forces in all versions of SOCOM Tactical Strike allows players to get a feeling for how those Special Forces operate in the field.

Traditionally, how has the SOCOM franchise been received in other territories?
The SOCOM franchise has always been very well received by all territories; this was one of the driving factors in our decision to include the international Special Forces. The SOCOM series has been at the top of the list in Online Multiplayer Console games in every territory since SOCOM 1, not to mention a best seller for the PS2 time and time again.



What work goes into localizing the game for so many territories?
As I am sure many developers can attest to, making a game with that many languages is never easy. The localization process for SOCOM Tactical Strike has been the most intense experience we have ever had with localizing a SOCOM game. Normally translations for international releases in other territories have taken place after the North American version is nearly finished, thus allowing more time to the translators and support groups to work with the completed U.S. English scripts. With Tactical Strike we had to throw all that out the window and get our international groups involved early in the process in an effort to get all the Special Forces and their respective languages included in all versions of the game. With one complete disc, players in all territories can choose the Special Force that best suites their liking, and play them either in the language of that Special Force, or with subtitles in the language of their choice.

Are there plans for a global launch?
We are trying as hard as we can to get all the localization assets included in all versions of the game, but as of yet we have not finalized our global launch windows.

How is multiplayer affected by the various teams? Will a French squad be able to go against an American team, for example.
No, you will not be able to fight the Special Forces against each other. As in previous SOCOM games, games will be played with Special Forces vs. Insurgents for each battle. In a 4 player battle, 2 players will play as Special Forces, and 2 players will play as Insurgents. Each player will have a full four person fireteam at their disposal (16 total characters in play). Also, returning in Tactical Strike is the Free-For-All mode from the SOCOM Fireteam Bravo games, pitting all 4 players against each other. Similar to the Fireteam Bravo games, all players will only be able to play as Insurgents.

Tactical Strike completely changes the franchise for PSP. Do you think this is a new direction Sony should be pursuing with the platform?
I can't speak for all of Sony, but SOCOM Tactical Strike was built from the ground up with the PSP in mind, both in controls and play style. As a franchise we are always looking for ways to explore and expand the SOCOM experience, but still maintain the style and feel the series has been known for. Tactical Strike offers itself well to this idea as its focus is on the core of what the SOCOM series has always stood for, which is team tactics. Though it is controlled in a new manner, the overall gameplay and scenarios will be quite familiar to fans. Tactical Strike provides an experience that is unique to the franchise, and with its focus squarely set on strategy and tactics, new comers to the series and fans alike will find this game has much to offer to all gamers, not just those who have played earlier SOCOM games.

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And so concludes our week of SOCOM coverage. We hope that you enjoyed our comprehensive look at Tactical Strike. The game will be available exclusively for PSP this November.