Interviews// Virtua Tennis 3 - Producer Interview

SPOnG: The Career mode looks set to return. Besides improved graphics and realism, how will the experience be improved for budding tennis stars?

MK: The career mode in this title, "World Tour", is loaded with new elements. The process of a player gradually getting acknowledged by the heroes (licensed players) in the tennis world is really exciting. In addition to new training (mini games), we made various improving menus available, plus there is an abundance of items to collect.

SPOnG: What kind of new training challenges can we expect to see in Virtua Tennis 3?

MK: As mentioned above, new training and challenges have increased in volume by a large margin. Please wait for follow-up news!

SPOnG[b] Where will be able to play, court wise? Will there be any new arenas to rally in?

MK: All arenas featured in VT3 are composed of very high-definition/realistic buildings and tennis courts. Even after dozens of hours of game play the user will not tire of the various court surfaces that diversify matches, or the wonderful lighting that makes you sense the time of day.

SPOnG: The AI is said to be an improvement over the last Virtua Tennis game. Just how much?

MK: The AI characters in VT3 have been further elaborated and matured. In addition to the fact that it has been created using the licensed players' actual playing styles for reference, you can enjoy the ever-fresh game play. Regarding the AI players, they move with the characteristic moves or thinking of their real-life counterparts.

For example, Federer tries to perform all-around play, Nadal attempts to make use of his powerful strokes and abundant quantity of motion as his advantage, and Roddick aims to get the initiative with serves, etc.

If AI character appears on a lower level, it is difficult to fully appreciate its model player's features, but when it appears in a higher-class competition, it will express the original player's characters as much as possible.

This brings forth dramatic aspects where you are forced to face a hard time depending on draws since in-game players will be split into two types; one is those you are good at, and the other is those you are bad at.

SPOnG: In the Create-a-player option, will different items of clothing and rackets alter your stats slightly?

MK: We have prepared an enormous numbers of items in VT3. Look forward to further news for details!

SPOnG: Finally, a question on every guy's mind - Maria Sharipova, will she feature in the game?

MK: Of course, she will!