An Interview With IceBreakr

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a very influential member of the Arma modding community, Icebreakr. Many Arma enthusiasts are familiar with his work which currently encompasses the islands of Duala, Lingor, Panthera and Jade Groove. This is my interview...

When did you first stumble upon the OFP / Arma series?

I've became familiar with OFP soon after the release (summer 2001, I think) and me and my buddies were hooked in it. We've soon started to organize LAN parties with coop & tvt missions. We're mil-sim active since then, of course broadband Internet replaced LAN parties soon after 2001 ;)

What made you decide to make your own content?

Me and buddies were familiar with BIS and their dedication to their products, constantly updating 'em. So we put together a list of things that would make game more realistic. Months and years went on, but semi-realism or lack of full realism in these games is probably a key factor for making mods. Along with localized armies add-ons, realistic sounds from the shooting range etc. I have experience in level design, so I quickly found out that my passion is map making. I have to thank Sgt. Ace aka Atsche for not loosing nerves with me and giving me tutorials on how to start. But map making for Arma series is a blessing and a curse at a same time ;)

Do you make everything yourself or do you have a team?

I usually work alone on the map. I ask my guys from SBP (Slovenian Black Panthers) Team and they give me insightful ideas when beta testing my maps. Diablo joined me on project Isla Duala, first fictional African-themed map for Arma series, and working with him proved to be extremely fun. He's a great guy and he made almost all of the towns and settlements you see on Duala by creating exciting templates for me to work with quickly.

Where do you get inspiration for your Islands?

I usually draw sketches while reading books, movies, daydreaming, you name it. But greatest ideas come when you're really passionately involved in the project so you actually start dreaming about it, let's call it a vision ;) my life motto is "live out your dreams" and that is what I like to do and find challenge in.

Duala, Lingor and Panthera are very different from one another, was there a particular reason behind the design of each?

Well, my team & I spent hundreds of hours on Sahrani and other mostly desert-like terrains and we really missed the green forests of Slovenia, that's where we live. That's how Panthera came to life. Duala is a tribute to an epic Tonal project for good old OFP classic game (forget about OFP: Menstruation, we're not touching that). Lingor is a long time wish to have a lush jungle environment in the flood of desert stuff. But it took me 6 months to wrap it up.

With regard to the DLC controversy, what would you like to see in 1) DLC and 2) an area that needs more attention by BIS (and why)

What controversy? BIS did a great job with "optional" content and Lite feature. Personally I would like to see a brand new island with a campaign that focuses on multiplayer & large number of players coop (or maybe 1/5 can play insurgent side along with AI defenders). Along with the regular engine update, of course ;)

Unbeknownst to many are the humorous signs dotted around Duala, what made you decide to inject humor and where does your sense of humor come from?

Well, I just like doing that stuff for the folks. And it makes me extra happy to see that people write me months later that they found out something new ;) Anyone noticed that El President of Lingor is actually Maruk, CEO of BIS? ;)

All gamers enviously look to another game and want a certain feature in Arma. Do you have a specific other game feature that you would like to see?

I remember playing once popular Joint Ops by Novalogic prior to Arma: Armed Assault and I kinda miss situations like this:

- walking and firing from an open truck while one driver drives through the village like a maniac, other 5 do the shooting

- a defender chopper that I hovered over a river, while a teammate fired a javelin directly off it hitting an armor just crossing a bridge half a click away

- loading a buggy into a chinook and then driving off it when chinook flys really low above the hill

- in-game support for teams/clans

Can we expect to see a "Return to Duala" or "Duala Gold" Island in the future?

You'll have a chance to play a brand new version 1.9 of Duala. Coming soon, with new added content and improved land textures. Terrain won't be changed in order to be compatible with all the released missions so far.

Is there a grand masterpiece in your future?

Well hopefully! I have two things right now on my mind: smaller Project "Massacra" and a Big Project I can't talk about it, yet.

"IceBreakr is from Slovenia, Europe. He's been active in gaming community since 1997 working on several total conversions and mods. He joined GT Interactive (later acquired by Atari/Infogrames) to finish up two titles on Duke3D engine. Later he put his passion to level design on Source engine with Kuma, LLC on titles such as KumaWar, KumaWar 2 and couple other mods. His true passion is now running his own mil-sim team/community and creating open worlds such as Bohemia's ArmA & ArmA 2 engines."

Edited February 15, 2011 by Stang69

[Rough Knight 9]

Not a bad effort there mate : )

I have no idea at all on how long things take to mod somthing like an island, or a faction, or a whole theatre like I44. To persevere for "6 Months" on one project, means devoting alot of your own private time for the good of the community, it is very much appreciated.

I personally find it very hard to dedicate time to gaming as I have a family to help look after, But when I do get on I most certainly appreciate being able to play in a fantasy world with all the modern day [and old days] army equipment.

Thanks to all concerned

Frosty

PS: What F18 is that in the lingor picture? Is it available to download, as it looks awesome.

Edited February 15, 2011 by Rough Knight

[lao fei mao 21]

IceBreakr is really a master. Our clan enjoyed much on his great Duala and Lingor island. On behalf of my other teammates, we thank you very much.

[ArmAriffic 10]

Can't wait for "Massacra" and the "Big Project"

[-)rStrangelove 0]

Ice is a great guy. And i never believed him when he said Lingor would be his last island. You cant stop a creative mind from working. :)

[Lonestar 11]

Nice interview.

Keep making us dream IceBreakr! :)

[Rough Knight 9]

EDIT: I found the answer in the caption of the same picture at this page.

What F/A-18 is that in the lingor picture from the top post? Is it available to download?

From browsing around I have not found an f/a-18 that has been released yet for ARMA2. Perhaps this is the big project that Icebreakr is talking about?

I hope so anyway, it looks very nice.

Thanks

Frosty

Edited February 15, 2011 by Rough Knight

[minimalaco 30]

Gran persona icebreakr.

[nikiforos 450]

Icebreakr is very talented and I have to say that his Lingor is one of my favorites islands. Even in long distance the ground and the detail is better then most of the other maps.

I only hope that his work will inspire more people to make beautiful islands as his.

PS

Still not working for BIS, Icebreakr? :)

Edited February 15, 2011 by Nikiforos

[avengerzx 10]

Yes we must thanks IceBreakr for his great contributions to the community! :D

[seelix 10]

Iam sure the "Big Project" will kickass big time.

:coop:

[Tonci87 163]

Hell Yes

[icebreakr 3157]

Wow, thanks guys. Stang69 - thank you for interesting questions :)

Hopefully you'll be happy with Duala 1.9 new terrain imagery. I've spent a *lot* of hours hand painting and HD photo-manupulating to achieve a wanted result.

[Tankbuster 1746]

[OT] Happy birthday, dude. :)

[shark-attack 2]

Nice interview stanag

look forward to the new version of Duala

[soldier2390 0]

nice to finally beable to have a sort of personalitly in one of our most beloved addon makers! now i feel more connected to the map/addons cause i feel as if i know the great IceBreakr now, instead of only a mysterious forum member...behind a forum name lol!

also just wanted to say my thanks for your alsome work bro! keep it up your talent is definitly needed and will be always welcome! and even tho your Know for your wild and exotic maps...i bet your skills could also make great althentic and realistc Afghan Maps! so whatever maps we soon are graced with will be amazing no matter the style of the map!

P.s. the "F-18" is from my buddy NZDF Crash, for his ANZAC mod...the other "F-18" seen in the comunity is also for a outstanding mod(can anyone say PRACS)..by a outstanding addon maker and friend as well! and maby an U.S. Navy one from me.....but just maby Duala has a new fighter...maby??? anyways sorry to go Off-Topic!

@IceBreakr check your inbox bud..im sending you a PM really quick! got a question for ya!

[slatts 1978]

good interview, hope to see more :)

and looking foward to the new projects :)

[Macadam Cow 1]

Nice reading :)

but

there's no picture of IceBreakr...naked :(

[Gunter Severloh 4056]

Should interview more modders, and have a forum section in the forums with all their bio ect,..

these guys should get the limelight and the respect they deserve for taking the time to create something for free for a game we all love.

Something along the lines of Modder's Hall of fame and their work listed with links and a short interview.

I wouldn't mind sitting there all day reading all of them too.

[anguis 4]

Nice to see another Joint Ops vet! Your heli-Javelin bit brought back a bunch of fun JO:E beta-testing memories!

[CameronMcDonald 146]

Duala update - mcawesome. I love that damned island, and really need to make some missions for it. :)

[dale0404 5]

Cool interview.

Icebreaker, hopefully you are aware that this community cannot thank you enough for the Islands / addons you produce. You are truly the best at what you do.

[Isola 10]

he needs to be hired from BIS.

He is one the most talented map maker ever.

[JojoTheSlayer 35]

Great maps.

Youre, at least, as cool as Vanilla ice. :p

[MissionCreep 12]

Props to IceBreakr!:dancehead: