Delta Force Devs discusses the creation of its new campaign Black Hawk Down

Free-to-play first-person shooter Delta Force recently launched a collaborative sports mode called Black Hawk Down, inspired by the film of the same name and reimagined the 2003 Delta Force: Black Hawk Down campaign.

Reconstructed from scratch in Unreal Engine 5, the event takes you through the streets of Mogadishu and immersing yourself in 22 years ago was impossible. It is also designed to present legitimate challenges.

Technically you can beat it alone, but it will be very difficult – you won't face fewer enemies or easier firefighting. The developers recommend building a team of four people and relying on teamwork to successfully fight through the seven chapters of the campaign.

More details about the event you can read This article. To celebrate its release, we had the opportunity to discuss with Studio Head Leo Yao and Game Director Shadow Guo about the decision to restart the classic campaign, why they don't charge anything for it, and so on.

First: Why did you reboot the classic Delta Force movement? Are you excited about this opportunity?

Leo: For me, Delta Power was a favorite of my childhood, and many developers from the Jade team – the 2003 Delta Power Game was so iconic. We also really liked this 2001 movie, which was a huge inspiration for us. The opportunity to revisit such a beloved story and bring it to today’s audience is something we can’t give up. It's not just about recreating nostalgia, though. It's about extending it with love and respect. With today’s technology and tools, we feel we can bring a new life to the experience while celebrating the original.

Other options for the settings or time periods you have considered, or is Mogadishu operation always the focus?

shadow: For me, OG Black Hawk Down Game is love at first sight and our team has been attracted by Operation Mogadishu. Therefore, we never seriously considered other options because we felt that Black Hawk was in perfect harmony with the vision of restarting the Delta Force movement. This story combines high-stakes drama, tactical depth and resilience displays, at the heart of Delta Power’s identity. It is an iconic environment that not only respects the roots of the franchise, but also provides a rich canvas for the gaming experience we want to deliver to players.

Have you had a time when you thought there was no campaign? Why is it important to provide it to players?

Leo: We were on the fence before Gamescom in 2023, where we revealed the game to the world. During the event, we had the opportunity to meet many players who shared their memories and hopes for the franchise. Their enthusiasm really touched us, and it was obvious what a movement meant to them. While we have always wanted to include a campaign, their passion provides us with the ultimate driving force we need to fully invest.

It is obvious that there is a lot of time and effort to create this activity. What made you decide to offer it for free?

Leo: That's why – we put our mind and soul into this sport and we want the players to enjoy it without any obstacles. It’s also about building goodwill with the community and demonstrating our commitment to providing value and respect for their support.

shadow: The difficulty of the event means it is not for everyone, but we want to offer the players the choice.

Is the campaign itself free, will there be a battle pass or a micro-transaction?

shadow: No, there will be no combat passes or any microtransactions in the movement. Our goal is to provide a free and accessible experience for all players. For those who want to support the game further, we will offer a range of optional campaign-related bundles that players can purchase and use in the game’s multiplayer mode.

Apparently, technology has developed in the 22 years since the original game was released. What can you do now, is this impossible in 2003?

shadow: It's amazing to think that OG Black Hawk Down is 22 years old. One of the biggest improvements is graphics. We were able to create a vibrant Mogadishu with plenty of details for players to explore and immerse themselves in. We also implemented a class system that adds greater strategic depth to the game, thus giving players greater freedom to perform tasks.

You recommend that the players form a quarter to complete the co-op’s campaign. It's playable solo, but it's difficult. What did the decision do?

shadow: From the beginning of development, we knew we wanted to be true to the Black Hawk classic spirit, where teamwork and friendship played a huge role. We don't want the game to feel like another shooter, in the gun you can be like a lonely wolf. The movement’s design revolves around the idea of ​​brotherhood and works together to overcome challenges, just as Delta Force was challenged in 1993. We firmly believe that the best experience is the experience of players coordinating as a team and supporting each other through difficult tasks. Of course, solos are possible, but it's more challenging and we want to encourage players to collaborate in the co-op for a more meaningful experience.

Can players expect to complete the campaign? If so, what are they?

Leo: Yes, we want to make sure players feel real sense of accomplishment after completing the campaign, so it is difficult. In addition to the fun and satisfaction of completing challenging tasks, there will be some cosmetic rewards. These items can be used in multiplayer mode and reflect your performance and progress throughout your campaign.

How did you deal with the activity chapter structure and how important is your gameplay between those chapters?

shadow: Just like in the original Delta Force game, we wanted to create a sport structure that keeps the player alive. We designed various mission types, each highlighting different aspects of gameplay. Don't hurt too much – One mission may involve escorting a vehicle, while exploring a maze of indoor areas to identify and eliminate threats, you need to protect and navigate in hostile areas; another may be the last style of defense scenario where you have to There, keep a place for the enemy's waves.

What is balancing the different character categories and how they interact?

shadow: The class system in Delta Force is key to fostering teamwork and providing players with a variety of game options. We want to create different roles for each class to ensure they complement each other during the task. For example, the sniper class is perfect for remote contact, using sniper rifles and providing Intel for the team. The assault class is more front-line oriented and performs well in close combat and heavy fire support. Supporting courses is essential to keep teams alive with medical supplies and equipment. Each class has its strengths and weaknesses, and it is important that players work together to bridge the gaps between them. The interaction between these roles makes teamwork crucial to success.

How important do you think narrative and storytelling are to the Sagittarius’ campaign model? How do you keep telling stories while still keeping your tight and fast pace?

Leo: Storytelling is crucial to make players more connected to the game and make the action more meaningful. The good news is that we already have a great story to use. As for the narrative: We combine movies and gameplay to tell the story. For cinemas, about 60% of the films are faithful remakes, while the remaining 40% introduce original scenes inspired by historical events. But we not only rely on cutscenes, but also tell the story in the game itself. For example, as the mission progresses, you will face the challenge of showing the weight of the war. This allows us to maintain fast-paced action while still conveying an emotional and immersive story that resonates with the player.

Do you have anything else to say to the player?

Leo: We are really excited to try the game! This is our first attempt at the new Delta Force movement and we have done a lot of work to make it as appealing and fun as possible. We hope you enjoy the experience as much as we like to create it.

shadow: Absolutely! We are very grateful for the community’s support and encourage players to share their ideas with us. We are always looking for improvement and your feedback will help us provide better games for everyone. We hope you enjoyed this game and we look forward to hearing what you think.