SWAT 3 FAQ

I. General
II. Development
III. Game Design
IV. Gameplay Tips
V. Requirements
VI. LAPD SWAT

I. General

When will SWAT 3 be released?
SWAT 3 was released in North America, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Australia in November 1999. Spanish and Italian language versions will follow later this winter.

Please contact your local software retailer for availability.

Who appears on the SWAT box?
Pictured on the box are (left to right) Kenneth A. Thatcher Jr., LAPD Metro B-Platoon, Kenneth A. Thatcher Sr., LAPD SWAT, and Jim Veenstra, LAPD SWAT.

Who did the voices in the game?
All of the SWAT officer's voices are actual LAPD SWAT members. The element leader is voiced by Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth Thatcher. The SWAT dispatcher in the game is also a real-life LAPD dispatcher.

Where does the story unfold?
SWAT 3 is set against the backdrop of Los Angeles in the summer of 2005. The political and social climate is more volatile; acts of international and domestic terrorism threaten the peaceful signing of a nuclear disarmament treaty.

Will I recognize any of the locations?
Many of LA's distinct landmarks appear in the game, such as the LAX Flight Control Tower and LA Convention Center. Other areas in the game closely resemble real locations such as churches, hotels, banks, and nightclubs. To ensure accuracy, Sierra shot several days worth of location shots to use for reference during the game's creation. Each building is built to correct architectural scale.

II. Development

What sort of research went into the game?
Producer Rod Fung and Designer Tammy Dargan's long-standing relationship with the LAPD (beginning with 1994's Police Quest 4: Open Season) has afforded Sierra an incredible amount of insight and access to the department and its members.

To prepare for SWAT 3, the Sierra team served as hostages and suspects during live-fire training sessions, heard briefings, and attended training sessions with LAPD SWAT. In addition, former LAPD Chief of Police Daryl Gates and twenty-eight year SWAT veteran Ken Thatcher served as on-call tactical consultants.

Note: While the game is extremely accurate as to how SWAT teams operate, several aspects of SWAT techniques were omitted or changed in the game to protect the safety and effectiveness of LAPD SWAT.

III. Game Design

What kinds of weapons and equipment are available in the game?
Players have a full array of tactical weapons at their disposal including MP5's, MP5SD's, 1911 .45 cal handguns, Benelli Shotguns, an M4-configured AR (which also has a less than lethal option), flashbangs, light sticks, CS gas, and C2 explosives.

Equipment in the game is modeled closely after the real-life tools used by LAPD SWAT including Leatherman™ Wave tools, Omniglow Impact Lightsticks™, and Safariland™ body armor and holsters.

Unique to SWAT 3 is a ballistic helmet that contains a heads-up display, an integrated gas mask, and a communications device similar to what LAPD might use by 2005. The helmet is modeled after a prototype under development for LAPD SWAT.

SWAT 3: CQB is described as a tactical simulation rather than a strategic action game. What is the difference between the two?
Tactics, by definition, is the science and art of disposing and maneuvering forces in combat in relationship to the environment. The game is designed so you'll spend the majority of your time in the tactical environment of the missions themselves, rather than outlining overall strategy during the mission planning stage. The game is designed this way to reflect the immediacy of most SWAT call-ups, where complicated planning isn't possible due to the emergency of the situation.

Many versions of the MP5 rifle have a three-burst semi-automatic mode. Why do the MP5 rifles in SWAT 3 only fire in full-automatic mode?
Most high-speed teams do not use the three-rd burst MP lower. LAPD SWAT uses the MP5 Navy lower which has full burst, semi and safe. The feeling on D-troop is that the operators control their ROF, not a mechanical device such as a three rd. limiter. Standard operating procedure for SWAT is to keep their MPs on full burst at all times. The only time when the MP is changed to safe is when climbing over a barricade (such as a high wall), and when given the order to put it on safe and let them hang. Pretty much you'll see them always on full burst, and finger off the trigger (which is the real safety). For more info on this topic, go to the SWAT forum archives for Rod Fung's full comments on this issue.

What is unique about the physics is in the engine?
The SWAT 3 engine features a split skeleton animation system, the ability to render true mirrors and reflections, volumetric dynamic lighting, 3D sound, dynamic vertex lighting for characters, and additional viewports within the main field of view.

The engine also accounts for the real-life physical characteristics of the surrounding environment. Ammunition will penetrate wood, metal, and sheet rock to specific depths. It's possible to send a bullet through several rooms, so it's important to be aware of the field of fire.

Will the game include a multi-player game feature?
The game's architecture is designed from the ground up to support multi-player, although the November 1999 release is single-player only. The multi-player component will be released after the initial retail launch and may include a level editor. More details on the multiplayer component will be announced at a later date.

Tell us about the SWAT officer's AI (Artificial Intelligence) -- what kind of behavior can the player expect from the non-player SWAT officers? How much effort will be involved in team management?
SWAT 3's officers are tactically smart, that is they move correctly and are able to read the 3D environment. They lean and "slice-the-pie" (a tactic used to minimize exposure) around corners and will seek cover when necessary. They know the difference between stealth and dynamic modes, and their movement and actions will reflect the player's commands. If they see a suspect, they will attempt to get compliance; if they need to use lethal force, they will do so.

How is enemy AI handled?
Each suspect has an AI built on four characteristics; his ability to handle stress, marksmanship, aggression and experience. Some of the bad guys are tactically trained, others are just common criminals, while many others fall somewhere in between. Some bad guys will hunt you down if they hear a sound; others will run to the farthest place away from you. Some will only fight if they are cornered; others will drop their guns and run.

What kind of stimuli causes the AI to react?
All the characters, including hostages, suspects, and SWAT officers, will react to footsteps, gunshots, the sight of blood on the ground, door openings, door closing, and so forth. Each character's unique AI determines reactions. There are roughly 125 unique characters in the game, plus 60 SWAT officers, each with their own AI.

Is the German-language version different from the English version?
Yes. According to German law, visible blood and wounds have been removed from the German-version of the game. In addition, SWAT officers cannot harm civilians or suspects who have complied.

IV. Gameplay Tips

Sometimes my element does not immediately follow my commands. Why is this?
SWAT officers are conscious of the world around them. They respond to stimulus with the following priority.

1. React to being shot
2. Order to deploy Flashbang or CS Gas
3. Order to fall-in
4. React to any visible active Suspect (active meaning not down, dead or restrained)
5. React to any visible active Civilian/Hostage
6. React to any recently seen active Suspect (within 5 seconds)
7. React to any recently seen active Civilian/Hostage (within 5 seconds)
8. All other orders.

This means that if there is a complying civilian in sight and you give the team an order to search a room, they will ignore that order until the civilian is restrained. When ordered to Fall-In, the officers will react to suspects by issuing compliance once, and shooting if necessary. They will not restrain compliant suspects automatically.

What are some tips I can use to command my element?
Most orders that you give your officers are based on where you place your reticule (cross-hairs). If you want the team to clear a room, point at the door or opening to that room and issue a Stack / Try Door / Breach command. If you are already in that room, issue a Search command. If you do not have the first 2 options available, it means you are not pointing at a "portal" or doorway. Sometimes the portal may be a hallway, or a turn in a tunnel. By looking at your menu after you have selected Element, Red, or Blue, you can see where these portals exist.

The officers also understand which areas have been cleared and which have not. This affects where the officers look for threats and which portal is the target of the order. (Pointing at a door on the other side of an uncleared room will cause the team to clear the first room, not the room behind the door. But if that first room has been cleared, the team will clear the room behind the door.)

What makes suspects react?
All suspects respond to stress by varying degrees. The relationship between their current stress and their aggressiveness determines how they react. Too much stress and they surrender or flee. Stress is caused by being aimed at, yelled at, shot at, wounded, affected by gas, and affected by flashbangs. Proximity to stress events increases the amount of stress. (An officer yelling compliance and aiming at a suspect from 5 feet away is a lot more intimidating than if he were 50 feet away.) Getting a suspect to comply instead of shooting back requires the proper marshalling of stress to overwhelm the suspect.

How do I complete each mission?
SWAT is a life saving force. As such, it is your responsibility to ensure that all suspects, civilians, and hostages that are still alive are evacuated to safety. To complete a mission, you must report back to TOC (using option 4, Report, then 2) to evacuate for each suspect, civilian, and hostage you find. TOC will then send in trailers to recover the person and escort them outside to safety. Use "B" to monitor the progress of your mission and identify who has not been evacuated.

The mission will not end until the handcuffed suspects, civilians, and hostages are in custody.

I have suggestions for the developers, where can I send them?
Please direct any comments to SWAT 3 Forum. The developers are often online, looking for the gaming public's reactions to the title. Your suggestions are valued.

I would like to contact the development team.
You may reach the development team by writing:

SWAT 3 Development Team
c/o Sierra On-line, Inc.
3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300
Bellevue, WA 98007
USA

Sorry, due to legal restrictions, Sierra cannot accept new game submissions from the public.

V. Requirements

What kind of computer do I need to play SWAT 3?
Pentium 233 Mhz (or equivalent AMD processor)
32 MB RAM
Windows 95, Windows 98
CD-ROM: 4X or better
400 MB free hard drive space
50 MB swap file
800 X 600 SVGA high color (16 bit)
4 MB video card
Direct X 6.1 (not included)
Windows compatible sound device
Mouse and Keyboard

My system just meets the minimum requirements. How can I improve the game speed?
Setting the Detail setting to Low is a good choice for systems near or at the minimum system requirements. This setting uses the least amount of texture memory and turns off many of the game's detail options, including reflective surfaces, dynamic lights (i.e. security cameras), high-detail character models, coronas, particle effects, and high-resolution textures.

What sort of performance can I expect from my video card?
Sierra's compatibility testing has determined the game's performance with many different video cards and driver combinations with Windows 95, 98, and 2000. All known compatibility issues are noted in the SWAT 3 readme.txt (found in the SWAT 3 directory in both the demo and full versions). SWAT 3 supports 3D accelerators from 3dfx, 3DLabs, ATI, Matrox, Nvidia, Rendition, and S3. Some cards on the market will only support software mode. If you're in question, consult the readme.

VI. LAPD SWAT

What do the letters S.W.A.T. stand for?
SWAT is an acronym for Special Weapons and Tactics.

How many LAPD SWAT officers have lost their life in the line of duty?
SWAT has never lost an officer in the line of duty.

What sort of missions does LAPD SWAT perform?
SWAT call-ups can be divided into two general categories: barricaded suspects/hostage rescue and high risk warrant services. Each year there are normally 60 to 75 barricaded suspect/hostage rescue incidents and approximately 50 warrant services.

How is SWAT organized?
SWAT is a part of LAPD's metropolitan division known as D-Platoon. D-Platoon has 72 members, including 60 officers, 6 sergeants, and one lieutenant. These numbers have remained constant since the early 1970s. Within SWAT, the lieutenant is known as 10 David, the sergeants 20 David, and so forth. This hierarchy is used by SWAT 3.

Within SWAT, there are five officer-staffed cadres. Cadres are skill-based groups that receive special advanced training in a particular skill and run training operations for the balance of the platoon. The cadres are Sniper, Shooting, Climbing/rappelling, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Crisis Negotiations (or CNT).

How can I become a LAPD SWAT officer?
Officer's interested in working SWAT are selected from Metropolitan Division's field platoons. Typically, there is a SWAT selection process every two years. Attrition of existing SWAT personnel dictates the actual number of candidates chosen. The selection procedure consists of two strenuous physical fitness tests that test strength and endurance. Upon completion of the physical fitness tests, an oral interview is given to each applicant. From there, officers are chosen to compete in a week-long tactical evaluation course.

Officers who receive high scores on selection are then assigned to an eight-week SWAT school. The training consists of special weapons and tactics concepts. At the completion of SWAT school, candidates participate in a real-time training scenario designed to exercise each of the skills learned in school.

To learn more about joining the LAPD, please visit LAPD Online. http://www.lapdonline.org/

Are there any female LAPD SWAT officers?
SWAT is open to applicants of both genders. As there are many more applicants than positions, competition is tough. A few women have come close, but have not ranked high enough during the physical fitness portion of the application to be selected.