GP: From the original planning stage were the RPG elements such as statistics, loot and quests to be included or did it evolve over time?

These were core elements right from the start. It is not like we started with an RTS and then began taking more and more RPG elements in. Neither did we start as an RPG and then began adding resources and army building. The blend of both genres was our key idea right from the beginning. We set out to create a 100% RPG and a 100% RTS and have the player experience both to the fullest at the same time. There are many interesting design twists in SpellForce. Answers to for very unique design questions that arose from this 100%/100% mix. If we would have had to answer these questions on the fly, we surely would have failed.