1) What sort of options will players be given in the Sandbox mode?

We are including more than one Sandbox/Campaign map with the game.  First off players will have the option of playing part of our “Shattered World” storyline map wherein many of the biggest countries in the world are facing internal troubles – whether it’s the division in the U.S. over annexing the oil fields of Canada or a persuasive Moscow mayor trying to lead Russia in a resurgence of Communism.  We are also including another sandbox that reflects the countries of the world as they currently are.  So to answer your question, players have the option to choose what sandbox you play in (with a minimum of 180 different regions in the campaign), then what region of that sandbox you choose to lead.  These decisions will obviously influence how you play since playing as one of the G7 nations of the world is obviously a different experience than playing as a third world region.  On top of that you can also choose from different victory conditions; military, diplomatic, score, and more. 

  
2) Do you have any plans on releasing a software developemnt kit or modding tool?

Yes we do.  In our previous game (Supreme Ruler 2010) modding was possible, but it was very involved.  We’ve worked to make more of the game elements modifiable, and now most of the regional data in the game has been done in a Database.  This includes factors influencing relationships between regions, the economic and diplomatic situations, and much more.  After release it is our intention to release a map editor and the databases to allow players to customize these elements. 

3) Other than using NASA Satellite imagery for the landscape, what have you done to improve the graphics in Supreme Ruler 2020?

Every element of graphics was overhauled and improved.  Our satellite imagery for the map is now at a considerably increased resolution, using more than 1.5 GB of raw imagery data.  We’ve redone virtually every icon and graphic, redone the fonts, new backgrounds for the popups, and anything else we could think of to make the game look better.  In addition, all of the military units and all of the map facilities are now detailed 3D objects so that definitely helps improve the graphic look of the game.  A lot of effort has been put in to make Supreme Ruler 2020 “Look better and Sound better”, which also includes soundtracks that are flavored by the region you’re playing as.

 
4) Can you create new regions?  Can you create cities and/or change the names of existing cities/regions? 

In terms of modding all of these things can be done – modders will be able to create larger regions by regrouping smaller nations, and when the map editor is released it will be possibly to change borders, add/remove cities and other changes.  While playing the game, cities cannot be built by players (to reflect the reality that cities cannot be built from scratch in short periods of time), however cities can be destroyed with some effort.  Populations of cities will grow and fall depending on how well you govern your region. 

 
5) In the Sandbox mode can you create new nations?  How easy is it to import new flags? 

This will be a function of our modding tools (database and map editor).   But we’ve included almost four hundred regions that a player can choose to play from in the different sandboxes, so initially there won’t be a lot of need to create additional nations.  Our various maps allow players to start from super-powers such as the entire United States down to island nations such as Malta, or from individual American states to regional European divisions, and every size of region in between.  Nearly every modern world nation can be played, with accurate statistics and flags. 

 
6) Will multiplayer games be persistent - will you be able to join/leave a game at any time and/or load saved multiplayer games to continue with your player group? 

In the traditional sense, multiplayer will not be persistent.  The game supports up to sixteen players over LAN or Internet, but if any one player leaves the game the AI will take control of that player’s region and there is no way to reconnect unless the Host re-launches using a saved game.  So the answer to the second part of your question is that you can save and load multiplayer games.