In terms of the turn-based strategy game play, what lessons did you learn from Armageddon Empires that you have put into this game?

I learned a lot about how not to present information and choices to players. :) I went into the design aspect of the game thinking how I would present the game data to players and how they would interact with it. My "big idea" was to create a single control panel interface with tabs that would let you both issue orders and view everything you needed to know in a well organized manner. I call it the "Ministerium."

Solium Infernum will have multiplayer support unlike your first game. How hard was it to design and implement this kind of feature into your ideas for the game?

It wasn't really hard other than the fact that I had to keep it a central concern when I approached the design for how the turns flowed and functioned. Many people really wanted to play Armageddon Empires as a multiplayer game but the game wouldn't be the same game if you tried to rewire everything to do that. The I Go You Go nature off the movement combined with the "reaction fire" and "interrupt" type mechanics along with all the hidden information that needed to be preserved made it simply impossible. Solium Infernum though was designed from the ground up to enable a jaunty paced Play By eMail (PBEM) experience as an efficient and enjoyable option. I tried to keep the decision space that a player operates in focused yet rich in choices. You can only do a couple of things from your menu of possibilities each turn and the unit count of things you need to manage is generally kept pretty small.
Are there plans for a free demo and if so what will it contain?

Yes, there will be a demo available at launch offering 25 turns (half a typical game) and about half of the in game content. You can play one of the maps available in the full version. PBEM multiplayer won't be enabled for the demo but a hot seat version will.

After the release of Solium Infernum will there be free mini- expansions like there was for Armageddon Empires?

At this point I'm not sure. I'll have to see how sales go and all that. I always enjoy tinkering with the game and adding content and mechanics.

Your company, Cryptic Comet, is basically just you running things. How do you feel about being a part of this growing independent PC game movement where small teams can actually make a living making games?

I love what I'm doing and although I never thought I would be doing this when I was a kid thinking about careers, it's not surprising now that I reflect on it. But with every bargain there is a cost. I have a lot of freedom to choose my own projects and work at my own pace but there are a lot of limitations to what I can accomplish as well. I'm glad I can pick out a niche like turn based strategy games and add to a genre with a very proud and noble tradition....I'd like to be the Roger the Shrubber of TBS's actually.

Finally, you must have some idea of what your next major game project will be. Can you give us any hints?

I have a bunch of "unfinished" prototypes from which I will probably choose. I can tell you that it will be some type of strategy game, have nice art, and of course have an off the beaten path setting. :)