We haven't really followed this one following the farce with Strategy First parting ways with MiSTland over the Jagged Alliance license but the game that was once Jagged Alliance 3D - now Hired Guns: Jagged Alliance following the split - has a demo available for those interested in seeing what MiSTland would have done.

The file is hosted on a German language site GBase.ch but appears to be marked English (731Mb).  Thanks, Maximous! 

AG: Who came up with the idea of having JA3D in real-time with "smart pause"? Also, there were rumblings about using phase-based combat [like in ALFA or Combat Mission]. Was it actually on the board, given the fact that early incarnations of JA3D used a modified version of ALFA: Antiterror's engine?

VS: We had no plans to have phase-based battles in JA3D. The uncertainty with gameplay modes began when SFI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. During that time, the game switched several coordinators at Strategy First. Sometimes a person would write us a letter and then leave for another company shortly thereafter. We felt the project was almost on hold, because the news we were receiving contradicted each other. It was hard to tell what game we were making and for whom.

RT: I can't say who actually came up with the idea. All I can say is that I made it clear from the beginning that it was out of question. Initially, the game was supposed to be built over a modified Cops engine, at least which is what I was told. The choice to move over to a modified ALFA engine was even a surprise to me at the time and I do not believe I was all that comfortable with the idea. They were the ones who knew about their technology so I let them decide on this.

In any case, the only base I imagined that could be useful for a conversion to Jagged Alliance 3D would have rested in the rendering engine, not the logic, not the interface nor any other related game structure.

Strategy First, Inc announced today that their Agreements with Game Factory Interactive relative to the development, publishing and distribution of the titles "Jagged Alliance 3" and "Jagged Alliance 3D" have been terminated. Game Factory Interactive will therefore not have any right to publish, distribute, license nor to develop any Jagged Alliance title or derivative products for any platform.