C&C Labs News

A few other things a tester can do is to keep their eyes open for any remaining pesky graphical errors, like voids and clipping issues. Make sure you keep a screenshot utility handy to snap shots of anything you do come across (at least until the SS utility is activated in a later patch), all the better to show EAP what went wrong and where it went wrong. Sometimes the best way to test for bugs is to do anything that isn’t normally associated with playing the game like typing random keys ect… to see what happens. Always remember should you find anything unusual, be sure to write it down somewhere and then head to the official test site and report it using the bug submission form. Not everything can be tracked by the backend monitoring that will be going on during the test. This is only part of my job.

Here's some information about the Multiplayer Test, sent out by Shanahan.

Welcome Soldiers!

All of the acceptance e-mails have been sent out, congratulations to those who made it!
As you know from my previous postings, it was a huge task just to sift through all the registrations, checking for bad information, multiple signups, and invalid mailing addresses, so thank you for your patience. Most everyone filled out the application correctly but there were a few that forgot vital information such as e-mail address or mailing address...DOH!
While I was narrowing down the final participants, I asked the team if they wanted some extra time to spit shine a few features and double time some last minute balance changes before the official public inspection by you, the newly recruited Generals. Being the passionate professionals they are, the resounding answer was "YES!", their dedication to give you the best possible experience has gone beyond the call of duty . Each and every one of the team members has been working through lunch and staying late on their own accord just because they really believe in giving you the best experience possible.
"So Shan, what does all this mean?"...glad you asked. What it means is while I finish up with the Senior Admissions Officer of the GIA (yes, those agency folk are slow) they are going to finish polishing/balancing a few things, so I will have the discs out to you a few days later than expected. I will keep you updated daily on the progress and let you know when the first stage of mailed discs is ready to go.
Once again, thank you for your patience and I know once you see the game you will forgive me for making you wait a bit longer! J

-Shanahan
Top Secret Operative, GIA

Hopefully the wait for the test won't be too long. :)

Q. Will we have to register our clans and if so, how will we go about it?
A. Through a system similar to what's in place for RA2/Yuri.
Q. Will there be fan ladder kits specifically for clan ladders or will the standard/only kit have support for clans?
A. The ladder kits will be a generalized kit for everyone, but you can customize it to your liking.
Q. Although 4v4 is nice, I was hoping for some 5v5 and 6v6 like in that War Ship, Crate, Crap, whats it's face game by Blizzard lol. So is the game still topped off at 4v4?
A. Yep, still 4v4

Today EA/WW sendt out e-mails to 3000 LUCKY C&C: Generals fans that signed up for the multiplayer beta testing of Generals.

Me you ask? Well I did'nt get in  Anyway my friend got in so I'll test it there. Wounder if anyone from the staff got in? Let us know guys!

<Deosl>

PS! You could win a spot at the forums & contests. 500 slots are open

At Statikvision.com you could be the lucky winner of C&C: Generals. All you have to do is:

- Write a war story that is at least 3-4 pages long
-The story must take place in the C&C Universe. This includes Generals, the RA Series, Tiberian Series, and Renegade.

If you want more info click here

Good luck!

<Deosl>

Since it's sunday, I recon EA/WW won't be open. Who works on a sunday anyway?

When I checked out the official C&C: Generals forum and they say on monday. Yes, monday EA/WW will send out the E-mail on monday 21 October 2002. This ain't official but you never know.

We are currently having MAJOR problems with our site and server, and are working to correct them right know.

ALL NETWORK WEBMASTERS SHOULD BACKUP THEIR WEBSITES NOW!

- Marshalus

CNCSAGA: There will be an official kit fansite for generals?
Delphi: Yes, we are working on one now.

Delphi: The limited number of slots distrubted.
Delphi: More on the way in early November
Bandit[GenX]: still it doesnt explain why they were limited :P
Ash: So some people get to play more than others why?
Bandit[GenX]: you're saving some for ?
Delphi: I only had a finite number of slots
Jadame_Tamuli: Deah. Bandit got told by Delphi
Delphi: More will be given to me in November
Bandit[GenX]: from the marketing guys ?
Delphi: From the team
Ash: Why were some sites given more than others? Just to add more questions.
Bandit[GenX]: yes good q ash

Basically, Chris is saying he has no control over the amount of slots given to him, to give to webbies. It seems to be a case of him saying "don't shoot the messenger," and I'll take him on his word that he fought for more than the current number of slots. However, whoever did make this decision in the hope that it would spawn 'friendly competition' is gravely mistaken, and I hope they'll consider that next time. Hopefully Chris will relay this to his superiors. We don't like being pitted against each other.

TsNod: How are the MOD Tools coming along?
Delphi: Excellent! It's done just tweaking here and there!
TsNod: Multiplayer test for download or on CD shipment or Both?
Delphi: Will be shipped out!
TsNod: Will Pixel Shaders be in the Sage Engine?
Delphi: Yes
TsNod: Will damage affect the effectiviness of a building or unit?
Delphi: Nope
TsNod: Can you build a structure on varying terrain? For example, can I build a War Factory, even though there is a small hill or rock in the middle of where I want to place it?
Delphi: Almost anywhere depends on elevation!

Waraddict: The Paladin Tank is now a normal sized one barrelled tank, but with a laser, is the cannon the standard type or could it be possibly an EM(Electromagnetic) Cannon?
Delphi: It's a defensive laser used to shoot down missiles and target nearby

Furax: In old screenshots, the water had a reflection effect. But now, the water doesn't seem to be the same.
My question is: In the first screenshot, was it the first version of the water, or was it a "PhotoShop effect"?
Delphi: It was the first pass at water, we are more pleased with the current version.

That's right Recruit! Now is your chance to sign-up for one of the biggest events in history of C&C. Don't miss this opportunity to be one of the few, one of the proud, an elite Multiplayer tester for Command & Conquer Generals.

Don't delay, registration won't last forever. For more information about the Multiplayer Test, please visit the official Multiplayer Test website.

Cya Online

Delphi

*Rolls out the Red Carpet*
================================
Here our the 13 MULTIPLAYER TEST VIP's!

Lethal Hobo #850
Dyganth #5101
Kingmada #92
Operator #5064
Sydr0 #385
Dark Wolf #3968
The Doofus #2513
M1ch4el #63
RedArmy #1351
Michael Kallon #4802
Servo #998
Thrawn28 #3330
Criton #5114

Boards Veterans and Special Guests (Didn't expect this did ya)

VM
Issvar
Breznov
Iraqi Army
Blue Destiny
TSNOD
Remirol Nacud
Kravok
Dthsynth17

Congrats guys, I look forward to adding your names to my record of players crushed and humiliated.

Expect to receive a private board message from me shortly with information about the test.

--------------------
Delphi
Online Community Manager
Command & Conquer
Westwood Studios/Electronic Arts

Not all is lost you still have a chance by signing up tomorrow. Also in the coming weeks, I will be hosting a few more board specific contests with MP test slots as prizes.

--------------------
Delphi
Online Community Manager
Command & Conquer
Westwood Studios/Electronic Arts

This just in from Chris Rubyor:

COMMAND & CONQUER GENERALS

MULTIPLAYER TEST SIGNUP DATE CHANGED

Electronic Arts(tm) announced today that the signup date for the multiplayer test of Command & Conquer Generals(tm) has changed.  Signups will now begin Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 a.m. PST, and will close at 11:59 p.m. that evening. 

Signups will be held through http://generals.ea.com.  Anyone who signs up for the public test must meet the minimum system requirements to be eligible for selection.  Those requirements will be posted on the public test sign up page of the official Command & Conquer Generals website.

Signups are open to all gamers worldwide, and EA will randomly select 3,000 people to participate from those who sign up.  The signup period is the same worldwide, which translates into it beginning in Korea Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:01 a.m., and in Europe Friday, October 11 at 4 p.m. GMT. 

The public test will begin Oct. 25, and will give participants a chance to play Command & Conquer Generals multiplay mode via the Internet.  The test will include five missions, and allow gamers to play as each of the three unique sides in the game: the superpowers of the United States and China, and an underground political terror organization, the Global Liberation Army, that is bent on liberating the world through anarchy and terror. 

Advanced Player Vetrancy - As General, smart decisions and victories over your enemies will gain you experience points. These points can then be allocated to unlocking new units and weapons of mass destruction.
Battle Honors - It's not about wins anymore, it's about medals you earn. Players can now collect "Battle Honors" as the progress through the solo and multiplayer game. These medals are based on conquering parts of the game or employing a unique type of strategy to achieve an objective during a mission. All medals will be displayed next to a players name for bragging rights when they are logged in for online play.
Multiplayer Madness - Wreak havoc online, either cooperatively with 8 of your friends or go head-to-head in all-out global domination with a multitude of other players. New features include:
* Advanced filtering options
* Team Quick Matching
* Instant Video Replay
* Personal Ladders
* Observer mode

Luckie: Thank you, I know that there were rewards for fansite in previous CNC games, will you be doing the same with Generals?
Elmar EA: We try to do it the same.
Luckie: Good. Does the staff working on generals often browse fansites for ideas?
Elmar EA: of course ... a lot of ideas came from the community

Command & Conquer fans rejoice! The development team behind the next, feverishly awaited C&C game, Generals, will be dropping by GameSpy Arcade on today at 5:00 p.m. Pacific (8:00 PM Eastern) time to chat with you about the game. Even better, they'll be handing out 3 coveted slots in the closed multiplayer test to random participants in the chat. The multiplayer test will be available later this month -- and this could be your last shot at getting in on the action!

To participate in the chat, simply drop into the GameSpy.com chat lobby in GameSpy Arcade today at the appropriate time. Haven't got Arcade yet? Click here to download it now, or visit www.gamespyarcade.com/download. And for more information on Generals and the entire Command & Conquer universe, be sure to check out PlanetCNC on the GameSpy Network!

1GHZ
128 MB RAM
Geforce 2 or better