C&C Labs News

• The publication of a supposed GDI dossier on Kane. While some parts are blacked out, it contains a basic overview of some of the Kane myth. Of course, during all the interesting parts, it seems every key noun or adjective is blacked out, making it of slightly less value.
  
• A short video transmission from Kane, as he repeats a key point of his, and Nod's, message.
• A new Black Hand wallpaper, available in four different sizes.
  
 

 
• The next podcast will be October 6th, by Predator. Maybe we'll get an update on Apoc then.  We're sure to hear about some gameplay issues, including a rationalization for why EA is including infantry squads in Command & Conquer 3.
  
• A new post by Mike Verdu on the official C&C 3 blog, with details on why GDI technology in 2047 is closer to the Tiberian Dawn units than the Tiberian Sun ones, and with an overview of some Nod technology. Here's a snip:

  GDI walkers from the Second Tiberium War (TW2) were hugely expensive to build and maintain. They were also quite temperamental on the battlefield. The advantages conferred by their all-terrain capabilities were offset by cost, poor reliability, and easily exploited vulnerabilities. The only mech left in GDI service in 2047 is the huge Mk III Juggernaut mobile artillery system – a direct descendant of the Mk I Juggernaut in TW2. The Mk III is based on a Mk II Titan chassis with a new turret and crew pod, upgraded cannons, and a next generation fire control system. Because these vehicles are intended for indirect fire support and are not expected to be on the front lines, the advantages conferred by all-terrain navigation were deemed worthy of the risks.

• Also, here's an in-game look at the Nod Avatar:
  
  

Zero Hour Mod Generals: Condition Red has released info about their first release on their Mod Database Profile. In part of the announcement, Slye_Fox says this: 

If you look at our compleation in the profile, you'll see it's 80% (The acutrate % is 81%).

The First release will include:

Factions;
Allies - America, Korea, France, Germany, Great Britan
Soviets - Libya, Iraq, Cuba, Russia
Maps;
Downtown

Their news post can be found here.

Zero Hour mod Tiberian Sun Rising has released 2 new screenshots. 1 is a deployed Juggernaut, and another a group of Titans.

More info as well as the full size screenshots can be found Here.

The Halogen Team has a plan to revive their mod and make it legal, even after Microsoft told them to shut it down due to infringing on Bungie's intellectual property, indicated by their homepage. When the bottom area of their website is highlighted, it reveals this text:

I can absolutely say that both GDI and Nod have extensive base defenses. GDI can build walls, machine gun towers ("Watchtowers"), anti-vehicle turrets with cannons, anti-aircraft missile batteries, and an advanced base defense that shoots out an area of effect weapon. Nod has really cool shredder turrets for killing infantry, missile launchers for aircraft, and a laser battery for taking out vehicles. They also have the Obelisk of Light as their advanced base defense.

• Added the option to export terrains for Command & Conquer: Renegade
• Added the AABox option to W3D Tools dialog
• Added example Dazzle.ini file into the 3dsmax7/plugins directory, which enables the Dazzle option in the W3D Tools dialog. Renegade modders will probably want to replace that file with the Dazzle.ini file that came with their original version of Renegade.

• Quite a long shot, but there's a petition out there pressuring Microsoft to allow Halogen to continue work on their mod. You can sign it here.
• CNC Den has two new Zero Hour maps, and a new poll.
  
• The Shockwave mod has a few new renders.
• Planet CNC has a new mailbag topic, and is asking for resubmission of their design contest entries.

Let me be blunt in saying, you guys are being near ridiculous in your assumptions, and no offense or disrespect to anyone and their opinions, but let me say again, just because the single player experience is being treated as our #1 focal point of the game, does not mean for a single mili-second that multiplayer is going to get any less focus.

It simply means, we recognize the single player in Generals and BFME 1&2 was not up to par with expectations, and especially for a C&C game where story is paramount, we realize that we need to make a kick-ass single player campaign with a very compelling story. Ladies and gentlemen, I know you guys are hardcore multiplayer, but Starcraft, Wacraft, Age of Empires, C&C - classics of the genre, would not have been nearly as successful at their release if not for a good single player experience to capture the hearts of many gamers. Sure you can argue that the multiplayer kept the life of the game going...and good post support, but single player (proven by research) is what drives a huge chunk of the RTS audience initially. You don't tell your friends to see a movie because the visual effects were cool and your seat was comfortable, you tell them because it had an awesome story and kept you entertained. Unless we're talking about an MMO or game that is built specifically for multiplayer (like Counterstrike, Team Fortress, etc), then single player must be considered as a paramount feature for the game to appeal across all audiences.

Its not like no one knew about this mod; we were slashdotted a year ago, were on the front page of RvB, Bungie definitely had their eye on us, we got mentioned in a couple print mags...we were not shut down because we got "too big" or "just got noticed". I think I know why MS Games canned us, just need to wait a couple of weeks to make sure, so I'm not really comfortable writing about it yet. But I'm 95% sure it had nothing to do with "spontaneous noticement"

• Red Twilight has a some renders and screens up.
• Tiberian Sun Rising also has some new renders up, including one of the famed Mammoth MKII.
  
• Continuing the render theme, Cold War Crisis has a bunch of their reworked Su-27 flanker.
• Halogen has been shut down by Microsoft (looks like someone's planning a Halo RTS sooner or later). Here's a note from the Halogen team:

  Hours ago, we finally recieved the words we've been dreading since the mod started to get noticed. Microsoft has decided that we are infringing on the intellectual property of Bungie Studios and has asked us to stop development on Halogen.
  
  I was going to write a big sappy letter here, but what's the point. So..that's it then, I guess. The forums, site, and Moddb profile will all be shut down within the week. I can't say it hasn't been fun. It's a shame it has to end like this, but I suppose that's how it goes. Thanks, guys, for all the time you've spent supporting us. It's been a pleasure. We hate this as much as you do.

Well, that certainly is a shame, but you can see where it makes a bit of sense from M$'s standpoint. These guys were modifying the game of a competitor with Microsoft's intellectual property. Where the roles reversed, I'm sure EA would have done the same, and probably early on in the process.

This patch was not cancelled, it is on hold for the moment while we finish up patch 1.05 for BFME2 and 1.01 for BFME2 360. It is also on hold due to the development of C&C 3, but with that said, this patch we know is critical to the C&C community, and in APOC's absence, I will acquire his strategic plans and figure out what can be done. I'm fully aware of this patch and will provide you guys an update as soon as possible.

Hey guys,

Ingame advertising is nothing new these days, its all over the place in games now. With respect to this development team, currently we don't have any intention of placing in-game ads in the Tiberium universe. No, Tiberium Coke will not be in the game, and the first person to mod one, should have to drink a can of it themselves first :o)

If any type of advertising were to appear in our game, it would not be during the actual gameplay experience, and it would be subtle in a sense that it wouldn't affect your play experience at all, thats the last thing we want to do. You won't be seeing TV ads after the EA logo, hehe.

Do not worry, we're not about to put Sprite and Coke cans littered around the world of a Tiberium infected Earth, no thank you sir.

-Concerning Absence of Mobile Bases
Predator: This is a far cry of falsehood. Mobile Bases are NOT taken out, you still have your MCV which can move anywhere on the map. You can build a base, pack up your MCV and move it somewhere else. The original mobile base design had something on a similar plane to the Terran in Starcraft, but we've scoped away from that for more than just balance reasons, I cannot discuss all the reasons in length. The MCV is plenty mobile. I think you will find some nice surprises. Not having a huge fortress to move around the map isn't the end of the world either.

-No Buildable Navy?
Predator: When was it a crime for a development team to make a design decision that fits the style of game they are building? Once you get the game in hand, and see the intense action, I think you'll transpire past Navy. I personally like Navy in RTS games and am not disagreeing persay, but I go with whats best for the design of the game. There is a compromise to a degree, you have the Aircraft Carrier.

-Head Spinning Fast...Fluid Gameplay
Predator: Fast fluid fun, you guys are misinterpreting as an RTS game that will be over in a few clicks. Please do not misinterpret this saying. Fast fluid and fun means when you click the button, the action happens, your units move instantly, means also, we want you to get into the action quickly and have a fluid explosive experience. This is an RTS game, so expect a high level of strategy. Don't undermine before you don't know anything about what the game will offer strategically. We have plenty of strategic options planned that we haven't discussed at all yet. Remember, the gameplay video was just a demonstration, not the final end result. We'll be tuning balance and speed until the last second thru thousands of hours of playtesting as APOC always liked to say.

He is also unbreakable (you all saw what he took on the forums), so don't think for a second that Nod and Kane will break him. He is strong and I'm fully confident that he is alive.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have some very unfortunate and disturbing news concerning our noble and dedicated Community Manager, APOC. In his latest world-wide podcast, APOC’s cover was blown and his top secret base was infiltrated by Nod forces who were using stealth technology to break into the Blue Zone where he was stationed. The self- proclaimed Messiah, the man we know only as Kane, seized the opportunity to deliver a treacherous and threatening message to the world, which many of you have heard by now.

When rescue forces arrived at the scene, the base was decimated, with a noticeable blood trail snaking towards the damaged entrance. Unfortunately, this surprise attack completely under-minded APOC’s strategic plans for the community and now we must do everything we can to rescue our noble Community Manager. We are uncertain of his whereabouts, or for that matter, the state of his well being.

Thankfully, we have a team ready to deploy on an immediate search and rescue mission. In the meantime, I have been hired as your intermittent Community Manager until APOC returns. You will know me as EA Predator, or just Predator if you prefer. I understand you may have questions and fears to express, rest assured, I will make certain they are answered. I have been speaking to Executive Producer Mike Verdu and am already caught up to speed on everything concerning Command & Conquer 3 and The Rise of the Witch-king, and not to mention, The Battle for Middle-earth 2 for Xbox 360. You should also know I’m an extremely avid reader on the message boards, so I’m fully aware of the hottest issues.

I’ll be assuming APOC’s exact role which means you will not miss a beat in his absence. I’ve been told a search and rescue team has already been deployed to bring your Community Manager back home to safety. For now, Predator is at your command.

- Predator

We will find APOC