From:
http://planetcnc.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=3325 5
C&C3: The Story So Far
A recap for those of you just joining us on the C&C3 situation:
The June issue of PC Gamer, which is already making its way into the hands of subscribers and should be on newsstands in about a week, has as cover story a preview of the next C&C RTS game, ostensibly titled "C&C3", possibly with a subtitle of "Tiberum Wars". The game will be set in the Tiberian universe. I can personally confirm that this is not a hoax or joke, and that the EA RTS team whose most recent accomplishment was the respectable BFME II will be working on this new project. The other important facts are:
- C&C3 will be set some time after the events in Tiberian Sun: Firestorm. As you may recall, Firestorm assumed the GDI ending in Tiberian Sun, and itself ended with GDI in the possession of the Tacitus, the Philadelphia still in orbit, Nod coming under the control of Slavik, and CABAL presumed destroyed. The final cutscene of Firestorm, however, left players with a cliffhanger that posited that both CABAL and Kane survived in some form. C&C3 begins several years later, with the GDI in control of the "safe" (Tiberium-free) zones of the Earth, and attempting to use its knowledge of the Tacticus to remove the Tiberium infestation. The story opens with a Nod assault on the Philadelphia orbital station that throws the GDI into disarray.
- A third side will be introduced, but it is as yet unknown. Speculation falls to it being either independent mutants, robots and cyborgs under the command of CABAL, or alien forces.
- Kane is set to make a return, but there is no word on whether Joseph Kucan will reprise his role as everyone's favourite sociopathic madman.
- Full-motion-video is back. The PC Gamer article hints that there will be not only in-between-mission cinematics but more in-game cinematics of the type seen in Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2 (and in the non-C&C RTS Act of War).
- C&C3 will, naturally, be using a further upgraded version of the same engine that has powered Generals and both Battle for Middle-Earth games. For those of you who don't have BFME2, let me point out that its system requirements easily top those of Quake IV, so start saving up those pennies to buy the uber-system you'll likely need to run C&C3 at max detail.
- The EA project team has stated that their two biggest design goals are improving the AI and creating a more immersive campaign.
- Multiplayer will feature voice chat support.
- GDI units known to be making a comeback include the Orca and the Mammoth Tank, though any art of these units at this time is liable to be entirely temporary.
- No news on whether the interface will be Generals-style or traditional C&C-sidebar style. None of the screenshots or other art in the PC Gamer article included any pictures of a HUD.
- It is extremely unlikely that C&C3 will come out this year. A reasonable estimate for the release date is midway through 2007 - in other words, a summer blockbuster for next year. Or to put it in more plain words... wait until next spring before dropping your cash on a new system.
