Thread: New Command and Conquer Cancelled!

So this was some pretty breaking news... EA has announced that they are cancelling the new Command and Conquer game based on feedback from the core fan base that participated in the closed alpha test. This game, which was previously known as "Generals 2" was supposed to be the sequel to the popular Command and Conquer: Generals from 2003, which I think is one of the best RTS games of all time.

The new RTS game based on the Frostbite engine was buggy, the AI was dumb, some of the art work and some animations appeared to be out dated being bettered than previous Command and Conquer games. To top it off, they made it free to play. The ability to master your favorite General meant you had to either unlock through multiplayer experience or purchase as a micro-transaction. RTS games historically do not go over well in a free to play market.

Quoted from Victory Studios web site:

Generals,

Thank you for your participation over the last few months in the Command & Conquer closed alpha test. It’s been much appreciated, and you’ve been instrumental in helping define what a new Command & Conquer experience should and shouldn’t be.

Part of being in a creative team is the understanding that not all of your choices are going to work out. In this case, we shifted the game away from campaign mode and built an economy-based, multiplayer experience. Your feedback from the alpha trial is clear: We are not making the game you want to play. That is why, after much difficult deliberation, we have decided to cease production of this version of the game. Although we deeply respect the great work done by our talented team, ultimately it’s about getting you the game you expect and deserve.

Over the next 10 days we will be refunding any and all money spent in the alpha. If you have a question about your refund, please contact help.ea.com.

We believe that Command & Conquer is a powerful franchise with huge potential and a great history, and we are determined to get the best game made as soon as possible. To that end, we have already begun looking at a number of alternatives to get the game back on track. We look forward to sharing more news about the franchise as it develops. Thank you again for your participation and support.

- Victory Studios

A New Future for Command & Conquer - Command & Conquer

Command & Conquer and the Curse of the Free-to-Play RTS - IGN

So a disappointment, but after my experiences with the alpha, I would rather them not release a bad game so they can focus on something better. After I read the web site, I thought to myself that this was a step in the right direction, even if it would take longer for Victory Studios to figure it out. Then I read this:

EA Cancels Command & Conquer, Victory Studios Closed - IGN

According to IGN, Victory Studios has been closed down. So who really knows the fate of the next Command and Conquer. One thing is for certain... I sure hope Gearbox doesn't come in and try to be the savior like they did for the Duke Nukem series. Yuck.

Might not be such a bad thing (that it was cancelled, and that the studio was closed) all things considered.

I'm happy to see this, lets just all remember this is the 'evil EA corporation' who made the right decision to cancel the game. Lets hope their next attempt will not be free to play and better follow the C&C ideals.

Originally Posted by gehn

I'm happy to see this, lets just all remember this is the 'evil EA corporation' who made the right decision to cancel the game. Lets hope their next attempt will not be free to play and better follow the C&C ideals.

I think they were going in the right direction at first by going back to Generals. It was by far the best Command and Conquer experience going back to the orignal C&C and the first Red Alert. The General classes were balanced and counter balanced well. There was always a way to counter pretty much any opponent if you knew how to use your Generals powers, establish a self sustained economy, and lastly, outsmart your opponent.

I have hundreds and hundreds of hours racked up playing Generals, going back over a decade from the initial release, to the ever-so-often resurgence. The most recent binge of Generals was prompted by the Origin sale where me and some friends purchased the complete pack (mainly for Generals), and we went on the nostalgic trip down memory lane. The game actually holds up VERY well for being over 10 years old.

Good, cancel generals, remake C&C 95 next gen.