f13.net

What all-caps city name do we append after Bioware for this one?

MONTRÉAL would be my guess.

How does that screenshot say C&C over any other modern military game? It could as easily be concept art for BioWare's ExplosionJumper (with realistic destruction physics).

  I kid you not, 1 mission in, 'Commander, they killed your wife' is probably the lowest point on the franchise

Man, don't say things like that. Dragon Age II plus Diablo would be sex.

Trying to combine Bioware's compelling characters with Diablo's spaztic gameplay would be easier said than done however.

One of the things that makes Diablo work is the lack of narrative outside the cutscenes and the occasional bit of NPC dialog.  The last thing I need in my diablo is fully voiced dialog options or some such.  

I'm a mechanical man!

I was very much like o.O at this because it didn't really seem to make much sense for BioWare to get involved with the genre, but then it suddenly starts making sense

Activision's Blizzard dominates the MMO market -- EA has their BioWare label develop SWTOR
Activision's Blizzard dominates the RTS market -- EA has their BioWare label develop resurrected C&C

i suppose if that's accurate the question is whether they start another BioWare franchise to compete for Diablo market, or if that's where the next Dragon Age title is heading.

My impression of starcraft 2 is that it's more a tactical game, than a strategy game.

I wouldn't really say they dominate the RTS market when they've only released one RTS in the last 8 years.

I wouldn't really say they dominate the RTS market when they've only released one RTS in the last 8 years.

They've released the only RTS that matters in the last 8 years.

I think Relic would disagree with you.

Who?

(seriously, wish i could say it's trolling. I haven't kept up with the RTS developments at all, and so the recent Starcraft stuff is the only relatively new thing in the genre i'm aware of. That's how big it is, compared to the competition. Relic brings to my mind Homeworld games and that was well, ages ago)

They may be well regarded, but Blizzard makes the RTS games that all gamers take note of.

I think Relic would disagree with you.

I think that's losing sight of the original point I was making, in that Blizzard isn't dominating the RTS genre.  For the better part of a decade they didn't release any RTS games, while games like Company of Heroes were released and became critically and commercially successful.

I'mm sure they would, but I think they'd be wrong.  I'd wager that until Starcraft 2 came out more people still played both Starcraft 1 and Warcraft 3 than played any of Relic's games.  Hell, even DOTA by itself might have more players than Relic's games.

I used to read Ctrl+Alt+Del, now I remember why I stopped.

The joke is so fucking obvious that the telling of it is redundant.

SC2 is succeeding largely on strength of brand. And in terms of RTS importance it really has very little, it didn't jump start or consolidate the RTS genre the same way SC1 did. There's very little in the mechanics and game systems of SC2 that is going to change RTS games going forward.

Sure, it's popular, but it's important to the RTS genre the same way that Just Dance 2 is to the dancing genre. There's nothing pivotal about the release of SC2.

I think it would have been funny if the tanks were taking cover behind chest high walls.

I also think it's silly to dismiss other games that are in many ways better and more interesting as undefinably and subjectively not mattering. Relic games have sold well and have had critical success, the idea that they don't matter seems like a clever way of saying "to me" while sounding objective.

I liked Myst, Total Annihilation and Battle Realms over Blizzard's RTS output.

Doesn't matter in the scheme of things - more people played Starcraft 2 than those three titles combined.

I liked Myst, Total Annihilation and Battle Realms over Blizzard's RTS output.

Doesn't matter in the scheme of things - more people played Starcraft 2 than those three titles combined.

I used to play C&C but an obelisk blasts me on the knees.
Interest on a new C&C Spinoff is meh. Bioware would be better served just to make a Mass Effect shooter rather than RTS.

He meant to say Myth, I'm pretty sure.

in Blizzard's downtime between WC3 and SC2, other games released and were successful by any meaningful standard.  Not only that, but Relic's games in particular moved beyond the Dune 2 style of RTS gameplay that Blizzard has been sticking to since '94.

In 2006 when Company of Heroes came out, I don't think people were having to choose between picking that up or buying Warcraft 3 (or Starcraft 1).  Yeah, Blizzard games sell a fuckton, and are big e-sports in some countries.  In all those years though where Blizzard wasn't releasing any RTS games, other developers were, and weren't competing with Blizzard, hence why I don't think you can say they dominate the market.  Unlike the MMO market where you can dominate the market with one product and some expansions to the detriment of every other game out there, Blizzard isn't prolific enough to dominate other genres.  They can't pull a Call of Duty and release a game every single year that blows every other similar game away, and in Blizzard's downtime between WC3 and SC2, other games released and were successful by any meaningful standard.  Not only that, but Relic's games in particular moved beyond the Dune 2 style of RTS gameplay that Blizzard has been sticking to since '94.

So we all know what EA BioWare is working on after SWOR.

I wonder at what time the BioWare brand gets spread too thin and starts getting tarnished, or when the earn out period of the BioWare heads finishes up and they leave "to spend more time with their families".

I thought this was a newer Bioware studio working on this game.  It's not Bioware Austin.

Is it fair to say Bioware is effectively meaningless at this point?  Every time they do anything I feel like we have this discussion.

I thought this was a newer Bioware studio working on this game.  It's not Bioware Austin.

Dr Ray said: ““We’re bringing BioWare’s vision for emotionally engaging gameplay and great attention to quality to the strategy genre and the Command & Conquer franchise. I am excited to welcome BioWare Victory to our label. They are a great addition and the team is working hard to make sure Generals 2 truly immerses and engages players into this intense, gritty, modern war experience.”


 :uhrr: :uhrr: :uhrr: out of 5

What next?

“We’re bringing BioWare’s vision for emotionally engaging gameplay and great attention to quality to the rpg and the Ultima franchise. I am excited to welcome BioWare British to our label.

Bioware Victory is headed by Jon Van Caneghem of the Might and Magic fame.
I really have mixed feelings about this, but fucks are hardly given to C&C franchise after the Kane goes to space debacle that was the fourth.

But man, that Bioware PR speech on the studio's next C&C is a fucking hilarious mismatch. No one from Westwood would even say that sort of shit in their time about the C&C. It's all about bowing people up with super weapons, to hell with character involvement.

What next?

“We’re bringing BioWare’s vision for emotionally engaging gameplay and great attention to quality to the rpg and the Ultima franchise. I am excited to welcome BioWare British to our label. They are a great addition and the team is working hard to make sure Ultima X truly immerses and engages players into this intense, gritty,  roleplaying experience.”

    In the near future, world leaders are mere seconds from signing a global treaty and bringing an end to war as we know it when a devastating terrorist attack rips through the peace conference, killing all in attendance. In a world left with no politicians, diplomats, or activists, only the Generals remain. It’s up to you to assume their roles, command their forces, and put an end to global terrorism once and for all.

    • All-Out War — Take control of three unique factions, competing for resources, building up your base of operation, and leading massive batteries of tanks, soldiers, and aircraft into battle.

    • Uncanny Sense of Realism — Frostbite 2 technology allows for visceral, visually stunning conflict at an epic scale. Incredibly detailed units and environments, dynamic physics, and exhilarating visual effects bring the battle to life in ways never before seen. This is the closest thing to real war without the consequences.

    • New Ways to Dominate or Ally with Your Friends — Go beyond classic deathmatch with a selection of new multiplayer game modes, designed with both cooperative and competitive play in mind.

    • Thrilling Campaign — Command the war on terror in an electrifying single-player campaign. Experience the dramatic story from multiple perspectives — from heroic General to crazed terrorist — while engaging the enemy in pulse-pounding tactical combat.

    • Ever-Evolving Experience — Enhance your game with an expanding array of downloadable content. From maps and units to factions, campaigns, and more, the fight against terrorism is deeper than ever.

Los Angeles, California – December 10, 2011 – In a world left without political leaders, only the generals remain! Tonight at the Spike Video Game Awards, BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced the studio’s newest project, Command & Conquer™ Generals 2. Powered by Frostbite™ 2, Generals 2 will feature cutting-edge visuals, sound, and destruction that will bring a new level of fidelity to strategy games. Fans will get a first look at the new Generals 2 during the Spike TV VGAs at 8:00pm EST*. Featuring the franchise’s patented blend of pulse-pounding action and intelligent gameplay, Command & Conquer Generals 2 once again puts players in the middle of an all-out war between three unique factions. Command & Conquer Generals 2 is being developed by a new BioWare studio, BioWare Victory, and is coming exclusively to the PC in 2013.

"the closest thing to real war" "blah blah blah terrorism"

No one ever played c&c because it was realistic, and what the fuck do terrorist have to do with super power battles?

Why doesn't anyone just try to make something that is fun?

But what about the storyline?


 :ye_gods: :ye_gods: :ye_gods: :ye_gods: out of 5

When was the last time C&C was relevant? I'm going to say...Red Alert?

It's a franchise that has limped along for 90% of its tenure with constant failed attempts at reinvention.

I'm more  :ye_gods: about the DLC being a feature.
Like I'm going to pay $5 to play new maps in RTS.
No mission editor means they just want to milk people dry with basic 10 maps for starters and another $5 for map packs.

Do you honestly believe that most or even a significant amount of developers don't put any thought into whether their game is fun or not?

Yes. I think a lot of them get consumed by the work element, or details, or novelty or pet projects and forget a big picture 'this is what we are going for' view, and neglect the fun.