Command & Conquer Generals 2 (was mysterious Bioware/C&C thread)

[Malakili]

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.

[HaemishM]

Wow, I could not give less of a fuck about this game.

[Teleku]

Eh, its just a sequel to the generals franchise?  The least interesting of the 3 CnC franchises?  Bleh.

[Margalis]

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

It seems that at this point Bioware is just a bran name that's being used because it carries more connotations of quality than generic EA.

[UnSub]

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.

BioWare is working on Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age 3, probably some other secret projects, SWOR and C&C:Gen2.

Each will have a different team, but the key thing a lot of people will look at is "BioWare".

[rk47]

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.”


  out of 5

[MournelitheCalix]

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.”


  out of 5

EA is making a serious mistake.  Each less than Bioware standard game that they release under the Bioware label WILL subtract from the brand.  I hear enough bitching as of late about Bioware games as it is and some of it is VERY reasonable (ie: Dragon Age 2).  I know I  for one will not be purchasing this title from "Bioware" Victory.  I have no interest in this game at all.  However I would eagerly look forward to any actual RPGS that might come out.

[Stormwaltz]

Here's my own way to track such things.

If it comes out of Edmonton, it's pureblood BioWare - this is the core and source of the BW culture as I knew it. Edmonton is ME and DA, and post-ME projects we won't hear about for a while.

If it comes out of Austin or Montreal it's a half-breed - those studios were half-colonized with Edmonton vets (in Austin's case, several were "plankowners" from the Shattered Steel and Baldur's Gate 1 days) and half locally hired. You know what Austin does; when I was there Montreal ran support for Edmonton's projects - they did cutscenes, N7/uncharted worlds, and DLC for ME2. I personally suspect the studio was opened to purely to skim the talent from Ubi and Eidos.

The new companies in LA I know nothing about, but I'll wager a cool, shiny nickel that they don't have more than a handful of Edmonton vets, if any. More likely they're fully staffed from within EA's studio system, and they've handed them off to Ray and Greg to administrate at a very high level, which allows them to be called "BioWare."

[tmp]

On the upside, it comes out in 2013 (if that) Who knows in what state the BioWare brand will be by then

[rk47]

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.”

[tmp]

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.

I reckon Lord British would demand a separate label all of his own, yes.

[Velorath]

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.”

Does anybody really give a shit about PR speak outside of finding things to bitch about on the Internet?

[rk47]

NO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BITCH IN THE INTERNET.

OFF WORK. GTG. BYE!

XD

Edit: They could've given something else, other than the lip service. Like..what direction are they taking the franchise to? Return to modern battle? Seperate from the Tiberium storyline? Something to juggle the minds of fans alike. Something to hope for.

'Emotionally Engaging' is totally not the way to describe C&C: Generals and totally shows how much of a fuck was given by the original Bio-devs anyway. It was totally EA decision to whore out their names to every product. I can't wait for David Gaider's FIFA 2015 already. When is it out, EA?

[Mrbloodworth]

OK, Graphical update.

Anything else to add? I still see end of nations as more of a CnC.

[rk47]

    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.

But what about the storyline?

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.

  out of 5

[Margalis]

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.

[lamaros]

"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?

[Velorath]

"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?

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?

[Ingmar]

But what about the storyline?

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.

  out of 5

Given that this says nothing about the storyline, I don't really get what you're so up about?

[rk47]

I'm more  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.

[Teleku]

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'd say Red Alert 2.  That game was spectacular fun, and very popular.  After that its pretty much been pure shit.

[UnSub]

I'm more  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.

You're incorrect - the maps are free, but you'll pay $5 for the story. 

[lamaros]

"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?

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.

Not that was in any way my point. I was just talking about the marketing language that is used and how it is really pointless given what people want out of their games.

[Margalis]

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.

Or pleasing their boss, or meeting a schedule, or trying to meet a projected metacritic score, etc. The higher up you get in an organization the less likely the people are to value fun over other things (or even know or care what a fun game is) and the lower you go the more people have to worry about day to day things etc.

[lamaros]

I mean blizzard has cancelled games because they supposedly didn't think they were fun, and the mantra for adding stuff to the game was supposedly 'make it awesome and balance it later'...

And meeting stones were still in the game for ages.

[Fordel]

Those god damn retard rocks 



Lamaros and Margalis covered it basically, just because you are making video games, doesn't mean all the usual office bullshit goes away. It's arguably worse in some ways.

[eldaec]

I actually liked Generals the game, the lore was goddamn retarded.