Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section contains information about an unreleased video game. The content may change substantially as more information becomes available. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details. |
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | EA Los Angeles |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Series | Command & Conquer (main) Red Alert (sub-series) |
| Engine | RNA[1] |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Xbox 360 |
| Release date | Windows & Xbox 360: Holiday season 2008[2] PlayStation 3: On Hold[3] |
| Genre(s) | Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Co-operative, multiplayer |
| Media | DVD |
| Input methods | Keyboard, mouse, Xbox 360 controller |
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is an upcoming real-time strategy video game in the Command & Conquer series published by Electronic Arts, and the first game in the Red Alert sub-series since Yuri's Revenge, released in 2001. The game is currently under development by EA Los Angeles for Microsoft Windows-based PCs and Xbox 360. A PlayStation 3 version was announced, but it's been confirmed by EA that the production has been put on "hold"[3]. It was announced on February 14, 2008. The game takes place in a parallel universe in which the Soviet Union still exists and World War III is ongoing among the Soviets, Allies and a new third faction known as the Empire of the Rising Sun, which is derived from Imperial Japan.[4][5]
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
After the events of Red Alert 2 the leadership of the doomed Soviet Union devises a plan to travel back in time and assassinate Albert Einstein[6] (whose own time travels led to the events of the previous two games) in order to change history and restore the Soviet Union as a world power. However, during the mission, something goes quickly and horribly wrong and an alternate timeline is inadvertently created, which alters the technological evolution and creates a new, technologically advanced superpower in the East, known as the Empire of the Rising Sun. And thus, World War III breaks out among the Soviets, the Allies and the Empire and is fought with exotic weaponry such as "Tesla coils, heavily armed War Blimps, teleportation, armored bears, intelligent dolphins, floating island fortresses, and transforming tanks".[4]
In the Red Alert games, it is asserted that Adolf Hitler was prevented from rising to power, which prevented Nazi Germany from forming and prevented World War II as we know from taking place (Joseph Stalin is the main aggressor against Europe in that timeline).
[edit] Gameplay
Red Alert 3 features a fully co-operative campaign mode where the player can team up with another player, or one of several AI characters such as Major Giles, a stiff upper lip British commander, to complete the campaign. The game brings back the Red Alert series' light-hearted style and classic action-oriented gameplay, while maintaining the fast-paced C&C gameplay of the latest titles.[4]
The factions in the game have been confirmed[7] by executive producer Chris Corry to emphasize Red Alert's traditional "light-hearted, colourful" feel by making their differences even more pronounced than in previous Red Alerts. Corry says Red Alert 3 will "[play] up the silliness in their faction design whenever possible". New units for the Soviets include an armoured attack bear that is able to use a parachute drop to ambush foes, Tesla boats known as "Stingrays", anti-infantry spider-like tanks called "Sickles" that have the ability to jump over terrain elevations and a transport unit called the "Bullfrog" that evacuates its passengers using a large "man cannon". The Allies receive a new Tanya unit that is equipped with a "time belt", allowing her to transport herself to the past in order to regain health and new "Assault Destroyers", that have the ability to walk on land as well as the ocean. The Empire of the Rising Sun has "Macross"-esque units that have the ability to transform, should the need arise.
Naval warfare, a feature which has been largely forgotten in the Command & Conquer series since Red Alert 2, has also been retooled. Corry has stated many units are now amphibious, trading effectiveness for increased flexibility compared to ground-only units. In addition, bases are now able to be built mostly on water with the MCV featured in every Command and Conquer RTS now being able to move and deploy on water. Resource collection can be performed on water, and players who "ignore the ocean [are] likely forfeiting a significant part of their potential economy to their opponents".
Full motion videos featuring real-life actors true to the C&C-style will be featured in the campaign-mode. Filming has been scheduled for April 2008.
[edit] Cast
As of June 2008, little information is available regarding cast and characters to be featured in the game. At present, only the following are confirmed:
[edit] Soviet Union
- Natasha Volkova A folksinger and Commando, Volkova is a legendary sniper with a great reputation for marksmanship. According to the game, her talent was supposedly discovered at a young age, but questions exist as to her identity, personality, and abilities, with some suspecting that aspects of these may have been fabricated for the purposes of propaganda. Her precise role in the campaign has yet to be confirmed, but Volkova will appear in cut scenes and as a playable character. She will be portrayed by Gina Carano. [8][9]
[edit] Development
A third Red Alert game was unofficially announced by Electronic Arts' then executive producer and C&C lead Mark Skaggs in December 2004, shortly after the release of Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth.[10] However, Mark Skaggs left Electronic Arts for reasons unspecified shortly thereafter, and there was no mention of a "Red Alert 3" until February 12, 2008, when the US PC Gamer's April issue cover was published on the Internet featuring the cover story "Red Alert 3".[11] Red Alert 3 was then officially announced by Electronic Arts on February 14, 2008.[4] On May 17 the first trailer was released.
[edit] Soundtrack
No mention of the nature or composer of the soundtrack was made during the initial announcements; initial fan reaction however indicated a desire for long term series composer Frank Klepacki to return for the game. When interviewed regarding the matter, Klepacki indicated a strong desire to do so, but admitted that due to the fact that he is no longer being employed by Electronic Arts and currently works for Petroglyph Games this may be contractually impossible.[12]
In the April issue of PC Gamer, it is stated: "Frank Klepacki's iconic 'Hell March' theme music from Red Alert will be updated for RA3."
[edit] Public beta testing
The press release advises that PC users can become eligible for the multiplayer beta testing program by purchasing a copy of Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath or the Command & Conquer 3 Limited Collection, and registering a special code contained within these before September 15, 2008. Specific dates for the beta testing sessions are going to be announced this summer.[4][13]
[edit] References
- ^ Red Alert Den. Den Games Network. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Rob Purchese (2008-03-19). Red Alert 3 coming this "holiday". Eurogamer. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ a b EA puts Red Alert 3 PS3 on hold. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
- ^ a b c d e EA REWRITES HISTORY IN COMMAND & CONQUER: RED ALERT 3. Electronic Arts (2008-02-14). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ Red Alert 3 in PC Zone. Code Red 3 (2008-02-23). Retrieved on 2008-02-24.
- ^ Command And Conquer: Red Alert 3 Preview, IGN, May 27 2008.
- ^ Fordham, A: "PC Powerplay #150", page 31. Next Publishing, 2008.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Gina Carano as Natasha in Red Alert 3
- ^ The Next C&C Game: A Red Alert Title!. Planet CnC (2004-12-06). Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
- ^ HeXetic (2008-02-12). Red Alert 3 Announced (again). PlanetCNC. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ Frank Klepachi - Exclusive Interview. Evo Gamer (2008-02-15). Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
- ^ Red Alert 3 beta. Electronic Arts (2008-02-14). Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
[edit] External links
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
