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Generals 2 Becomes the Genesis of EA's New Free-to-play Command & Conquer Service
Post by Dan @ 12:10am 16/08/12 | 35 Comments
In a somewhat confusing turn of events, EA has revealed at GamesCom that Command & Conquer Generals 2, a game the published had previously announced as a traditional retail title, will now instead be used as the basis of a new free-to-play platform that it intends to build the remainder of the popular RTS franchise around into the future.
The previously announced Command & Conquer Generals 2 has been transformed to be a part of this new digital experience, giving gamers complete access to the cutting-edge visuals, sound and destruction of a full, AAA strategy game – for free. The new online platform and service will launch in 2013, with the Generals universe representing the first of many free offerings within the storied franchise EA is planning to launch with Command & Conquer.

With a familiar blend of cerebral, strategic gameplay and fun, fast-paced action, Command & Conquer will deliver an authentic and modern RTS experience that will instantly exhilarate longtime fans and captivate new players.
The game is still being built on Battlefield 3's powerful Frostbite 2.0 technology, and is still under development at the newly-formed BioWare Victory studio, but early reports suggest that the singleplayer component of what would have been the retail game has been discarded in the transition to becoming the "Generals" portion of this new Command & Conquer free-to-play service.

BioWare Victory GM Jon Van Caneghem explains the initiative as "creating a destination where our fans will be able to access the entire Command and Conquer universe, starting with Generals and continuing with Red Alert, Tiberium, and beyond", and player's are encouraged to register for a chance at open-beta access over at commandandconquer.com/free.

Watch the GamesCom 2012 trailer for Generals embedded below.












Latest Comments
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Dan
Posted 02:44pm 16/8/12
Nabbed the OP due to a lack of detail and didn't want to close the existing discussion.
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Whoop
Posted 05:49pm 16/8/12
I'm against any game that one player can get a leg-up by paying more. I don't think this applies to TF2 since the weapons/items you can buy don't make you play any better, they just give you options.
But something where you need 'gold' to do shit, and you can either earn gold through playing, or just pay for it - well that is unfair.

Similarly any game where a person that plays it 6 hours a day does better than someone plays it for 2 hours a day.... that's also shit!!! There should be a cap to how much you can get done in a week, so it doesn't reward assholes with no life that do the 48 hours with no eating thing. Maybe I should start a lobby group.

Most of my views are based on a brief Travian addiction I had about 4 years ago, which I am so grateful to have gotten out of. Many lessons were learned.


This has to be a troll, seriously.

wah wah wah life's not fair wah wah wah I want my game skills handed to me on a plate wah wah

You sound like the kind of person who would use an aimbot.
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Zapo
Posted 06:00pm 16/8/12
All those points are lovely Strik3r, but compared to the tact that Valve has taken for DOTA2 I just dont' see how you can compare the two.

Valve has the perfect system in my opinion, which obviously generates revenue but means the game is a level playing field from day dot. No unlocking shit, no pay a heap of money for heroes, just play the game and get rolled if you/your team is crap.

Defending LOL and it's clearly inferior system is madness! MADNESS I SAY!
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ctd
Posted 06:02pm 16/8/12
Whether is it pay to win or not, it will probably be shite either way. Stick to CoH.
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Trauma
Posted 06:29pm 16/8/12
Not planning, has implemented ;)Had planned 4 years ago though

lol ok, goes to show how many blizz games I play.
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Strik3r
Posted 08:00pm 16/8/12
All those points are lovely Strik3r, but compared to the tact that Valve has taken for DOTA2 I just dont' see how you can compare the two.

Valve has the perfect system in my opinion, which obviously generates revenue but means the game is a level playing field from day dot. No unlocking shit, no pay a heap of money for heroes, just play the game and get rolled if you/your team is crap.

Defending LOL and it's clearly inferior system is madness! MADNESS I SAY!


That Valve's model is superior in terms of value - I agree. Valve obviously can financially justify that model with that game and still turn a profit.

Obviously Riot can't or aren't willing to do the same. The model for LoL / HoN is still infinitely superior to many other F2P games where the free users are actually unable to access the top tier stuff no matter how long they play.
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BladeRunner
Posted 12:41am 17/8/12
I would pay for map packs or new faction/sub-factions. Something about paying for a new coat of paint or new texture/skin annoys me though. They could go a monthly sub model if they make the game free, like $5 PM where you get the whole game with all factions. A free version with only faction or something.
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