Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight

Rumors that the upcoming Command and Conquer 4 game might actually be the last in the series seem to be unfounded. However the next game in the RTS franchise might not be released in stores. Gamasutra reports they have obtained an internal memo from Electronic Arts stating they have hired Jon Van Caneghem to lead the C&C team with "a new digital model that is going to re-ignite the fan base for this franchise."

That likely means that EA is looking to create either a downloadable game that isn't sold in stores or perhaps a free-to-play model that's similar to their work on Battlefield Heroes. Jon Van Caneghem is best known for creating the Might and Magic RPG franchise. He was also the co-founder of the MMO developer Trion World Network but left under somewhat mysterious circumstances earlier this year.

Looks like GameSpot has the exclusive this time on a new PC closed beta test. It's for Electronic Arts' latest RTS title Command and Conquer 4. The multiplayer beta will let selected folks try out the new 5 versus 5 gameplay modes, the new units, the persistent leveling and more. However the beta is restricted to GameSpot's Total Access members which means that if you want in you will have to pony up at least a $5.95 monthly fee.

The site states that the beta will allow all GameSpot members, paid and free alike, to have access to the open beta test but that won't be coming until early 2010. So if you don't feel like paying a gaming web site a monthly fee you can wait a couple of months before access is granted. C&C 4 is due for release in stores on March 16.

Even with most of Earth rendered near uninhabitable, GDI and Nod still battle against each other for power and control. In this gameplay trailer, fans get to see all the major units from Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight in action, including plenty of mech units and mobile walking construction yards. There will also be a slight role-playing element, as players earn experience and spend point on unlocking different upgrades for units. The game is scheduled to release on March 16, 2010.

Download HD Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight Gameplay Trailer (172 MB)
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While rumors are still hitting the Internet about the fate of the Command and Conquer series after the release of Command and Conquer 4, publisher Electronic Arts is keeping its chip up, at least publicly, about the upcoming and latest game in the long running RTS series. Today EA announced that the game will ship to stores in the US on March 16. Europeans get the game a few days later on March 19.

People who pre-order the game now will be getting some extra bonuses such as access to the game's upcoming multiplayer beta test. They will also get the game's soundtrack, an extra single player mission that serves as a prequel to the game and perhaps coolest of all a signed autographed photo of Kane himself actor Joe Kucan.

Yesterday rumors hit the Internet that nearly the entire Command and Conquer RTS team will be laid off after the release of Command and Conquer 4. Publisher Electronic Arts has yet to make any official statements on the matter and Big Download's own inquires to EA's corporate PR reps have not been returned.

However there does appear to be some evidence that at least some of the C&C4 team has been laid off already with some fan sites naming specific team members. EA's community manager for the game "APOC" posted up a note on the fan site CNCNZ.com asking such sites to hold of on mentioning specific team members, saying, "These are real people with families and lives outside of work and its incredibly disrespectful (even as a fan) to mention names in such negative fashion."

APOC, who is apparently keeping his gig, finished his statement by saying, "Our development team is putting its heart and soul in to C&C 4, and while I cannot speak further to the situation, we are laser focused on getting the Beta rolling and continuing to propel the game further with your participation."

Yesterday's news that Electronic Arts would lay off an additional 1,500 workers by the end of March 2010 was a devastating blow to many of EA's employees. Rumors of immediate layoffs at several of the publisher's studios have still not been confirmed by the publisher. Now Kotaku is reporting that more layoff announcements may be coming including word that almost the entire Command and Conquer RTS team is on the chopping block.

According to their report, citiing unnamed sources, the C&C development team at EA's Los Angeles studio were warned that most of its members would be laid off after the release of Command and Conquer 4, which is slated for release in 2010. The report also states that layoffs are pending in other EA studios including Maxis (The Sims and Spore) and Pandemic (the upcoming Saboteur). Once again EA has yet to confirm if these reports are true.

As demonstrated by this developer video, Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight will be seeing some major changes coming to the series. Most prominently will be the inclusion of the Offensive Crawler, which serves as the player's identity on the battlefield. It also happens to be the player's radar, war factory and base jammed into an attack vehicle that can transform into a normal standing structure. Having an all-in-one building helps to reduce to the clutter of buildings often found in real-time strategy games and creates a lot more strategic flexibility and mobility. It's also fun to watch it blow up. C&C 4 is expected to release in 2010.

Download HD Command & Conquer 4 ' Crawler' Developer Video (162 MB)
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