C&C TV: BattleCast Primetime Episode 1 [Command & Conquer TV via CustomPC]

Major Nelson just announced a map pack, developer interviews and some picture packs for Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars.

The creatively names Map Pack One includes Black's Bigger Battle, Tiber River Valley, Frontier Fracas, Tiberium Gardens III and Tournament Desert Redux. All of the maps, which include 1v1 and 2v2, are playable in single-player skirmish mode as well. The 500 point pack isn't available in Japan.

Hit up Major Nelson for a run down of the other stuff you can get for free or buy. Brian Crecente

Command and Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars content (some Free) [Major Nelson]

I haven't had a chance to check out the game yet, but, oh, I'm going to. I'll try to post up some impressions once I get a chance to play through it for a bit. Until then you can make due with these lovely Xbox 360 screens from the game. Brian Crecente

A documentary just hit the Xbox 360 that shows the making of Command & Conquer cinematics. The 20 minute documentary includes interviews with the actors, cinematographers, and costume designers that created the Tiberium cheesefest we all know so well and love. Brian Crecente

Trailer: "Behind the Lines" Documentary [Major Nelson]

That's why for this week's Frankenreview we're covering Westwood's sequel to Tiberian Sun (released 8 years ago already, btw), Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars. It's not just another RTS. It's another RTS with campy video. (And I mean that as a compliment).

So what did the "experts" have to say?

Yahoo
This is probably the first Westwood style RTS that has almost everything you could want. It has hotkeys, easy unit selection options, ample visual cues, solid tactical AI, useful unit stances, formations, big obvious buttons, and helpful tool tips. You can even set an adjustable speed slider for multiplayer games and skirmishes. Cranked way down, Command & Conquer 3 is absolutely languid.
Gamespot
Some of the maps and textures are somewhat bland, but you aren't bound to care for long...In the most extreme battles, your screen will fill with mighty blasts and streams of lasers, as if you were the main player in a sci-fi action film. Amazingly, the game's performance never suffers, with few noticeable drops in frame rate and brief loading times.

Eurogamer
It's not really even trying to be a serious RTS - it just wants to live up to its name. You command, usually by drawing a big rectangle around everything on screen, and then you conquer, usually by then right-clicking on an enemy power station so their defences run out of juice and you can then kill everything else...this C&C is about entertaining rather than challenging.

Games Rader
Right off the bat, you'll notice how fast the game plays. Even at the default setting, there is little time for planning what you will build next or in which direction you will expand. Get a build order memorized and go, go, go; this is one of the most frantic real time-strategies in recent years....This is good, in a way, since it means you'll get to the action quickly.

Games For Windows (1up)
The last time we saw live bodies in a game was...what, last century?...Whether it's Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) preaching you up in punky fishnets, Josh Holloway (Lost) drawling like everyone's favorite Southern-fried wiseass...personality's the reason why you really can't miss Tiberium Wars...[it's a] revival of steely actors staring you straight in the eye and declaiming "Save our bacon or else!"... Consequently, this sequel...has something that most of its peers don't: personality.
I miss the early CD titles and their obsession with awkward, cheesy live action video. So this is a must-buy in my book...though I'm waiting for the 360 version. Mark Wilson

As long as this won't slow down gameplay I am so all over this live video in the middle of gameplay. The best part, being able to humiliate the losers after the game is over, in real time. Brian Crecente

Command & Conquer 3: Xbox Live Cam Gameplay Video [1p Start]

Wow, this looks fun, though I'm not sure yet if I'm going to like it less or more than Supreme Commander. Why do they have to bunch these amazing RTSes together? Brian Crecente

No more info on the alien race has been leaked, but GFW subscribers should start tackling their mailman and pulling their copies from his bag to get a look. Non-subscribers should either sign up, wait for the press embargo to expire or sneak a peek at more pics at the Gamespot forums. Michael McWhertor

OFFICIAL the new race is... (GFW magazine) [via BluesNews]

Electronic Arts just confirmed that Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars is being developed for the Xbox 360.

"The Command & Conquer series finally makes its return to the console after seven years," said Mike Verdu, Executive Producer at EALA. "C&C 3 will help expand the RTS genre on the Xbox 360, building off of the foundation laid by the development of The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II. EA is evolving the console controls so that strategy gaming plays and feels native to the platform."

"C&C 3 is a perfect fit for the Xbox 360," said Mike Glosecki, Senior Producer at EALA. "Xbox 360 players will enjoy the action-packed online play and watching the epic Sci-Fi story of the game unfold as they play through the single player campaign."

Since the game is being developed by EA LA, who made The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II for the console, I suspect it will use the same or a very similar engine. Which, I think, worked quite well. Hopefully, they will polish it a bit for C&C, but overall I think this is good news.

Both the PC and 360 versions are supposed to hit next year. Brian Crecente

A day after the rumors mills starting buzzing around speculation of a Command & Conquer 3, Electronic Arts has made it official.

Comand & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars will take place in teh Tiberium Universe and feature good old fashioned real-time strategy gamplay. The game, in development by the EALA studio, will ship in 2007 and support online play, voice chat, clan support and some new game play modes.

Hit the jump for the full release.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 20, 2006 - The epic struggle between the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and The Brotherhood of NOD continues...and the third Tiberium War is about to begin. Welcome back, Commander. Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Command & Conquer , the groundbreaking series that put the Real-time Strategy (RTS) genre on the map, is returning in full force with Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars*. This highly-anticipated next chapter takes the popular series back to its roots in the Tiberium universe and features the fast, fluid gameplay that Command & Conquer is known for and a gripping story that will redefine storytelling in RTS games.

It is 2047 and the stakes could not be higher. Tiberium-a self-replicating alien substance that has infected the Earth-is spreading like a radioactive ice age. The GDI, a high-tech alliance of the world's most advanced nations, is fighting to contain Tiberium, but Kane, the megalomaniacal leader of The Brotherhood of NOD has other plans for Earth. Kane's secret society turned superpower is bent on using Tiberium to take control and transform humanity into his twisted vision of the future. All-out war rages over Tiberium and the fate of the planet rests in the balance.

"Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars combines fast-paced gameplay with new ways to tell a story in an RTS game," said Mike Verdu, Executive Producer at EA Los Angeles (EALA). "We're building a next generation Command & Conquer game that is true to the spirit of this classic franchise, but is updated with state-of-the-art visuals, added strategic depth, and gameplay innovations that will move the genre forward. I am very excited to be working on this amazing game."

"We have been waiting to reveal this game for quite some time and are thrilled to bring the series back to where it all began," said Louis Castle, VP of Creative Development at EA Los Angeles (EALA) and co-founder of Westwood Studios, creator of the Command & Conquer series. "The Tiberium universe is a personal favorite of mine, and this saga's new direction will prove to be a worthy addition to one of the most celebrated RTS franchises."

Experience a revolution in RTS gaming with a breakthrough single player campaign that rewards you for your gameplay style. Add layers of strategy to your gaming experience by building mobile bases, wielding the power of terrifying Ion Storms on the battlefield, or customizing your armies by combining units. Battle it out online with native voice-over IP, integrated clan support, and new spectator modes that let you play RTS games like a sport.

Currently in development at EALA, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars will ship in 2007 for Windows PC. This product is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars or the Command & Conquer series, please visit www.CommandAndConquer.EA.com.

* working title