... the only thing stopping me from doing it [adding new factions] on any sequel is memory. I've been told by my engineers that for Supreme Commander 2, I don't have enough memory in a PC with 4GB of RAM to have more factions.

Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance is a standalone sequel to SupCom that will feature over 100 new units, a new single-player campaign, and an entirely new faction taking up arms in the Infinite War, as was hinted at by events in the first installment.

"Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance is not only the continuation of the epic story that is unfolding inside the game's universe, it is the continuation of our goal to move the bar for RTS gaming even higher than ever," says Chris Taylor, CEO of Gas Powered Games

THQ unveils Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance [Eurogamer]

"Projects include PC titles within the Supreme Commander franchise, PC titles with original IP and something new - an original IP that is the company's first next-generation console project"

Gas Powered Games confirms console project [GamesIndustry.biz]

THQ and Gas Powered Games' new RTS, Supreme Commander, is the brainchild of Total Annihilation veteran Chris Taylor. And it's also the topic of our Frankenreview for this week: the only review you will ever need to read about SC, complete with a money back guarantee of total review supremecy. So hit the jump to see if Taylor's new game is any good. Hint: it's really freakin' good.

Sci Fi Weekly
Where conventional RTS games split tactical and strategic layers into a "zoomed-in" tactical window and a strategic "zoomed-out" minimap, Supreme Commander integrates both into a single, uninterrupted view. Want to see the entire map at once? Roll the mousewheel back a few times. Close-up? Roll it forward...As the zoom range increases, your planes, ships and infantry transform into tiny 2-D symbols...like figures on a half-time whiteboard...[it's] Supreme Commander's essential claim to inspiration.

Eurogamer
Just be warned - it's an exhausting game...In striving to be the ultimate RTS, it accentuates everything that those don't get on with strategy games despise the most. It's a game of constant management on multiple fronts, of the paper-rock-scissors combat mechanic, of tactical thinking and total familiarity with each of its many units. It's the Bible of RTSes - one man's revered tome is another's tedious gibberish...It's admirable consistency on the game's part, but sometimes, I just wish that it'd give me a bit of a break.

Actiontrip
Supreme Commander features impressive looking explosions and highly detailed unit models, on top of a variety of additional visual effects...[but] anybody out there not packing a dual-core rig and a reasonably powerful GPU, is in for frequent frame-rate issues (as soon as units start appearing in hundreds on the battlefield) ...[but] players will become hooked on Supreme Commander's fluent gameplay, without worrying about the game's overall appearance.

Strategy Informer
AI is always the Achilles heel for RTS games, and even Supreme Commander cannot escape...it can fall short on occasions especially if island battles are involved, they'll pour out ground units but then 'forget' to actually transport them. This means you'll be seeing a real mess pile up on their shores, which can become easy pickings for some well placed battleships off the shoreline...it can also hinder performance as the computer becomes bogged down with so many creations needing CPU time.

Rocky Mountain News
My favorite aspect of Supreme Commander is how well it handles the issuing and queuing of multiple commands.It's easy to tell one unit to go out and build a factory, then repair a unit, then build some wall, then reclaim destroyed units without having to follow it around, constantly issuing new orders.And it's just as easy to command multiple squads of units from around the map to launch a coordinated attack on a single target...[but] I found the single-player campaigns; there is one lengthy campaign for each faction, unnecessarily limited.

Command Supremecy sounds like a keeper if you are an RTS buff and have the computer to handle it. Too bad I only fit one of those two categories. Mark Wilson

Wow, that was fast.

As Blue's News notes, and I discovered last night, Gas Powered Games has a patch our for their real-time strategy Supreme Commander. This first patch deals with a lot of minor issues and has some very nice, fan-inspired, upgrades.

In particular, GPG added a new minimalist user interface to address all of those gamers complaining about the one the game shipped with sucking up so much real estate on the screen. The patch also does some early balancing and tweaks to stop exploits.

Unfortunately, the patch doesn't address the issue with the game crashing and desyncing during online play. I played two games online last night, both hours long, and both desynced and crashed during what was certainly going to be the end game. Talk about frustrating.

One of the things that has always set TA apart from the rest was the fact that the people who played it, I think, didn't feel as rushed, taking their time building up elaborate cities and defense systems before really going head-to-head. So it's doubly annoying when all of that vanishes in a desync.

While I love that Gas Powered Games is so on top of exploits and cosmetic tweaks, they really need to put some ASAP work in on this major issue. Brian Crecente

Supreme Commander Patch [Blue's News]

• flOw (PS3) Jenova Chen's trippy swim and eat finally arrives on a home console.
• Crackdown (X360)
  Fight crime! Throw cars and junk!
• Supreme Commander (PC)
  Real Time strategy form the creator of Total Annihilation
• Sonic and the Secret Rings (WII)
  The spiky haired hedgehog makes his premier appearance on the Wii
• NBA Street Homecourt (X360)
  EASports keeps it coming with the fourth entry in their NBA franchise.
• War Front: Turning Point (PC)
  An alternate WWII where Hitler is dead sets the tone for this PC game.
• Maelstrom (PC)
  Fight aliens in a post apocalyptic future
• Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3)
  Punch and kick your way to victory!
• Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja (DS)
  A new RPG with best title ever.
• UFO: Extraterrestrials (PC)
  More strategic alien battling

Flynn De Marco

GamesIndustry reports that Gas Powered Games, still entrenched in the final tweaks for Supreme Commander development, are already hard at work on hyping their next title: a console comedy.

You've previously worked as a stand-up comedian. Would you ever do a comedy game? Do you think that's worthwhile?

"Actually, well, we've got something we think is going to be very funny, very entertaining... When you get this next game, a couple years from now, and you're like, 'Okay, finally, I get to check out what this guy's talking about,' you're going to sit back, you're going to relax, you're going to enjoy yourself. And you're going to go, 'Oh, I know what he means now.' That's the next thing I want to try to do."

Very funny indeed...Brian Crecente

Powered Up [GamesIndustry, via 1Up]

Blue's News reports that the Supreme Commander pre-order DVD is now available at GameStop and EB Games.

The pre-order comes with:

Collectible lenticular postcard with a message from Chris Taylor
The Making of Supreme Commander Video Documentary
Video mission briefing with Chris Taylor
3 original tracks from the game
Fan website kit
Exclusive wallpapers

The real-time strategy hits PCs on Feb. 20 and I can't wait. I'm such an RTS whore. Brian Crecente

Supreme Commander Preorders [Blue's News]

The entire list of playable games on the DICE "show floor" were: Crysis, Supreme Commander, Company of Heroes, Viva Pinata, Gears of War, Motorstorm (the PlayStation Store demo), Hellgate London, Sam & Max, and Robotron. The Age of Conan MMO was present, but would error out every time I tried to fire up the executable. Such a tease!

I did take one more spin through the Crysis demo, previously playable at CES. Unfortunately, the machines were a little less beefy and led to some noticeable slowdown.

Alright, so maybe there were a handful of unreleased titles on the show floor. What can I say? I'm spoiled and love to bitch! Michael McWhertor

God, this game makes me wish someone would just go out and invent already the cybernetic brain interface required for me to actually be able to beat an RTS game. The deformed fetal nubs that have replaced my arms after a life-time of subterranean basement sloth aren't really good for the rapid-fire pressings of a foreign language of hot keys.

Only complaint about this amazing trailer? Where's Derek Smart?

Hit the jump for a selection from the list and the game details.

Buena Vista Games

— Desperate Housewives - from Buena Vista Games is a lifestyle
simulation PC game based on the top-rated, Golden
Globe-winning ABC-TV series, produced by Touchstone
Television. In the Desperate Housewives game, players take on
the role of a new housewife who moves into Wisteria Lane and
unlocks the delicious scandals hidden in the seemingly
"perfect" neighborhood. Brenda Strong will lend her voice as
the game's narrator Mary Alice Young.

Hudson Entertainment Inc.

— "Flight Game" - Nintendo Revolution - Take to the skies in a
way never before experienced on any home console. Using the
Revolution's "Gesture System" built into their innovative
controller, Hudson's new "Flight Game" allows total plane
control as players pilot their planes through various
acrobatic flight maneuvers ranging from sky artistry to bomb
drops.

— Dungeon Explorer - 360, PSP - (360) Dungeon Explorer is based
on the acclaimed action series made originally for the
TurboGrafx console. This completely revamped and re-envisioned
game captures all the action RPG glory of the original, as
well as expanding on the multiplayer elements that made the
game so popular. With a new dark fantasy setting, along with
randomly generated maps, completely customizable characters,
and Xbox Live support, Dungeon Explorer 360 is the ultimate
fantasy game experience! (PSP) Summon 3 of your closest
friends and let the adventure begin again - this time in the
palm of your hands!

— Bomberman Act Zero - 360 - Bomberman makes its triumphant
debut on Xbox 360! With an all new storyline and shocking new
dark themes, Bomberman: Act Zero is set in a post-apocalyptic
world where cyborgs are pitted against cyborgs in a duel to
the death. This sleek new vision of Bomberman pits up to 4
players against each other in a fight to the death. Published
by Konami

— Rengoku 2 - PSP - Return to the dystopian world of Rengoku! In
this hard-hitting sequel for the PSP, players will once again
journey to the top of the world, battling cyborgs and robots
along the way. With network support for up to 4 players, more
levels, an explosive soundtrack, and character designs by
legendary manga artist, Jun Suemi, Rengoku 2 serves up a deep,
challenging action experience not to be missed! Published by
Konami

— Bob Marley Burnin - Mobile - It's time to be jammin' with Bob
Marley - soccer style! Compete in two addictive soccer based
games: Extreme Juggle and Super Kick. Tired and need to relax?
Soak up the scenery and challenge yourself with Bob Marley
trivia. A unique game based on the king of Reggae!

— Bonk's Return - Mobile - Everyone's favorite caveman is back!
Based on the best selling and award winning console game, Bonk
Return's offers 13 new prehistoric levels of gameplay, 4
mini-games, and the return of an assortment of trademark moves
that made Bonk so famous.

Mythic Entertainment - Contact:Eddiemae Jukes, (415) 777-4000
eddiemae@kohnkecomm.com

— Warhammer(R) Online: Age of Reckoning(TM) (WAR) is the new
MMORPG, based on the popular Warhammer(R) fantasy world, from
the creators of Dark Age of Camelot(R). War is everywhere in
this next generation Realm vs. Realm(TM) (RvR) experience that
integrates PvP and PvE combat into a single seamless
experience. In a world dominated by force of arm and magic,
players experience the epic nature of war and the glory of
battle alongside thousands of other players. Every aspect of
the game, including PvE content, is geared towards the greater
war in some important way. WAR is coming in 2007!

Namco
— Super PAC-MAN by Namco - The ghost gang is at it again, but
never fear, Super PAC-MAN is here. Eat the keys to open the
doors, gobble up goodies, and clear the maze in this mobile
phone sequel to the 1982 hit arcade game. Chomp Super Pellet
to become the super-sized, super-fast Super PAC-MAN, or play
the Enhanced mode and get the power to FREEZE Ghosts, fool
them with a MIRROR PAC-MAN, and TELEPORT. Find out if our hero
will clear the maze by visiting Namco Networks in the South
Hall (booth South1068) and be one of the first to play Super
PAC-MAN.

— SNOOPY and the Red Baron - In his first appearance in a mobile
game, travel with Snoopy through the familiar Peanuts
neighborhood on his daring and imaginary missions as the World
War I Flying Ace. Capture the enemy's flag, Linus' security
blanket, and take flight against the elusive Red Baron. As
Snoopy, players will be able to interact in the Peanuts world
in a way that is true to their experience with the comics. Get
a hands-on preview of Snoopy and the Red Baron for mobile at
the Namco Networks booth (South 1068). PEANUTS (C) United
Feature Syndicate, Inc.

— Dragon Spirit by Namco - Swoop through the sky over
treacherous prehistoric landscapes in this mobile version of
Dragon Spirit by Namco Networks. Take to the air in nine vast
lands and battle through the gauntlet of flaming meteors and
flying creatures, spiting fire and ice to destroy your
enemies. Collect power-ups like the unstoppable flame blast,
multiple heads spewing greater quantities of firepower, and
two "ghost" dragons that help a player's cause. Find out if
you've got the dragon spirit at Namco Networks' booth (South
1068).

SNK
— THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2006 - SNK PLAYMORE (PlayStation(R)2): An
original3D fighting game designed specifically for home
consoles. The sequel to SNK's first 3D fighting game, THE KING
OF FIGHTERS: MAXIMUM IMPACT. Currently celebrating its twelfth
year as one of the most popular fighting video game franchises
in the history of gaming, the series' rich history continues
with several new characters, as well as many returning
favorites.

— METAL SLUG COLLECTION - SNK PLAYMORE (PlayStation(R)Portable):
Six incredible METAL SLUG games on one UMD celebrating the
10th Anniversary of the classic arcade franchise, METAL SLUG.
Included in the collection will be METAL SLUG, METAL SLUG 2,
METAL SLUG X, METAL SLUG 3, METAL SLUG 4, and METAL SLUG 5.
The METAL SLUG COLLECTION will be perfect translations of the
arcade classics and feature Wireless support for intense
two-player action.

— METAL SLUG - SNK PLAYMORE (Game Boy(R) Advance): Celebrating
the 10th Anniversary of the METAL SLUG franchise comes the
original first version entitled "Super Vehicle" to the Game
Boy Advance. Commanding the METAL SLUG super vehicle allows
you to gain tactical advantage in non-stop action packed 2D
missions. Battle classic over-the-top boss characters with a
huge array of weapons in order to challenge your skill.

THQ

— Company Of Heroes - From the studio that brought you the
blockbuster game of the year Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
comes the next revolution in action strategy. Company of
Heroes is a WWII Real Time Strategy game that brings to life
the journey of the brave men of Able Company as they fight
across Europe in the greatest war mankind has ever known.
Relic's proprietary next-gen Essence Engine provides
unprecedented graphics and physics complete with the
destruction of all terrain and buildings. 2-8 players MP
competition via Lan or Internet. WINNER Best Strategy Game of
E3 2005 - Game Critics' Best of E3 Awards, WINNER Best PC
Game, Best Strategy Game of E3 2005 - GameSpot

— Juiced: Eliminator - Juiced: Eliminator brings real street
racing to the PSP, taking advantage of the console's wireless
functionality to offer never-before-seen multiplayer games.
Expanding on the crew & pink-slip racing that helped establish
Juiced as a leader in the street-racing genre, the game offers
two new 'ad-hoc' multiplayer modes; Eliminator & Relay, 8 new
rival crew-chiefs & 2 new locations each with 8 unique tracks
and new cars with over 100 new body-kit components. Juiced:
Eliminator is scheduled to release for PSP in June 2006.

— Monster House - Do you have what it takes to save the
neighborhood? Based on the Columbia Pictures animated movie
Monster House(TM), the videogames will allow players to
experience key moments of the movie as they uncover the
mysteries of the house. Players will also take on unique
adventures as they explore a living breathing house full of
traps and mystery, inspired by the film. With three playable
characters, fans of the film will enjoy seeing the movie come
to life in their living rooms.

— MotoGP '06 - MotoGP'06 on Xbox 360 takes all the traditions of
its three Xbox predecessors and relaunches the franchise for
the next generation. Visual effects surpassing anything seen
before on any race game regardless of genre will be met with
new tracks, bike models, refined handling and Live!
functionality making this a truly fresh and aspirational title
even for hardened fans of the series. MotoGP '06 is scheduled
to release for Xbox 360 on 2nd June 2006. MotoGP '06 - a
Unique Angle on Racing.

— Warhammer 40,000(R) Dawn of War(TM) - Dark Crusade - The
highly anticipated second expansion pack to internal THQ
studio Relic Entertainment's critically acclaimed real-time
strategy hit Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, features an all
new single-player experience and 2 new races - The Necron and
The Tau - allowing the gamer to play all of the 7 races of the
Warhammer 40,000:

— Saint's Row - Saints Row is a truly explosive third person
action/shooter hybrid with a heavy driving element. It is the
only game in its genre that offers players unrivalled
character customization options and a multiplayer experience
through Xbox Live. In the game you play as a member of the 3rd
Street Saints on a mission to rise up the gang ranks and
eventually take over the city of Stilwater from rival gangs,
one section at a time. However, your actions have consequences
and it is up to you to decide how best to muscle your way to
the top.

— Titan Quest - From the co-creator of Age of Empires, Brian
Sullivan, comes an all-new action role-playing game set in the
mythical worlds of ancient Greece and Egypt. Amazing visuals
and fast-action gameplay deliver a true cinematic gaming
experience. Lush ancient world settings crafted in near-photo
realistic detail provide the player with an extraordinary
canvas on which to set forth on an epic quest of the ultimate
good versus evil.

— Supreme Commander - The world of Supreme Commander is the next
generation in RTS to deliver truly strategic as well as
tactical gameplay. Using mind-blowing scale along with
unrivalled zoom & control features, the game breathes new life
into the RTS genre. Developed by Chris Taylor, creator of
Total Annihilation, one of the greatest games of all time,
Supreme Commander offers a unique storyline, innovative
gameplay and infinite multiplayer battles online.

— WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 - Don't just watch it - live it!
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 lets players experience the thrill
of being a WWE Superstar like never before with key new
features, incredible graphics and intense WWE action in and
beyond the ring. Stop by the THQ booth at E3 to learn how the
#1 wrestling video game in the world delivers the next
generation of WWE video games when it ships for the
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox
360 beginning this fall.