Rumor: Command & Conquer 4 could feature persistent RPG mechanics
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jun 22nd 2009 at 8:00PM } 
Well? How about it? If this online survey -- conducted by British marketing firm 2CV -- is to be believed, the next Command & Conquer game could feature "innovative" RPG features, as well as co-operative multiplayer. The survey goes on to suggest that the RPG features will be persistent throughout your entire C&C4 career, with experience points accumulating constantly over successive games, allowing you to unlock new "units, powers and upgrades."
The survey also mentions taking control of "the first ever mobile base in RTS games" (guess they didn't play Warcraft 3, then,) as well as a class system, co-op gameplay and 5-v-5 multiplayer. Basically, it sounds like an MMO. Is that what you want from the next Command & Conquer? Be sure to let EA know.
Of course, none of these features are confirmed and any number of them could be shelved between now and the game actually being announced. Check out the second screenshot after the break for the full list of potential features.
[Thanks Jake!]
The survey also mentions taking control of "the first ever mobile base in RTS games" (guess they didn't play Warcraft 3, then,) as well as a class system, co-op gameplay and 5-v-5 multiplayer. Basically, it sounds like an MMO. Is that what you want from the next Command & Conquer? Be sure to let EA know.
Of course, none of these features are confirmed and any number of them could be shelved between now and the game actually being announced. Check out the second screenshot after the break for the full list of potential features.
[Thanks Jake!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ballistic H @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:11PM
I guess Dawn of War II inspired them.
jaloonz @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:40AM
Age of Empires III had a persistent level system with a unlockable set prior to DoW II. It was very fun and impressive and I admit that I would like to see future RTS adopt a similar card based system.
sp23hagbard5 @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:11PM
let me hear you say: that's that shit
Einhanderkiller @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:17PM
Sounds appealing to me. The multiplayer persistent RPG mechanics would definitely be pretty innovative for the RTS market. Dawn of War II did something like this, but it was single-player-only.
Geist @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:27PM
I don't know if this is good. It's fine to an extent, but with RTS's the skill difference between the good and the not-good is already so large, adding rpg elements would make things even worse.
And I'm even a whore for these kinds of elements normally.
MrKlorox @ Jun 23rd 2009 12:16AM
Just cause it's in the campaign doesn't mean it will carry over to the PvP multiplayer.
MrKlorox @ Jun 23rd 2009 12:18AM
@MrKlorox: It helps to understand what you read before forming opinions. Nevermind.
MrKlorox @ Jun 23rd 2009 12:19AM
Ah crap. Nevermind. Didn't fully read it. Also, wonky comment system for the FTL.
Ojman @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:29PM
Just please not the cartoony style of RA3. I'm sure it was a great game, I just didn't dig it. Everything else looked so nice especially the water and then along came the uints...
PeterF @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:55PM
I agree. CNC3 was SO much better than RA3. I usually buy every CNC game and RA3 was the first I didn't buy.
Kael @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:33PM
This stuff sounds great to me. I told them as much when I took the survey a few days ago. Now we just need them to announce the game! Think it will come out in March of next year or something?
LokeSTL @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:36PM
LOL at RPG features. RPG is just a tag nowadays. They'll slap a point system of some kind and some cut-scenes on it and call it an RPG hybrid. Until they have a math-based battle mechanic, it's still an RTS regardless of what "features" they paste around it. Whatev.......
MrKlorox @ Jun 23rd 2009 12:14AM
Even RPG is a misnomer. RPG shouldn't mean dice rolls, it should mean playing the role of a specific character as if you were him. If I was just now getting into gaming, I would be thoroughly confused by the inappropriately misleading acronyms.
LokeSTL @ Jun 23rd 2009 1:23AM
In early video gaming, RPG was used to define turn-based mathematical combat reminiscent of what was used in the dice games. A story wasn't necessary and could, in fact, be made up as the game was played (or left to the players imagination). As video RPGs progressed, story and other mechanics like synthesis, weapons customization, and mini-games were introduced. These mechanics, also referred to these days as "RPG elements", are now fused into other game genres. These games, sometimes called RPG hybrids, don't have a turn-based mathmatical combat system, and so are not RPGs at all. My point is that this game is RTS as long as the combat system is RTS. Everything outside of that is just marketing.
Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:38PM
I wanted Generals 2!
=(
IvanP91 @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:04PM
Me too. I was playing Generals a week ago over lan.
HSOL @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:22PM
I though they confirmed that they were making generals 2. Generals is by far the best C&C game.
Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:23PM
If you can find confirmation, I would be very grateful :)
AtomicPlayboy @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:51PM
And Generals already had a character advancement system in the form of star ranks. I really wish we could get Generals 2 before more of the pretty lackluster Tiberian series.
Bobs @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:57PM
Oh man I'm not the only one. I usually get slammed by C&C fans for saying that Generals is the best C&C.
I love the settings/theme of Generals. I hope the 2nd one does come out!
zero @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:56AM
Keep da cywinders oiled!
Andrew @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:48PM
Starcraft also had movable bases... only for Terran, but still
Ignatius @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:01PM
I guess if you called them out on it, they would say that the base wasn't completely mobile, which is sort of true...
ganderman13 @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:55PM
NO.
CnC is one of the few RTS games out there that still has hardcore, traditional gameplay. I'm not saying that innovation is bad, but someone's gotta keep the old-school RTS alive.
Foetoid @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:14PM
Yeah since DOW2 butchered the winning formula of the first one, i have to agree.
ganderman13 @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:03PM
I don't know, I actually kinda like Dawn of War 2. The original was fun, but it always seemed like it wasn't quite sure what kind of game it wanted to be. The sequel actually took a firm direction and had some fun gameplay, even if it wasn't your typical rts.
But personally I think that CnC needs to keep doing what it does well, and not try to copy other franchises just because those games were successful too.
NeoK-182 @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:56PM
i just did this survey too and i'm really looking forward to hearing more about this. The RPG aspect is incredibly intriguing and i think could be an awesome addition to C&C, if it's done right.
Ignatius @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:59PM
I didn't know CnC4 would be the end of the GDI vs Nod (and Scrin) story... that sucks.
mr nimblewick @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:33PM
That's too bad. The RPG elements in Warcraft 3 were the reasons I hated that game.
External Gazer @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:13PM
Yeah, I actually GOT this survey in my email. I'm psyched.
External Gazer @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:22PM
Yeah, I actually GOT this survey in my email. I'm psyched.
External Gazer @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:23PM
Er, sorry for the double post, power went out :/
Mike @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:30PM
EA is a client of 2VC...this is just a feeler survey to help steer development decisions towards something that has good sales potential. Rumor or not, I doubt a survey like this would be performed (or contracted by EA) if the development decisions had already been set in stone.
zod000 @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:31PM
Supreme Commander also had a mobile base for one of the factions (UEF). I do like the idea of the persistent "RPG" features if done right.
MrKlorox @ Jun 23rd 2009 12:10AM
C&C is finally leaving the mid 1990's! It's about freaking time. Greg Kasavin, I hope this is your doing. Next stop, no more fucking bases!
RichChap @ Jun 23rd 2009 12:27PM
no co-op please.
Also, if the player progression thing works like it did in COD4, not making it unbalanced, I'd love to see it, it would for sure extend the life of the multiplayer experience.
Blbpaws @ Jul 8th 2009 7:37PM
We broke this story three days before you first reported it. Next time, source your stuff before you rip it from other folks' sites (and no, we're not the "Jake" you mentioned). As a fan of your site and an advocate of the role online media plays in the video game industry, I expected better.
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/newscomments.asp?NewsID=1760
and http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/newscomments.asp?NewsID=1761
Destructive Damien @ Jul 10th 2009 9:40PM
"i just did this survey too and i'm really looking forward to hearing more about this. The RPG aspect is incredibly intriguing and i think could be an awesome addition to C&C, if it's done right."
If they do it similar to the RPG aspect in Rise of Legends, then it should be very good, btw the story had to end sometime, just hoping it doesn't suck like: Nod launches missile and everyone dies kind of thing. It's kind of ok if scrin end up enslaving the human race, that wouldn't be bad, but not that good either.