Command & Conquer Red Alert 3

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is an upcoming real-time strategy video game in the Command & Conquer series published by Electronic Arts, and the first game in the Red Alert sub-series since Yuri’s Revenge, released in 2001. The game is currently under development by EA Los Angeles for Windows-based PCs, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 — it’s the first Command & Conquer real-time strategy title ever to be produced for the PlayStation 3. It was announced on February 14, 2008. The game takes place in a parallel universe in which the Soviet Union still exists and World War III is ongoing between the Soviets, Allies and a third faction known as the Empire of the Rising Sun, which is derived from Imperial Japan.

Synopsis

After the events in Red Alert 2, the leadership of the doomed Soviet Union devises a plan to travel back in time in order to change history and restore the Soviet Union as a world power. During the mission, something goes wrong and an alternate timeline is inadvertently created, which alters the technological evolution and creates a new superpower in the East known as the Empire of the Rising Sun. World War III begins among the Soviets, the Allies and the Empire and is fought with exotic weaponry such as “Tesla coils, heavily armed War Blimps, teleportation, armored bears, intelligent dolphins, floating island fortresses, and transforming tanks”.

In the Red Alert games, it is asserted that Adolf Hitler was killed before rising to power, which prevented Nazi Germany from forming and prevented World War II as we know from taking place (Josef Stalin is the main aggressor against Europe in that timeline).

Gameplay

Naval warfare is back in Red Alert 3.

Red Alert 3 features a fully co-operative campaign mode where the player can team up with another player or one of several AI characters such as Major Giles a stiff upper lip British AI commander to complete the campaign. The game brings back the Red Alert series’ light-hearted style and classic action-oriented gameplay, while maintaining the fast-paced C&C gameplay of the latest titles.

The factions in the game have been confirmed^[3] by executive producer Chris Corry to emphasize Red Alert’s traditional “light-hearted, colourful” feel by making their differences even more pronounced than in previous Red Alerts. Corry says Red Alert 3 will “[play] up the silliness in their faction design whenever possible”. New units for the Soviets include an armoured attack bear that is able to use a parachute drop to ambush foes, Tesla boats known as “Stingrays” and a transport unit that evacuates its passengers using a circus cannon. The Allies receive a new Tanya unit that is equipped with a “time belt”, allowing her to transport herself to the past in order to regain health. The Empire of the Rising Sun has “Macross”-esque units that have the ability to transform.

Naval warfare has also been retooled since the last two Red Alert games. Corry has stated many units are now amphibious, trading increased flexibility for effectiveness compared to ground-only units. In addition, bases are now able to be built mostly on water with the MCV featured in every Command and Conquer RTS thus far able to both move and deploy on water. Resource collection is now able to performed on water, and players who “ignore the ocean [are] likely forfeiting a significant part of their potential economy to their opponents”.

Full motion videos featuring real-life actors true to the C&C-style will be featured in the campaign-mode.

Development

A third Red Alert game was unofficially announced by Electronic Arts’ then executive producer and C&C lead Mark Skaggs in December 2004, shortly after the release of Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth. However, Mark Skaggs left Electronic Arts for reasons unspecified shortly thereafter, and there was no mention of a “Red Alert 3″ until February 12, 2008, when the cover of PC Gamer’s April issue was published on the Internet featuring the cover story “Red Alert 3″. Red Alert 3 was then officially announced by Electronic Arts on February 14, 2008.^[1]

Soundtrack

No mention of the nature or composer of the soundtrack was made during the initial announcements; initial fan reaction however indicated a desire for long term series composer Frank Klepacki to return for the game. When interviewed regarding the matter, Klepacki indicated a strong desire to do so, but admitted that due to the fact that he is no longer being employed by Electronic Arts and currently works for Petroglyph Games this may be contractually impossible.

In the April issue of PC Gamer, it is stated: “Frank Klepacki’s iconic ‘Hell March’ theme music from Red Alert will be updated for RA3.