Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath Interview

With Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath due out on PC and Xbox 360 at the end of March we caught up with Jim Vesella, Associate Producer, to discuss the expansion. Read on for his thoughts on feedback from the community, the new Global Conquest mode and improvements to the Xbox 360 control interface.

VideoGamer.com: The storyline in Kane’s Wrath seems to span numerous games? Why not simply continue the story on from the end of C&C3?

Jim Vesella: For years, our fans have wanted to know what happened between the events of Tiberian Sun and the events of Command & Conquer 3. We wanted to answer these questions for the fans, but also provide a continuation of C&C3’s story. This is why we have a story in Kane’s Wrath that spans 20 years of the Tiberium universe timeline, taking players from the end of the Tiberian Sun to beyond C&C3. Kane’s Wrath has given us the opportunity to expand beyond the traditional expansion pack formula from a fictional standpoint, and we are hoping fans have a great time experiencing the multiple decades of Kane’s Wrath.

VideoGamer.com: The GDI appears to have more new units than the other factions. What’s the reason for this?

JV: All three factions are going to receive an arsenal of new units, powers, and upgrades. The main reason GDI receives a few “bonus” units is because our fans requested some special units such as the Titan and Wolverine late in development, and we wanted to implement these for our long-time veterans. It’s always been important to us to listen to fan feedback while developing games, and Kane’s Wrath is no different.

VideoGamer.com: How did you come up with the new units in Kane’s Wrath? Were there lots of ideas left over from the development of C&C3?

JV: To tell you the truth, a great number of our new units were designed based on fan feedback from C&C3. Players were clamoring for a GDI aircraft that didn’t need to reload, so we came up with the Hammerhead and added a garrison slot so infantry could partake in the late game. Fans were rightfully concerned about tank spam in C&C3, so we decided to add several new area of effect / splash damage units. We created the Specter because players were asking for a true artillery unit on Nod. We’ve found this relationship with our community to be very successful in developing Kane’s Wrath, as it really allows the fans to influence the game.

VideoGamer.com: The game will feature six new sub-factions, two per side. What do these bring to the game?

JV: The sub-factions will bring additional depth and diversity to the game, with each sub-faction feeling unique from both a gameplay and fiction perspective. In order to differentiate the sub-factions, each comes with their own exclusive or modified units, along with unique upgrades and powers. All these adjustments are meant to cater to a specific play-style, allowing our fans to really find an army that’s best for them. Additionally, the single-player campaign will allow you to play against each one of the sub-factions, thus creating a unique gameplay experience with nearly every mission. We’ve also brought in community testers to help balance and tune the sub-factions, so you can expect some awesome strategies and combinations in multiplayer.

VideoGamer.com: Global Conquest mode is a big new addition to the game. How does this differ to what RTS gamers might have already seen in Battle for Middle Earth’s “War of the Ring” mode?

JV: While the Global Conquest Mode may have its roots in War of the Ring, the Global Conquest Mode includes some major improvements over what players may have seen in the past. First off, the world is no longer sliced up into territories, thus players have much more freedom as to where they construct bases and position their Strike Forces. Bases can be upgraded and enhanced, increasing their economic benefit and unlocking an arsenal of Global Conquest specific support powers. Strike Forces are completely customizable, allowing players to create that perfect combination for each situation. Each faction also has both exclusive and alternate victory conditions, which adds even more replayability to the feature. We’re hoping players will find the Global Conquest Mode a great addition to Kane’s Wrath.

VideoGamer.com: On the Xbox 360 you’ve got a new interface. How does this differ to what we saw in C&C3 and will it be what we see in Red Alert 3?

JV: We couldn’t be more excited about the radial interface. The new system allows for players to easily control their build queues, powers, and abilities by simply guiding the left-analog stick. Players can now manage unlimited production queues from anywhere on the map, so no more scrolling around the battlefield searching for that second or third War Factory. You’ll be amazed by the increase in speed and accessibility, and overall it allows players to focus on the battlefield action instead of managing their base. We’re hoping to implement a similar system for Red Alert 3, and we’re looking forward to getting fan feedback from Kane’s Wrath.

VideoGamer.com: Battlecast was a great addition to the Command & Conquer series. Have any upgrades been made to this in Kane’s Wrath?

JV: Fans will be able to use all the features from C&C3’s Battlecast system in Kane’s Wrath, and we’ve been working to integrate these Battlecast matches with our new Command & Conquer TV programming. As players Battlecast their Kane’s Wrath matches, they actually have the opportunity to get their match on the show and presented to the world!

VideoGamer.com: Can you explain how you’ll be distributing the game? E.g. Are the PC and 360 versions standalone? Will a downloadable content option for the original games be offered?

JV: The Xbox 360 version will be a standalone title, and will also include all the maps and patches from the basegame, the new radial interface, as well as a new exclusive feature called Kane’s Challenge. We are really excited to be able to give console consumers who may or may not own Command & Conquer 3 the chance to jump into the Tiberium saga. The PC version will require the basegame to play, which has been a distribution model we’ve used on all our PC games. We’re still determining downloadable options, and will let everyone know soon.

VideoGamer.com: When Kane’s Wrath ships is that it for Command & Conquer 3 as far as expansions go or do you have future plans to support the game even further?

JV: We will definitely be supporting the game with patches, but we haven’t announced any plans for future expansions. Right now, we’re just focused on making Kane’s Wrath the best C&C expansion possible!

VideoGamer.com: Red Alert 3 is launching on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. Is there any chance PS3 fans will see a collection of both C&C3 games (original and expansion) arrive on their system?

JV: We couldn’t be more excited about Red Alert 3, and especially the opportunity to bring RTS games to new platforms. Speaking of Red Alert 3, everyone who goes out and purchases a copy of Kane’s Wrath and registers online will have a place in the Red Alert 3 Beta program. There is no better way to get you hands on one of the most anticipated games prior to its release. Right now C&C3 is sticking to the Xbox 360, but stay tuned for any future announcements!