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[GDJustin]

Woo! I'd rather see it on the DS, but any news about portable RTS action is good news:

http://www.modojo.com/articles/news/20050328/80/

The famous RTS will be making its way onto Sony's handheld later this year...

Westwood Studios, famed developer of the Command & Conquer series, recently commented to CNN on the launch of Sony's PSP video game handheld. During the brief interview, the President of Electronic Arts, who now own Westwood Studios, revealed that a Command & Conquer game will appear on the PSP.

 

[Wario64]

:O

This is very, very odd. Maybe it's like Renegades...

 

[belgurdo]

DS Age of Empires vs. PSP C&C

RAUND WHON

FAIGHT

 

[Amir0x]

Is this... April Fools? Only a few days, of course...but STILL!

P.S. The article says...

I'm pretty sure the fans will be excited to hear that Command & Conquer, and Command & Conquer Red Alert will be making appearances on the PSP. We don't have a slated release date, but the games will have to be totally revamped for PSP's UMD architecture. Nonetheless, expect the Command & Conquer franchise to make its move on the PSP within this year."

 

[calder]

I remember playing C&C on the PS1 and it was surprisingly playable even with the d-pad. Still don't see a reason to play RTS on a home console when you have a PC, but for a handheld I'm a bit intrigued.

 

[Jonnyram]

but the games will have to be totally revamped for PSP's UMD architecture.

Nevermind the controls!

 

[EternalDarko]

if true, this is truly the work of one stupid exec.
on the one hand you have a platform whose design shouts out for these types of games, and rather than realise it's abilities they go and put it on the platform which really has no place with such a gametype. I mean c'mon, you rarely even see em on consoles....what the heck is it doing on a conventional portable?!?!

 

[BlackSalad]

yay?

Rather have it on DS of course but a portable C&C game is good!

 

[sprsk]

Nevermind the controls!

they had to somehow redesign the cd the game came on to fit in a umd case, ISNT THAT ENOUGH??

 

[blackadde]

I was under the impression that Westwood was more or less dissolved.

 

[EternalDarko]

I was under the impression that Westwood was more or less dissolved.

uhm, yeah.....that doesn't stop ea raping the license.

 

[Foobar]

While I welcome the possibility of RTS games on the go, damn, why not just put it on GBA and totally limit the controls? I'm sure it'll look nice on PSP, but this just seems far more practical for the DS.

Oh well, any word on online play?

 

[GaimeGuy]

While I welcome the possibility of RTS games on the go, damn, why not just put it on GBA and totally limit the controls? I'm sure it'll look nice on PSP, but this just seems far more practical for the DS.

Oh well, any word on online play?

EA doesn't like the DS because it doesn't give the best graphics.

 

[Andy787]

Though this would actually be more intuitive on the DS, I can't help but say fuck yeah, bitches. Love C&C, love PSP, having a portable RTS, especially on such a sextastic screen, shall be very nice.

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

Is it just me or are there Modojo ads on Gaming-Age?

 

[Drensch]

Sounds like typical EA "head up the ass" thinking.

 

[lexi]

April Fools? THE DS HAS A FUCKING TOUCH SCREEN.

Jesus fuck, If any game was suited to the DS, it's RTS's. C&C and RA originals weren't exactly graphical powerhouses, they could be ported with ease.

 

[Dead]

Yep, if the the DS is good for anything this would be one of the few. Touch screen would be perfect...

 

[GaimeGuy]

April Fools? THE DS HAS A FUCKING TOUCH SCREEN.

Jesus fuck, If any game was suited to the DS, it's RTS's. C&C and RA originals weren't exactly graphical powerhouses, they could be ported with ease.

It should be obvious from EA's PSP launch titles and their DS launch titles that EA doesn't give a shit about the DS.

I guarantee if the DS had better graphics, they'd actually put effort into their games,though.

 

[dskillzhtown]

I for one will look forward to how it turns out. Multiplayer battles could be really cool with 3 or more PSPs. I mean, using the analog stick as the mouse wouldn't be that much of a stretch for the programmers. I would hope it really is the original C&C and Re Alert they are making, as I thought those still are the best in the series.

 

[Mrbob]

April Fools? THE DS HAS A FUCKING TOUCH SCREEN.

Jesus fuck, If any game was suited to the DS, it's RTS's. C&C and RA originals weren't exactly graphical powerhouses, they could be ported with ease.

Neither portable is truly suited to play portable RTS games. PSP could incorporate a remote cursor on screen that could do the same thing as the DS stylus.

 

[Suikoguy]

I thought the PSP Nub worked pretty good for controlling a cursor

 

[Jonnyram]

Neither portable is truly suited to play portable RTS games. PSP could incorporate a remote cursor on screen that could do the same thing as the DS stylus.

You can play Meteos with the d-pad too. But it doesn't work because it's not fast enough.

 

[Mrbob]

Actually, when I think about it, the PSP would be better suited for RTS games. Like I mentioned before, the PSP can use a remote cursor onscreen to select units and hit tabs at the bottom that use hotkeys. Where the PSP gets a huge advantage is with its 4.3" widescreen. You'll be able to see more of the map and have more units onscreen than you could on a 3" 4:3 DS screen.

You can play Meteos with the d-pad too. But it doesn't work because it's not fast enough.

Apples/Oranges

Touch screen would be quicker, but if the devlopers let you adjust your cursor speed you should be able to zip across the screen with the nub.


Neither option is even close to a keyboard/mouse combo.

 

[acklame]

this could be interesting

 

[Jonnyram]

Apples/Oranges

Touch screen would be quicker, but if the devlopers let you adjust your cursor speed you should be able to zip across the screen with the nub.

Neither option is even close to a keyboard/mouse combo.

Hardly. A stylus is very close to a mouse, and in a lot of senses is even quicker than mouse control.

Changing the speed of the cursor won't help a lot for d-pad. Can you imagine playing C&C with just a keyboard and no mouse? That's how the PSP version will play, except you have less keys.

Needless to say a DS version would also benefit from dual screens (imagine being able to see two areas at once). Meh, it's pointless arguing about it since it's already been decided though...

 

[dskillzhtown]

Hardly. A stylus is very close to a mouse, and in a lot of senses is even quicker than mouse control.

Changing the speed of the cursor won't help a lot for d-pad. Can you imagine playing C&C with just a keyboard and no mouse? That's how the PSP version will play, except you have less keys.

Needless to say a DS version would also benefit from dual screens (imagine being able to see two areas at once). Meh, it's pointless arguing about it since it's already been decided though...

Well...the PSP does have an analog stick. No need to use the d-pad to mimic mouse movement.

 

[GaimeGuy]

Well...the PSP does have an analog stick. No need to use the d-pad to mimic mouse movement.

Jesus christ what the PSP has is NOT an analog stick.

 

[Mrbob]

Hardly. A stylus is very close to a mouse, and in a lot of senses is even quicker than mouse control.

Changing the speed of the cursor won't help a lot for d-pad. Can you imagine playing C&C with just a keyboard and no mouse? That's how the PSP version will play, except you have less keys.

Needless to say a DS version would also benefit from dual screens (imagine being able to see two areas at once). Meh, it's pointless arguing about it since it's already been decided though...

I'm talking about using the analog nub. Not the Dpad. DS is still stuck in the same boat as the PSP because there is no keyboard. You have to tap on screen to do any hotkyes + use troop movement and attack. If you get into any RTS game you really need to be able to attack, select units, and also manage your base all at the same time. Neither the DS or PSP has anything remotely close to what you need to micromanage in a RTS.

 

[dskillzhtown]

Jesus christ what the PSP has is NOT an analog stick.

OK, nub, stick whatever you wanna call it. It would be useful in mimicing mouse movement. Alot better than the d-pad for sure.

I'm talking about using the analog nub. Not the Dpad. DS is still stuck in the same boat as the PSP because there is no keyboard. You have to tap on screen to do any hotkyes + use troop movement and attack. If you get into any RTS game you really need to be able to attack, select units, and also manage your base all at the same time. Neither the DS or PSP has anything remotely close to what you need to micromanage in a RTS.

I agree with all that. But how was all that handled on the PSOne version? Anyone remember? I seem to remember people actually liking that version of the game as well.

 

[Razoric]

Eh, I started my C&C career on PSOne with 1st generation PS controller and I had a blast. Adapt or don't get the game... is this really that hard to understand?

 

[Kon Tiki]

Command and Conquer: Ghost!

 

[Defensor]

The nub works great as a mouse in your inventory screen in Untold Legends. Controls will be fine.

 

[dskillzhtown]

I wonder do they mean C&C and Red Alert will be on one UMD?

 

[shpankey]

I'm with everyone else, these games scream to be on Nintendo's DS. Shoulda put them there instead, would of made much more sense control wise.

Personally, a great RTS (greatest of alltime IMO) game like Myth: The Fallen Lords [Bungie] would make much, much more sense for a portable; where there is no management or base building. You start of with a set number of points and basically buy your units you want and that's what you got all the way... so you don't have to worry yourself with buying or building or harvesting anything during gameplay.

Myth: TFL could probably be done really well on Nintendo DS. All there is to the gameplay is point and click and that would be easy with the stylus.

 

[koam]

This has "wrong handheld" written all over it

 

[Foobar]

It should be obvious from EA's PSP launch titles and their DS launch titles that EA doesn't give a shit about the DS.

I guarantee if the DS had better graphics, they'd actually put effort into their games,though.

Their half-assed Xbox Live efforts say otherwise, they just like Sony cock. Now that I know its fucking EA at work, I won't buy it for PSP.

 

[pilonv1]

"a Command & Conquer game"

This could mean anything. It could be C&C Pachinko for all we know. More likely a half assed port of Renegage than anything.

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

I thought EA has killed WestWood !!

 

[kaching]

Meh, it's pointless arguing about it since it's already been decided though...

Right. And instead of whinging on and on about the decision and acting like there's just no possible way it could work well, maybe we could do something more constructive like figure how it could work. We could take cues from recent games like Freedom Fighters and Kingdom Under Fire which implement RTS mechanics very well considering their utter reliance on a gamepad.

Further, I'm not sure how EA's comments completely rule out the possibility that they might put C&C on the DS, AS WELL. Maybe you guys can tell me why you expected the pres of EA to comment on the DS when he was on CNN to talk about the PSP launch (apparently)?

 

[Ferrarisimo]

Donut believe this news.

 

[Sho Nuff]

Mimimimimimimimimimimi!!! Wrong handheld mimimimimimimimi!

Ahhh, I needs me a tub for all this Orville Redenbacher I'm gonna be poppin'.

edit: added gif for clarification

 

[Cold-Steel]

This has "wrong handheld" written all over it

This man speaks the truth.

 

[Brandon F]

Did anyone play these?

 

[TekunoRobby]

Mimimimimimimimimimimi!!! Wrong handheld mimimimimimimimi!

Ahhh, I needs me a tub for all this Orville Redenbacher I'm gonna be poppin'.

edit: added gif for clarification

:lol :lol Thank god for the edit, I was both confused and deeply enjoying the "Mimimimimimimimi!!!" quote.

 

[CamHostage]

This has "wrong handheld" written all over it

On the other hand, it would make sense, if you're bringing it back for one handheld and have a team reconfiguring the AI and reworking the assets, to do the work and make it for two handhelds...?

 

[Drinky Crow]

BUY A PSP.

Besides, the analog nub is far better for mousing than, say, 3D platforming controls. Fuck, I'd take it over the stylus in lieu of a real mouse.

The DS' appallingly low resolution makes it pretty much useless for RTS titles.

 

[Kiriku]

Noo...somehow I read that as "announced for DS". Maybe because I was so convinced it would be for DS.

 

[mrklaw]

Oh no! What were EA thinking? Surely they plan all their development based on which platform will do justice to the title, not simply ease of porting or business projections.

 

[Drensch]

not simply ease of porting or business projections.

Then there's no reason whatsoever it would be on psp. DS userbase dwarves psp, it'd be cheaper to make, and the ds is an easy as hell system to work with.