C&C 4 Beta Uplink Series Part 5: Tiberium

[Luk3us 63]

Part 5 of the Command & Conquer 4 Beta Uplink Series has been posted on the Official C&C Site. This is a regular series of articles that features insider tips on the multiplayer beta. Coverage of class-specific strategies, tier 3 units, map design, the upgrades system and much more. Part 5 covers how Tiberium is used in game. There is some new concept art along with a previously seen Tiberium harvesting mechanic video.

 

Command & Conquer 4 takes a more fast-paced, action approach to harvesting than in previous titles. In C&C4, the Tiberium Control Network has been developed thanks to Kane’s intimate knowledge of Tiberium partnered with GDI’s extensive resources. The GDI-Nod alliance created the TCN to harness Tiberium and prevent it from destroying humanity, but the alliance will soon be put to the test. As GDI and Nod forces find themselves on the doorstep of the Fourth Tiberium War, the need for the mysterious crystal to upgrade weapon systems and power more advanced units has become a chief concern for all Commanders.

Click here for part 5 of the Command & Conquer 4 Beta Uplink Series.

[Nmenth 291]

* Warning, the following post contains sarcasm, criticism, and possibly implied insults. Not meant to be read by lemmings, optimists, or the illiterate. For safety, you should wear goggles, but not while reading this, just if there are airborne particulates nearby. *

 

These crystals can be collected by any ground unit in the game without any special equipment - no need to build harvesters!

They say that like it's a good thing... and with a straight face...

 

Yay, we removed harvesting! Yay, we put it back! Yay, we will only meet you part way, we refuse to put harvesters back! Yay, we made up a few 'strategic tips' so it seems more strategic to have no harvesters! Yay, illogical, neutrally owned tiberium from the sky for everyone! Yay, once you play it, you'll understand everything! Really! We promise! (No refunds...)

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

I think to counter your point, we're having some fun as well. We're sensitive to the fact that many hardcore community members like yourself wanted the harvester traditional tiberium mechanic, it was not a direct jab, just a tone, and if its any consolation to your sarcasm, apologies it was received that way.

 

-APOC

[Troopzor 5]

I just don't see why they couldn't just add in an AI controlled harvester unit to handle this mechanic. It's so ridiculously tedious and boring to do...

[mirza044 4]

a new tiberium harvesting mechanic = laughable

 

They say that like it's a good thing... and with a straight face...

 

Yay, we removed harvesting! Yay, we put it back! Yay, we will only meet you part way, we refuse to put harvesters back! Yay, we made up a few 'strategic tips' so it seems more strategic to have no harvesters! Yay, illogical, neutrally owned tiberium from the sky for everyone! Yay, once you play it, you'll understand everything! Really! We promise! (No refunds...)

[Malevolence 6]

It's been a common knowledge that tiberium crystals grow out from the ground. Since when does tiberium crystals drop from the sky?

 

This tiberium mechanic is comedic, I will be awaiting for an FMV sequence where some random soldier pops around the screen yelling and screaming getting shot by enemy troops and walking in slow motion, as the camera pans upwards we see a floating tiberium crystal floating above his head. Talk about realism. Lol. XD

[Luk3us 63]

The crystal floating above units heads is simply so you can easily identify who has a crystal, I'm sure on the ground they just stick it in their backpack, along with their 300 guns and 400 HP potions, like in every other game out there.

 

Seriously though, I could care less about that, I want to know why it comes from the sky. It just seems strange, they harvest it from the ground, then send it into orbit so it can be bought back down. Eh.

[Guest Stevie_K]

eh? aheh.. who came up with these ideas?

Why in the world would someone fly in the tiberium in the middle of a battlefield instead of just delivering it safely directly to the bases? Makes no sense...

 

I have nothing positive to say about this whole idea and how it's executed, so I'll spare you for now.

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

It has to do with Idris Corp, and they aren't coming out of thin air from the space or sky. What you don't see is what you have to "believe". You have to drop your sense of reality.

 

The tiberium crystals are being brought over from tiberium fields.

 

I will make sure we explain this further, fictionally, before launch. There is definitely reason to the apparent madness.

 

-APOC

[Inferno 22]

Isn´t tiberium everywhere during this time and all?

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

Tiberium is not everywhere because of the Tiberium Control Network, which absorbs, processes and then distributes Tiberium for GDI / Nod usage. The collectable Tiberium in CNC4 is that processed Tiberium, and it comes from the sky because that is how the TCN (which is semi-sentient / AI driven) redistributes it.

[rEdaSbLood 1]

maybe there should be some type of danger when collecting tiberium. maybe the unit's health slowly decreases?

[Nmenth 291]

Tiberium is not everywhere because of the Tiberium Control Network, which absorbs, processes and then distributes Tiberium for GDI / Nod usage. The collectable Tiberium in CNC4 is that processed Tiberium, and it comes from the sky because that is how the TCN (which is semi-sentient / AI driven) redistributes it.

Hmm, maybe the explanation won't be so bad... but I still think the mechanic is more boring than a oil drill.

[General Aurum 0]

You have to drop your sense of reality.

-APOC

 

I'll admit, I'm a relative newcomer to CNCNZ; in fact, I signed up just now to respond to this single statement.

 

This is C&C4 in a nutshell, isn't it? This is how far we've come. We've reached the point where the developers flat-out ask us to suspend our disbelief.

[sith_wampa 6]

I will make sure we explain this further, fictionally, before launch. There is definitely reason to the apparent madness.

Madness? You replace the most badass unit in the game with a series of tubes and don't expect riots?

 

Surely Kane did not plan this... a Tiberium future, with no harvesters??

 

Tiberium is not everywhere because of the Tiberium Control Network, which absorbs, processes and then distributes Tiberium for GDI / Nod usage. The collectable Tiberium in CNC4 is that processed Tiberium, and it comes from the sky because that is how the TCN (which is semi-sentient / AI driven) redistributes it.

This is actually pretty reasonable. But once the two start fighting again, who does the TCN bot take orders from? Or is the bot actually CABAL?

[mirza044 4]

You have to drop your sense of reality.

 

-APOC

 

hm, how "deep" we need to drop our sense of reality? The tiberium universe is a sci-fi universe(it has some boundaries of what is possible, you have some common sense and logic, etc.), it's not some fantasy universe (where everything is possible). The C&C4 now looks more like some cartoony and colorful RTS (RTT more precisely) which belongs to some fantasy universe than some serious, futuristic, dark and gritty as were supposed to be.

 

Hmm, maybe the explanation won't be so bad... but I still think the mechanic is more boring than a oil drill.

I agree.

 

ps

I hope that the C&C4 going to turn as good RTT, but from this point, there is very, very small chance for this to happen. Too much stuff in the C&C4 is screwed (new gameplay mechanic, design of the units, new harvesting mechanic, all-time online, no red zones, no scrin, etc). There were some good ideas, but most of them were poorly executed. Also there is few bright points about C&C4 like: return of some TS era units and highly detailed design of some maps. The singleplayer campaign, story and skirmish (if there going to more modes beside domination mode) are the things that could repair (if turns that they are going to be executed very well and satisfying) very negative image of C&C4 in the eyes of most C&C fans.

Edited January 21, 2010 by mirza044

[Malevolence 6]

I'm definitely looking forward for some good background story explanation on this mechanic.

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

Guys, dropping "sense of reality" is like saying suspend your disbelief, as in, when you go to the movies or play a video game, your experience is not always one of perfect realism. Its about bringing you in to that world and making you believe.

 

Now to that point, when you see tiberium coming from the sky with no back story, no background, no context, believe me, I don't blame you for feeling that way.

 

I was just saying, I explained in a simple manner, but you definitely deserve much more.

 

-APOC

[Malevolence 6]

 

Got this from the official forums.

[Chronojam 3]

We had a somewhat similar concept for an old YR mod I as working on, except it was geared towards capping off vein hole monsters and you'd then simply visit the facility to collect their by-products. Well, maybe tangentally-related.

[General Aurum 0]

Guys, dropping "sense of reality" is like saying suspend your disbelief, as in, when you go to the movies or play a video game, your experience is not always one of perfect realism. Its about bringing you in to that world and making you believe.

-APOC

 

Apoc, judging from the above and from other comments, it seems that many community members believe that the harvesting mechanic is only a part of the problem. It seems that the unit designs and overall atmosphere of the game break the suspension of disbelief. That's like shattering a vase: once it's broken, it can't be easily repaired, and even if it is, it still seems disjointed.

 

The simple fact is, a lot of fans, including myself, believe C&C4 is taking a few too many breaks from reality.

[sith_wampa 6]

HAHAHA

 

Nice one Malevolence

[mirza044 4]

Apoc, judging from the above and from other comments, it seems that many community members believe that the harvesting mechanic is only a part of the problem. It seems that the unit designs and overall atmosphere of the game break the suspension of disbelief. That's like shattering a vase: once it's broken, it can't be easily repaired, and even if it is, it still seems disjointed.

 

The simple fact is, a lot of fans, including myself, believe C&C4 is taking a few too many breaks from reality.

 

Everything what he said

[Troopzor 5]

Apoc, judging from the above and from other comments, it seems that many community members believe that the harvesting mechanic is only a part of the problem. It seems that the unit designs and overall atmosphere of the game break the suspension of disbelief. That's like shattering a vase: once it's broken, it can't be easily repaired, and even if it is, it still seems disjointed.

 

The simple fact is, a lot of fans, including myself, believe C&C4 is taking a few too many breaks from reality.

 

I like this new guy

[Sonic 295]

Hey guys at least show some respect and thank APOC for giving you some extra insight into the new Tiberium mechanic system. He didn't have to say anything more. It disappoints me when I see people jump all over him when they don't know the full story.