C&C3 Designer Diary #1: The Story Behind the GDI Faction

[CnCBacano 0]

Look here : http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/comman...opslot;action;1

 

The Global Defense Initiative (GDI)

 

The Third Tiberium War in the Command & Conquer (C&C) series is upon us, and over the next few months, we'll be taking the wraps off of the three factions, the world, and the story in Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars. The fiction and universe development have been key for this game given our emphasis on delivering a great single-player campaign and an epic story that is worthy of C&C. I'm excited that we can start sharing the details of what we've been working on all this time.

 

With this feature we begin to explore the three factions of Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars. We start with the Global Defense Initiative (GDI).

 

GDI started as a secret military alliance of G8 nations--a treaty organization formed to contain tiberium, reverse its spread, and fight the sinister Brotherhood of Nod, a terrorist organization that believed the otherworldly substance to be beneficial to mankind. Over time, power and sovereignty have been gradually ceded to GDI and the national identities of the participating countries have faded. In 2047, that process has reached its final stages: While technically there are still individual member nations, the reality is that GDI has become a unified political and military superstate. GDI is what might result if the G8 countries, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and the member states of NATO became a single nation-state.

 

GDI controls the only areas of the Earth that have not been significantly compromised by tiberium infestation. The crystalline alien substance is slowly consuming the rest of the planet, causing an environmental cataclysm that has made 30 percent of the Earth uninhabitable and another 50 percent of the Earth's surface exceedingly unfriendly to civilization. GDI's home territories are known as "blue zones" since they are mostly clear of tiberium and have been relatively untouched by war (in contrast to the ecologically ravaged and war-torn "yellow zones" and the tiberium-infested hellscapes designated as "red zones").

 

In 2047, GDI keeps the blue zones peaceful while making periodic forays into the yellow zones to contain the spread of tiberium, repair the environment, and improve the quality of life for the inhabitants there. For all its good intentions, GDI still struggles with the complexity of its own bureaucracy, as well as conflicting viewpoints on tiberium. Some within GDI see the benefits of more aggressive exploitation of tiberium, but most view it as an environmental plague and source of ultimate destruction.

 

GDI's focus on tiberium eradication in 2047 is a luxury. In the past, GDI has been locked in an epic struggle with a terrifying enemy--a secret society-turned-global superpower that has united most of the Third World against GDI. Led by a charismatic sociopath called Kane, the Brotherhood of Nod preaches that tiberium is the catalyst for the next stage of human evolution. Nod fanatics are doing everything they can to accelerate tiberium infestation on all continents.

 

GDI and Nod have been fighting each other for nearly half a century. The conflict has escalated into a full world war twice--the First Tiberium War (TWI) erupted in the second decade of the twenty-first century, and that terrible war was followed by another worldwide firestorm a few years later.

 

The Brotherhood of Nod has been very quiet for the last several years, and its leader hasn't been seen in a long time. This is highly atypical for Nod.

 

Just as GDI is split over the uses of tiberium, there are two points of view on Nod's current state: Some GDI intelligence analysts believe Nod is suffering from internal factional strife and is in the process of internal collapse. Others believe Nod is planning it biggest operation yet. If that is true, the preparations are happening very quietly.

 

If Nod is indeed up to something, it will be facing a formidable adversary. GDI leaders have a state-of-the-art military machine at its command like nothing ever seen before. GDI is truly a military superpower.

 

GDI forces are organized to allow decentralized operations in multiple theaters of war. GDI rapid-deployment forces are able to move quickly, establish forward-operating bases in all types of terrain, and project power using advanced all-weather weapon systems and highly trained troops.

 

GDI's land forces include versatile armored vehicles like the Predator main battle tank, the Mammoth heavy tank, the Guardian APC, and the fearsome Juggernaut mobile artillery unit. Its infantry is made up of fast-moving, lightly armored combat soldiers and the slower but heavily armored Zone Troopers. Specialized units include the Special Forces commando and the elite sniper teams.

 

Aircraft deployed at GDI forward operating bases include the rocket-equipped VTOL Orca, the Firehawk fast attack jet, and the V-35 Ox VTOL transport.

 

Support units for GDI operations provide unprecedented flexibility to its field commanders. The MCV serves as the mobile hub for a forward-operating base. A versatile vehicle called the "Rig" can deploy into a repair base and aircraft landing pad, providing forward logistics to aircraft and armored units.

 

GDI believes that it is the last, best hope for the future of humanity and deploys military force in the name of freedom, progress, and containment of the worst environmental disaster the world has ever seen. Its enemies don't see them quite in the same light...but that's a topic for another feature.

 

That's it for our GDI feature. Next time, we'll go in-depth on the Brotherhood of Nod and the return of Kane.

[Sonic 296]

I have posted all the new in game screen shots and concept art on CNCNZ.com, previews below............

 

 

 

Links to full sized version at http://www.cncnz.com/news/view.php?Action=...&NewsID=179

[-NickoheaD- 0]

Hmm, I'm not too fond of the 'look' of GDI so far. Judging by the screenshots, they've lost their gold appearance. The units and structures also look very generic and dull, and there's nothing to really say 'wow' about. Unlike Tiberian Sun (and even Command & Conquer), the GDI we're seeing here could have been pulled out of any RTS. The buggy is definitely something I dislike at the moment. Looks like a Micro Machine. :lol:

 

Sorry for the negative post. I mean, I'm loving what I've seen of C&C3 so far, though this is one thing that is bothering me. I'm also finding it hard to explain what I mean.

 

I think I may have to convert to Nod. :wink:

[Saracen 16]

I feel the same to a moderate sense. but not about the look of GDI or their units.

 

My problem is the way the EA marketing machine is working for this game. We get the news first, and then for a couple of weeks it gets rehashed amongst all the gaming mags online and offline. We may get a tiny bit of new info, but nothing with "wow" factor.

 

It feels like 2 steps forward, one step back. Other games companies seem to release enough info to wet out appitite and then leave the rest for Gamespot or IGN or any other companies. Then we are given the incentive to go there and fish out the goodies.

 

It don't seem to be working here. The marketing for the GDI is being flogged like a dead horse, the same as Tiberium has over the past few weeks. Instead of EA moving forward and getting to the bloody point, I feel like I'm being bored to death with the same old details over and over again to the point where I just don't care anymore. To be honest with you all, I had more excitement rushing through me about the news surrounding The First Decade than I have for this ever growing stale conception of a game.

 

I haven't read this designer diary, and I haven't read any of the articles for this reason. The drip feed formula is beginning to piss me off, it's like being a caged animal deprived of food, and I'm sick of it.

[F15pilotX 4]

I feel like I'm being bored to death with the same old details over and over again to the point where I just don't care anymore.

I feel the exact same... :?

[Guest Rabbit]

Hell, I was just saying to C&C King just minutes ago VIA msnm, it's honestly like we're being yanked along.

[rEdaSbLood 1]

Instead of EA moving forward and getting to the bloody point, I feel like I'm being bored to death with the same old details over and over again to the point where I just don't care anymore.

 

my sentiments exactly..what they are doing is a cop-out...i duno its just getting on my nerves

[Luk3us 63]

Meh, you guys complain to much.

 

Any news is good news as far as I'm concerned...

 

With exception to this post, who cares about the glorious GDI and their faggotty weapons and boring political views... Me want Nod info NOW!

 

Though with regard to GDI, it is a pitty they're becoming a more "generic" army now. Least in TS and TD they had a bit more "personality" now they're just, well meh.

[Sonic 296]

Well you guys can moan all you like about what has been released so far. I'm happy with the screen shots and info released, everything looks great. I want to see whats happening with Nod as well but damn you guys just don't seem to like anything that EA has released so far..... you are C&C fans right?

 

Your forgetting (and I've said this before) we are many months from the release the of this game, we have only seen tiny amount of whats in store for us later.

 

All of you are pre-judging a game that is in it's early days of development, where things can change.

[-NickoheaD- 0]

I am a C&C fan, but that doesn't mean I cant express how I feel about certain things (whether they are positive or negative). I've already said that I'm relatively happy with what we've seen so far, however, GDI's look is something that does happen to bother me.

[BWare 0]

Why is it Sonic that, in your mind, being a "C&C fan" means blindly loving anything with the C&C logo stamped on it? If anythihg, we have a right to be more critical!

[Sonic 296]

I never said you have to like everything but everyone just seems to find fault all the time and are to quick to say what they don't like.

[Cygnus X-1 12]

*sounds fault bell*

 

GDI and Nod have been fighting each other for nearly half a century. The conflict has escalated into a full world war twice--the First Tiberium War (TWI) erupted in the second decade of the twenty-first century, and that terrible war was followed by another worldwide firestorm a few years later.

 

the first Tiberium war was in the last decade of the 20th century, and the second Tiberium war was in the third decade of the 21st century...

 

those facts are plainly stated in TD and TS....shiit, if EA is ignoring those when writing the story....Im quaking in my boots. Quaking...

[Alphabear 11]

i dont think this mistake here was deliberate. I think they ment to have that as the description as the second tiberium war as it does say that it was followed by a worldwide Firestorm a few years later. I think it was just an error in communication somewhere that mixed things up

[Cygnus X-1 12]

I think whoever wrote the article was just being a drone, and not actually thinking while typing...

[Mario 0]

i'd like to know who the 3rd faction is and about them

[Cygnus X-1 12]

Scrin: based on Tiberium, sent the substance to Earth to terraform it to their liking, may have some sort of link with Kane/Cabal. Self Heals in Tiberium (assumed)

[Alphabear 11]

hmm was there ever any proof that tiberium was actually sent to terraform it for the scrin? Its what most people beleived about tiberium but wasnt it just a possibility?

[Luk3us 63]

Its all just speculation.

[BWare 0]

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how they handle the Scrin side. This should be intersting...

[-NickoheaD- 0]

Hopefully they wont be the ultimate cliché aliens we see time and time again.

[Saracen 16]

http://www.cncnz.com/image.php?image=/imag...llery/cc3_3.jpg

 

I still believe EA will make the Scrin like this... As intended. They look like real aliens, not cliche, and damn evil... I like that.

 

Oh and going back to Tiberium... Proof that Westwood were taking the route of giant crystaline formations...

 

http://www.cncnz.com/image.php?image=/imag...lery/cc3_14.jpg

 

Bottom right :wink:

 

Top left is a crater where a Scrin drop pod has crashed. The original Mission Briefing video suggests this strongly... have a nose around at the old material, and keep reference to what EA brings out, you might be suprised.

[Cygnus X-1 12]

There, I had hoped EA would come through, and heres the proof.

 

btw KING that is one badd arse pic of a Tiberium Floater 8)

[BWare 0]

It's not a Tiberium Floater. It was an early concept of a Scrin unit tentatively named... well I forget actually. That pic came from EA, and there was a TON of speculation over it for a while. We all went crazy, thinking that they were going to make Tiberium Twilight. And they are!

 

Oh and King, what "proof" was there in that picture that Westwood was planning on going the "giant boring Tiberium glacier" route?

[F15pilotX 4]

It's not that hard...and he said crystaline formation, not glacier :wink:

 

here it is :lol: :