Developer Q&A #4

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 10/16/09 5:48:23 PM

C&C4 Developer Q&A #4 10/09

Commanders…intelligence database updated…

Developer Q&A’s have returned with exclusive C&C4 information you won’t find anywhere else! Check back here every FRIDAY if you’d like to learn more about gameplay, units, structures, maps, fiction, UI, multiplayer, and every other aspect of the game! Each week we will be ready to face the firing squad, so stay tuned for more exclusive game info!

Have a question you’d like answered here? Then post in our Ask A Developer Thread!
http://forums.commandandconquer.com/jforum/posts/list/21321.page

Developer Q&A
Can infantry units be crushed in C&C4?

In the future of war, both GDI and Nod have adopted more stringent requirements for infantry deployment, with casualty minimization being top priority amongst all of the involved nations. GDI has invested significant resources into a series of heavy infantry armorsets based on the original Zone Trooper designs used in the Third Tiberium War. Meanwhile, Kane has continued to evolve the cybernetic research first bestowed upon the chosen Marked of Kane. These powerful forces are physically more fragile than their vehicular counterparts, though no less dangerous to collide with. With Tiberium-Core powered armor and larger physical size and heft, a head-on collision with any of these infantry forces would be just as dangerous to the driver as to the infantry itself.

Will the Commando return in C&C4?

Both GDI and Nod Offense players will have access to a unique Commando unit. Infantry assigned to the GDI Commando section are the most elite of the GDI combat infantry divisions, capable of dual-wielding weaponry with astounding accuracy, and trained to pilot any GDI ground vehicle with expert precision. In parallel, years of advanced cybernetics research has produced the powerful Nod Cybernetic Commando, a hulking, laser-armed monstrosity that will continue to do battle even after loss of life and limb.

How can units be repaired?

The Tacitus opened a gateway to the world of Scrin technology, which has been utilized significantly in the years following the Third War. Both sides make liberal use of nanotech repair mechanisms, allowing engineers, repair craft, mobile repair stations, and even the Crawler itself to repair friendly units.

Is there directional armor in the game?

Given the 5v5 nature of the gameplay of C&C4, we found during testing that battles in any one given area could get very large and complex. With unit abilities and powers going off fairly regularly, and solidly affecting gameplay when they did, we found that some more nuanced elements, such as directional armor, became very difficult to distinguish for the player. This becomes even more difficult with omnidirectional and very long-range units, of which we have several. Ultimately, we decided to remove this gameplay element in favor of more significant focus on the more visual elements of gameplay, such as ability casting and overall unit positioning. This does not mean that directional gameplay is completely out, though! For example, the Nod Centurion, when stationary, has a shield that reflects attacks from the front only, and can be flanked for maximum damage. This kind of inherent special ability is highly visual and we have found that it works well in 5v5 combat.

Is there any method to free up CP if you are at your population cap?

Oh my yes. In fact, we have just implemented two complimentary systems that involve this feature. At any time, units can be "dismantled," immediately freeing up the command points for the unit and allowing you to quickly change tactics. When a unit is marked for dismantle, the unit is disabled for some amount of time and at the end of the time is removed from gameplay. Note that the unit can still be attacked by enemies during this disable time, and destroying enemy forces gains points for your team. It is thus pivotal to disable your units when they are not in immediate danger, and retreat damaged units to disable them, effectively denying the enemy the points that would have been gained from killing the units.

Discuss the Q&A here, and check back next Friday for more!

Previous Developer Q&A's
Developer Q&A #3:
http://forums.commandandconquer.com/jforum/posts/list/23181.page
Developer Q&A #2:
http://forums.commandandconquer.com/jforum/posts/list/21862.page
Developer Q&A #1:
http://forums.commandandconquer.com/jforum/posts/list/21627.page

-2POC

about "Can infantry units be crushed in C&C4"...is it me or the developers are playing on words again?

ravage123 wrote:about "Can infantry units be crushed in C&C4"...is it me or the developers are playing on words again?

I think it was an incredibly convoluted way of saying you can crush infantry but the crushing vehicle gets damaged.

Anyway: nice info about the Scrin world. Gameplay info sucks as usual.

As is the norm for my opinion of C&C 4 development, I think a lot of these changes are much too rash and different from core C&C gameplay mechanics. Removing crushing (regardless of the RP explanation) and directional armor removes tactical possibilities that other C&Cs had and made interesting use of. However, at this point I really can't judge this game until the beta is out because it seems so far removed from Command & Conquer that I basically have to treat it like a new game series.

It means they can't be crushed

You guys are such turds sometimes. Incorporting the explanation into the fiction does not mean someone is trying to be evasive.

Gobias wrote:As is the norm for my opinion of C&C 4 development, I think a lot of these changes are much too rash and different from core C&C gameplay mechanics. Removing crushing (regardless of the RP explanation) and directional armor removes tactical possibilities that other C&Cs had and made interesting use of. However, at this point I really can't judge this game until the beta is out because it seems so far removed from Command & Conquer that I basically have to treat it like a new game series.

Excellent post. You expressed your concern and explained yourself. Irregardless of crushing or directional armor I share your same concerns. At this point the game seems like a whole new series to me as well.

methuselah wrote:You guys are such turds sometimes. Incorporting the explanation into the fiction does not mean someone is trying to be evasive.

Yes it does. There could have been a role-play explanation, as well as a game mechanics straight-up explanation. There wasn't. It's kind of typical of the evasive answers we've been getting since C&C 3's development. Though I have to admit, I still doubt that's the fault of the developers. I think a lot of Generals, C&C 3's, RA3's, and C&C 4's development has been effectually out of the hands of the actual developers, and is the result of decisions from their management.

Also, "irregardless" isn't a word.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/9/09 7:10:02 PM

Guys, the last sentence of that answer tells everything you need to know about crushing.

dky.tehkingd.u wrote:Guys, the last sentence of that answer tells everything you need to know about crushing.

It's entirely ambiguous. They either implemented a damage system for crushing (which seems unlike EA to be honest), or removed it completely and rectified it by saying vehicle drivers don't want to damage their vehicles by running people over.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/9/09 7:29:30 PM

Gobias wrote:

dky.tehkingd.u wrote:Guys, the last sentence of that answer tells everything you need to know about crushing.

It's entirely ambiguous. They either implemented a damage system for crushing (which seems unlike EA to be honest), or removed it completely and rectified it by saying vehicle drivers don't want to damage their vehicles by running people over.

Either way, it means don't crush the infantry because it won't work to your advantage!!

They either implemented a damage system for crushing (which seems unlike EA to be honest)

disints in cnc3?

No directional armor - hell yes!
Make it even more noob friendly and oversimplified plz

CrazyGDIfan123 wrote:

They either implemented a damage system for crushing (which seems unlike EA to be honest)

disints in cnc3?

Good point. I forgot about Flaks with magnetic mines in RA3 and Disintegrators in C&C 3. Both of them did crushing damage. Still, the way it's worded makes me think they're removing crushing.

dky.tehkingd.u wrote:

Gobias wrote:

dky.tehkingd.u wrote:Guys, the last sentence of that answer tells everything you need to know about crushing.

It's entirely ambiguous. They either implemented a damage system for crushing (which seems unlike EA to be honest), or removed it completely and rectified it by saying vehicle drivers don't want to damage their vehicles by running people over.

Either way, it means don't crush the infantry because it won't work to your advantage!!

No, one way is further simplification of the game mechanics.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/9/09 7:59:40 PM

To further clarify, infantry cannot be crushed. They are much more powerful in C&C4 due to a large increase in technology for their weapons and armor.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/9/09 7:58:15 PM

lol nvm

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