Command & Conquer: Renegade Interview

It takes a real winner for an upcoming game to show up on my radar. I am known as a particularly stringent gamer - if it looks hokey, I usually pass on it.

Not so, in this case. Westwood Studios, makers of extremely fine RTS games are throwing their hat into the FPS genre with their latest offering, Command & Conquer: Renegade. After having mastered the RTS world with ease, the player can now get down and dirty with the troops and tanks, and annihilate some NOD scumbags along the way.

I had an opportunity to speak with the lead designer of Renegade, Dan Cermak, for a little heart-to-heart. Here's how it went down.

Action Trip: Okay, Dan. Renegade. Gimme the Skinny.

Whoooosh! Nice sweep boys!

"It's so nice to see you fully functional again sir..."

Dan Cermak: Well, there's a lot to the game, but to sum it up, Renegade is Westwood's first 3D action game set in the infamous Command & Conquer universe. Previously only available in a top-down perspective, we're now letting the player see the C&C universe in all its glory from the ground level. Players fight as Captain Nick "Havoc" Parker from either a first-person or third-person perspective, and get to fight in and around the vehicles, weapons and buildings made famous in the original C&C. Combine that with a great storyline filled with unique characters, and I think we've got a winner.

AT: What kind of crowd is this game geared toward? FPS fans? RTS fans?

DC: Both really. One of the fansites in the beta test called the game a First Person Strategy game and that is how we like to look at it. First and foremost, we built this game for the C&C fans, and we've incorporated a lot of instances in the game where strategy is important to accomplishing your objectives. However, Renegade is an action game at it's heart, and we think it will appeal to them as well, particularly with our C&C multiplay mode. This is a team-based mode where the players try to destroy each other's base. We've also licensed Discreet's popular gmax software to provide a full mod package, which we know is important for action gamers.

AT: You bet your bottom dollar! Seeing as how this is mostly a FPS-style game, are there any RTS elements to speak of? (This IS C&C after all....)

DC: Yes, we have incorporated strategy elements to the game, such as deciding whether or not to accomplish certain secondary mission objectives. For example, you might be asked to take out a Nod SAM site, but doing so will alert the base to your presence. Nothing is black and white in Renegade.

AT: I see...so just as in a RTS game, you can lay out your defense any way you like, here you can approach your mission in any style you see fit....Interesting. Okay, now settle a bet for me. I hear tell of a cooperative mode - what's with that? Can the single player campaign be played cooperatively, or are there coop maps that are being released?

DC: We do not have a cooperative mode in Renegade.

AT: Damn! I just lost $20. Ah well, its only money. Anyway, back on topic. Those that know me know I'm a multiplayer NUT. The more the merrier. What's the lowdown on the multiplayer modes?

DC: Our multiplay mode is "Command & Conquer Mode." It is a team-based mode where two teams of players (GDI and Nod) fight to destroy each other's base. Each building in a base has a specific function and affect if it is destroyed. For example, destroying the GDI barracks denies GDI access to advanced character classes. There is also a functioning economy. Credits are gained through destroying enemy characters, vehicles and building as well as Tiberium harvesting. Players can use those credits to buy new character classes, and vehicles. There are 28 characters, 23 weapons and 11 vehicles available in C&C Mode.

Drive these babies...

Here they come!

AT: Mmmmm...Vehicles. Nothing like rolling over enemies in a hummer to get my juices flowing.... One thing I notice - I see a few similarities between Havoc and Duke Nukem. If you were to put them head to head, who'd come out on top? (and be HONEST!)

DC: Puh-leeze! Havoc would take out Duke any day of the week. With a barrage of Tiberium weapons, a personal Ion Cannon, and a Mammoth Tank, Duke doesn't stand a chance.

AT: But Duke has the shrink ray, and that nifty haircut....but then again, shrinking a Mammoth Tank would mean little: Nukem is toast. Any plans to take this game through all the C&C episodes? (Tiberian Sun, Red Alert, etc.) If not, how open is the engine to modification?

DC: We always evaluate our titles for possible sequels and ports, and we'll cross that bridge with Renegade when we get to it. As for mods, we are including Discreet's popular gmax modification software as the official mod suite for Renegade.

AT: Good - the opportunity to play as Kari Wuhrer exists! (Mmmm....Kari Wuhrer...) [Hey! Wakey Wakey! You have an interview to finish! -- Ed] Oh!...uhh...sorry. Anyway, Tell me the one thing about Renegade that sets it apart from every other game being released - Why should I go out and buy it RIGHT NOW?

DC: It's all about experiencing C&C from the ground level. No other game has the rich, unique universe that we have created with such a huge inventory of futuristic weapons and vehicles available for the player. Plus, with our enormously fun multiplay mode (just ask our 1,500 beta testers), this game is going all the way!

AT: Excellent! I look forward to it! One more question, before I let you go: Which do you prefer? Silicone or natural?

DC: All natural man....

AT: Awesome! I like your style, and it looks like I'm going to like your game. Can't wait till its finished! Thanks for your time.

So there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth. FPS-style play in a RTS world, plus vehicles to run over friends and neighbors with! Two worlds collide in C&C: Renegade, and only time will tell if this game raises a little Havoc, or gets shelled.