Westwood Studios Official Command & Conquer Frequently Asked Questions List Last Update: August 4th, 1995 Version 1.4 About this document.... Because of the huge response in mail we have been receiving on our next real-time strategy game, COMMAND & CONQUER, I decided to create this FAQ list. If you have any questions you don't see listed below, please don't hesitate to ask. Based on the amount of sanity I have before this project is over, I'll try to answer your questions directly or through this document at a later date. All information contained herein is copyright 1995 by Westwood Studios. You are allowed to distribute it freely, but not to make changes. (virtualted@westwood.com) --- GENERAL INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------------- 1.1 What is Command & Conquer? 1.2 System Requirements 1.3 Is this Dune III? 1.4 When will Command & Conquer be released? 1.4.1 Why hasn't the game been released yet? 1.5 Are there screenshots or a Demo available? 1.6 Are you going to support Modem or Network play? 1.7 Are you planning to come out with any extra missions? 1.8 Will you support MY sound card? --- GAME PLAY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ------------------------------------------- 2.1 How many units are in the game? 2.2 Are the air units similar to the ones in DUNE II? Can I control them? 2.3 How many missions are there in C&C? 2.4 Am I limited in how many units I can create? 2.5 What about team mode? Is there one? 2.6 What if I have two computers? Do I need to buy two copies? 2.7 How is the computer A.I. in comparison to other real-time games? --- GETTING HELP ----------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 How to Order Command & Conquer. 3.2 Contacting Westwood Studios directly. 3.3 Our internet www and ftp sites. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- GENERAL INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- **************************************************************************** 1.1 WHAT IS COMMAND & CONQUER? **************************************************************************** Command & Conquer is a real-time strategy-combat game developed by Westwood Studios, the creators of DUNE II. The Press Release : WESTWOOD STUDIOS INTRODUCES : COMMAND & CONQUER Imagine a brutal, devastating conflict of global proportions. Now imagine it all fitting on two CDs. Introducing COMMAND & CONQUER, from the creators of DUNE II. A frighteningly realistic glimpse into the near future, when the planet is divided between two forces battling for world domination. Players can fight for a peacekeeping alliance called the Global Defense Initiative. Or their mortal enemy, a terrorist organization called the Brotherhood of Nod. Either way, they'll have their strategies tested in a real-time world, complete with over 60 minutes of intense full-motion video and 3-D rendered graphics that are as visceral as they are visual. Which of course, is unfortunate for those with weaker stomachs. COMMAND & CONQUER's real-time combat system is designed to be deep and meaningful, yet accessible. Those familiar with Westwood's earlier award winning strategy game DUNE II will remember the ease of use in a fast-paced race of destruction and mayhem. However, we've made a few modifications you might want to look into... Build and better your bases, unite or divide your forces, develop and utilize guerrilla tactics and a wealth of potent electronic hardware, and make sure that "Reduce the Opposition to pulp" is at the top of you list of things to do today. As one person put it... "The attention to detail is exemplary - it's like having a fully- functioning miniature world-gone-mad crawling with armies of intelligent beings, all secured in a big glass box, and all at your disposal." ***************************************************************************** 1.2 System Requirements ***************************************************************************** Command & Conquer (2 CD-ROMs) requires at least the following system configuration : 486DX-33 Mhz Machine or better. Doublespeed CD-ROM or better. Soundblaster compatible sound card VGA monitor and card. 4 Megs of RAM Mouse. Command & Conquer will stream and mix all music and voice samples directly from the CD. Any Soundblaster compatible card capable of playing digital audio will be supported. Audio quality for both 8 bit and 16 bit cards is nothing less than superb. ***************************************************************************** 1.3 Is this Dune III? ***************************************************************************** Command & Conquer is not DUNE III. The only item borrowed from our earlier real-time strategy game is the cool interface, and even that has been updated. The game engine has been totally rewritten to support more units and an enhanced artificial intelligence. ***************************************************************************** 1.4 When will Command & Conquer be released? ***************************************************************************** Command & Conquer should be released in the late August 1995. As of this date, we are extremely close. When C&C is taken to be duplicated, I will update this document to reflect this, and post mail on America Online, Compuserve, GEnie, Prodigy, and of course, Usenet news groups. This should give everyone about 5-7 days of notice before C&C shows up on store shelves. Please remember that earthquakes, floods, and sick programmers can change any dates mentioned in this document. ***************************************************************************** 1.4.1 Why hasn't the game been released yet? ***************************************************************************** Excellent question! The game, while complete, has undergone a few changes to make network play much better than it was before. It is now faster, and we have removed some of the sync problems that we seemed to be experiencing when players of different machine types tried to play against each other (I.e, 2 P90's, a DX2-66, and a P60). Of course this took a little time, and we apologize for the delay. The game was extremely close to being finished weeks ago, but we thought it necessary to hang onto it just a little bit longer. The end result was well worth it. As soon as we get the last few little bugs out of the game, the master CD's will be on an airplane to the duplication center. ***************************************************************************** 1.5 Is there a demo or screenshots available? ***************************************************************************** We know how many people out there want something to play -now-. However, our biggest concern at this time is getting the game finished and out the door. There's no reason for us to delay the game by a week or more to get a demo out so late in the project. I expect that when we finish with Command & Conquer, we'll cut away most of the game and make it available for download as a demo. You can download .AVI movies, screenshots, and music clips from either our ftp site at ftp.westwood.com or our web site at www.westwood.com. ***************************************************************************** 1.6 Will Command & Conquer support Network or Modem play? ***************************************************************************** Yes. C&C will support Network, Null Modem and Modem play. Network mode allows four players to go head-to-head. If only two players are playing in Network mode, one or two computer players may also be added. Modem play allows anyone with a 9600 baud or faster modem to compete against someone else. Each player must have one of the Command & Conquer CD-ROM's in their system before play can begin. (See 2.6 below for further info on this.) **************************************************************************** 1.7 Will you be coming out with any extra missions or data disks? **************************************************************************** We are not yet sure how we will make new missions available, but they will be made available somehow. We'll let everyone know as soon as we make a decision. **************************************************************************** 1.8 How about my GUS/ProAudio Spectrum/Whizbang 3000 sound card? Support? **************************************************************************** We will not support any card in direct or "native" mode. Our new sound drivers enable us to play and mix music and voices directly from the CD-ROM. Instead of hearing a computer generated version of a guitar or drums, you'll be hearing the real thing right off the CD. Command & Conquer is one of the first Westwood products to support DDA (Direct Digital Audio).. If your card is capable of playing digital sounds (and most cards are), you should have no problem with sound support. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- GAME PLAY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- **************************************************************************** 2.1 How many units are in the game? **************************************************************************** Lots. I think I counted something close to 50 units and structures in the game. Each side has different units, different strengths, etc.. We have played here at Westwood quite often to ensure that the game is perfectly balanced. **************************************************************************** 2.2 Are there air units which I can control? **************************************************************************** Yes. As stated before, this is not DUNE II. A10's, Transport helicopters, planes, and other attack craft will be able take orders to land, take off, pick up troops, etc.. In Command & Conquer, you have real-time control of all units. **************************************************************************** 2.3 How many missions are in C&C? **************************************************************************** Each side will have about 17 missions. However, the game adapts to whether you win or lose battles. Playing one game doesn't necessarily mean you'll be playing the same game again. Different missions may be available depending on how you do as a commander. There are also specially designed multiplayer missions which are configurable in a variety of ways. You can play against any combination of computer/player opponents (up to four players) simultaneously. **************************************************************************** 2.4 Am I limited in how many units I can create? **************************************************************************** No. When programming DUNE II, we had to stick to limited memory requirements. Now, your only limit is the amount of money you have to buy reinforcements, (and how long you can keep your troops alive.) **************************************************************************** 2.5 Team Mode (?) **************************************************************************** Yes, team mode will be enabled in Command & Conquer through a very simple procedure. Click on a portion of the screen, hold down your mouse button and draw a box around the units you wish to team up, then let the button go. It's that easy. And, you can select a whole screen of your units to create a team if you wish. **************************************************************************** 2.6 Do I need to buy two copies of the game to play on two computers? **************************************************************************** We have designed the game so that you won't need to buy two separate copies of the game in order to play with a friend. You can give away one of your CDs so that you can both play over the modem. In order to play the normal game, you'll need both CDs. The reason we're doing it this way is so that you can enjoy the multiplayer aspect of C&C more easily. Although we could have designed it so that two copies of the game must be purchased in order to use multiplayer, we are hoping that if we treat our fans right, then they will in turn treat us right. **************************************************************************** 2.7 How is the computer artificial intelligence compared to other games? **************************************************************************** Since Command & Conquer was written from scratch, we were able to implement a completely new artificial intelligence. Forget about units which throw themselves headfirst into the waiting enemy. Instead, expect a new adversary which will attack, retreat, regroup, attack again, and probe your base for weaknesses. Helicopters will invade, and troops will pour through your walls all too often. This game will not be easy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- GETTING HELP / ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- **************************************************************************** 3.1 What is the purchase price/How can I order C&C? **************************************************************************** The Virgin Interactive Entertainment order line will ship C&C out for $59.95 plus $4.00 postage and handling. I can't make any promises as to whether people who order from Virgin will get the game first, but past offers have seen that people do usually get the game a little early. In the United States, call..................1-800-874-4607. Everywhere else.............................1-619-490-9070. If you don't live in North America, call around to see if you can get it locally first. **************************************************************************** 3.2 How to contact Westwood Studios **************************************************************************** You can email Westwood Studios (or me, actually) at : virtualted@westwood.com When you send mail to this address, a little icon pops up on my computer with a rather annoying "BING!" sound, and I usually write back very soon. If you write mail to this address before the release of the game with "C&C", "Command", or "Conquer" in the subject field, you'll probably receive this FAQ. A word of warning however... If you have a question about Command & Conquer, and you don't want to receive this FAQ back automatically, be sure to exclude the words I've outlined above. *************************************************************************** 3.3 Westwood FTP / WWW site. *************************************************************************** You can get to our web site at : http://www.westwood.com or our FTP site at : http://ftp.westwood.com *************************************************************************** Please feel free to mail me with suggestions or additions to this document. -VT @ WESTWOOD-