Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 [Archive]

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Blackmajik

Oct 23rd, 2008, 02:25 AM

Anyone excited about this release this up and coming October 28, 2008? I for one love the Command and Conquer series (alongside Starcraft). After finishing Command and Conquer 3, I never realized that RA3 was in the works and by the time I knew it, it went gold a few weeks ago.

Now here is the only thing that is stopping me from buying it. The copyright protection that is being used is SecuROM. Unfortunately, with this newest updated version, you have to activate it after you install it prior to playing it for the first time. More below:

I�ve been hearing your concerns about the DRM situation and wanted to get back to you with some information about our plans. In the case of Red Alert 3 (and all PC titles coming out of EA), we will use SecuROM � the same copy protection that the EALA RTS group has used on our last three titles. This time around, however, the copy protection will be configured to be more lenient than we've supported in the past.

I know this can be somewhat of a polarizing topic, and I thought it would be best to open the lines of communication with some facts:

- We will authenticate your game online when you install and launch it the first time.

- We will never re-authenticate an installation online after the first launch. In other words, no reaching out to a central server post-install to see if you�re �allowed� to play.

- You will be able to install and play on up to five computers.

- This system means you don't have to play with the disc in your computer. Personally, I think this is a huge improvement over our previous copy protection requirements, which have always required a disk to play.

- Life happens. I know it�s unlikely, but for those unlucky few who install the game and have their machines nuked (virus, OS reinstall, major hardware upgrade, etc.) five times, EA Customer Service will be on hand to supply any additional authorizations that are warranted. This will be done on a case-by-case basis by contacting customer support.

-You can, of course, play offline without impediment or penalty.

Red Alert 3 is shaping up to be a world-class RTS game that will give you many hours of enjoyment. I think it would be a shame if people decided to not play a great game simply because it came with DRM, but I understand that this is a very personal decision for many of you and I respect that. As you might imagine, I�m a lot less respectful of those people who take the position that they will illegally download a game simply because it has DRM.

Either way, we� re very proud of the hard work our team has put into this game and we hope you will all enjoy it when it launches.

Now this game isn't the first one to use this protection. It has been used in Spores, Mass Effect and Far Cry 2. All 3 were successfully cracked and doesn't require activation or any of the restrictions listed above. Now I truly understand why companies would go to such lengths to protect their product from being "pirated" but seeing how the protection can be stripped off easily and the pirates have a easier time to play the game over a person who bought the game legally, it is making me think twice before buying the game. I own each and every C&C title but paying $60 for something I may be limited to is just ludicrous. DRMs sometimes causes problems and it did happen to me after installing C&C 3 - it asked me to put in the original disc in the drive after I launched the game after a install. Also, forget about trading a game that has this kind of DRM. I seriously doubt stores such as EB will accept it since they don't know how many times you've installed it since selling it used to someone else will definitely cause headaches.

BYan

Oct 23rd, 2008, 09:41 AM

You know what, I love RA. It's my favourite RTS series next to Total War, and RA imo far outclasses the Tiberium series in terms of pure giddiness. But any game with that crazy Securom thing going for it gets my firm thumbs down. It doesn't protect against piracy and it is never as simply and hassle-free as they make it out to be. Plus I hear the software self-installs on your computer and you can't get rid of it.

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I believe a good game will speak for itself and garner the praise and sales its due. Nazi copy-protection schemes like this one just turns away potential buyers like me and makes me want to grab a parrot and sail the high seas.

Maybe I'll just DL the FMVs for the game once its out or something. Shame really. I love RA...

Setz

Oct 23rd, 2008, 11:08 AM

You guys see that remix of the commercial on Youtube? I can listen to that all day.

Third time's the charm.

AzN_RiverdaleCI

Oct 23rd, 2008, 11:19 AM

You guys see that remix of the commercial on Youtube? I can listen to that all day.

Third time's the charm.

I got bored of that after like the third time. But seriously though, love the beautiful women!

Lone_Prodigy

Oct 23rd, 2008, 11:39 AM

At least you don't need a CD to play anymore... that was a pleasant surprise for Mass Effect.

I agree about copy-protection doing squat: the only people it hurts are the legit consumers who are buying to support the developers.

Electricute

Oct 23rd, 2008, 11:42 AM

OMG theres a RA3? wait was there a RA2? was that with the chrono soldiers? actually just finished playing C&C generals cause i missed the game

gina carano vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnPLPbIAT2k&feature=related

Electricute

Oct 23rd, 2008, 11:51 AM

so the russians went back in time? and then hiro's father is now attacking the US?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuQSNp24_Kk&feature=related

riceboy6

Oct 23rd, 2008, 12:32 PM

I am excited yet a little skeptical. It is not developed by westwood studio like the first 2, but rather by EA.

The extra protection thing doesnt help either.

CeoOfKFC

Oct 24th, 2008, 09:12 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaCjkAA3L1I

Gotta love the music and TANYA.

blahs

Oct 26th, 2008, 10:01 PM

bump,
It sure seems like this game is getting overshadowed by everything else thats coming out in the next month.

Anyone hear anything about when canadian stores will be receiving it in? Ive seen two release dates now online, 27th and 28th.

evanx

Oct 27th, 2008, 12:42 AM

The cutscenes are hilarious! The only bad thing I am expecting from EA is the DRM... :evil:

mart242

Oct 28th, 2008, 11:00 AM

Has anyone seen it in stores? FS and BB don't even list it on their website..

I haven't seen any reviews either.

Blackmajik

Oct 28th, 2008, 11:55 AM

Called EB Games and the person checked the computer saying it will be out tomorrow (October 29, 2008). According to the official EA forums, "Red Alert 3 will start trickling around European store shelves this weekend and will then hit world-wide officially on Tuesday, October 28th, with the digital download following the next day." I'm not sure if the US is getting their copies today while Canada has to wait one more day but it seems weird because US/Canada usually get the releases simultaneously. I can wait one more day or two I guess since I am pretty swamped with stuff I have to do and probably can't play it fully till the weekend anyway. Also the price he quoted over the phone were $50 and $60. I'm guessing the higher for the special edition package. I do have to agree with blahs about this game not getting attention due to some other hyped games hitting the market.

Anyway here is a short review from PC Gamer - (http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/command-conquer-red-alert-3/review/command-conquer-red-alert-3/a-2008102217846690011/g-200802149356160028)

I may roll into Futureshop on the way to work later today and ask. I'll post my findings later tonight.

MasterXan

Oct 28th, 2008, 11:58 AM

any deals on this?

Blackmajik

Oct 28th, 2008, 12:01 PM

any deals on this?

If you want a deal on it, wait about a year later when they are going to be selling it for $29.99. Otherwise EB games may take trade ins towards your purchase of this game. If you're asking if you can get it cheaper than $49.99/$59.99 right off the bat, I don't think so.

akito925

Nov 2nd, 2008, 11:36 PM

this is game not bad, except Co-op is Online only! which means, I can't play this game with my friends on my Network when they come lan which makes it point less to play online only. but other then that I'd play on the lan part with computer players. max players is 6 players which I wish it had 8 player maps.

resources in the levels are a pain.. but I'd fixed that. so all we do is just build build build lol.

CSAgent

Nov 3rd, 2008, 03:14 AM

Finished Soviet campaign, killing Mr. Sulu was fun...hehe

baybeejay

Nov 3rd, 2008, 01:11 PM

what's with the lack of gina carano in the soviet campaign?!?!

TypeSHhhh

Nov 3rd, 2008, 01:18 PM

anyone else notice how crappy the graphics are, too cartoonish

hades

Nov 3rd, 2008, 02:17 PM

A bit disappointed by this game. :( Was very much looking forward to it, but I don't dig the 'co-op' style gameplay, takes away the fun in my victories. :( I want to kill the opponents on my own.

I also don't like the graphics, not too real, looks like a cross between 'real' and 'cartoon'.

Tiberium Wars was much better!

hades

WontonTiger

Nov 3rd, 2008, 04:01 PM

Check it out...

I love any and all things related to the Hoffmeister.

http://www.conquerthislife.com/

xwar

Nov 3rd, 2008, 04:15 PM

i am tempted to get this game, but i hate EA ...

CSAgent

Nov 3rd, 2008, 05:38 PM

anyone else notice how crappy the graphics are, too cartoonish

But all the other RA games were like that, they're suppose to be campy and corny. That's where the fun is. The game engine is the same used in C&C 3, just different art style. You can scroll in to ground level with the mouse wheel.

CSAgent

Nov 3rd, 2008, 05:40 PM

i am tempted to get this game, but i hate EA ...

All your bases are belong to us. (us = EA)

EA - we own all your games!

It's true, they're the biggest publisher next to Ubisoft right now. They tried buying out Ubisoft awhile back too if I remember correctly..

BYan

Nov 3rd, 2008, 07:28 PM

All your bases are belong to us. (us = EA)

EA - we own all your games!

It's true, they're the biggest publisher next to Ubisoft right now. They tried buying out Ubisoft awhile back too if I remember correctly..

Actually Activision/Blizzard is the biggest 3rd party developer after they merged. EA I believe is second largest right now. They just seem to have the whole reputation of being very aggressive and whatnot. Lately though I find that their games are actually turning out quite good. Their DRM policy is stupid though.

Blackmajik

Nov 4th, 2008, 12:09 AM

But all the other RA games were like that, they're suppose to be campy and corny. That's where the fun is. The game engine is the same used in C&C 3, just different art style. You can scroll in to ground level with the mouse wheel.

You can't scroll that far in and lots of reviewers were disappointed. Anyhow, the DRM in this one is really stupid but we can't blame EA. But what EA has done is shot themselves in the foot along with every gamer who has purchased the game. Not only will it be harder to sell a open box, it has created some problems about going online with a conflict with a serial number. But the cracked version is 100% playable offline. So the DRM truly only affects the buyers.

After playing a couple of missions on the Soviets, I didn't like it but after the fourth campaign mission, I find it more intriguing then other RA and Command and Conquer 3. The ability to build and use the water brings it to a whole new level of RTS gaming. I believe WC2 has the ability to build ships but it wasn't as complex as this. Overall the graphics are a little bit weird and not as polished as C&C3 but the game play so far makes up for it.

SuckaB

Nov 4th, 2008, 11:48 AM

Electricute

Nov 4th, 2008, 12:28 PM

anyone else notice how crappy the graphics are, too cartoonish

first thing i thought when i went through the tutorials. game is very similar to RA2, mostly same vehicles, same super powers so far.

however my "copy" crashes after I reach a certain campaign mission, could this be I'm missing a file or soemthing?

Electricute

Nov 4th, 2008, 12:31 PM

After playing a couple of missions on the Soviets, I didn't like it but after the fourth campaign mission, I find it more intriguing then other RA and Command and Conquer 3. The ability to build and use the water brings it to a whole new level of RTS gaming. I believe WC2 has the ability to build ships but it wasn't as complex as this. Overall the graphics are a little bit weird and not as polished as C&C3 but the game play so far makes up for it.

agreed, the cracked version was availible online like the day after it was released, puts a shame to all the time and money wasted to try and prevent pirates.

RA2 had abaility to build ships as well, aircraft carriers would dominate along with nuclear subs, could hit enemy across the map witht hose things

hades

Nov 4th, 2008, 01:53 PM

first thing i thought when i went through the tutorials. game is very similar to RA2, mostly same vehicles, same super powers so far.

however my "copy" crashes after I reach a certain campaign mission, could this be I'm missing a file or soemthing?

There is a 'fix' for this on popular torrent sites. The original cracked release had this problem.

hades

CSAgent

Nov 4th, 2008, 02:25 PM

I really don't like Jenny McCarthy as Tanya. She's so old, it's like looking at a granny...

Electricute

Nov 4th, 2008, 10:39 PM

There is a 'fix' for this on popular torrent sites. The original cracked release had this problem.

hades

do i have to reinstall? and apply new crack?

btw i like the english chick with no pants, that uniform is awesome

BYan

Nov 5th, 2008, 12:14 AM

do i have to reinstall? and apply new crack?

btw i like the english chick with no pants, that uniform is awesome

Gemma Atkinson? :D

The acting in this game is hilarious! I have a crap videocard so basically I'm looking at colourful smudges shoot each other. But man don't I just look forward to each new cutscene!

Don't reinstall. Just unpack the crack into your RA folder. Should work.

nm486

Nov 5th, 2008, 05:10 PM

i6s1

Nov 5th, 2008, 07:19 PM

I bought it.... installing now, it's taking a while cause I'm using an XBox HDDVD drive.

I like the poster that came with it.

BYan

Nov 5th, 2008, 07:38 PM

After playing the Allied Campaign and sampling the other campaigns...all I have to say about RA3 is this...

This is the most Fisher-Price game I've ever played in my life. Even on Hard the difficulty is laughable (consolized?). Everything is so forgiving. And as if the missions werent easy enough, they give you a backup commander pretty much every applicable mission? How much more hand-holding does there have to be in this game? I think most RA vets would be insulted. This is probably one of the most brain-dead RTS ever in terms of game mechanics...maybe its because of Consoleitis

There's no feeling of tension in this "World War" - everything's so cheery and the acting is about as campy as the old Batman TV series. Although (some) of the chicks are hot.

Even the visuals where everything is so bright and and overdone looks like a Fisher Price product! lol...

Needless to say I'm not sure how seriously this game takes itself but I'm sure as hell not taking this game seriously any more...uninstalled

/rant

If you want a serious storyline/deep RTS experience, wait for Starcraft 2. RA has always been the silly billy cousin to all the sombre RTSes out there. And the reason they give you a co-commander for each level isn't because they want to hold your hand or because they're dumbing it down for the console crowd (I never really understood PC elitism, after all, but I suppose when you spend $3k to play games you'd want some reason at least to justify your choice). The game was designed from the ground up with co-op play in mind. The co-commanders basically let the AI sit in for the absent player if you're inclined to play it SP.

Electricute

Nov 6th, 2008, 03:05 PM

got it working properly now, thnxs

i agree mission are pretty easy, never really have to defend my base, its either build up a huge air army or naval army and smash the objectives. finished the soviet campaign and most of the allied campaign. I like warcraft 3 when the campaigns were links and there was a flow. but so far u beat the soviet campaign and start the allies, and everything as started

toalan

Nov 6th, 2008, 11:08 PM

I really love the playschool looks of the game.I am tired of the earthy colors that so dominates most games.

The chick on the opening screen is so hot, 99% of her is probably air brushed.

I have never been a fan of CNC, until I played CNC generals, now that game was bat sh*t crazy. CNC RA3 is crazy, but most of the crazyness is limited to the cut scenes, not a huge amount of that spills into the actual gameplay. I can not help to feel that CNC RA3 is lacking in character, it plays pretty much like any plain vanilla RTS, nothing really draws me into the game. I also felt the same way about CNC3.

CSAgent

Nov 7th, 2008, 02:57 AM

At the end of the Allied campaign, omg you get the biggest surprise ever! I couldn't stop laughing during the speech given by the character... play on and you'll find out!!

AzN_RiverdaleCI

Nov 27th, 2008, 04:24 PM

YO, noone reminded me this game was out, will get it this weekend, i looked on the FS website, whats the difference between reg RA3 and premium RA3 which is $10 more? i googled it looks like u get a poster and audio cd/bloopers, any 1 confirm?

AzN_RiverdaleCI

Nov 28th, 2008, 12:00 PM

bump 4 difference between reg and premium check.

SuckaB

Nov 28th, 2008, 12:23 PM

bump 4 difference between reg and premium check.

I got my prem version at bestbuy for the same price as reg version. I'm not sure if it's still that price right now.

Electricute

Nov 28th, 2008, 12:34 PM

at the end of the allied campaign, omg you get the biggest surprise ever! I couldn't stop laughing during the speech given by the character... Play on and you'll find out!!

i thought it was awesome

angekfire

Nov 28th, 2008, 01:17 PM

When the original RA came out, I was given the battle-chest as a gift from my uncle. I didn't really like the game, I much preferred starcraft & warcraft. I haven't bothered with any of the series since the first one, and I doubt I'll make an exception for this. I'm just waiting on SC2.

AzN_RiverdaleCI

Nov 28th, 2008, 02:11 PM

I got my prem version at bestbuy for the same price as reg version. I'm not sure if it's still that price right now.

its not it's $10 more! any differences? did you get any posters and stuff?!

SuckaB

Nov 28th, 2008, 03:16 PM

its not it's $10 more! any differences? did you get any posters and stuff?!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10112881&catid=21138

still $49.99 = regular edition price. Price match at futureshop for $48.99

yes I got a poster, bonus multiplayer map, extra dvd, and the hardcase.

Like I said, if it's same price just get the premium.

EDIT: Also a bonus ingame item for Warhammer Online: AoR, and the soundtrack for the game (which is AWSOME!)

AzN_RiverdaleCI

Nov 29th, 2008, 01:38 AM

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10112881&catid=21138

still $49.99 = regular edition price. Price match at futureshop for $48.99

yes I got a poster, bonus multiplayer map, extra dvd, and the hardcase.

Like I said, if it's same price just get the premium.

EDIT: Also a bonus ingame item for Warhammer Online: AoR, and the soundtrack for the game (which is AWSOME!)

thanks, finally, almost a day after I posted I get the answer I want, thanks.