BioWare Developing Command & Conquer: Generals 2

We’re about 25 minutes into the Spike TV VGAs and we now know the name of the title that BioWare waited until tonight to announce: Command & Conquer: Generals 2. The clip that was shown was short and gave no indication that the game will be anything other than the RTS we’d expect it to be, so it’ll likely fall off our radar from here on out.

However, as a Command & Conquer fan since the series began, I can honestly say that I’m very much looking forward to it. And it likely means that Victory Games is now part of BioWare, which would suggest that one of the world’s biggest RPG developers just picked up Might and Magic creator Jon Van Caneghem.

There’s also some irony in the fact that this will be BioWare’s first PC-exclusive title in years:

In the near future, world leaders are mere seconds from signing a global treaty and bringing an end to war as we know it when a devastating terrorist attack rips through the peace conference, killing all in attendance. In a world left with no politicians, diplomats, or activists, only the Generals remain. It’s up to you to assume their roles, command their forces, and put an end to global terrorism once and for all.

‘¢ All-Out War Take control of three unique factions, competing for resources, building up your base of operation, and leading massive batteries of tanks, soldiers, and aircraft into battle.

‘¢ Uncanny Sense of Realism Frostbite 2 technology allows for visceral, visually stunning conflict at an epic scale. Incredibly detailed units and environments, dynamic physics, and exhilarating visual effects bring the battle to life in ways never before seen. This is the closest thing to real war without the consequences.

‘¢ New Ways to Dominate or Ally with Your Friends Go beyond classic deathmatch with a selection of new multiplayer game modes, designed with both cooperative and competitive play in mind.

‘¢ Thrilling Campaign Command the war on terror in an electrifying single-player campaign. Experience the dramatic story from multiple perspectives from heroic General to crazed terrorist while engaging the enemy in pulse-pounding tactical combat.

‘¢ Ever-Evolving Experience Enhance your game with an expanding array of downloadable content. From maps and units to factions, campaigns, and more, the fight against terrorism is deeper than ever.

Minimum System Requirements

OS: Windows Vista (Service Pack 1) 32-bit
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core (Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz)
Memory: 2 GB
Hard Drive: 20 GB
Graphics card (AMD): DirectX 10.1 compatible with 512 MB RAM (ATI Radeon 3000, 4000, 5000 or 6000 series, with ATI Radeon 3870 or higher performance)
Graphics card (NVIDIA): DirectX 10.0 compatible with 512 MB RAM (NVIDIA GeForce 8, 9, 200, 300, 400 or 500 series with NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT or higher performance)
Sound card
DirectX Compatible
Keyboard and Mouse
DVD ROM Drive

Recommended System Requirements

OS: Windows 7 64-bit
Processor: Quad-core CPU
Memory: 4 GB
Hard Drive: 20 GB
Graphics card: DirectX 11 compatible with 1024 MB RAM (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 or ATI Radeon 6950)
Sound card
DirectX Compatible
Keyboard and Mouse
DVD ROM Drive

And how about a press release that confirms the addition of BioWare Victory?

EA UNVEILS COMMAND & CONQUER GENERALS 2

BioWare Takes the Helm of the Long-Awaited Sequel to the Best-Selling Game in the Storied Command & Conquer Series

Los Angeles, California December 10, 2011 In a world left without political leaders, only the generals remain! Tonight at the Spike Video Game Awards, BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced the studio’s newest project, Command & Conquerâ„¢ Generals 2. Powered by Frostbiteâ„¢ 2, Generals 2 will feature cutting-edge visuals, sound, and destruction that will bring a new level of fidelity to strategy games. Fans will get a first look at the new Generals 2 during the Spike TV VGAs at 8:00pm EST*. Featuring the franchise’s patented blend of pulse-pounding action and intelligent gameplay, Command & Conquer Generals 2 once again puts players in the middle of an all-out war between three unique factions. Command & Conquer Generals 2 is being developed by a new BioWare studio, BioWare Victory, and is coming exclusively to the PC in 2013.

(We’re bringing BioWare’s vision for emotionally engaging gameplay and great attention to quality to the strategy genre and the Command & Conquer franchise,) said Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager of EA’s BioWare label. (I am excited to welcome BioWare Victory to our label. They are a great addition and the team is working hard to make sure Generals 2 truly immerses and engages players into this intense, gritty, modern war experience.)

(For the last eight years, Command & Conquer fans have been begging for a return to the Generals universe,) said Jon Van Caneghem, Executive Producer of Command & Conquer Generals 2. (With Generals 2, we are bringing the Command & Conquer franchise back to its roots, blending strategic gameplay with fast-paced action — all set in visually stunning theaters of war powered by Frostbite 2.)

In Command & Conquer Generals 2, world leaders are mere seconds away from signing a peace treaty and bringing an end to a global war when a devastating terrorist attack rips through the conference, killing everyone in attendance, leaving only the world’s military superpowers in control. It’s up to you to assume their roles, take command of their forces and conquer global terrorism once and for all. Players will take control of three unique factions in a thrilling single-player campaign, and with friends online in cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

For more information on Command & Conquer Generals 2, please visit www.CommandandConquer.com, follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OfficialCnC or (Like) Command & Conquer on Facebook at http://facebook.com/commandandconquer.