Classic Interview – C&C Community Manager 29 June 2007
Back in the day over on cncnation.net I did a couple of interviews. The first such interview is from 29th June 2007. This was with the Command and Conquer Community Manager Aaron Kauffman. We discussed a fair few topics ranging from Mods, to the 360 Marketplace and loads more. The interview follows in full.
Evo: 1. Mod teams are starting to announce themselves all over the place for C&C3 but one of the key tools they need is the SDK. When can we expect thiso be released?
APOC: The MOD SDK is currently in progress and nearly complete. It’s going to be filled with a ton of tools including updated plugins for 3DS Max versions 7-9 (we like you Vista users!), our full XML library which will give you access to the game balance, AI, and essential game logic code, audio conversion tools, and an array of other pipeline tools that will really allow modders to transform Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars into their own total conversion mod, of course while still retaining the fast and fluid gameplay C&C 3 is known for.
Right now we’re tracking towards releasing in the next month or so. Even though the MOD SDK itself is nearly complete, we still need to put it through some rigorous testing. We also plan to privately reach out to some select modders in the community who can help ensure the SDK really packs the necessary punch needed!
Evo: 2. With the recent release of the Worldbuilder can we expect to see some more C&C3 related competitions being run?
APOC: Absolutely! It’s still early in development, but you’ll notice a special MAPS section on our official site at www.CommandAndConquer.com where we are putting our developer stamp of approval on the best fan-made maps out there. Feel free to submit any map to rtscommunityleaders@ea.com. We’re selecting around 10 maps each month that meet our high quality standards. We base that judgment on artistic polish, balanced design, and the level of fun that the map offers.
As for competitions, after we get our ladder season started we will then look to do official map competitions with prizes. I would love to see some of the best maps get included in a future patch, and it’s absolutely possible considering the quality we have seen so far.
Evo: 3. Is work on a new patch for Command and Conquer: The First Decade due to start any time soon?
APOC: We’re constantly listening to the community and taking notes on all of the various subtleties that are requested and feature enhancements on all of our products. Currently, we’re laser-focused on making Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars the best C&C game to date and trying to stay one-step ahead of all of the C&C masterminds who continue to come up with ways to exploit and “bend” the rules. Once we get to a point where we feel comfortable with C&C 3 and all of the various balancing tweaks are in a stable place, I hope we can go back and deliver on the infamous 1.03 patch to The First Decade that the community has been requesting.
Evo: 4. What are we due to find out in the next podcast? When will it be coming out?
APOC: July…and you can bet it will feature another hilarious romp-stomp of entertaining C&C news, interviews, and other surprises. You can expect a discussion of our current patch plans for the summer, the MOD SDK and exactly what will be in it, our upcoming ladder season, XBOX 360 updates and…well the rest you’ll have to find out later when its released.
Evo: 5a. You at EALA have already show us your commitment to the community with the involvement of APOC and Predator, the podcasts and much more. What else can we expect to see in the future for the future of the C&C3 Community?
APOC: My community plans for Command & Conquer change monthly, but one things is always consistent and that is: communication. It’s my goal to always be on the message boards giving you guys the latest and greatest support news and keeping our website updated with fresh content. I envision the future having video podcasts, a bustling epic ladder season for C&C 3 with huge prizes, bi-monthly contests, increased blogs from more members of the development team, and without question, more exposure for modders. I hope to really push the envelope on community exposure, I think you guys all deserve a lot more “world-wide” exposure for your dedication and passion. We’ll also be rolling out something in the near future that I know the community will love. More details on that later.
Evo: 5b. Will Mod teams receive support like Epic! did with Unreal Tournament?
APOC: Epic has taken a number of years to get to the point where they are at with the MOD community, and even more so, the developer community. Epic’s decision to license out their Unreal engine definitely plays a major part in their decision to offer up support to all of the modders out there. While there are no plans for us to license out our technology, I think the MOD SDK for Command & Conquer 3 is a huge step in the right direction, and we’ll provide as much support as possible. I anticipate the MOD community will take our SDK and develop even more tools to enhance the moddability of the game. I also anticipate you’ll see a lot of “modders helping modders” as demonstrated in the past by our active and lively modding community.
Evo: 5c. What more will be done to boost the role of Community Sites within the whole C&C3 Community?
APOC: As I stated above, I think ultimately it’s about more exposure for the sites that are really putting in the weekly passion and keeping the Command & Conquer community afloat with us. Lets be honest, without community leaders like yourselves, my job would be nearly impossible and unfulfilling. It’s you guys that make our community live and breath every day. Of course, you need a community manager to help guide and inspire you! I’d like to see more fan-sites reach out to us with articles they’d want published on our official site or cool projects or contests that could use the exposure bump. Let us combine our powers and help drive traffic to and from your sites! If you are a fan-site or mod leader in this community, then you know how to contact me (wink wink).
Evo: 5d. What has been the highlight for you APOC in your role as C&C3 Community Manager?
APOC: My experience at the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany last summer made me feel like David Hasselhoff in Germany or India. I kid you not, I was getting asked for autographs from all over and it was a very humbling experience to see how many hundreds of thousands of German C&C fans knew about “APOC” , and even our producers Mike Verdu, Amer Ajami, and Jim Vessella. Being known around the gaming community for what we do is a pretty awesome feeling. I’m glad, however, that the paparazzi have not invaded the gaming industry!
In addition, on a less tangible level, it is the feeling I get every time we do something “big” for the community like a game or patch release, exclusive screenshots, videos, MOD SDK, really anything that fulfills a direct community request and always brings that “World Cup style excitement when a goal is scored”, is simply an awesome goose-bump inducing feeling. I know more than 90% of the community always appreciates our efforts and knowing that we are enhancing your gameplay experience and generating excitement is a great feeling as well.
Evo: 6a. It must be noted that the multiplayer components in the 360 Version of the game are of a much wider variety, King of Hill, Capture the Flag etc. which are continuations of what was in the 360 version of BFME2. Why have you chosen to put these game types in the 360 version but not the PC version of C&C3?
APOC: For the Xbox 360 version of Command & Conquer 3, we really wanted to make sure that we reached out to as many people as possible. Believe it or not, RTS games in general can have kind of a steep learning curve and be somewhat intimidating to people. While, C&C3 is definitely more on the accessible side compared to other RTS games out there, it’s still something that not everyone on the console side is familiar with. So, for multiplayer, we thought it would be fun and “welcoming” to find a way to bring some of the more popular multiplayer modes that console gamers see in FPS games into Command & Conquer 3. It sort of makes the new players feel more at home.
Evo: 6b. Can we expect these game types to appear on the PC eventually?
APOC: The response from the community about getting these modes over to the PC has been pretty impressive to say the least, and it’s definitely something that is on the table for consideration. I wish I could give you more of a definitive answer, but know that it is something we’re discussing and if it is something that is happening, I’ll make sure you all know ASAP!
Evo: 6c. What Marketplace content will there be for the 360 version of the game?
APOC: Recently, we released our first official map pack for the X360 on Xbox Live Marketplace. This map pack features 5 maps from the exclusive PC Kane Edition. In honor of this release, we also put up a 6th map for anyone and everyone to download provided they have an Xbox Live account. Moving forward, there are definite plans to release other content via Xbox Live Marketplace and I definitely encourage you and everyone else to keep an eye on the official site and the boards for the latest intel on when more content is posted on Xbox Live Marketplace.
To make things a little easier, we’ve also created this website which calls out all of the content currently available for C&C 3 on Xbox Live Marketplace: http://www.ea.com/cncx360/dlpstr.jsp
Evo: 6d. Talking of consoles are there any plans to bring the franchise to the PS3?
APOC: Command & Conquer is one of if not the biggest RTS franchise out there and we’re constantly looking at all the gaming platforms for our games and thinking of the best strategic ways to share them with a wider audience so that everyone can enjoy nuking a Blue Zone or stopping Kane. Perhaps the best example of this is our recently announced re-energized partnership with Apple in bringing Command & Conquer 3 to the MAC. What does this mean for all of the PS3 folks out there? Only time will tell.
Evo: 7a. There has been a novel recently announced based on C&C3 to be written by Keith R. A. DeCandido that looks to be very exciting. Does the novel follow the same story exactly as the game, or does it further explore sub-plots that were raised in the game?
APOC: The novel parallels the main story of Command & Conquer 3. I think i’ll take a quote straight from a recent interview from Keith to sum it up best, “The events of the novel occur alongside those in the game, and the events of the game are referenced (and in one or two cases, dramatized). However, while the game commences with you playing the commander of one particular GDI division, the book instead follows a different division, the 22nd Infantry Division of GDI. In addition, there’s a subplot involving a W3N reporter. Basically, the novel shows what else was going on at the same time as what happens in the game.”
I know there are the ultra-elite cynical fans of Command & Conquer who treasure the canon story like nothing else, but I can assure you that all past and present details were taken in to account when this novel was written. It’s absolutely a must-read for any hardcore fan of Command & Conquer. It’s the first novel for the series and is another fantastic opportunity beyond the game to get immersed in the Command & Conquer universe.
Evo: 7b. Is there one lead character in the book? Can we expect to see some familiar names from the past games in the Franchise?
APOC: The novel really takes you through the eyes of multiple characters from GDI and even some from Nod, and gives you a glimpse of life in the year 2047. Hardcore fans may recognize hearing the name “McNeil” and of course there is more to be discovered about our favorite megalomaniac sinister leader Kane…but i’m not going to spoil the rest for you. That right there should be enough to entice fans to open the book.
Evo: 8. A question many people are waiting to hear an answer for, is there going to be an expansion pack to C&C3? (fair question, how do you answer?)
APOC: I answer with my lips sealed tight. Command & Conquer 3 has been a remarkable success thanks to the support and passion from all of you. There are a lot of unanswered questions looming around about Kane and what happened after (and before) the events of C&C3. Will these answers be told in an upcoming expansion pack to C&C3? Only time will tell. (It kills me to leave you all hanging like that)
Evo: 9. Are there any plans for a continuation or rebirth of the Red Alert series? (fair question, how do you answer?)
APOC: We spent a lot of time waiting and making sure that the time was right to bring about the second decade of Command & Conquer to the fans. Now that it’s here, I can’t say whether Red Alert 3 will be part of this rebirth of C&C, but I can tell you that we’re constantly reading the message boards and making sure that we’re delivering on all the C&C fans desires. After all, we’re all major fans of Command & Conquer here at EALA too!
Evo: 10. Finally, who is the best player in the EALA offices in 1v1s in C&C3?
APOC: Without a doubt, Ender, aka Gavin, aka former top community player of Command & Conquer before he became one of our lead AI designers. Being an extremely good gamer can land you a full-time gig in the gaming industry, you just have to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities and attack them quickly when they arise. Ender can take anyone on the 1v1 ladder any day, but he has a full time job to do, so he doesn’t spend a ton of time increasing his rank, but when he does, watch the hell out!
I just wanted to end this interview again by saying thank you to all of our fans for your support of Command & Conquer 3 and I’m looking forward to the long road ahead!
Best,
APOC
I have recently been back in contact with Aaron and there may be a new interview coming soon with him here on evo-gamer.com
Tags: C&C, Classic Interview