Dev Note
What's Taking So Long 😠?
Hello, long time no see. Let's dive straight in and address the elephant in the room. The update is now 8 months late, why? Time and resources is the short answer. A lot has happened in the background, both in the development department and IRL so the delay was inevitable, apologies.
I wanted 3.0 to be the content breakthrough patch RotE needed but it has turned more into a project that I can showcase new features while pushing this engine to the limit. There is still a truck load of new content which I'll go over further down the article (and the release article) but just wanted to say this here.
Some key info in this article:
- 3.0 progress report
- New exclusive features and art
- New missions
- Visual improvements
2.3 3.0 Progress Report
Notice anything different? The patch was originally 2.3 but so much work has gone into this update over the last 1.5 years that we've reached a new milestone. Sneak peeks below of course:
CatTanker has done a great job at updating some of the campaign maps with new terrain features
New Subbies
By now, most of you know there are 5 new subfactions so no point keeping them a mystery. Here are their flags. P.S. remember this is a mod and is not influenced by real life, politics or religion whatsoever.
Upgrade System Update & Introduction to GPs
I've updated the upgrade system again to allow for more smooth transitions between clicking, researching and deploying upgrades. You will no longer see annoying "hidden" unit cursors behind buildings 😉.
With this update also comes the introduction of General Powers for all factions, they are designed to change the tides of battle and play style of each faction.
General Powers are granted at each tier free of charge. GPs give the commander a choice between tools such as unit upgrades, support powers or economy boosts - allowing for a strategy shift or counter to certain combinations.
In future versions of RotE, General Powers will be accessed in a similar fashion to how they work in C&C Generals via a point system. This will likely be the case in 3.1.
The example below shows Ukraine's Rank 1 choices between upgrading their Bulava Tank with more armor and amphibious tech or gaining access to a new tiered Support Power that spawns Iron Striders anywhere on the map:
Some GPs are also backwards compatible, meaning once you reach a certain tier but end up losing the tech building, the new tech (unit, upgrades etc) granted by the GP will still be available. For SPs, a lesser version is granted. E.g. USA Rank 3 GP to unlock the Paladin Tank is accessed at T3, but the Paladin Tank itself replaces the M1A1 at T2 once selected:
New Exclusive Features
3.0 pushes the 20 year old engine to its limits, here are some of the new features:
- Experience transfer
- Improved single click upgrade systems
- Advanced weapon systems
- TS Web remake and all new Freeze mechanics
- Critical hits & chance based effects
- Condition triggered effects
- Aircraft area guard
- Missile interceptors aka Paladin & King Raptor
- Airfield rally points & split queue (helicopters moved from WF to Airfield)
- Hero specials (unique abilities)
- Pseudo infantry squads
And many more, which will be revealed on the official release. Here's a video showcasing some of these features:
More Audio Visual Improvements
The entire visual department received an overhaul, from custom infantry and vehicle models to hundreds of new civilian structures to new terrain and faction buildings. There's also all new VA done for new units.
We have to start out with our new logo, by CCHyper
Here's some of the new civilian buildings and props converted by Danielovich7
Generals vehicle husk logic for those who like attention to detail:
Some of the new VA work done by Haubibban
I've also remade some cameos, here's a side by side comparison between the old style and new:
Single Player Campaign
There's good news and bad news on the mission department.
The good news being 3 GLA and 3 China missions are polished and ready to go. And the bad news is because of all the background changes I have had to disable all 24 RA2 missions. YR missions are still available which will hopefully keep the angry mob at bay. I will reenable RA2 missions in the future but will likely be in small lots of 1/2 missions per update due to the amount of work required to get them working again.
RotE lore now has an official storyline written for the first 4 missions. Judging by the rate we're going, we might see mission 1 available along with the 4th China and GLA missions in 3.1.
Thanks for reading. This was a big "quick update" article but I will cover the full patch details on the official release.. which will be in about 4-8 weeks, aka soon™.
Until then, Commander.
(buried)
A suggestion, you have put the first kalma of muslim on the GLA sub fraction flag, please remove it because you will face very harsh backlash from your mod followers and players who are muslims including myself
Edit: even though you have mentioned "P.S. remember this is a mod and is not influenced by real life, politics or religion whatsoever" i would highly suggest you make amends on the GLA sub fraction flag
But on the other hand, the mod includes the US, China, North Korea and others. Russian culture and aesthetics of both the Tsarist and Soviet era make up the Soviet faction in Red Alert. Other symbols and logos are used to create these factions or subfactions.
Why should your side have any special protections compared to all the others?
Stop crying.
Very nice.
No need to rush with re-enabling the RA2 missions, since on Hard difficulty they were basically impossible to beat.
Thanks! Would be great to remake them with some new goodies
Nice work, keep up the good progress. ROTE is going to be one of the greatest mods in the community.
Thanks mate! Hope you're enjoying the break from modding :D
as if ROTE isn't the best mod out there ;)
love so much you mod. its number 1 mod for ra2 nad better than mental omega
thanks mate!
I was actually wondering about this mod, glad to see it got quite the progress going on!
still here 💪💪 this update has taken a very long time to develop but it's close now
Is that the Azri-Apoc's Apocalypse Tank in the picture?It is my favourite version of Apocalypse tank.
yes it is :)
Nice, i don't like to talk about other mods, so i will just say that yours is reaching levels of polish and content that i didn't see in years, keep the good work and don't rush, we can wait.
thank you mate, a lot of hard work has gone into it i hope it delivers :)
Wow,that looks great.
Can't wait to have a try)
The billboards on those buildings look very strange... A mix of Chinese, Korean and all sorts of weird characters, then spelled out in a way that people whose mother tongue is one of those languages can't read at all.xD
很期待