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"Command &amp;amp; Conquer Generals 2, originally announced at the VGAs as a new retail game by BioWare Victory, will now be released as the first \"universe\" of a free-to-play service called simply \"Command &amp;amp; Conquer.\"Command &amp;amp; Conquer will launch next year as a platform for the delivery of new experiences in the strategy franchise, starting with the material originally planned as Generals 2. This move allows \"gamers complete access to the cutting-edge visuals, sound and destruction of a full, AAA strategy game &amp;ndash; for free,\" as EA puts it. Future \"universes\" will include Red Alert and Tiberium.We'll find out more about this sudden transition, and this new service, at Gamescom. Closed beta access will be given to some fans who sign up at the official site.Show full PR text   EA ANNOUNCES COMMAND &amp;amp; CONQUER A NEW FREE-TO- PLAY DESTINATION POWERED BY FROSTBITE 2  Command &amp;amp; Conquer Generals 2 Transforms into a New Digital Platform for the Legendary Strategy Franchise    COLOGNE, Germany &amp;ndash; August 15, 2012 &amp;ndash; Today at gamescom, the world's largest trade fair and event for interactive games and entertainment, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) took a bold step to spearhead the industry's digital revolution and announced Command &amp;amp; Conquer. The previously announced Command &amp;amp; Conquer Generals 2 has been transformed to be a part of this new digital experience, giving gamers complete access to the cutting-edge visuals, sound and destruction of a full, AAA strategy game &amp;ndash; for free. The new online platform and service will launch in 2013, with the Generals universe representing the first of many free offerings within the storied franchise EA is planning to launch with Command &amp;amp; Conquer.    With a familiar blend of cerebral, strategic gameplay and fun, fast-paced action, Command &amp;amp; Conquer will deliver an authentic and modern RTS experience that will instantly exhilarate longtime fans and captivate new players. Gamers can sign up for a chance to be among the first to try the closed beta of Command &amp;amp; Conquer at www.CommandandConquer.com/free.    \"We are thrilled about this opportunity to transform Command and Conquer into a premier online experience,\" said Jon Van Caneghem, VP/GM at EA. \"For nearly two decades, this franchise has existed as something you buy; now we are creating a destination where our fans will be able to access the entire Command and Conquer universe, starting with Generals and continuing with Red Alert, Tiberium, and beyond. With Frostbite 2, we are able to keep an emphasis on the AAA quality our consumers expect while staying true to the RTS gameplay they know and love &amp;ndash; all available online for free.\"    An all out war rages in Command &amp;amp; Conquer, as players take control of multiple factions, compete for resources, build up operation bases, and lead massive batteries of tanks, soldiers, and aircraft into battle. With incredibly detailed units, fully destructible environments, dynamic physics, and exhilarating visual effects, Command &amp;amp; Conquer is poised to re-define what gamers expect from a strategy game. Heralding feedback driven design, Command &amp;amp; Conquer will evolve and develop with an expanding array of new content based on community feedback.    Command &amp;amp; Conquer will be available as a free, client-based game for the PC in 2013. For more information on and to register for a chance to be selected for closed beta access, please visit www.CommandandConquer.com/free.Follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OfficialCnC or \"Like\" Command &amp;amp; Conquer on Facebook at http://facebook.com/commandandconquer.  ."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/15/command-and-conquer-generals-2-launching-as-part-of-free-to-play-c/>