'커맨드 앤 컨커'(Command & Conquer, 이하 C&C) 프로젝트가 중단된 것은 EA의 내부 알력 때문이다?
테스트 단계에 있던 C&C 프로젝트가 중단되고, 개발 스튜디오인 빅토리 게임즈가 해산된 것에 대해 새로운 내용이 밝혀졌다. 이는 해외 C&C 커뮤니티인 CNCNZ에 올라온 'Command & Conquer's Cancellation - The Real Story'(커맨드 앤 컨커가 취소된 리얼 스토리)라는 글의 일부로, 일렉트로닉 아츠(이하 EA) 측에 의해 밝혀진 내용과 상반되는 부분이 많아 C&C 시리즈 팬들의 관심을 모으고 있다.
해당 글에서는 "아마 여러분 모두가 우리 개발팀이 해체됐다는 소식을 들었겠지만, 이것만은 알아주길 바란다"며 "공식 웹사이트를 통해 밝혀진 개발 취소 이유는 말도 안 되는 헛소리"라고 말하고 있다. (실제 원문에서는 보다 과격한 뉘앙스의 표현들이 사용됐음)
"공식적으로는 '게임의 품질 문제'로 인해 프로젝트가 중단된 것으로 알려져있으나, 실제로는 '사내 파벌 다툼과 모략'에 의해 프로젝트 취소에 이르게 된 것"이라는 내용이 글의 핵심이다. 아래는 해당 포스트의 원문이다. 현재 작성자명은 삭제된 상태이며, 일부 C&C 팬들에 의해 각종 커뮤니티에서 확산되고 있다.
Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that it has been a pleasure working on this game and I hope you all have enjoyed the closed alpha!
This isn't official or anything, but you probably saw that our whole team got the ax. I hope you understand that we at VG all were dedicated to making a game for all of you to play, and that the press release line was total b.s. It was NOT any feedback from the alpha that shut this project down but just petty corporate politics and shenanigans.
We were all shocked and confused to find out that our studio is closed (and that we are all out of jobs!), but I am happy to see that the game is still up and running RIGHT NOW and that a lot of people are still having fun with it. Please enjoy the live game until they figure out how to turn off the servers (it might be a while)!
Cheers
This isn't official or anything, but you probably saw that our whole team got the ax. I hope you understand that we at VG all were dedicated to making a game for all of you to play, and that the press release line was total b.s. It was NOT any feedback from the alpha that shut this project down but just petty corporate politics and shenanigans.
We were all shocked and confused to find out that our studio is closed (and that we are all out of jobs!), but I am happy to see that the game is still up and running RIGHT NOW and that a lot of people are still having fun with it. Please enjoy the live game until they figure out how to turn off the servers (it might be a while)!
Cheers
한편, 위 글에서 언급된 '공식적인 입장'은 지난 29일(현지시각 기준) C&C 홈페이지를 통해 밝혀진 프로젝트가 중단 소식과 그에 관한 EA 측의 공식 입장을 말한다. EA 관계자는 이와 관련해 "빅토리 게임즈의 개발팀이 해체 처리됐으며, 그들이 EA 안에서 재능을 발휘할 다른 역할을 찾을 수 있도록 도울 것"이라는 입장을 밝힌 바 있다.
C&C 홈페이지 공식 글에서는 "지난 몇 달 간 알파 테스트에 참여해준 분들에게 감사를 표한다"며 "여러분들은 새로운 C&C에서 무엇을 보여주고 무엇을 없애야할지를 결정하는데 중요한 역할을 했다"고 말하고 있다.
이같은 내용이 밝혀진 뒤 현재 C&C 시리즈의 팬들 사이에서는 '어쩐지 너무 급작스럽게 취소된 듯하다'는 입장과 '폭로된 내용이 사실인지는 좀 더 지켜봐야한다'는 등의 다양한 여론이 형성되고 있다.
Generals,
Thank you for your participation over the last few months in the Command & Conquer closed alpha test. It's been much appreciated, and you've been instrumental in helping define what a new Command & Conquer experience should and shouldn't be.
Part of being in a creative team is the understanding that not all of your choices are going to work out. In this case, we shifted the game away from campaign mode and built an economy-based, multiplayer experience. Your feedback from the alpha trial is clear: We are not making the game you want to play. That is why, after much difficult deliberation, we have decided to cease production of this version of the game. Although we deeply respect the great work done by our talented team, ultimately it's about getting you the game you expect and deserve.
Over the next 10 days we will be refunding any and all money spent in the alpha. If you have a question about your refund, please contact help.ea.com.
We believe that Command & Conquer is a powerful franchise with huge potential and a great history, and we are determined to get the best game made as soon as possible. To that end, we have already begun looking at a number of alternatives to get the game back on track. We look forward to sharing more news about the franchise as it develops. Thank you again for your participation and support.
- Victory Studios
Thank you for your participation over the last few months in the Command & Conquer closed alpha test. It's been much appreciated, and you've been instrumental in helping define what a new Command & Conquer experience should and shouldn't be.
Part of being in a creative team is the understanding that not all of your choices are going to work out. In this case, we shifted the game away from campaign mode and built an economy-based, multiplayer experience. Your feedback from the alpha trial is clear: We are not making the game you want to play. That is why, after much difficult deliberation, we have decided to cease production of this version of the game. Although we deeply respect the great work done by our talented team, ultimately it's about getting you the game you expect and deserve.
Over the next 10 days we will be refunding any and all money spent in the alpha. If you have a question about your refund, please contact help.ea.com.
We believe that Command & Conquer is a powerful franchise with huge potential and a great history, and we are determined to get the best game made as soon as possible. To that end, we have already begun looking at a number of alternatives to get the game back on track. We look forward to sharing more news about the franchise as it develops. Thank you again for your participation and support.
- Victory Studios
desk@inven.co.kr