Rise of the Reds Update: The Suspense - It's Killing You! Options

[MARS]

Unfortunately, the much anticipated release of Version 1.72 is still being held up by a few issues with the AI that need to be ironed out. We apologise for the prolonged wait and present you a little something to compensate:

After the Global Liberation Army had gotten its hands on a sizeable number of Gazelle helicopters left behind by the weak Central African militaries, the organisation was quick to develop several highly effective tactics hit-and-run around them. Limited solely by the bounds of their own resourcefulness and creativity, the crafty mechanics and pilots also tested a variety of different weapon configurations on these fast, lightly armoured helicopters, the latest of which was the installation of agricultural pesticide sprayers. Any Gazelle that has been outfitted with this peculiar modification is able to unleash a deadly downpour of toxins that turns an entire strip of land into a no-go zone for unprotected infantry for a prolonged period of time.

In addition to this new Gazelle weapon loadout that will be available in 1.72, we would also like to introduce you to the third and final GLA General:

[Theyseemetrollin]

Ooh thats neat, should be fun against the chinese hordes lol since they have no chem suits =D. But since you mentioned it, what kind of issues are you guys experiencing?

Meant to ask, can it clear garrisons?

This post has been edited by Theyseemetrollin: 8 Sep 2012, 19:30

[Arrakis]

Take the time you need, no need to rush things. As for the upgrade: will it be exclusive to Bio Command, or will it be available for all GLA factions?

[Theyseemetrollin]

I imagine bio command, but that's just my opinion

[SpiralSpectre]

Oh Gawd more waiting! Anyway seriously love the idea of the toxin sprinkler. Even from my limited experience with modding community I'll take the risk and say now that's something we can safely call unique. And it totally screams GLA with it's peculiar design, resourcefulness and the the holding back attitude it exerts.

Just making sure - is this upgrade mutually exclusive with the RPG launcher upgrade? Can it be used like a standard weapon or only as an ability that contaminates land? Is it going to become unique to Bio Command in the future?

Yuusuf is the good old, hardcore, true blue, fundamentalist extremist. In one word - scary. I like the name "White Falcon Cell". So he had pirate connections? I thought Sulaymaan had all the mercenary, pirate etc links. Good to hear what CIA has been up to lately.

[MARS]

You can either have this or the AT/AA Missile loadout on a Gazelle. We've actually had a funny testing bug that allowed you to have both if you purchased them in a certain order, but it's intended to be mutually exclusive. Now, the sprinklers are not actually triggered by the Gazelles attack (it still has the default unguided rocket pods), but by an ability. You can basically set a course, hit the hotkey and the Gazelle(s) will start spraying their toxins all over the place for several seconds as you proceed to give them move orders, meaning you can zig-zag a bunch of them to create a large toxin field. Whether it's going to be Bio Command exclusive later on hasn't been properly decided yet. I actually don't think so since all GLA Generals are supposed to have -some- toxin weapons available to them as standard.

As for Mr. Yusuuf, yes, he does give off a very scary vibe. It's got to do with the cameo - nicely shopped by The Hunter himself - because the image/filters make his eyes look kinda 'demonic'.
The While Falcon reference alludes to white as a traditional symbol colour for purity (something that religious fanatics constantly bang on about in their own nutty way) and falconry is a classic element of old Arab culture.

There's also some reasoning behind the other cell names:

Sulaymaan = Golden Lion
Gold = Associated with wealth, splendour
Lion = Often associated as the 'king' of animals, a symbol of strength and nobility, a contrast to the lion in the ECA symbol and an animal that is mostly found in Africa

Ibrahiim = Black Mamba
Black = Widely associated with death and disease; politically associated with anarchism and certain brands of fascism
Mamba = Extremely poisonous snake that is also found in Africa

Symbolismmmmm!!!

[SpiralSpectre]

Yuusuf is demonic alright. Now that I look at the pic closely, his eyes look kinda red. That black turban has also it's charm.

Yeah I caught the white for purity reference. Didn't catch the falconry reference though.

[__CrUsHeR]

Cool the Gazelle with this additional capacity, will be the terror of the enemy infantry, very unique for ZH.

The Yussuf looks like a demon, I hope that their tactics are really demonic for his enemies, I expect many things based AoE.

"The hordes of imperialists fail!" - Yussuf

I really liked the update.

[Mr.Kim]

But since you mentioned it, what kind of issues are you guys experiencing?

I believe it's SAGE engine problem during in the game(since AI's lagging issue), if my guess is wrong or right.

[SpiralSpectre]

So overall all the MTG cards have a factions specific flavor to them? US gens have their US style nicknames, Chinese gens have Chinese zodiac based nicknames for their bases and GLA gens have their creative cell names? Can't spot the Russian flavor yet. Wonder if the ECA gens are going to have some kind of flavor.

[Theyseemetrollin]

I believe it's SAGE engine problem during in the game(since AI's lagging issue), if my guess is wrong or right.

Ah I see, well the wait doesn't bother me since the AI's getting fixed, they were rather boring, hopefully now they present a decent challenge on medium ( poor me still can't beat hard )

[aeroth]

This sounds like a modern version of the assasin brotherhood from assasin creed 1

[Knjaz.]

You can basically set a course, hit the hotkey and the Gazelle(s) will start spraying their toxins all over the place for several seconds as you proceed to give them move orders, meaning you can zig-zag a bunch of them to create a large toxin field. W

Uhh... so, if I understand correctly.
I take, say, 10 Gazelles. I move them closer to enemy army, hit the hotkey, and make them pass over enemy force, just once.

And that'll be an equivalent of toxin carpet bombing?

[__CrUsHeR]

This sounds like a modern version of the assasin brotherhood from assasin creed 1

Probably is the reincarnation of the old and dangerous Hassassins of Persia.

[Warpath]

Nooooo..... But take your time, damn Yusuuf does look like a Middle Eastern Blackbeard no wonder he's like a demon.

[SpiralSpectre]

This sounds like a modern version of the assasin brotherhood from assasin creed 1

More like a modern version of Assassin's Creed 1 Templers. They're the same creature with different banners.

[Nemanja]

RUN THROUGH THE SPRINKLER !!!!
------------
Well we don't have 1.72,but update is here,
although it is a minor thing,I like this one upgrade most of all upcoming GLA things (that will be 1.72),
hope to see more of these kind of units and unit upgrades in future - converting something for civilian use
into something that would be used in war looks so appropriate to faction as GLA and it is giving it unique feel.
Keep up guys.

[MARS]

So overall all the MTG cards have a factions specific flavor to them? US gens have their US style nicknames, Chinese gens have Chinese zodiac based nicknames for their bases and GLA gens have their creative cell names? Can't spot the Russian flavor yet. Wonder if the ECA gens are going to have some kind of flavor.

What you call 'flavour' is essentially just a continuation of the profile style they had in Zero Hour. US Generals Townes and Granger had nicknames, the Chinese bases were named based on the zodiac and the GLA used animal names for their cells.

Uhh... so, if I understand correctly.
I take, say, 10 Gazelles. I move them closer to enemy army, hit the hotkey, and make them pass over enemy force, just once.

And that'll be an equivalent of toxin carpet bombing?

Functionally yes, but the effect of the toxin is nowhere near as vicious as the Anthrax Bomb and it doesn't last particularly long either while the Gazelles could easily run into heavy AA/fighters while doing their run.

[SpiralSpectre]

I had no idea Chinese bases were named based on the zodiac and the GLA used animal names for all their cells even back in the original ZH.

[MARS]

*Consults ZH manual*

So General Fai was stationed at Camp Snake near Beijing, Tao at Base Ox in the Chengdu region (which happens to be the same region where Mau and thus apparently Leang also ended up, near India) and Kwai was from Base Rat, near Jinan. For the GLA, we've got Thrax who had that generic unimaginative 'Unknown' across the entire board, Juhziz' cell was called Scorpion and Kassad, who seemingly hails from Tripoli, Libya, was in charge of Cobra cell.

[SpiralSpectre]

Thanks. I also just checked the CNC wiki.

Random thought - is there any particular reason why Chen's base is called "rooster" and Jin's base is "dragon"? Wouldn't it sound more logical the other way?

[MARS]

I didn't actually put much thought/intended symbolism into the choice of these names. "Base Tiger" for Mau was a given of course, considering its previous owner, but at times, you also have to -defy- the urge of putting subtexts and patterns into every single artistic choice, cos otherwise, things begin to look a bit artificial and constructed. Hence why there was a brief in-universe jab at the fact that the ECA Generals are addressed via first names (The Gathering Storm) but there won't be any such 'explanations' for Willem and Charles even though they use the same style.

[SpiralSpectre]

Good point.

Just making something sure about Yuusuf - is he going to have unique recon/espionage units or is that part of storyline fluff?

[wb21]

Dat Yusuuf's cameo is sinister looking. Gonna go "SHOWER ANYONE?" with those Gazelle sprinklers...

[General Tatarin]

Awesome update !