Ground Control (computer game)
| Ground control | |||
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| Studio |
 Massive entertainment
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| Publisher |
 Sierra Entertainment
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| Erstveröffent- lichung |
June 1, 2000 | ||
| platform | Windows | ||
| genre | Real time strategy game | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Keyboard , mouse | ||
| system advantages preconditions |
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| medium | CD-ROM , download | ||
| language | English , German | ||
| Age rating |
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Ground Control is a real-time strategy game that was developed by Massive Entertainment in 2000 and released by Sierra On-Line . The hallmark of the game is the 3D - graphics , with a zoom function provided free-floating in space camera that allows the player to view the action from any angle.
Backstory
Ground Control takes place in 2419 and 2420. Humanity was almost wiped out in 2093 by World War III (known in the game as the 16 Minute War ). In 2110, the members of the Order of the New Twilight were the first people to leave the nuclear bunkers and set out to rebuild the civilized world. Other important corporations that also survived the chaos followed the Order's example. Including the Crayven Corporation .
In 2419 both parties , the Order of the New Dawn and the Crayven Corporation collide on the planet Krig7B . There is a conflict between the two powers. It was about the rescue of millions of years old Alien - technology . This is based on a network of xenofacts distributed across the planet. Xenofacts are tall pillars that are millions of years old and were built by an unknown alien race called Elderly People in the game . It was discovered that Krig7B was a link in a galactic network of such xenofacts. By sending a separate signal from each of the two main xenofacts on the planet, one could summon the Elderly People.
Major Sarah Parker of the Crayven Corporation, under the leadership of Enrica Hayes , managed to defuse the situation by taking possession of most of the xenofacts for the Crayven Corporation.
A year later, Deacon Jarred Stone , a commander of the Order of the New Dawn, tries to prevent Enrica Hayes from activating the xenofacts. He learned of the terrible proportions if the xenofact network were put into operation. When the corrupt Cardinal Aegiri finally appeared and allied with Enrica Hayes, Major Sarah Parker and Deacon Jarred Stone joined forces. Cardinal Aegiri wanted to use the xenofacts to summon the Elderly People to enslave humanity in favor of the Crayven Corporation. At the last moment they managed to destroy Cardinal Aegiri's plane and destroy one of the main xenofacts. A signal in the form of a laser is sent into the sky. All that was left to do was send a signal to summon the Elderly People .
The game ends with Enrica Hayes escaping and reporting to an unknown man (called "M" in the game) that they lost Krig7B.
Gameplay
Atypical real-time strategy game, ground control completely eliminates resources and economic management. One has to focus solely on tactics and effective leadership of the limited units.
The most important element of gameplay is tactics. This must be carefully planned and important capabilities and weaknesses of the units must be taken into account. For example, armored units (Terradynes and Hoverdynes) are less armored on the sides, back and above. As a result, they can only be used on the offensive . High floors offer a decisive advantage, as you can spot enemies earlier, aim better and use the weaker armor on the top of a unit. Artillery, in particular, can be important on hills.
Surpressive Fire is a simulation of an attack. The player can order a unit to perform this type of attack. The unit fires in a direction in which there are no units (good cover).
The stealth tactic can be used to gain advantage in the shadow of a hill. Infantry units can also hide in foliage, this is another version of the stealth tactic in the game.
Friendly fire is very dangerous for the player. In the higher levels of difficulty you have to be careful that the units do not get in each other's way and destroy each other.
Units and weapons
The units in the game include different types of tanks , artillery , airplanes and soldiers , all of which are brought into play with futuristic “ dropships ”. As soon as you are in battle, the player can no longer renew most of the units, only repair them. In addition, he cannot retrieve any new units, so tactics are the key to success.
In addition to the normal weapons, each unit has special abilities, weapons and armor. The player can choose whether he wants to work on a unit or whether it is equipped automatically.
The two groups in the game are the "Crayven Corporation" with resilient traditional weapons, and the "Order of the New Dawn" with futuristic, floating units.
All units are organized in groups, so-called squads . While many orders are given to individual units, the squads, which usually consist of four to six units, only have to be given one order. Each group belongs to a specific category (Infantry, Armor, Support or Aerodyne). However, these categories are again divided into, for example, simple, light, medium or heavy tanks. Each type has its own characteristics, weaknesses and strengths that the player should know about.
During the entire campaign, the individual squads will be rewarded with experience. These bonus points are shown as medals , but they have no effect on the skills and strength of the respective unit.
Each unit, with the exception of the Command APC , has a finite special weapon and equipment for each mission that can be automatically selected by the computer or the player. Special weapons range from, for example, simple grenades to tactical missiles and nuclear warheads. There are special devices such as medkits, radars or repair kits that can be used up to four times per mission. Other special weapons such as the nuclear warhead can only be used once due to their effect on the game.
Dropships are intended for the transport of the units at the beginning of the game. Each dropship has a capacity of four squads . A total of up to three dropships can land per mission. So a total of only twelve squads and the Command APC can fight in the game.
Expansion and continuation
The expansion Ground Control: Dark Conspiracy (Eng .: Ground Control: Dark Conspiracy) was released in 2000. It added a new faction, the Phoenix Mercuries , and thus 15 new missions to the game. This expansion continues the story where the first part left off. In addition, the expansion was offered free in the United States to buyers of the main game for a flat processing and shipping price of approximately $ 5.
The sequel, Ground Control II: Operation Exodus , came out in 2004. The game included new graphics and a new game concept. Ground Control II wasn't a huge success. Shortly after the release of Ground Control II, Ground Control was made available for free download ( freeware ).
The developer studio Massive Entertainment belonged to Vivendi Games until 2008 , then it was bought by Ubisoft . The rights to the Ground Control series remained with Vivendi Games (now Activision Blizzard ) until they were sold to the British developer Rebellion in mid-2009 . The games are now available as downloads from the game download platform GOG.com and Rebellion is considering developing more ground control games.
Web links
- Ground Control at MobyGames (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Retrospective: Ground Control in Rock, Paper, Shotgun by Jim Rossignol (November 6, 2007, English)
- ↑ vivendi: Vivendi Universal Games to Give Away Ground Control for Free ( English ) gamespot.com. June 29, 2004. Accessed on September 22, 2013: “ Vivendi Universal Games announced today that it will be distributing the videogame Ground Control for free online via FilePlanet.com. The giveaway is meant to celebrate the June 22 release of Ground Control II: Operation Exodus [...] "
- ↑ Big Download: Exclusive: Rebellion CEO reveals plans for new entries in former Vivendi Games series . July 14, 2009.