14 DAY TRIAL // In the gaming industry, as far as storytelling goes, there are a lot of trends. In the early days, when cut scenes rendered in real time weren't possible due to graphics limitations, a lot of companies started to employ live action sequences with real persons in order to cut back on costs and deliver a worthwhile experience to gamers no matter the system they were playing it on.
Now, as graphics engines have started to become more and more advanced, like the Unreal Engine 3, gaming companies have started to use them in order to portray cut scenes or sequences that are important to the player. But Full Motion Videos (FMVs) aren't dead yet, as some franchises still use them, primarily the Red Alert series from the Command & Conquer universe of RTS (Real Time Strategy) games.
The latest title, Red Alert 3, featured a lot of well-known celebrities acting in the story sequences, with J.K. Simmons, George Takei or Tim Curry taking up parts as leaders of the three major factions, the Allies, the Soviets and the Empire of the Rising Sun. Now, as the standalone expansion to the game, Red Alert 3: Uprising, is set to be launched soon, EA has revealed the actors that will appear in this future title.
Among the stars that will be reprising their roles are the lovely Gemma Atkinson and Ivana Milicevic, acting as Lieutenant Eva McKenna and Intelligence Officer Dasha Fedorovich, but a lot of new people will join the cast. As we reported some time ago, Holly Valance will appear in this future expansion, as a TV reporter, with Malcolm McDowell, from the hit TV series Heroes and Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, from Prison Break, accompanying her. Former heavyweight wrestling champion Ric Flair and Jamie Chung from the upcoming film Dragonball Evolution will complete this start-studded cast.
“Quality live-action movies and storytelling have always been a unique component to the Command & Conquer DNA and we wanted to make sure we did things right with Uprising,” said Amer Ajami, senior producer at EA Los Angeles. “We are really pleased we were able to assemble another large and talented ensemble for Uprising, and we think our fans are going to be pleased by everyone’s performances not only in the cutscenes, but also in Commander’s Challenge, where you’ll actually be battling some of our stars.”
All in all, it seems that Electronic Arts is committed to bring the most popular actors to the Command & Conquer series and is still promoting it heavily. Look forward to Red Alert 3: Uprising in March, when it will be available as a digital download for 19.99 dollars.