Command & Conquer canceled, Victory Games disbanded

Electronic Arts has canceled its free-to-play Command & Conquer game and closed the development studio at Victory Games, the company announced.

“Thank you for your participation over the last few months in the Command & Conquer closed alpha test,” a message on the Command & Conquer website reads. “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.”

Command & Conquer was first announced at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards as Command & Conquer: Generals 2. It wasn’t re-branded Command & Conquer until August 2012, when it was announced the game would adapt a free-to-play model.

Now that it has been cancelled, Electronic Arts will be refunding all money spent by players during the game’s alpha test.

But Command & Conquer isn’t completely gone. Electronic Arts said it has “already begun looking at a number of alternatives to get the game back on track,” and are looking forward to sharing more news as it develops.

Victory Games, meanwhile, “will be disbanded,” Electronic Arts told Polygon. But the company is “working to help” its former staffers find other opportunities at Electronic Arts “wherever possible.”