Command & Conquer 4 without LAN support?

The announcement that Starcraft 2 won't offer LAN support caused quite a stir among the games: Blizzard's highly expected real-time strategy game requires a permanent Internet connection to the Battle.Net - many gamers think this to be an attempt to cut down piracy. The same procedure also applies to Diablo 3.

Command & Conquer 4 has just recently been announced and the latest part of the traditional series is, like Starcraft 2, a possible multiplayer hit. Lead Producer Jim Vessella told us at the C&C 4 presentation at the Gamescom that it has not been decided on yet if the game will support Local Area Network sessions. Vessella admitted that the LAN mode is a heavily discussed topic in the community, but the decision for or against support of LAN gaming has not been made yet.

Background: Command & Conquer 4 requires a permanent online connection because in each match the player gets experience points like in a role-playing game. Those points can be invested to unlock new units and upgrades - even in the single player campaign.

The game itself makes a good impression even if the graphical evolution in comparison to part three of the series is only minimal: Even the ugly shadows, which had been a problem of the old SAGE Engine at any time, have not been improved for C&C 4 yet. The atmosphere of the single player campaign nevertheless is very good. The effects are impressive and in motion the game looks even better than on screenshots.

Command & Conquer 4 is supposed to be released in spring 2010 and the the version we were shown seem to be quite advanced, at least in the missions we have seen.