EA making a new Command & Conquer FPS?

RUMOR CONTROL: Source: A job posting for a sound designer found on Electronic Arts' own Web site.

What we heard: Back in 2002, Electronic Arts introduced a first-person shooter spin-off of its popular Command & Conquer real-time strategy series. Developed by Westwood Studios, Command & Conquer Renegade received respectable reviews, but plans for a sequel were scrapped, and within a year, EA dissolved Westwood, folding some employees into its Los Angeles and Redwood Shores, California, offices.

EALA has since become the keeper of the franchise, having successfully brought it out of storage with this year's Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars and the upcoming Kane's Wrath expansion. Now it appears EALA may be ready to take a crack at making a first-person shooter set in the universe, if a job posting on EA's own employment site is to be believed.

"Does the idea of contributing your specialized knowledge in sound design to the next-generation gaming platform for EAs widely recognized leading sci-fi franchise get you pumped," the posting asks. "EA has an exciting opportunity for a sound designer who will work closely with the audio director on creating sound effects, dialog, and music for a next-generation first person shooter game." (Emphases added.)

The posting for a sound designer doesn't mention Command & Conquer specifically, but EA has few appropriate candidates when it comes to a franchise that fits the bill of a "widely recognized leading sci-fi franchise." The publisher does own the rights to a number of other widely recognized sci-fi series, so there's an outside chance it could be something like System Shock (which EA trademarked just last year), Wing Commander, or Syndicate. But when one considers that such a project would combine the setting of one hit EALA franchise with the first-person shooter expertise of its other big series, Medal of Honor, the project sounds like a natural fit.

The official story: An Electronic Arts representative had not returned a request for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus. The info at the heart of this rumor is coming straight from EA, which certainly lends it much credibility.