Supreme Commander and Supreme Commander FA

SC is a good game, SC:FA improves on SC in almost every way. Above all patch them both to the latest versions SC v3280 SC:FA v3598 as of Jan24/08. You will need a fast machine to get the most out of these two. Dual core cpu and 7800gtx or better if you want to do two screens at once @ 1280x960 all details high except shadows (not tried with high shadow so can't tell you the performance hit if any) I'm running with an e6600 o/c 2.4 to 2.8/ 4gigs 1066ddr2 and 8800GT. Can host 6 player game easily, no lag.

Possibly my favourite game of all time.. certainly the best RTS I have ever played. The sheer scale of the game and the way that you can really employ tactics have made my appreciation for the C&C series diminish entirely.

The only flaw comes in the fact that on my friends rig, which much more modern than my own, the game crashes about 45 minutes in, regardless of using a 3g patch. This makes the option of playing over lan much less common for me. However once a lan game does get going... man.. its great.

Still harsh on the cpu and ram.

Both of those are correct. Its a toss up between CPU usesage and fun LOL.

Actually tbf its only a killer in single player mode on the CPU since it has to do all the AI calcs which murder the proc. A pentium 4 3.4ghz can handle it fine with MP with loads of units, certainly with 2 players, not sure about more. Basically the AI kills procs. Aslong as you have 3gb+ of ram you should be ok!

Supcom is an overrated waste of money when there is a much better game, just like it... for free.

There is a game (more of a game engine) called Spring which originated as a 3d recreation of Total Annihilation (predecessor to SupCom).

Spring consists of user created mods/games. 90% of them are based of off TA, while other include WWII, starwars and other rts mods. Spring is open source and is constantly being expanded upon by the people who play it. Not to mention you will often find your self playing along with the original developers.

SupCom
Pros over Spring:
Better graphics than spring...

Spring
Pros over SupCom:
-Hundreds of user-made maps
-Countless usermade games/mods
-Better community
-Controlled by the community, every user can have a big influence on mods and updates, because those making them play the game also.
-Ability to help create the game: Everyone is able to create their own maps and mods (requires time and effort ofcourse). Its always nice seeing things you invested hours into being played by many people in the lobby.

If your interested you can read about/get spring at spring.clan-sy.com

So you've played SupCom? I didn't think so. Overrated, waste of money? Puhleease. Those mods were good...before SupCom came out. SupCom is almost an entirely new game in terms of graphics, strategy and gameplay.

Tell me, have you ever played one single team game in supcom that lasts under 2 hours? (If no one quits)

Have you ever tried spring and its community?

Supcom is boring in my opinion, because its one game. Spring is multiple. Yes, supcom is "almost an entirely new game in terms of graphics, strategy, and gameplay." However, if new graphics, strategy, and gameplay changes are what you wanted, download a new mod for spring. I could always say "The WWII mod is almost an entirely new game in terms of graphics, strategy, and gameplay as compared to BOTA (mod called Basically Original Total Annihilation.).

Now for graphics

Spring:
http://game.sibnet.ru/data/screenshot/TASpring2.jpg

Supcom:
http://www.skoar.com/images/13sc4.jpg

Supcom's variety in gameplay consists of... a remake of OTA gameplay.

Spring has far better variety of games with drastic gameplay differences. Spring has mods based off of OTA, Starwars, WWII, Gundam, Medieval times, and more. It also has mods which differ from any other RTS out there. Every single mod has far different strategy, visuals, gameplay... and all of it is free. Don't bash spring until you have even tried it. Once you go to spring and get into its active modding, mapping, and overall choice, Supcom turns into nothing but a game which is just the equivalent of one well made spring mod.

I didn't actually bash Spring as much as defend SupCom. To each their own I guess.

I will admit, however, that I have not tried Spring, but based on your description it does sound worth a try. I will report back when I've given it a try.

Yea its amazing how it doesnt bother me to put a different CD in my consoles, but when I need to put a CD into my PC I pretty much just say eh...I will just play whatever I have in there. lol

Best,

3Ball