Electronic Arts has officially announced the return of Red Alert, the alternate history spinoff of its real time strategy franchise Command & Conquer franchise with Red Alert 3, in development at EA Los Angeles for release on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. EA says the game "takes players on an epic adventure to a breathtaking alternate future spawned by time travel run amok" with, for the first time, a full co-op multiplayer campaign mode, and the return of what EA calls the series' "light-hearted style and classic, action-oriented gameplay." In the game, the Soviet Union travels back in time to change history, but when the mission goes awry, creates an alternate timeline "where technology has followed an entirely different evolution, a new superpower has been thrust on to the world stage, and World War III is raging" with Soviets, Allies, and The Empire of the Rising Sun engaged in a three-way struggle. The game will see armies battling with "wacky and wonderful weapons and technologies like Tesla coils, heavily armed War Blimps, teleportation, armored bears, intelligent dolphins, floating island fortresses, and transforming tanks." EA also promises early access to the PC beta, the full details of which will be announced this summer, for anyone who purchases the forthcoming Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath or Command & Conquer 3 Limited Collection, both due later this year. Said EALA general manager Mike Verdu, “The Red Alert games are known for challenging hardcore strategy gamers with depth, variety, and innovative gameplay. But they also belong to that rare breed of games that can draw in more casual players with their over-the-top stories, instantly accessible mechanics, and straight-to-the-fun design. With Red Alert 3, our team is continuing that proud tradition by introducing genre-first features like co-operative campaign play, which rewards veterans and casual players alike. In Red Alert 3, friends and family can always have your back!”