Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances Logo

In an interesting find from a pair of Reddit users, the upcoming Command & Conquer: Tiberium Alliances has been caught red-handed using vehicle designs nearly identical to units from the Games Workshop 'Warhammer 40K' board game.

Not to be confused with Command & Conquer: Generals 2 coming from BioWare, Tiberium Alliances is the Play4Free browser-based game (requires Origin) currently in open beta.

There's no storyline in Command & Conquer: Tiberium Alliances, a game based in the original universe of the three C&C brands. It's simple: takeover the world. While there's no central plot in the MMO there are some units that arguable do not belong.

Take a look at the Grinder and Bombard takes and how they appear to be replicas of the Warhammer 40K Bonecrunca and Baneblade vehicles [Click to see full versions].

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So, what's up with that? In a reply to GameSpot, EA said:

"We are looking into this and will get back to you."

What's interesting is that Electronic Arts actually runs the Warhammer MMO, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and the upcoming Play4Free BioWare title, Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes. These however, are all based in the classic fantasy universe and not the sci-fi 40K one which THQ develops games for.

The C&C images come from previously released Tiberium Alliances wallpaper and the similarities in the vehicles are a little much to be a coincidence. The main turrets, to the front and side-mounted weapons, hatches, bolts and dimensions on the Bombard tank make it a digital remake of the physical board game model. The same can be said for the Grinder which not only replicates the grinder on the front and the dual-turrets, but it even includes the grill up top and the bolts on the side.

We are very curious to hear the responses from EA and Games Workshop and what comes of this issue.

Update: EA has responded to the issue in a statement made to GameSpot

"Games Workshop and EA are aware of the IP issues around the artwork in question, which have now been resolved. The artwork was internal EA concept art that was unintentionally released publicly. No Warhammer 40,000 tanks have ever made an appearance in Command and Conquer: Tiberium Alliances, and never will. Games Workshop and EA continue to have a strong relationship working together on Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and the new free to play game Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes which just entered open beta."

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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes.

Source: GameSpot, Reddit (1, 2)