Command & Conquer: Generals 2 will get an extended beta test in 2013, BioWare Victory has announced. It will start in the first half of the year, and Victory teases it will be the longest-running beta in franchise history. Plus, we know that C&C Ultimate will get early access to the beta.

The announcement (via Rock Paper Shotgun) cites issues with past C&C games ("some less, some more"), and the new game's experimentation with free-to-play as reasons for the lengthy beta.

"Yes, the direction is new and many probably would say that this is not a 'true' C&C, just as many did when the original Generals came out," the post states. "For me, Command & Conquer isn't just about Tiberium, Kane and the crazy Yuri. It's been more about fun to play, engaging, and high quality RTS experiences. And that's what we're aiming to deliver, just in a different way."

Intriguingly, the blog never calls the game Generals 2, only the "new Command & Conquer," another sure sign that the game is distancing itself from that name.