Command & Conquer: Red Alert

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

Cover image missing, please upload it
Developers
	Westwood Studios
Publishers
Original	Virgin Interactive
Current	Electronic Arts
Release dates
DOS	October 31, 1996
Windows	October 31, 1996

Key points

Released for free following the release of Red Alert 3.

Completely playable on modern PCs after installing the 3.03p fan patch.

CD/ISO installer is 16-bit and doesn't run under modern operating systems, see Availability for fanmade installers and workarounds.

Emulation guide is available below.

General information

C&C Communications Center forums

CNCNZ subforum

Command & Conquer Wiki

PortableRA and ra303p patch discussion

Availability

Installing CDs/ISOs on modern Windows systems

Like many 32-bit games released during the mid-90's, the game's installer is 16-bit. This and some other issues prevents you the game from being installed (using the ISOs released by EA or the game CDs) on modern operating systems and PCs.

The web installer includes an option to install games from original CDs/ISOs and patch the installation afterwards. More information available at CnC-Comm forums.

Essential improvements

File:RA-hires.jpg

1024x768 resolution using the 3.03p patch.

3.03p

This patch contains:

• Latest official 3.03 patch and community fixes (over 130)
• New optional mods (no changes to default graphics or gameplay by default)
• Support for newer Windows systems (including 64-bit)
• Online (by CnCNet) and LAN playability up to 8 players (more information on CnCNet at online play below.)
• Support for higher resolutions
• No-CD option
• Missions from Counterstrike and Aftermath expansions

Complete feature list.

In the compatibility tab all compatibility options should be turned off.

You could also download The Lost Files which complement expansions with videos from PSX Red Alert.

• There is also extra music to download, from PSX Red Alert as well.

Support for regular Red Alert installation, The First Decade and The Ultimate Collection.

Game data

Configuration file location

Template:Game data/row

System	Location

redalert.ini contains normal game settings.

ddraw.ini contains CnC-DDraw settings.

cncnet.ini contains CnCNet settings.

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row

System	Location

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
Origin

Video settings

File:RedAlertConfig.png

Video and input settings

File:RedAlerGameSettings.png

Game settings

These are video settings alongside the fan patch.

Online play

XWIS

Official forums

A semi-official, community-run replacement for Westwood Online (WOL), Westwood's online service.

In-game 'Internet' menu directs to this service.

XWIS service is not used by online Red Alert community.

CnCNet

Official forums

An unofficial community-run online service for older C&C games.

Uses an external client to launch its own improved lobby.

The lobby supports:

• Better chat capabilities (ignore, whisper, Mumble voice chat)
• Private games
• Peer-to-peer and tunneled (server) play
• Map preview and kick/ban
• Ability to set spawn locations and alliances
• Spectator support

Predominantly used by Red Alert players.

It is recommended to run it once with administrator privileges.

Check peer-to-peer section if you have any problems with peer-to-peer mode.

To whisper, double-click the person you want to chat with.

Additional lobby sound add-ons

Issues unresolved

This list assumes you're using the patch. If you experience a new game issue, please make a support thread on the CnC-Comm forums.

• Flickering mouse under cnc-ddraw (which is needed to fix game issues)
• Left-handed mouse setups have problems with selecting multiple units.

Issues fixed

If you have problems with The First Decade or The Ultimate Collection, be sure to check this FAQ on EA forums.

General fixes

Instructions

Crash after overheating

Instructions

No videos after installing the patch

Instructions

Game is laggy after installing the patch

Instructions

Game speed/Map scroll rate issue

Instructions

"Unable to set video mode" error

Instructions

No music in the portable version

Instructions

Mac/Linux Emulation

This is an emulation guide for the fan-made packs, not for the ISOs or CDs.

PlayonLinux/PlayonMac can also be set up to play with the same configuration (if you want a step-by-step guide, go to FunkyFr3sh.cncnet.org).

1. Install Wine through repositories or through official website and run or extract the installer under Wine.
2. Inside 'winecfg' create configuration options for ra95.exe and under the Library tab, add overrides for 'wsock32.dll' and 'ddraw.dll'.
3. Have fun!

The configuration program requires .NET Framework 2.0.

If the configuration program doesn't work, then you have to do configure the game manually in redalert.ini or the aforementioned ddraw.ini. The settings for the internal resolution, sound and multiplayer options (not CnCNet) and languages are in redalert.ini.

Other information

Language add-ons

RA patch also adds support for multiple languages. Download them from PCGamingWiki repository.

• Available language packs: German, French, Russian, Spanish

Maps

C&C has support for external maps, both multiplayer and singleplayer.

Map editors can be downloaded inside CnCNet's game options.

Cnc-Comm.com - Mapping discussion

Re-implementations

• OpenRA - Multi-platform, reimagined interface, multiplayer-only
• The Red Alert - A total conversion of Red Alert 3

System requirements

DOS

Windows

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	95	98
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium 75 MHz	Intel Pentium 120 MHz
System memory (RAM)
Hard disk drive (HDD)	40 MB	500 MB
Video card (GPU)	PCI video card 1 MB of VRAM

DOS
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	5.0, Windows 3.1	6.2
Processor (CPU)	Intel 486 66 MHz	Intel Pentium 75 MHz
System memory (RAM)
Hard disk drive (HDD)	40 MB
Video card (GPU)	VGA or MCGA (256 colour) video card

ISA video cards are not supported