Difference between revisions of "Command & Conquer: Red Alert"
From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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{{mm}} [https://cncnet.org/ CnCNet] (multiplayer replacement) | {{mm}} [https://cncnet.org/ CnCNet] (multiplayer replacement) | ||
{{mm}} [https://cnc.community/red-alert Red Alert section on CNC.community] | {{mm}} [https://cnc.community/red-alert Red Alert section on CNC.community] | ||
− | {{mm}} [https://cnc-comm.com/red-alert | + | {{mm}} [https://cnc-comm.com/red-alert Red Alert section on C&C Communications Center] |
{{mm}} [https://cncnz.com/games/red-alert/ Red Alert section on CNCNZ.com] | {{mm}} [https://cncnz.com/games/red-alert/ Red Alert section on CNCNZ.com] | ||
{{mm}} [http://ra.afraid.org/ Red Alert Archive] - old fansite with a lot of custom content | {{mm}} [http://ra.afraid.org/ Red Alert Archive] - old fansite with a lot of custom content |
Revision as of 16:29, 8 November 2021
This page is for the original 1996 game. For the 2020 remastered version, see Command & Conquer Remastered Collection.
Developers | |
---|---|
Westwood Studios | |
Expansions | Intelligent Games |
Publishers | |
Current | Electronic Arts |
Original | Virgin Interactive |
Release dates | |
DOS | November 22, 1996 |
Windows | November 22, 1996 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 90 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | Freeware, Expansion pack |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | Top-down view |
Controls | Multiple select, Point and select |
Genres | RTS |
Themes | Europe, Sci-fi |
Series | Command & Conquer |
⤏ Go to series page | |
Command & Conquer | 1995 |
Command & Conquer: Red Alert | 1996 |
Command & Conquer: Sole Survivor | 1997 |
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun | 1999 |
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 | 2000 |
Command & Conquer: Renegade | 2002 |
Command & Conquer: Generals | 2003 |
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars | 2007 |
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 | 2008 |
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising | 2009 |
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight | 2010 |
OpenRA (unofficial) | 2010 |
Command & Conquer (2013) | Cancelled |
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection | 2020 |
Renegade X (unofficial) | EA |
Key points
- Released for free following the release of Red Alert 3.
- 3.03p fan patch is highly recommended to install.
- If you want a modernized C&C experience, check out OpenRA.
- Language support can be further extended with language add-ons.
- CD/ISO installer is 16-bit and doesn't run under modern operating systems, see Availability for solution.
General information
- CnCNet (multiplayer replacement)
- Red Alert section on CNC.community
- Red Alert section on C&C Communications Center
- Red Alert section on CNCNZ.com
- Red Alert Archive - old fansite with a lot of custom content
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | Also available as part of The First Decade. | |||
Origin | The Ultimate Collection, bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight. Included with EA Play. |
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Counterstrike | Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations. | |
The Aftermath | Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations. |
Unofficial downloads
- OpenRA is a modernized open-source version of with mature support for "Red Alert".
- PortableRA is available in installable or portable (stripped, multiplayer-only) form with add-ons. Extra contents included (PSX-exclusive cutscenes for the expansions and music).
- RA1 Installer is a special installer that can either download the game, install it from old CDs/ISOs or patch an existing installation. Extra contents included.
- RedAlert1.com is a bare-bones version optimized for multiplayer (small size, portable). Missions, music and cutscenes are omitted. The music and map editor are downloadable inside the CnCNet settings. The site offers a Mac-compatible version too.
- Mac OSX Wineskin package - Mac-compatible web installer that works outside the box. Includes single-player campaign and extra contents for the single-player.
Installing CDs/ISOs on modern Windows systems
- Like many 32-bit games released during the mid-'90s, the game's installer is 16-bit. This and some other issues prevents the game from being installed (using the ISOs released by EA or the game CDs) on modern operating systems and PCs.
- The RA1 Installer (see above) includes an option to install games from original CDs/ISOs and patch the installation afterwards. More information available at CnC-Comm forums.
Essential improvements
1024x768 resolution using the 3.03p patch.
Patches
Official
- Official patches are available.
3.03p Fan Patch
- Patch is included in the installation via RA1 Installer (see above).
- Not needed for fan-made packages, it is already present there.
- 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 (via CnCNet) and LAN playability up to 8 players
- Support for higher resolutions
- No-CD option
- Missions from Counterstrike and Aftermath expansions (plus PSX videos for these missions and soundtrack)
- Complete feature list.
- In the compatibility tab all compatibility options should be turned off.[1]
- Support for regular Red Alert installation, The First Decade and The Ultimate Collection.
Game data
External general settings (for the fan patch).
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
DOS | |
Windows | <path-to-game>\*.ini[Note 1] |
-
redalert.ini
contains normal game settings. -
ddraw.ini
contains CnC-DDraw settings (present after patch). -
cncnet.ini
contains CnCNet settings.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
DOS | |
Windows | <path-to-game>\savegame.***[Note 1] |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Origin |
Video
External video settings (for the fan patch).
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | A fan patch is required. | ||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | A fan patch is required. | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | A fan patch is required. Disable borders, enable windowed, then stretch the resolution in the patch configuration program. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | |||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | |||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | A fan patch is required. Be sure to enable OpenGL too.[citation needed] | ||
60 FPS | A fan patch is required. | ||
120+ FPS | A fan patch is required. |
Input
External input settings (for the fan patch).
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | A fan patch is required. | |
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | For DOSBox set in the DOSBox configuration file. | |
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support | For DOSBox use the DOSBox Mapper (see the glossary page for other workarounds). |
Controller types |
---|
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
German | Censored. See Language add-ons. | |||
French | See Language add-ons. | |||
Spanish | Fan translation, see Language add-ons. | |||
Russian | Partial audio support; fan translation, see Language add-ons. |
- RA patch also adds support for Language add-ons.
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LAN play | 8 | Versus Uses IPX protocol. Use the 3.03p fan patch to enable modern LAN support. |
||
Online play | 8 | Versus The original multiplayer service is no longer available. Use the 3.03p fan patch and CnCNet.org to re-enable support. |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | See: CnCNet.org. | |
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Online play
CnCNet
- Official forums
- An unofficial community-run online service for older C&C games.
- Uses an external client to launch its own improved lobby that supports private games, pre-determined alliances and spawn locations, its own online map folder, map preview, spectator mode, kick/ban and better chat capabilities (ignore, whisper, Mumble voice chat).
- Predominantly used by Red Alert players.
- Supports playing over LAN.
- Already included in the 3.03p patch.
- Additional lobby sound add-ons
XWIS
- Official forums
- A semi-official, community-run replacement for Westwood Online (WOL), Westwood's online service.
- In-game 'Internet' menu redirects to this service.
- XWIS service is not used by online Red Alert community.
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
- Left-handed mouse setups have problems with selecting multiple units.[2]
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
- If you have not found a fix, be sure to also check:
Check these if you haven't[citation needed] |
---|
|
Crash after overheating
Edit ddraw.ini and enable "singlecpu"[3] |
---|
Game is laggy after installing the patch
Change the renderer in ddraw.ini[4] |
---|
"Unable to set video mode" error
Change the resolution[citation needed] |
---|
|
No music in the portable version
Go to CnCNet lobby and download the music in the settings[citation needed] |
---|
No videos after installing the patch
Download the videos[citation needed] |
---|
If you happen to have the game on CD, that means No-CD option is turned on. Either turn off the option in the configuration tool or download the videos. |
Cannot Alt+Tab
Download and install Fan Patch |
---|
From Launcher settings, set |
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
DirectDraw | 3 | |
DOS video modes | MCGA, VGA |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Cutscenes | VQA | |
Multiplayer | Westwood Online |
Maps
- C&C has support for external maps, both multiplayer and singleplayer.
- CnCNet includes its own online map folder.
- Map editors can be downloaded inside CnCNet's game options.
- Cnc-Comm.com - Mapping discussion
Re-implementations
- OpenRA - community developed recreation that tries to modernize the classic gameplay and UI.
- The Red Alert - A total conversion of Red Alert 3
System requirements
DOS | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 5.0 | 6.2 |
Processor (CPU) | Intel 486 66 MHz | Intel Pentium 75 MHz |
System memory (RAM) | 8 MB | 16 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 40 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | VGA or MCGA (256 colour) video card |
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 3.1, 95 | 98 |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 75 MHz | Intel Pentium 120 MHz |
System memory (RAM) | 8 MB | 16 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 40 MB | 500 MB |
Video card (GPU) | PCI video card 1 MB of VRAM DirectX 3 compatible |
- ISA video cards are not supported
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details).