Difference between revisions of "Command & Conquer: Generals"
From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Add windowed mode workaround) |
(Minor improvements to solutions added by me a huge while back) |
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# Tell it to extract the necessary files to a folder of your choosing. | # Tell it to extract the necessary files to a folder of your choosing. | ||
# Go to the folder where you extracted the files to. | # Go to the folder where you extracted the files to. | ||
− | # Run DXSETUP.exe as administrator. | + | # Run "DXSETUP.exe" as administrator. |
# Install it. | # Install it. | ||
# You can now safely remove the extracted files from step 3. They are no longer needed. | # You can now safely remove the extracted files from step 3. They are no longer needed. | ||
# Reboot your computer. | # Reboot your computer. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | |||
{{Fixbox|description=Remove dbghelp.dll|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Remove dbghelp.dll|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix= | ||
− | {{ii}} Known | + | {{ii}} Known issue in the game as sometimes the dbghelp.dll file, a debug file, gets accidentally left in the installation folder and sometimes causes problems. |
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}</code>. | # Go to <code>{{P|game}}</code>. | ||
# Locate <code>dbghelp.dll</code> and delete it. | # Locate <code>dbghelp.dll</code> and delete it. |
Revision as of 20:53, 9 August 2022
Developers | |
---|---|
EA Pacific[1][2] | |
Zero Hour | EA Los Angeles |
Old MacOS X port | i5works[3][4] |
macOS (OS X) | Aspyr Media |
Publishers | |
Electronic Arts | |
OS X | Aspyr Media |
Engines | |
SAGE | |
Release dates | |
Windows | February 10, 2003 |
macOS (OS X) | April 14, 2004 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 84 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | Bird's-eye view |
Controls | Multiple select, Point and select |
Genres | RTS |
Themes | Asia, Middle East, 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 |
Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
Key points
- Small but dedicated community.
- Framerate is tied to gamespeed: 30 FPS.
General information
- Command & Conquer Wiki - A wiki for everything Command & Conquer-related
- C&C:Online - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement (Windows version only)
- Generals section on CNC.community
- Generals section on CNCNZ.com
- Zero Hour section on CNCNZ.com
- Zero Hour section on GameReplays.org
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | SafeDisc 2 DRM[Note 1] in the original releases, SafeDisc 4 DRM[Note 2] in The First Decade compilation. | |||
Origin | Bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight. Included with EA Play. |
|||
Mac App Store (unavailable) | Deluxe Edition. Updated for compatibility with modern systems. Multiplayer was not compatible with the Windows and original OS X releases. Online muliplayer was removed in 1.1.2 update after Apple retired Game Center invite functionality.[9] 32-bit only, delisted from stores after 64-bit update was cancelled in May 2020.[10] |
- SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
- A free demo version is available from GameFront and CNCNZ.com.
Version differences
- The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the Zero Hour expansion.
Monetization
Type | Notes |
---|---|
Expansion pack | The expansion pack includes new factions, new campaigns and game mode, maps, and units. |
One-time game purchase | The game requires an upfront purchase to access. |
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Zero Hour | Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations. |
Essential improvements
Patches
- The Origin and Mac App Store versions are already patched to the latest version.
- Retail Windows Generals patch v1.08 can be downloaded in many languages from CNCNZ, Patches-Scrolls and the GenTool repository.
- Retail Windows Zero Hour expansion patch v1.04 can be downloaded in many languages from CNCNZ, Patches-Scrolls and the GenTool repository.
- Old Mac OS X version patch v1.0.4: English, French, German [11]
GenPatcher
- Community-made tools that can be used to get the game in an optimal state without having to apply these improvements by hand. Includes many of the essential fixes/additions listed below like GenTool, DirectX installation, Options.ini fixes, dbghelp.dll removal and restoration of mod- and command-line-parameter support.
- Officially supports the CD, The First Decade (English) and Origin (English and German) versions of the game.
- As this tool makes several changes to files of the game, installs various redistributables and makes various changes to the registry, it is often detected as a virus. This is a false positive. Add an exception to your anti-virus before running it to avoid this.
GenPatcher can be downloaded from the developer's website.
Get online play working again (Windows)
Install GenTool and use C&C:Online[citation needed] |
---|
|
D3d8to9-wrapper
Install d3d8to9-wrapper[12] |
---|
|
GenTool
- Also incorporated in GenPatcher.
- Still actively supported and updates automatically.
- It is essential for restoring online play by allowing the game to link to C&C:Online and adding cheat-detection.
- Fixes several known causes of crashes and exploits.
- Provides improved compatibility with modern Windows-versions, improved widescreen-support and enhanced/adjustable game controls.
- GenTool is compatible with all Windows-versions of Generals and its expansion, as long as they are patched to the latest official version.
- The in-game GenTool menu, where you can access all its features, can be opened by pressing the
Insert
-key on the keyboard.
The latest version can be downloaded from the GenTool website.
Restore mod- and command-line-parameter support (Origin, The Ultimate Collection)
- Also incorporated in GenPatcher.
- The Ultimate Collection was released with no support for command-line-parameters or mods.
- These changes can be simply reverted by using the
repair
option in Origin for each game in The Ultimate Collection.
Replace the executables of the games[citation needed] |
---|
|
Use Medstar's fixed launchers (The Ultimate Collection)[13] |
---|
|
Skip startup game intro
Move, delete or rename the intro-videos[14] |
---|
|
Skip all mission news intro videos (Zero Hour only)
Move, delete or rename the mission intro-videos[citation needed] |
---|
|
Uncensoring the German release
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\ %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\ |
macOS (OS X) | ~/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.command.conquer.generals.appstore/Data/Documents/Command & Conquer Generals/User Data/ ~/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.command.conquer.generals.appstore/Data/Documents/Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour/User Data/ |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Save\ %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\Save\ |
macOS (OS X) | ~/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.command.conquer.generals.appstore/Data/Documents/Command & Conquer Generals/User Data/Save/ ~/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.command.conquer.generals.appstore/Data/Documents/Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour/User Data/Save/ |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Origin | ||
OneDrive | Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers. |
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
4K Ultra HD | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Field of view (FOV) | Top-down view nearly orthographic. See Camera height. | ||
Windowed | Add -win to the shortcut target. See here how to make the Origin-version work with this command-line parameter. |
||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | Use Borderless Gaming, GeDoSaTo or GenTool. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | Edit AntiAliasing value in options.ini |
||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | Enabled by default. Cannot be disabled. | ||
60 FPS and 120+ FPS | 30 FPS cap. Game time tied to frame rate. | ||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. |
Widescreen resolution
- Setting the game to a resolution that is normally not available in-game, causes the game to crash after alt-tabbing out of the game for the second time. See D3d8to9-wrapper on how to fix this.
Set widescreen-resolution in-game with GenTool[15] |
---|
|
Set resolution manually in Options.ini[17] |
---|
|
Camera height
- Adjusted camera height only applied to replays and single-player.
Adjust camera height in-game through GenTool[citation needed] |
---|
|
Adjust camera height[citation needed] |
---|
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | |
Mouse acceleration | Only scroll speed can be changed | |
Mouse sensitivity | For scroll speed. | |
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support |
Controller types |
---|
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | Uses whatever your speaker layout is for the default playback device. Only tested on Windows 10. (When using Dolby Digital Live on a Sound Blaster Z) | |
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
French | ||||
German | An uncensored version of C&C Generals was shortly sold. The censored version, titled "C&C Generäle", is more widely available and known and uses separate patches. | |||
Italian | ||||
Japanese | Base game only, up to version 1.07. | |||
Korean | ||||
Polish | ||||
Brazilian Portuguese | [18] | |||
Spanish | ||||
Traditional Chinese | Not available in P.R. China. | |||
Russian | Fan translation by «DK team» |
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LAN play | 8 | |||
Online play | 8 | Official services have been shut down; use GenTool to get online play working again (Windows only). |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
---|---|
TCP | 80, 6667, 28910, 29900, 29920 |
UDP | 4321, 27900 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
VR support
3D modes | State | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
vorpX | G3D User created profile, requires DGVoodoo2 v 2.55.4. For required ini tweaks see profile introdution. Note: Profile may not work with the latest wrapper, in case of issues please report to the vorpx forum.
|
Issues fixed
Game does not start or is very slow (Origin)
Disable Origin in-game[citation needed] |
---|
|
"Technical Difficulties" error/Serious Error
- This error is shown in case of one of the many errors the game can encounter. It is thus often not clear what exactly causes this error; one of the methods below should fix most common causes:
Create or edit Options.ini[19] |
---|
AntiAliasing = DrawScrollAnchor = GameSpyIPAddress = 0.0.0.0 Gamma = 50 IPAddress = 0.0.0.0 IdealStaticGameLOD = High LanguageFilter = false MoveScrollAnchor = MusicVolume = 55 Resolution = 800 600 SFX3DVolume = 79 SFXVolume = 71 ScrollFactor = 50 SendDelay = no StaticGameLOD = Low UseAlternateMouse = no VoiceVolume = 70 |
Set Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode[citation needed] |
---|
|
Install d3d8to9-wrapper[citation needed] |
---|
See D3d8to9-wrapper. |
Fully reinstall[20] |
---|
|
DirectX 8.1 error (Windows)
- Full error: 'Please make sure your have DirectX 8.1 or higher installed. Also verify that your video card meets the minimum requirements'.
Install DirectX 9.0c[21] |
---|
|
Remove dbghelp.dll[22] |
---|
|
Auto-defeat after 30 seconds
- Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations.
Use GenPatcher[citation needed] |
---|
|
Use executables from GenTool's repository[citation needed] |
---|
|
Check game's serial key registry entries[citation needed] |
---|
Clean reinstall of the game as administrator[23] |
---|
|
"Serial key already in use" error when starting a match
Check game's serial key registry entries[24] |
---|
|
Serious error/crash when Alt-Tab out of the game for the second time
- This is caused by the outdated engine.
- Happens especially when the game is set to resolutions that it originally didn't support.[26]
Install d3d8to9-wrapper[27] |
---|
See D3d8to9-wrapper. |
Workaround: windowed mode[28] |
---|
Add
|
Set Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode[citation needed] |
---|
|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 8.1 | |
OpenGL | OS X only. | |
Shader Model support | 1.4 | [citation needed] |
Executable | PPC | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | ||||
macOS (OS X) | Install the version 1.0.4 patch for Intel support for the origin port. 32-bit only as a planned 64-bit update was cancelled in May 2020 with the MacOS-version being delisted from stores by Aspyr. |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Audio | Miles Sound System | |
Cutscenes | Bink Video (Windows), QuickTime.framework (macOS) | Bink Video version 1.5.10.0 |
Multiplayer | GameSpy | Server inaccessible since July 2014; use C&C:Online for a community server replacement. |
Officially released extra map and mission (Generals only)
- For Generals, EA Los Angeles released an official extra map and mission that were not included in the game.
- Download the single-player GLA-mission Black Sheep; an official campaign mission which was cut from the final release, but was released in 2009 by EALA
- Download the skirmish/multiplayer map Flash Fire for two players
- Extract the folders from the ZIP files
- Place the folders in
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Maps
to be able to use them in-game - Start Generals (NOT Zero Hour)
- Go to Solo Play -> Skirmish -> Select map -> Unofficial maps
- Click on either
Black Sheep
orFlash Fire
- Click on
Accept
to use the mission or map - Click on
Play game
Thyme
- Open-source community-project to use reverse-engineered code of the original Zero Hour expansion pack to completely re-implement this code, while keeping true to the original game. The intention of Thyme is to allow the fixing of bugs, implementation of new features and porting to platforms unsupported by the original.
- Only supports the original disc-based 1.04 versions. If you use any other version, the executable can be patched. Make sure you haven't applied GenTool, GenPatcher or replaced the executables by hand or patching will fail.
- Thyme is often detected as a virus due to the way how it works. This is a false-positive. Add and exception to your anti-virus to avoid this problem.
- Contains no auto-updater and has thus to be manually updated by downloading Thyme again and replacing the files.
- Still in active development and not fully reverse-engineered yet. Expect it to contain several (severe) bugs.
- Download Thyme (either 32-bit or 64-bit variant, can be found under
Assets
) - Unzip the downloaded files.
- Copy all unzipped files to the Zero Hour installation directory (NOT Generals)
- Run
Thyme.exe
in order to run the game using Thyme
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 98 | ME, 2000, XP |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium III 800 MHz AMD Athlon 800 MHz | |
System memory (RAM) | 128 MB | 256 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 1.8 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 2 ATI Radeon 7500 32 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.1 compatible | Nvidia GeForce 3 DirectX 9.0c compatible |
macOS (OS X) | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | 10.9.5 | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel 2.2 GHz | |
System memory (RAM) | 4 GB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 5 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | ATI Radeon HD 3870 Nvidia GeForce 330M Intel HD 3000 256 MB of VRAM |
- OS X requirements are for the Mac App Store version
Notes
- ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[5] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[6]
- ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[7] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[8]
References
- ↑ EA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC TEST FOR COMMAND & CONQUER GENERALS - Blue's News - last accessed on 2016-9-12
- ↑ GameSpy: Command & Conquer: Generals - Page 1 - last accessed on 2016-9-12
- ↑ Aspyr: Command & Conquer Generals hits beta - Macworld - last accessed on 2016-7-23
- ↑ Aspyr Media Inc. Ships Electronic Arts' `Command & Conquer Generals' for Macintosh - Business Wire - last accessed on 2016-7-23
- ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
- ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
- ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
- ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
- ↑ Command Conquer Generals Deluxe Edition 1.1.2 changelog - last accessed on 2022-07-09
- ↑ MacOS Catalina, 64-bit, 32-bit, and related Questions - last accessed on 2022-07-09
- ↑ Aspyr Support Center - last accessed on 2011-08-27
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-12-23
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
- ↑ GenTool widescreen resolution - last accessed on 2019-10-19
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
- ↑ Novo Milênio, 22/09/2003 (archived)
- ↑ https://answers.ea.com/t5/C-C-The-Ultimate-Collection/READ-FIRST-Common-Issues-and-Solutions/m-p/222060/highlight/true#M687
- ↑ http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/544479-cc-generals-and-zero-hour-technical-difficulties/
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
- ↑ Verified by User:Mrtnptrs1 on 2022-08-09
- Succesfully fixed this issue for me in the past
- ↑ CnC Zero Hour Serial Key not valid - last accessed on 2022-08-09
- ↑ Verified by User:Mrtnptrs1 on 2022-08-09
- My registry entries still miss the "-", while I'm not getting any of the errors and in the past had this fix not working for me.
- ↑ Verified by User:Mrtnptrs1 on 2022-08-09
- Checked in the past: happens especially when the game is set to resolutions it originally didn't support, like set through the ini-file or through GenTool
- ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2022-01-13
- ↑ Verified by User:Mrtnptrs1 on 2022-08-09