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| |introduction = '''''Command & Conquer: Generals''''' is a {{Glossary:Singleplayer}} and {{Glossary:Multiplayer}} {{Glossary:Bird's-eye view}} {{Glossary:RTS}} game featuring different factions battling against each other on a battlefield. It was developed by [[Company:EA Pacific|EA Pacific]], published by [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] and released in 2003. The game is one of many in the [[Series:Command & Conquer|Command & Conquer]] franchise. It makes use of the [[Engine:SAGE|SAGE]], which was an improved version of the [[Engine:Westwood 3D|Westwood 3D]] engine. | | |introduction = '''''Command & Conquer: Generals''''' is a {{Glossary:Singleplayer}} and {{Glossary:Multiplayer}} {{Glossary:Bird's-eye view}} {{Glossary:RTS}} game featuring different factions battling against each other on a battlefield. It was developed by [[Company:EA Pacific|EA Pacific]], published by [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] and released in 2003. The game is one of many in the [[Series:Command & Conquer|Command & Conquer]] franchise. It makes use of the [[Engine:SAGE|SAGE]], which was an improved version of the [[Engine:Westwood 3D|Westwood 3D]] engine. |
| | | |
− | |release history = The game was initially released on [[Windows|Windows]] on February 10, 2003 on disc. It was on April 14, 2004 ported to Mac OS X by [[Company:i5works|i5works]] and published by [[Company:Aspyr Media|Aspyr Media]], who also maintained the port over the years. Reception of the game was good, with several post-launch patches being released to fix most bugs, exploits and balancing issues. Its expansion '''Command and Conquer Generals: Zero Hour''' got released on 19 September, 2003 on Windows and later ported to Mac OS X in February 2005. The expansion added a new '''Generals Challenge''' mode, new campaigns, new units and new maps. | + | |release history = The game was initially released on [[Windows|Windows]] on February 10, 2003 on disc. It was on April 14, 2004 ported to Mac OS X by [[Company:i5works|i5works]] and published by [[Company:Aspyr Media|Aspyr Media]], who also maintained the port over the years. Reception of the game was good, with several post-launch patches being released to fix most bugs, exploits and balancing issues. [[Company:EA Los Angeles|EA Los Angeles]] developed its expansion '''Command and Conquer Generals: Zero Hour''', which got released on 19 September, 2003 on Windows and later ported to Mac OS X in February 2005. The expansion added a new '''Generals Challenge''' mode, new campaigns, new units and new maps. |
| | | |
− | The game was re-released twice as part of multiple compilations of [[Series:Command & Conquer|Command & Conquer]] games: '''Command & Conquer: The First Decade''' on 7 February, 2006 and for the first time digitally on [[Store:Origin|Origin]] on 2 October, 2012 as part of '''Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection'''. | + | A compilation of both the main game and its expansion got released on on October 21, 2003 under the name '''Command & Conquer: Generals - Deluxe Edition'''. The game was re-released twice as part of multiple compilations of [[Series:Command & Conquer|Command & Conquer]] games: '''Command & Conquer: The First Decade''' on 7 February, 2006 and for the first time digitally on [[Store:Origin|Origin]] on 2 October, 2012 as part of '''Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection'''. |
| | | |
| |current state = As of August 2022 the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like [[#Technical Difficulties/Serious Error|errors when staring the game]], [[#Auto-defeat after 30 seconds|DRM issues]] and [[#"Serial key already in use" error when starting a match|serial key errors]]. A tool called [[#GenPatcher|GenPatcher]] was created by the community to more easily fix these issues, restore command line support for the Origin version, add modern resolution support and apply various fixes and improvements. The macOS version however was delisted from the Mac App Store in May 2020. | | |current state = As of August 2022 the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like [[#Technical Difficulties/Serious Error|errors when staring the game]], [[#Auto-defeat after 30 seconds|DRM issues]] and [[#"Serial key already in use" error when starting a match|serial key errors]]. A tool called [[#GenPatcher|GenPatcher]] was created by the community to more easily fix these issues, restore command line support for the Origin version, add modern resolution support and apply various fixes and improvements. The macOS version however was delisted from the Mac App Store in May 2020. |
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.
- GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Command & Conquer: Generals is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view RTS game featuring different factions battling against each other on a battlefield. It was developed by EA Pacific, published by Electronic Arts and released in 2003. The game is one of many in the Command & Conquer franchise. It makes use of the SAGE, which was an improved version of the Westwood 3D engine.
The game was initially released on Windows on February 10, 2003 on disc. It was on April 14, 2004 ported to Mac OS X by i5works and published by Aspyr Media, who also maintained the port over the years. Reception of the game was good, with several post-launch patches being released to fix most bugs, exploits and balancing issues. EA Los Angeles developed its expansion Command and Conquer Generals: Zero Hour, which got released on 19 September, 2003 on Windows and later ported to Mac OS X in February 2005. The expansion added a new Generals Challenge mode, new campaigns, new units and new maps.
A compilation of both the main game and its expansion got released on on October 21, 2003 under the name Command & Conquer: Generals - Deluxe Edition. The game was re-released twice as part of multiple compilations of Command & Conquer games: Command & Conquer: The First Decade on 7 February, 2006 and for the first time digitally on Origin on 2 October, 2012 as part of Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection.
As of August 2022 the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like errors when staring the game, DRM issues and serial key errors. A tool called GenPatcher was created by the community to more easily fix these issues, restore command line support for the Origin version, add modern resolution support and apply various fixes and improvements. The macOS version however was delisted from the Mac App Store in May 2020.
Online services have been discontinued by EA for all releases of the game, though can be restored by using C&C:Online. As of 2022 the game retains a small but active community.
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
- 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.
- The Mac App Store did not have crossplay with the Windows and original OS X releases. Online muliplayer was eventually removed in 1.1.2 update after Apple retired Game Center invite functionality.[10]
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.
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.
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.
Skip startup game intro
Move, delete or rename the intro videos[12]
|
- You need to apply this to both Generals and its expansion pack Zero Hour.
- Go to
<path-to-game>\Data\english\Movies
- Move, delete or rename the following files:
EA_LOGO.BIK , EA_LOGO640.BIK , sizzle_review.bik and sizzle_review640.bik .
|
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/ |
System |
Native |
Notes |
Origin |
|
|
OneDrive |
|
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers. |
Video
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game options screen for Zero Hour expansion.
In-game advanced video settings for Zero Hour expansion.
Set widescreen-resolution in-game with GenTool[13]
|
- GenTool allows you to set common widescreen resolution in-game and automatically adjusts camera height according to the resolution.[14]
- Install GenTool.
- Open Generals or Zero Hour.
- Go to the in-game Options menu.
- Set the game to a resolution of your liking.
- To prevent crashes when alt-tabbing, install d3d8to9.
|
Set resolution manually in Options.ini[15]
|
- Can be used in case GenTool doesn't allow to set the specific unusual resolution you want.
- For Generals, open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Options.ini
- For Zero Hour, open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\Options.ini
- Change the Resolution line to your liking, like this:
Resolution = 1920 1080
- To prevent crashes when alt-tabbing, install d3d8to9.
|
Camera height
- Adjusted camera height only applied to replays and singleplayer.
Adjust camera height in-game through GenTool[16]
|
- This also sets the game to automatically draw the entire map to avoid visual glitches at high camera heights and odd camera angles.
- Install GenTool.
- Open Generals or Zero Hour.
- Press the
Insert -key on your keyboard to open the in-game GenTool menu.
- Increase the
camera height by a total maximum of 1000.
|
Adjust camera height[citation needed]
|
- In many versions of the game, it seems to ignore the contents in this file, causing this fix not to work.
- Using this in online matches could be seen as cheating and result in a ban.
- This also sets the game to automatically draw the entire map to avoid visual glitches at high camera heights and odd camera angles.
- For Zero Hour, go to
<path-to-game>\Data\INI and paste the file GameData.ini into this folder
- You can get a modified version of this file on Mod DB
- Change the height of the camera to your liking, like this:
MaxCameraHeight = 800.0
DrawEntireTerrain = Yes
|
Input
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 |
|
|
|
[17] |
Spanish |
|
|
|
|
Traditional Chinese |
|
|
|
Not available in P.R. China. |
Russian |
|
|
|
Fan translation by «DK team» |
Network
Multiplayer types
Connection types
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.
Online play
Install GenTool and use C&C:Online (Windows)[18]
|
- This is a direct community-made replacement for the GameSpy servers, which were taken offline in 2014.
- Works for both Generals and its expansion pack, as long as it's patched to the latest version.
- GenTool is needed to redirect the login screen to the C&C:Online servers instead of the closed GameSpy ones. It also provides an anti-cheat solution for online games.
- Download and install GenTool.
- Sign up on C&C:Online.
- Activate your account by clicking on the activation link in the confirmation mail your received.
- Choose a server login and password.
- Start the game.
- Login online in the game with the e-mail address you used to register, your server password and a nickname of your choice.
|
VR support
Issues fixed
d3d8to9
- Improves compatibility and stability of the game significantly by converting all older Direct3D 8 API calls and low-level shaders to more modern Direct3D 9 ones.
- Could possibly lead to unstable performance and could make the game crash with total conversion mods.
- Compatible with GenTool and online multiplayer.
- Not included in GenPatcher.
Install d3d8to9:[19]
|
- Download the latest version of d3d8to9 (the
d3d8.dll file.)
- If you also use GenTool: rename the file to
d3d8x.dll to make sure GenTool isn't overwritten.
- Place the file in
<path-to-game> of both Generals and its expansion pack.
- Play the game.
|
DirectX 8.1 error
- 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[20]
|
- Happens when DirectX 9.0c (in which DirectX 8.1 is included) is not yet installed on your system.
- Download the DirctX End-User Runtimes (June 2010). It contains DirectX 9.0c.
- Run the downloaded installer.
- Tell it to extract the necessary files to a folder of your choosing.
- Go to the folder where you extracted the files to.
- Run "DXSETUP.exe" as administrator.
- Install it.
- You can now safely remove the extracted files from step 3. They are no longer needed.
- Reboot your computer.
|
Remove dbghelp.dll[21]
|
- Known issue with the game as sometimes the dbghelp.dll file, a debug file, gets accidentally left in the installation folder and sometimes causes problems.
- Go to
<path-to-game> .
- Locate
dbghelp.dll and delete it.
|
Technical Difficulties/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:
When using Alt+Tab
- The game can at times crash when using Alt+Tab ↹, in particular the second time. This happens usually when the game is set to resolutions that it originally did not support.[22]
Other scenarios
Create or edit Options.ini[25]
|
- The install process very often fails to create
Options.ini , causing this error.
- For Generals, open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\options.ini
- For Zero Hour, open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\options.ini
- Create
options.ini yourself if it isn't located in that folder.
- Replace its contents with the following and save your changes:
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]
|
- When using GenTool, setting compatibility mode shouldn't be needed and it is thus advised to skip this solution.
- Go to the properties of
generals.exe or one of its shortcuts.
- Enable Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode.
|
Fully reinstall[26]
|
- A full reinstallation is a last resort in case the solutions above did not work.
|
Auto-defeat after 30 seconds
- Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations.
Clean reinstall of the game as administrator[30]
|
- Fully re-install the game with administrator privileges in hopes the registry keys will be correctly created.
- Reported by the community that this fix sometimes doesn't work. Use it as last resort.
|
"Serial key already in use" error when starting a match
Check game's serial key registry entries[31]
|
- Reported by the community that this fix often doesn't work and on valid installations the "-" are still missing in these registry-entries.[32]
- Be warned, making the wrong registry edits can lead to issues. Please follow this guide carefully.
- Open
regedit.exe (opens Windows Registry Editor).
- For Zero Hour, go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Electronic Arts\EA Games\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour .
- For Generals, go to
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Electronic Arts\EA Games\Generals\ergc
- Right click on the
(Default) registry entry and click on "modify".
- Now add "-" at the places where it belongs in the serial code. For example "123A5678B8CDD3D3P0P0" becomes "123A-5678-B8CD-D3D3-P0P0". Do this for both Generals and Zero Hour registry entries.
|
Set Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode[citation needed]
|
- It is a very rare issue.
- This can also be done intentionally by running the game with the
-quickstart parameter to speed up initial loading.
- Go to the properties of
generals.exe or one of its shortcuts.
- Enable Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode.
|
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; see Online play for a community server replacement. |
- See Restore mod support.
Official extra map and mission
- For Generals, EA Los Angeles released an official extra map and mission that were not included in the game.
Download and install the extra map and mission[citation needed]
|
- 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 or Flash Fire
- Click on
Accept to use the mission or map
- Click on
Play game
|
Restore mod support
- The Ultimate Collection on Origin was released with no support for mods or command line arguments.
- Also incorporated in GenPatcher.
- 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]
|
- The executables will be replaced with original Generals and Zero Hour executables with full support for mods and command-line-parameters, but with the CD-check disabled.
- Circumvents the official Generals Origin Launcher by letting you start the game directly. If desired, the game can still be started using the Origin-launcher.
- Fully supported by GenTool.
- Go to the GenTool Executables page.
- Download both the
Generals108EXE.zip and GeneralsZH104EXE.zip files.
- Extract
generals.exe from Generals108EXE.zip archive and place it in <path-to-game>\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour\Command and Conquer Generals . Confirm that you want to overwrite the original generals.exe .
- Extract
generals.exe from GeneralsZH104EXE.zip archive and place it in <path-to-game>\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour . Confirm that you want to overwrite the original generals.exe .
|
Use Medstar's fixed launchers (The Ultimate Collection)[33]
|
- An unofficial patch that provides a slight enhancement to the default launchers provided with the Origin release (fixes some registry entries and allows command line arguments to function properly).
- Previous fixed launchers from Bibber were not available and supported for a while at Bibber's own request, but can be downloaded again from his site. As support and availability is unknown, it is advised to remove those and replace them with Medstar's ones.
- Download the last released version from GitHub or alternatively from ModDB.
- Extract the file from the ZIP file.
- Run the installer.
|
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
Uncensoring the German release
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