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Difference between revisions of "Command & Conquer: Generals"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (→‎API: updated template usage)
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===GenPatcher===
 
===GenPatcher===
−
{{++}} Simplifies installation, includes both the official patches and most community ones.
+
{{++}} Simplifies installation, includes both the official patches and most community ones found below.
 
* [https://legi.cc/downloads/genpatcher/ Download link]
 
* [https://legi.cc/downloads/genpatcher/ Download link]
  
 
===Officially released extra map and mission (Generals only)===
 
===Officially released extra map and mission (Generals only)===
 
{{ii}}For Generals, EA Pacific released an official extra map and mission that were not included in the game.
 
{{ii}}For Generals, EA Pacific released an official extra map and mission that were not included in the game.
−
 
 
# Download the single-player GLA-mission [https://files.cncnz.com/generals/cncgeneralsblacksheep.zip Black Sheep]; an official campaign mission which was cut from the final release, but was released in 2009 by EA
 
# Download the single-player GLA-mission [https://files.cncnz.com/generals/cncgeneralsblacksheep.zip Black Sheep]; an official campaign mission which was cut from the final release, but was released in 2009 by EA
 
# Download the skirmish/multiplayer map [https://files.cncnz.com/generals/Flash%20Fire.zip Flash Fire] for two players
 
# Download the skirmish/multiplayer map [https://files.cncnz.com/generals/Flash%20Fire.zip Flash Fire] for two players
Line 79: Line 78:
 
# Place the folders in <code>{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Maps</code> to be able to use them in-game
 
# Place the folders in <code>{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Maps</code> to be able to use them in-game
 
# Start Generals (NOT Zero Hour)
 
# Start Generals (NOT Zero Hour)
−
# Click on <code>Solo Play</code>
+
# Go to Solo Play -> Skirmish -> Select map -> Unofficial maps
−
# Click on <code>Skirmish</code>
 
−
# Click on <code>Select map</code>
 
−
# Click on <code>Unofficial maps</code>
 
 
# Click on either <code>Black Sheep</code> or <code>Flash Fire</code>
 
# Click on either <code>Black Sheep</code> or <code>Flash Fire</code>
 
# Click on <code>Accept</code> to use the mission or map
 
# Click on <code>Accept</code> to use the mission or map
−
# Click on <code>Play game</code> for the Black Sheep mission or setup the skirmish Force Fire map
+
# Click on <code>Play game</code>
  
−
===Gentool===
+
===GenTool===
 
{{++}} Still actively supported and updated.
 
{{++}} Still actively supported and updated.
−
{{++}} It restores online play and contains many enhancements and fixes for the game.
+
{{++}} It restores online play by linking to C&C:Online and contains many enhancements and fixes for the game.
−
{{ii}} Gentool is compatible with all the Windows-versions of Generals as long as it and the expansion are patched to the latest release.
+
{{ii}} GenTool is compatible with all the Windows-versions of Generals as long as it and the expansion are patched to the latest release.
 
{{ii}} The in-game Gentool menu, where you can access all the features, can be opened by pressing the <code>Insert</code>-key on the keyboard.
 
{{ii}} The in-game Gentool menu, where you can access all the features, can be opened by pressing the <code>Insert</code>-key on the keyboard.
 
Gentool provides enhanced game controls, optimizations and fixes for both Generals and its expansion pack Zero Hour. The latest version can be downloaded from [http://www.gentool.net/ here].
 
Gentool provides enhanced game controls, optimizations and fixes for both Generals and its expansion pack Zero Hour. The latest version can be downloaded from [http://www.gentool.net/ here].
−
 
−
The main features of Gentool include:<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamereplays.org/cnczerohour/portals.php?show=index&name=gentool|title=Gentool documentation|date=2019-10-20}}</ref>
 
−
* Redirects the online login screen to the [https://cnc-online.net C&C:Online] server instead of the closed GameSpy ones to restore multiplayer
 
−
* Crash and exploit fixes
 
−
* Support for custom widescreen resolution
 
−
* Better compatibility with recent Windows versions
 
−
* Better anti-cheat detection for online play and replays
 
−
* Adjustable camera height, pitch and rotation
 
−
* Adjustable scroll speed
 
−
* Adjustable FPS limiter (for when the game runs too fast)
 
−
* Contains an internal update mechanism to keep Gentool up-to-date and download the latest version of extra maps that can be used in skirmish or online play
 
−
* Includes an automatic patch that allows up to 1200 maps to be visible in-game
 
  
 
===D3d8to9-wrapper===
 
===D3d8to9-wrapper===
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===Get online play working again (Windows)===
 
===Get online play working again (Windows)===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Install Gentool and use C&C:Online|ref={{cn|date=Oktober 2019}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Install Gentool and use C&C:Online|ref={{cn|date=Oktober 2019}}|fix=
−
{{++}} This is more stable, provides more functionalities and features better anti-cheat than other VPN-based solutions, like [https://www.gameranger.com GameRanger].
+
{{++}} This is a direct replacement for the GameSpy servers which were used officially from 2003 to 2014.
−
{{ii}} There is no official online play available anymore since GameSpy shut down.
+
{{ii}} Your game needs to be patched to the latest version for this to work.
−
{{ii}} Your game needs to be patched to the latest version for this to work!
+
{{ii}} 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.
−
{{ii}} C&C:Online is a free community-made and -managed online server for the game, allowing you to log in and continue playing online just like you could when the GameSpy-servers were still online.  
+
# Download and install [[#GenTool|GenTool]].
−
{{ii}} 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|Gentool]].
 
 
# Sign up on [https://cnc-online.net/connect/register C&COnline].
 
# Sign up on [https://cnc-online.net/connect/register C&COnline].
−
# Activate your account by clicking on the activation-link in the confirmation mail your received.
+
# Activate your account by clicking on the activation link in the confirmation mail your received.
 
# Choose a server login and password.
 
# Choose a server login and password.
 
# Start the game.
 
# Start the game.
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{{ii}} 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.
 
{{ii}} 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 annoying Generals Origin Launcher by letting you start the game directly, but you can still use the origin launcher to start the game if you want.
 
{{++}} Circumvents the annoying Generals Origin Launcher by letting you start the game directly, but you can still use the origin launcher to start the game if you want.
−
{{++}} Fully supported by Gentool.
+
{{++}} Fully supported by GenTool.
 
# Go to the [http://www.gentool.net/download/executables Gentool Executables page].
 
# Go to the [http://www.gentool.net/download/executables Gentool Executables page].
 
# Download both the <code>Generals108EXE.zip</code> and <code>GeneralsZH104EXE.zip</code> files.
 
# Download both the <code>Generals108EXE.zip</code> and <code>GeneralsZH104EXE.zip</code> files.
Line 147: Line 129:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use Medstar's fixed launchers (The Ultimate Collection)|ref={{cn|date=Oktober 2019}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use Medstar's fixed launchers (The Ultimate Collection)|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{ii}} An unofficial patch that provides a slight enhancement to the default launchers provided with the Origin release (fixes some registry entries and allows [[Glossary:Command line arguments#Instructions|command line arguments]] to function properly).
 
{{ii}} An unofficial patch that provides a slight enhancement to the default launchers provided with the Origin release (fixes some registry entries and allows [[Glossary:Command line arguments#Instructions|command line arguments]] to function properly).
 
# Download the last released version from [https://www.moddb.com/games/cc-generals/downloads/new-fixed-ultimate-collection-launchers-v101 ModDB].
 
# Download the last released version from [https://www.moddb.com/games/cc-generals/downloads/new-fixed-ultimate-collection-launchers-v101 ModDB].
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===Skip startup game intro===
 
===Skip startup game intro===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Move, delete or rename the intro-videos|ref={{cn|date=Oktober 2019}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Move, delete or rename the intro-videos|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
{{ii}} This can be done on all Windows-versions of the game.
 
 
{{ii}} You need to apply this to both Generals and its expansion pack Zero Hour.
 
{{ii}} You need to apply this to both Generals and its expansion pack Zero Hour.
 
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}\Data\english\Movies</code>
 
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}\Data\english\Movies</code>
 
# Move, delete or rename the following files: <code>EA_LOGO.BIK</code>, <code>EA_LOGO640.BIK</code>, <code>sizzle_review.bik</code> and <code>sizzle_review640.bik</code>.
 
# Move, delete or rename the following files: <code>EA_LOGO.BIK</code>, <code>EA_LOGO640.BIK</code>, <code>sizzle_review.bik</code> and <code>sizzle_review640.bik</code>.
−
}}
 
−
 
−
===Skip all mission news intro videos (Zero Hour)===
 
−
{{Fixbox|description=Move, delete or rename the mission intro-videos|ref={{cn|date=Oktober 2019}}|fix=
 
−
{{ii}} This can be done on all Windows versions of the game.
 
−
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}\Data\english\Movies</code> of your Zero Hour installation
 
−
# Move, delete or rename all the videos of which the name begins with <code>MD_</code>.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|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|D3d8to9-wrapper]] on how to fix this.
 
{{--}} 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|D3d8to9-wrapper]] on how to fix this.
−
{{Fixbox|description=Set widescreen-resolution in-game with Gentool|ref={{cn|date=October 2019}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Set widescreen-resolution in-game with Gentool|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
{{++}} [[#Gentool|Gentool]] allows you to set common widescreen resolution in-game.
+
{{++}} [[#Gentool|GenTool]] allows you to set common widescreen resolution in-game and automatically adjusts camera height according to the resolution.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamereplays.org/cnczerohour/portals.php?show=index&name=gentool&tab=8562934|title=Gentool widescreen resolution|date=2019-10-19}}</ref>
−
{{++}} [[#Gentool|Gentool]] also automatically adjusts camera height according to the resolution.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamereplays.org/cnczerohour/portals.php?show=index&name=gentool&tab=8562934|title=Gentool widescreen resolution|date=2019-10-19}}</ref>
+
# Install [[#GenTool|GenTool]].
−
# Install [[#Gentool|Gentool]].
 
 
# Open Generals or Zero Hour.
 
# Open Generals or Zero Hour.
−
# Go to the in-game Options-menu.
+
# Go to the in-game Options menu.
 
# Set the game to a resolution of your liking.
 
# Set the game to a resolution of your liking.
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Fixbox|description=Set resolution manually in Options.ini|ref={{cn|date=October 2019}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Set resolution manually in Options.ini|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
{{ii}} Can be used in case Gentool doesn't allow to set the specific unusual resolution you want.
+
{{ii}} Can be used in case GenTool doesn't allow to set the specific unusual resolution you want.
 
# For Generals, open <code>{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Options.ini</code>
 
# For Generals, open <code>{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Options.ini</code>
 
# For Zero Hour, open <code>{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\Options.ini</code>
 
# For Zero Hour, open <code>{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\Options.ini</code>
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==="Technical Difficulties" error/Serious Error===
 
==="Technical Difficulties" error/Serious Error===
−
{{ii}} This problem occurs on modern Windows-versions; one of the methods below should fix it:
+
{{ii}} This problem occurs on most game errors and is not descriptive; one of the methods below should fix most common causes:
 
{{Image|Command and Conquer Generals Error.png|Error message}}
 
{{Image|Command and Conquer Generals Error.png|Error message}}
  
Line 576: Line 549:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Fully reinstall|ref=<ref>http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/544479-cc-generals-and-zero-hour-technical-difficulties/</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Fully reinstall|ref=<ref>http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/544479-cc-generals-and-zero-hour-technical-difficulties/</ref>|fix=
 
{{ii}} A full reinstallation is a last resort that seems to work for most users.
 
{{ii}} A full reinstallation is a last resort that seems to work for most users.
−
{{ii}} Steps below are for the non-Origin versions. In case of the Origin-version, it can be uninstalled and reinstalled pre-patched through Origin.
 
−
# Uninstall Zero Hour (if you have it)
 
−
# Uninstall Generals
 
−
# Reboot
 
−
# Install Generals
 
−
# Patch Generals
 
−
# Install Zero Hour (if you have it)
 
−
# Patch Zero Hour (if you have it)
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===DirectX 8.1 error (Windows)===
 
===DirectX 8.1 error (Windows)===
 
{{ii}} Full error: 'Please make sure your have DirectX 8.1 or higher installed. Also verify that your video card meets the minimum requirements'.
 
{{ii}} Full error: 'Please make sure your have DirectX 8.1 or higher installed. Also verify that your video card meets the minimum requirements'.
−
{{Fixbox|description=Install DirectX 9.0c|ref={{cn|date=October 2019}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Install DirectX 9.0c|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{ii}} Happens when DirectX 9.0c, DirctX 8.1 is included, is not yet installed on your Windows installation.
 
{{ii}} Happens when DirectX 9.0c, DirctX 8.1 is included, is not yet installed on your Windows installation.
 
# Download the [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109 DirctX End-User Runtimes (June 2010)]. It contains DirectX 9.0c.
 
# Download the [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109 DirctX End-User Runtimes (June 2010)]. It contains DirectX 9.0c.
Line 599: Line 564:
 
# Reboot your computer.
 
# Reboot your computer.
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Fixbox|description=Remove dbghelp.dll|ref={{cn|date=October 2019}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Remove dbghelp.dll|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plokite Wolf|date=2021-10-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{ii}} Known error; sometimes the dbghelp.dll file, a debug file, gets accidentially left in the installation folder and cause problems.
 
{{ii}} Known error; sometimes the dbghelp.dll file, a debug file, gets accidentially left in the installation folder and cause problems.
 
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}</code>.
 
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}</code>.
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{{Fixbox|description=Set Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode|ref={{cn|date=October 2019}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Set Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode|ref={{cn|date=October 2019}}|fix=
 
{{ii}} It is a very rare issue.
 
{{ii}} It is a very rare issue.
 +
{{ii}} This can also be done intentionally by running the game with the <code>-quickstart</code> parameter to speed up initial loading.
 
# Go to the properties of <code>generals.exe</code> or one of its shortcuts.
 
# Go to the properties of <code>generals.exe</code> or one of its shortcuts.
 
# Enable Windows XP Service Pack 2 [[#Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]].
 
# Enable Windows XP Service Pack 2 [[#Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]].

Revision as of 12:50, 14 October 2021

This page may require cleanup to meet basic quality standards. The specific problem is: Condense the Essential improvements section. GenPatcher handles most of these fixes, decide if this level of overlap is needed. You can help by modifying the article. The discussion page may contain useful suggestions.
Command & Conquer: Generals
Command & Conquer: Generals cover
Developers
EA Pacific[1][2]
Zero Hour EA Los Angeles|Danger Close Games|EA Los Angeles
macOS (OS X) i5works[3][4]
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 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
Command & Conquer: Generals on HowLongToBeat
Command & Conquer: Generals on IGDB
Command & Conquer: Generals guide on StrategyWiki
Command & Conquer: Generals on MobyGames
Command & Conquer: Generals on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
⤏ 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.
GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

Key points

Small but dedicated community.
Framerate is tied to gamespeed: 30 FPS.

General information

C&C:Online - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement (Windows version only)
EA's Official Command & Conquer site

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
 SafeDisc 2 DRM[Note 1] in the original releases, SafeDisc 4 DRM[Note 2] in The First Decade compilation.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Origin
Origin
 Bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight.
Included with EA Play.
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the Zero Hour expansion

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Command & Conquer: Generals – Zero Hour Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations.
Windows
macOS (OS X)

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.
  • Retail Windows Zero Hour expansion patch v1.04 can be downloaded in many languages from CNCNZ.
  • Old Mac OS X version patch v1.0.4: English, French, German [9]

GenPatcher

Simplifies installation, includes both the official patches and most community ones found below.

Officially released extra map and mission (Generals only)

For Generals, EA Pacific released an official extra map and mission that were not included in the game.
  1. 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 EA
  2. Download the skirmish/multiplayer map Flash Fire for two players
  3. Extract the folders from the ZIP-files
  4. Place the folders in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Maps to be able to use them in-game
  5. Start Generals (NOT Zero Hour)
  6. Go to Solo Play -> Skirmish -> Select map -> Unofficial maps
  7. Click on either Black Sheep or Flash Fire
  8. Click on Accept to use the mission or map
  9. Click on Play game

GenTool

Still actively supported and updated.
It restores online play by linking to C&C:Online and contains many enhancements and fixes for the game.
GenTool is compatible with all the Windows-versions of Generals as long as it and the expansion are patched to the latest release.
The in-game Gentool menu, where you can access all the features, can be opened by pressing the Insert-key on the keyboard.

Gentool provides enhanced game controls, optimizations and fixes for both Generals and its expansion pack Zero Hour. The latest version can be downloaded from here.

D3d8to9-wrapper

Install d3d8to9-wrapper[citation needed]
Improves compatibility and stability of the game significantly by converting all Direct3D 8-API calls and lowlevel shaders to equivalent Direct3D 9 ones.
Compatible with Gentool and online multiplayer.
Fixes the crash when Alt-Tab out of the game for the second time. Possibly fixes other crashes as well.
Allows the usage of ReShade, overlays and other similar tools.
Can decrease performance on old and very slow hardware.
  1. Download the latest version of d3d8to9. Thus download the d3d8.dll file.
  2. If you also use Gentool: rename the file to d3d8x.dll to make sure you don't overwrite Gentool.
  3. Place the file in <path-to-game> of both Generals and its expansion pack.
  4. Play the game.

Get online play working again (Windows)

Install Gentool and use C&C:Online[citation needed]
This is a direct replacement for the GameSpy servers which were used officially from 2003 to 2014.
Your game needs to be patched to the latest version for this to work.
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.
  1. Download and install GenTool.
  2. Sign up on C&COnline.
  3. Activate your account by clicking on the activation link in the confirmation mail your received.
  4. Choose a server login and password.
  5. Start the game.
  6. Login online in the game with the e-mail address you used to register, your server password and a nickname of your choice.

Restore mod- and command-line-parameter support (Origin, The Ultimate Collection)

The Ultimate Collection was released with no support for command-line-parameters or mods.
These two options can be simple undone 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 annoying Generals Origin Launcher by letting you start the game directly, but you can still use the origin launcher to start the game if you want.
Fully supported by GenTool.
  1. Go to the Gentool Executables page.
  2. Download both the Generals108EXE.zip and GeneralsZH104EXE.zip files.
  3. 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.
  4. 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)[10]
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).
  1. Download the last released version from ModDB.
  2. Extract the file from the ZIP file.
  3. Run the installer.

Skip startup game intro

Move, delete or rename the intro-videos[11]
You need to apply this to both Generals and its expansion pack Zero Hour.
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Data\english\Movies
  2. 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/

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.

Video

In-game options screen.
In-game options screen.
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game options screen for Zero Hour expansion.
In-game options screen for Zero Hour expansion.
In-game advanced video settings for Zero Hour expansion.
In-game advanced video settings for Zero Hour expansion.

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[12]
GenTool allows you to set common widescreen resolution in-game and automatically adjusts camera height according to the resolution.[13]
  1. Install GenTool.
  2. Open Generals or Zero Hour.
  3. Go to the in-game Options menu.
  4. Set the game to a resolution of your liking.
Set resolution manually in Options.ini[14]
Can be used in case GenTool doesn't allow to set the specific unusual resolution you want.
  1. For Generals, open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\Options.ini
  2. For Zero Hour, open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\Options.ini
  3. Change the Resolution line to your liking, like this:

Resolution = 1920 1080

Camera height

Adjusted camera height only applied to replays and singleplayer.
Adjust camera height in-game through Gentool[citation needed]
This also sets the game to automatically draw the entire map to avoid visual glitches at high camera heights.
  1. Install Gentool.
  2. Open Generals or Zero Hour.
  3. Press the Insert-key on your keyboard to open the in-game Gentool menu.
  4. Increase the camera height by a total maximum of 1000.
Adjust camera height[citation needed]
It seems like this often doesn't work.
Using this in online matches could be seen as cheating.
  1. For Zero Hour, go to <path-to-game>\Data\INI and paste the file GameData.ini into this folder
  2. You can get a modified version of this file on Mod DB
  3. Change the height of the camera to your liking, like this:

MaxCameraHeight = 800.0 DrawEntireTerrain = Yes

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 Win10 w/ Origin Edition. (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
Korean
Polish
Brazilian Portuguese
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.
Zero Hour has its own profile.

Issues fixed

Game does not start or is very slow (Origin)

Disable Origin in-game[citation needed]
This issue affects especially old versions of Origin. It seems that nowadays Origin in-game doesn't cause these issues anymore.
  1. Select the My Games tab in Origin.
  2. Right-click Generals/Zero Hour and select "Game Properties".
  3. Check the "Disable Origin in Game for this game" option.
  4. Click OK and launch the game.

"Technical Difficulties" error/Serious Error

This problem occurs on most game errors and is not descriptive; one of the methods below should fix most common causes:
Error message
Error message
Create or edit Options.ini[15]
The install process very often fails to create Options.ini, causing this error.
  1. For Generals, open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Data\options.ini
  2. For Zero Hour, open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data\options.ini
  3. Create options.ini yourself if it isn't located in that folder!
  4. 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]
  1. Go to the properties of generals.exe or one of its shortcuts.
  2. Enable Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode.
Install d3d8to9-wrapper[citation needed]

See D3d8to9-wrapper.

Fully reinstall[16]
A full reinstallation is a last resort that seems to work for most users.

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[17]
Happens when DirectX 9.0c, DirctX 8.1 is included, is not yet installed on your Windows installation.
  1. Download the DirctX End-User Runtimes (June 2010). It contains DirectX 9.0c.
  2. Run the downloaded installer.
  3. Tell it to extract the necessary files to a folder of your choosing.
  4. Go to the folder where you extracted the files to.
  5. Run DXSETUP.exe as administrator.
  6. Install it.
  7. You can now safely remove the extracted files from step 3. They are no longer needed.
  8. Reboot your computer.
Remove dbghelp.dll[18]
Known error; sometimes the dbghelp.dll file, a debug file, gets accidentially left in the installation folder and cause problems.
  1. Go to <path-to-game>.
  2. Locate dbghelp.dll and delete it.

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.
Install d3d8to9-wrapper[citation needed]

See D3d8to9-wrapper.

Shell map (menu background) is static

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.
  1. Go to the properties of generals.exe or one of its shortcuts.
  2. 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]
ExecutablePPC 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Install the version 1.0.4 patch for Intel support.
32-bit only as a planned 64-bit update was cancelled in May 2020.

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Miles Sound System
Cutscenes Bink Video (Windows), QuickTime.framework (macOS)
Multiplayer GameSpy

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

  1. ↑ 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]
  2. ↑ 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

  1. ↑ EA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC TEST FOR COMMAND & CONQUER GENERALS - Blue's News - last accessed on 2016-9-12
  2. ↑ GameSpy: Command & Conquer: Generals - Page 1 - last accessed on 2016-9-12
  3. ↑ Aspyr: Command & Conquer Generals hits beta - Macworld - last accessed on 2016-7-23
  4. ↑ Aspyr Media Inc. Ships Electronic Arts' `Command & Conquer Generals' for Macintosh - Business Wire - last accessed on 2016-7-23
  5. ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
  6. ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
  7. ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
  8. ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
  9. ↑ Aspyr Support Center - last accessed on 2011-08-27
  10. ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
  11. ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
  12. ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
  13. ↑ Gentool widescreen resolution - last accessed on 2019-10-19
  14. ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
  15. ↑ https://answers.ea.com/t5/C-C-The-Ultimate-Collection/READ-FIRST-Common-Issues-and-Solutions/m-p/222060/highlight/true#M687
  16. ↑ http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/544479-cc-generals-and-zero-hour-technical-difficulties/
  17. ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14
  18. ↑ Verified by User:Plokite Wolf on 2021-10-14