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Difference between revisions of "Command & Conquer: Red Alert"

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==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B000CPKIT6 | unknown | Bundled with other games in the franchise up to [[Command & Conquer: Generals|Generals]].}}
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{{Availability/row| Amazon | B000CPKIT6 | Disc, Key | Bundled with other games in the franchise up to [[Command & Conquer: Generals|Generals]].}}
 
{{Availability/row| Origin | c-c-the-ultimate-collection | Origin | Bundled with other games in the franchise up to [[Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight|Tiberian Twilight]].}}
 
{{Availability/row| Origin | c-c-the-ultimate-collection | Origin | Bundled with other games in the franchise up to [[Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight|Tiberian Twilight]].}}
 
}}
 
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Revision as of 14:54, 22 August 2014

Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Cover image missing, please upload it
Developers
Westwood Studios
Publishers
Original Virgin Interactive
Current Electronic Arts
Release dates
DOS October 31, 1996
Windows October 31, 1996
Command & Conquer: Red Alert on Wikipedia
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.
Completely playable on modern PCs after installing the 3.03p fan patch.
If you want a modernized Red Alert experience, check out OpenRA to play on Linux.
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

C&C Communications Center forums
CNCNZ subforum
Command & Conquer Wiki
PortableRA and ra303p patch discussion

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Amazon.com
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
Bundled with other games in the franchise up to Generals.
Error: key type '{{{5}}}' not recognised
Error: OS parameter cannot be empty
Origin
Origin
Bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight.
Error: key type '{{{5}}}' not recognised
Error: OS parameter cannot be empty

Unofficial downloads

OpenRA is a modernized open-source version of C&C.Also includes Tiberian Dawn and Dune 2000 modes. For more information, see below. }}
PortableRA is available in installable or portable (stripped, multiplayer-only) form with add-ons. Extra contents included.
RA1 Installer downloads ISOs and patches them instead. It doesn't install expansion videos from PS1 version.
RedAlert1.com is Optimized for multiplayer (small size, up-to-date). Missions, music and cutscenes are omitted.
(go to CnCNet lobby and download the music in the settings).

Installing CDs/ISOs on modern Windows systems

Like many 32-bit games released during the mid-90's, the game's installer is 16-bit. This and some other issues prevents you the game from being installed (using the ISOs released by EA or the game CDs) on modern operating systems and PCs.
The web installer includes an option to install games from original CDs/ISOs and patch the installation afterwards. More information available at CnC-Comm forums.

Essential improvements

File:RA-hires.jpg
1024x768 resolution using the 3.03p patch.

3.03p

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 (by CnCNet) and LAN playability up to 8 players
  • Support for higher resolutions
  • No-CD option
  • Missions from Counterstrike and Aftermath expansions
Complete feature list.
In the compatibility tab all compatibility options should be turned off.[1]
You could also download The Lost Files which complement expansions with videos from PSX Red Alert.
  • There is also extra music to download, from PSX Red Alert as well.
Support for regular Red Alert installation, The First Decade and The Ultimate Collection.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
redalert.ini contains normal game settings.
ddraw.ini contains CnC-DDraw settings (present after patch).
cncnet.ini contains CnCNet settings.

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row
System Location

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin

Video settings

These are video settings alongside the fan patch.

Template:Video settings

Input settings

File:RedAlertInput.png
Input settings

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
German
See below.
French
See below.
Spanish
Fan translation, see below.
Russian
Partial audio support; fan translation, see below.
RA patch also adds support for multiple languages. Download them from PCGamingWiki repository.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8
Online play
8

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
CnCNet only
Dedicated
CnCNet only, see here.
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
UDP 8054
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
This game supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration through CnCNet UPnP tool.

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, map preview, spectator mode, kick/ban and better chat capabilities (ignore, whisper, Mumble voice chat).
Predominantly used by Red Alert players.
LAN play requires Internet connection to work.
Already included in the patch.
It is recommended to run once with administrator privileges.
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 directs 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

Instructions

Crash after overheating

Instructions

Game is laggy after installing the patch

Instructions

Game speed/Map scroll rate issue

Instructions

"Unable to set video mode" error

Instructions

No music in the portable version

Instructions

No videos after installing the patch

Instructions

Other information

Maps

C&C has support for external maps, both multiplayer and singleplayer.
Map editors can be downloaded inside CnCNet's game options.
Cnc-Comm.com - Mapping discussion

Re-implementations

OpenRA

Red Alert recreation that tries to modernize the classic gameplay of older Command & Conquer games (and Dune 2000).
Cross-platform multiplayer for Windows, OS X and Linux.
Features a reimagined interface amongst other things.
Music and campaign (in the works) are missing from the game; download the music from Desura mirror and put it into:
  • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\OpenRA\Content\ra
  • OS X: ~/Library/Application Support/OpenRA/Content/ra
  • Linux: ~/.openra/Content/ra

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 75 MHz
System memory (RAM)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 40 MB
Video card (GPU) PCI video card
1 MB of VRAM
DOS
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 5.0, Windows 3.1
Processor (CPU) Intel 486 66 MHz
System memory (RAM)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 40 MB
Video card (GPU) VGA or MCGA (256 colour) video card
ISA video cards are not supported

References