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.
- 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.
- Emulation guide is available below.
General information
- C&C Communications Center forums
- CNCNZ subforum
- Command & Conquer Wiki
- PortableRA and ra303p patch discussion
Availability
Template:Availability Table
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
- 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
-
redalert.ini
contains normal game settings.
-
ddraw.ini
contains CnC-DDraw settings (present after patch).
-
cncnet.ini
contains CnCNet settings.
Save game data location
Video settings
- These are video settings alongside the fan patch.
Template:Video settings
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
Connection types
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
- 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
- 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
Crash after overheating
Game is laggy after installing the patch
Game speed/Map scroll rate issue
"Unable to set video mode" error
No music in the portable version
No videos after installing the patch
Mac/Linux emulation
- This is an emulation guide for the fan-made packs, not for the ISOs or CDs.
- PlayonLinux/PlayonMac can also be set up to play with the same configuration (if you want a step-by-step guide, go to FunkyFr3sh.cncnet.org).
- Install Wine through repositories or through official website and run or extract the installer under Wine.
- Inside 'winecfg' create configuration options for ra95.exe and under the Library tab, add overrides for 'wsock32.dll' and 'ddraw.dll'.
- Have fun!
- The configuration program requires .NET Framework 2.0.
- If the configuration program doesn't work, then you have to do configure the game manually in redalert.ini or the aforementioned ddraw.ini. The settings for the internal resolution, sound and multiplayer options (not CnCNet) and languages are in redalert.ini.
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
- 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%\My Documents\OpenRA\Content\ra
- Mac:
~/Library/Application Support/OpenRA/Content/ra
- Linux:
~/.openra/Content/ra
System requirements
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
95 |
98 |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 75 MHz
| Intel Pentium 120 MHz |
System memory (RAM) |
| |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
40 MB |
500 MB |
Video card (GPU) |
PCI video card 1 MB of VRAM | |
DOS |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
5.0, Windows 3.1 |
6.2 |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel 486 66 MHz
| Intel Pentium 75 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