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Command & Conquer: Red Alert

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Revision as of 02:09, 7 May 2017 by Garrbot (talk | contribs) (→‎Audio settings: updated template usage)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Command & Conquer: Red Alert cover
Developers
Westwood Studios
Expansions Intelligent Games
Publishers
Original Virgin Interactive
Current Electronic Arts
Release dates
DOS November 22, 1996
Windows November 22, 1996
Command & Conquer: Red Alert guide on StrategyWiki
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.
3.03p fan patch is highly recommended to install.
If you want a modernized C&C 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.

General information

C&C Communications Center forums
CNCNZ forums
CnCNet
Command & Conquer Wiki

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
DOS
Windows
Origin
Origin
Bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight.
Windows

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Counterstrike Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations.
DOS
Windows
Command & Conquer: Red Alert: The Aftermath Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations.
DOS
Windows

Unofficial downloads

OpenRA is a modernized open-source version of with mature support for "Red Alert".
PortableRA is available in installable or portable (stripped, multiplayer-only) form with add-ons. Extra contents included (PSX-exclusive cutscenes for the expansions and music).
RA1 Installer is a special installer that can either download the game, install it from old CDs/ISOs or patch an existing installation. Extra contents included.
RedAlert1.com is a bare-bones version optimized for multiplayer (small size, portable). Missions, music and cutscenes are omitted. The music and map editor are downloadable inside the CnCNet settings. The site offers a Mac-compatible version too.
Mac OSX Wineskin package - Mac-compatible web installer that works outside the box. Includes single-player campaign and extra contents for the single-player.

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 RA1 Installer (see above) includes an option to install games from original CDs/ISOs and patch the installation afterwards. More information available at CnC-Comm forums.

Essential improvements

1024x768 resolution using the 3.03p patch.
1024x768 resolution using the 3.03p patch.

Patches

Official

Official patches are available.

3.03p Fan Patch

Patch is included in the installation via RA1 Installer (see above).
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 (via CnCNet) and LAN playability up to 8 players
  • Support for higher resolutions
  • No-CD option
  • Missions from Counterstrike and Aftermath expansions (plus PSX videos for these missions and soundtrack)
Complete feature list.
In the compatibility tab all compatibility options should be turned off.[1]
Support for regular Red Alert installation, The First Decade and The Ultimate Collection.

Game data

External general settings (for the fan patch).
External general settings (for the fan patch).
In-game options menu.
In-game options menu.

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

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin

Video settings

External options menu (for the original release).
External options menu (for the original release).
External video settings (for the fan patch).
External video settings (for the fan patch).
In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Template:Video settings

Input settings

External input settings (for the fan patch).
External input settings (for the fan patch).

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
German
See Language add-ons.
French
See Language add-ons.
Spanish
Fan translation, see Language add-ons.
Russian
Partial audio support; fan translation, see Language add-ons.
RA patch also adds support for Language add-ons.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8 Versus
Use the 3.03p fan patch to enable modern LAN support.
Online play
8 Versus
The original multiplayer service is no longer available. Use the 3.03p fan patch and CnCNet.org to re-enable support.

Connection types

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, its own online map folder, map preview, spectator mode, kick/ban and better chat capabilities (ignore, whisper, Mumble voice chat).
Predominantly used by Red Alert players.
Supports playing over LAN.
Already included in the 3.03p patch.
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 redirects 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

If you have not found a fix, be sure to also check:
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

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw 3
DOS video modes MCGA, VGA
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer Westwood Online

Maps

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

Re-implementations

OpenRA - community developed recreation that tries to modernize the classic gameplay and UI.

System requirements

DOS
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 5.0
Processor (CPU) Intel 486 66 MHz
System memory (RAM) 8 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 40 MB
Video card (GPU) VGA or MCGA (256 colour) video card
Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 3.1, 95
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 75 MHz
System memory (RAM) 8 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 40 MB
Video card (GPU) PCI video card
1 MB of VRAM
DirectX 3 compatible
ISA video cards are not supported

References