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Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars cover
Developers
EA Los Angeles
Kane's Wrath BreakAway Games
macOS (OS X) TransGaming Inc.
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Engines
SAGE
Release dates
Windows March 28, 2007
macOS (OS X) (Cider) August 28, 2007
Reception
Metacritic 85
IGDB 85
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Expansion pack, Subscription gaming service
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres RTS
Themes Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Sci-fi
Series Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars on HowLongToBeat
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars on IGDB
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars guide on StrategyWiki
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars on MobyGames
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars 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

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 3: Tiberium Wars is the third mainline Tiberium RTS game in the Command & Conquer franchise. Both singleplayer and multiplayer modes are prominently featured.

A sequel to Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun was planned as early as that game was released, with several prototypes being made over the years.[1]. The final iteration was released in March 2007 for Windows and July 2007 for the Xbox 360. Despite this, the PC version never received controller support. The game was completed in approximately 11 months.[2]

The Kane's Wrath expansion from March 2008 started development immediately after the release of Tiberium Wars, but with EA Los Angeles leaving a larger team than for the The Rise of the Witch-king expansion for The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II, this time having more input on gameplay and storyline. The bulk of the work was once again done by BreakAway Games. However, they were presumed to work on a long-obsolete build of Tiberium Wars as a foundation, as evidenced by some bugs and exploits which were fixed during Tiberium Wars' support cycle returning in Kane's Wrath.[3][4] The Xbox 360 version of Kane's Wrath omits the Global Conquest game mode (unlike the Battle for Middle-earth II War of the Ring mode, it is singleplayer-only) and replaced it with the Kane's Challenge mode which was never backported to the PC.

Post-release support included 9 patches for Tiberium Wars and 2 for Kane's Wrath, as well as map editors (Worldbuilder) for both titles and a mod SDK for Tiberium Wars. While Kane's Wrath did not receive official mod support, a small modding community exists for it, and uses a fan-made alternative called WrathEd. Further support was planned for the games[5][6], but was scrapped in favor of supporting Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 and developing the then-upcoming Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight.

The game and its expansion were released on Steam on November 13, 2009, well after their respective support cycles.[7] [8]

After the last patches (1.09 for Tiberium Wars and 1.02 for Kane's Wrath) from 2009, several bugs and major imbalances exist, more prominently in Kane's Wrath. With the GameSpy servers being shut down in 2014, players can use C&C:Online to play in multiplayer. A small multiplayer community for the Kane's Wrath expansion exists on Command Post, using that platform to distribute fixed map packs and organize tournaments. Tiberium Wars had a more sizable online community during GameSpy's lifespan[9], but has basically vanished once GameSpy was no longer an option.

The retail and Steam versions still use serial keys for activation, but the Origin/EA App version does not.

General information

Command & Conquer Wiki - A wiki for everything Command & Conquer-related
C&C:Online - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement (Windows version only)
Tiberium Wars on CNC.community
Tiberium Wars section on CNCNZ.com
Kane's Wrath section on CNCNZ.com
Tiberium Wars section on GameReplays.org
Kane's Wrath section on GameReplays.org
Steam Community Discussions (Tiberium Wars)
Steam Community Discussions (Kane's Wrath)

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
SecuROM 7 DRM.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Origin
Origin
Bundled as part of Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection; includes the Kane's Wrath expansion. Included with EA Play.
Manual link for EA App purchase.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
CD key
Bundled as part of Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection alongside the Kane's Wrath expansion (separate library/store entry). Included with EA Play (Steam).
Steam DRM removed from Tiberium Wars, but not Kane's Wrath, on March 9, 2024.[10][11]
Windows
Origin (unavailable)
Origin
Windows
A free demo version is available from GameFront and CNCNZ.com.
Steam key can be used to activate The Ultimate Collection version of the game on Origin/EA App.[12]

Version differences

The retail-only Kane Edition of Tiberium Wars (not to be confused with the Kane's Wrath expansion) includes the base game, a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes footage, 5 multiplayer maps later given to all users through official patches, and exclusive skins for select units of all three factions. The German version of the Kane Edition is the only version of the game in that language that is not censored.
The retail-only Limited Collection / Deluxe Edition includes Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath. The initial print (Limited Collection) also included a beta key for Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.
The Steam version of Kane's Wrath does not require the base game to be installed.

Monetization

Type Notes
Expansion pack The expansion pack includes new factions, a new campaign and game mode, maps, and units.
One-time game purchase The game requires an upfront purchase to access.
Subscription gaming service Available via EA Play.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Kane's Wrath The Steam version can be installed without the base game.[13]
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

The Steam and Origin versions are already patched to the latest version. Applying a retail patch to a digital release will reinstate the SecuROM disc check.
Retail Windows Tiberium Wars patch v1.09 can be downloaded in many languages from CNCNZ, GameFront or Patches-Scrolls.
Retail Windows Kane's Wrath expansion patch v1.02 can be downloaded in many languages from CNCNZ, GameFront or Patches-Scrolls.
Due to the expired digital certificates in the Kane's Wrath v1.02 patch executables, Windows refuses to run them. Use delcert on them to remedy this.

KWBandage

Download link
An unofficial patch for Kane's Wrath which fixes multiple gameplay and visual bugs. Balance changes are minimal, fixing only the most significant ones (e.g. Confessor Cabal drafting from Shredder Turrets).

Game data

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\<Localized Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars>\Profiles\<user-id>\
%APPDATA%\<Localized Command & Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath>\Profiles\<user-id>\
Steam %APPDATA%\Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars\Profiles\<user-id>\
%APPDATA%\Command & Conquer 3 Kanes Wrath\Profiles\<user-id>\
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/24790/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\<Localized Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars>\<user-id>
%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\<Localized Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars>\
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\<Localized Command & Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath>\<user-id>
%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\<Localized Command & Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath>\
Steam %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars\Profiles\<user-id>
%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars\
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Command & Conquer 3 Kanes Wrath\Profiles\<user-id>
%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\Command & Conquer 3 Kanes Wrath\
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/24790/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud
Added on February 21, 2024.[14][15]

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
For unsupported resolutions, see Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Disable anti-aliasing if the game doesn't launch
Field of view (FOV)
Use Flawless Widescreen.
Windowed
Use -win parameter.
Use -xres # -yres # for custom window resolution.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Use Borderless Gaming
Alternatively, -win -fullscreen parameters, and -xpos 0 -ypos 0 if window is off screen.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS, with game speed tied to frame rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

Most resolutions are supported natively, but some (such as 1280x768) are not. If the preferred resolution is not supported natively, editing options.ini is required.
Custom resolution[16]
  1. For C&C3 Tiberium Wars, it is located here: %APPDATA%\Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars\Profiles\<user-id>\
  2. For C&C3 Kane's Wrath, it is located here: %APPDATA%\Command & Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath\Profiles\<user-id>\
  3. Open Options.ini with a text editor.
  4. Find this line: Resolution = xxxx xxx and edit it to set the desired resolution.
  5. Save the changes.

Input

In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
No Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
For scroll speed.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

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

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
5.1
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Fades in/out when focus changes.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Retail only. Kane's Wrath expansion is not available, though EA still provided patches for it.[citation needed]
Traditional Chinese
Retail only.
Czech
Retail only.
Dutch
French
German
Altered (USK 16-rated) and uncut (USK 18-rated) versions exist. The Tiberium Wars Kane Edition is based on the uncut USK 18 version.
Digital releases are based on the USK 16-rated release, but can be converted to the USK 18 versions with these packages: Tiberium Wars, Kane's Wrath.
Hungarian
Retail only.
Italian
Polish
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Thai
Retail only.

Network

Network settings.
Network settings.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8
Online play
8 Official GameSpy service has been shut down in 2014. The fan-run C&C:Online is currently the de facto service.

Connection types

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 28910, 29900-29901
UDP 13139, 27900, 65000, 8088-65535 (expansion only)
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

VR support

3D modes State Notes
vorpX
G3D
User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction.

Issues fixed

Slow/choppy cutscenes

With the official 1.04 patch for Tiberium Wars, the default framerate in cutscene playback was reduced in the "very low" and "low" graphics presets to accomodate low-end systems which had experienced heavy artifacting. Setting to a different preset fixes this.
Note that increasing this value also restores some in-game visual effects such as the heat distortion from thruster exhaust of vehicles.
Method 1: Use higher preset from the in-game options menu[17]
  1. From the main menu, go to Options, then Settings.
  2. In the Video tab, choose a Graphics Preset setting to either Medium, High or UltraHigh. Possible values are UltraHigh, High, Medium, Low or VeryLow.
  3. Apply the changes, and only then change individual settings to fit your performance.
Method 2: Manual configuration file edit[18]
  1. Go to the configuration file location.
  2. Go into the profile name's folder and open Options.ini
  3. Find the following text: IdealStaticGameLOD =
  4. Change the value after the equal sign to either Medium, High or UltraHigh. Possible values are UltraHigh, High, Medium, Low or VeryLow.
  5. Save the file and close it.

Issues unresolved

Invisible objects (units, Tiberium crystals) on Wine

Caused by poor support of Intel Mesa driver with certain integrated graphics card models (e.g. Ivy Bridge generation).[19]

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c
OpenGL
OS X only.
Shader Model support 1.3 [citation needed]
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
This 32-bit-only macOS game does not work on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Speex
Cutscenes On2 VP6
Multiplayer GameSpy Shut down in 2014.

Worldbuilder (map editor)

The latest version for Tiberium Wars is 2.0, available from CNCNZ, ModDB and CnCLabs. It is designed to be compatible with the official mod SDK.
The latest version for Kane's Wrath is 1.1, available from CNCNZ, ModDB and CnCLabs.
As of 2024, both the Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath Worldbuilders are included in the Steam and EA App releases.

Command line arguments

Command[20] Description
-win Runs the game in windowed mode
-fullscreen Runs the game in fullscreen mode. Combine with -win for borderless windowed mode.
-xres [number] Sets resolution width
-yres [number] Sets resolution height
-xpos [number] Sets horizontal offset of the window
-ypos [number] Sets vertical offset of the window
-ui Opens the autorun feature otherwise called by inserting the game disc
-replayGame [filename] Plays replay file
-modConfig [filename] Runs the game with selected mod (has to point to its .skudef file)
-spectator Runs the game in a reduced mode where only replays are accessible; the base game used to have a free official game distribution with this mode permanently enabled
-noaudio Disables game audio
-noAudioMusic Disables game music
-silentLogin Forces the game to immediately log in to a multiplayer account
-startPaused Launches the game with a "Waiting" message, possibly to delay loading assets
-getPatch Forces check for official updates; currently useless as EA's FTP servers which hosted patches have been shut down
-runver [number] Forces running a specified game version (1.0, 1.1, ..., 1.9); appropriate cnc3game.dat and cnc3ep1.dat files for all older versions missing from digital releases

Mod SDK

Official modding tools for Tiberium Wars were released, available from CNCNZ, ModDB and CnCLabs.
An unofficial mod SDK for Kane's Wrath, titled WrathEd, is available on GitHub.

Modifications

Tiberium Wars

Original Campaign Balance Patch - reverts the balance changes from patches 1.01-1.09 for the campaign missions, as the official patches had only multiplayer balance in mind and unintentionally made some missions significantly harder.
The Forgotten
Tiberium Essence
Firestorm
Tiberium Wars Advanced
Tiberian History
Red Alert History

Kane's Wrath

Campaign Legacy Mod - reverts the balance changes from patches 1.01-1.02 for the campaign missions, as the official patches had only multiplayer balance in mind.
One Vision
Tiberium Future
Tiberium Insanity
Chemical Warfare
Tiberium Dusk

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) XP, Vista
Processor (CPU) 2.0 GHz (XP)
2.2 GHz (Vista)
System memory (RAM) 512 MB (XP)
1 GB (Vista)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 6 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce4 Ti
ATI Radeon 8500
Intel GMA 900
DirectX 9.0c compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.4.9
Processor (CPU) 1.83 GHz
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 2 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon X1600 series
Nvidia GeForce 7300


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/24790/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (24790) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

  1. To Petro Dev team - Petroglyph Forums - Page 2 - last accessed on 2023-05-30 (archived)
  2. Candid interview with former C&C Developer Greg Black - GameReplays.org - last accessed on 2023-05-30
  3. Verified by User:Plok on 2023-05-30
    Some bugs like the Engineer exploit that allows capturing buildings across the map were fixed in or before Tiberium Wars patch 1.05, but are present and functioning in Kane's Wrath.
  4. APOC's Kane's Wrath Patch Update - Command & Conquer News - CNCNZ.com Forums - last accessed on 2023-05-30
    "We also understand some things that were fixed in C&C 3, like interface lag, we're not transferred over to Kane's Wrath. This was unintentional and I am making certain any significant critical fixes in TW that for any reason didn't get transferred over to Kane's Wrath, are strongly considered for our first patch"
  5. Patch 1.10 Update - Command and Conquer 3 - GameReplays.org - last accessed on 2023-05-30
  6. Tiberium Wars patch 1.10 - Command & Conquer Wiki - covering Tiberium, Red Alert and Generals universes - last accessed on 2023-05-30
  7. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars Releases - MobyGames - last accessed on 2023-05-30
  8. Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Releases - MobyGames - last accessed on 2023-05-30
  9. Verified by User:Plok on 2023-05-30
    Observed as late as Q2 2014 while capturing network data during C&C:Online's development.
  10. Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™ History · Change #22697770 · SteamDB - last accessed on 2024-03-09
  11. Verified by User:Plok on 2024-03-09
  12. Verified by User:Mrtnptrs on 2022-11-23
    When redeeming the Steam key of the game on the EA App, it will activate there and then will add the digital The Ultimate Collection edition of the game to your EA account for installation.
  13. Verified by User:Plok on 2024-03-09
    The Steam version of Kane's Wrath is configured to check for necessary base game files in its own directory in CNC3TW.
  14. Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™ History · Change #22448081 · SteamDB - last accessed on 2024-03-01
  15. Command and Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath · Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Price history · SteamDB - last accessed on 2024-03-01
  16. Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  17. Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-06
  18. Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  19. Verified by User:Plok on 2023-05-19
  20. Command line options - GameReplays.org - last accessed on May 2023