The legendary real-time strategy franchise Command & Conquer is receiving a significant boost from Electronic Arts as the company makes a groundbreaking move to support its dedicated modding community. As the series approaches its 30th anniversary, EA has decided to release the full source code for multiple games in the franchise while adding comprehensive modding tools and Steam Workshop integration.
Source Code Release Details
EA has announced the public release of the fully recovered source code for multiple Command & Conquer titles under the GPL license. The release includes the source code for Command & Conquer (Tiberian Dawn), Red Alert, Renegade, Generals, and Generals: Zero Hour. This initiative was spearheaded by Luke CCHyper Feenan, a veteran of the Command & Conquer community, modder, and administrator of CnCNet, who proposed these ideas following the release of the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection in 2020. The source code is now available on GitHub, allowing developers and modders to dive deep into the game's architecture.
Steam Workshop Integration
In addition to the source code release, EA has implemented Steam Workshop support for several titles in the franchise. Games receiving Workshop support include Command & Conquer Renegade, Generals and Zero Hour, Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath, Red Alert 3 and Uprising, and Tiberian Twilight. This integration allows users to easily upload, share, and download custom maps and mods. EA has also updated all Mission Editor and World Builder tools, enabling players to publish edited maps directly to the Steam Workshop with automatic updates and simplified file management.
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| Launching into a new era: Steam Workshop integration opens the door for creativity in Command & Conquer |
Modding Support Pack
To further empower the modding community, EA has released a comprehensive 'C&C Modding Support' pack. This package contains source XML, Schema, Script, Shader, and Map files for all games using the SAGE engine. According to Feenan, this release fulfills a wish that the community has had for almost 15 years, providing the tools needed to create new content and mods for these classic games.
Historical Footage Discovery
As part of the celebration surrounding this release, Command & Conquer Remastered Collection producer Jim Vassella revealed that the team discovered and digitized rare gameplay footage from the early development of Command & Conquer Renegade and Generals. This historical footage has been compiled and made available for fans to enjoy, offering a glimpse into the development process of these beloved titles.
Missing Titles and Current Availability
Notably absent from the source code release are Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2, two titles that fans have been requesting remasters for since the release of the Remastered Collection in 2020. However, both games are available in the Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection bundle that EA released on Steam last year. Currently, both the Ultimate Collection and the Remastered Collection are on sale with a 70 percent discount, bringing the price down to just USD$6.
Community Impact
This source code release represents a significant commitment from EA to preserve the legacy of the Command & Conquer franchise. As Feenan stated, I know this will empower those in the community who continue to create content for these classic entries in the franchise, and I hope it will aid communities like CnCNet to continue to support these games and keep them playable for future generations to come. With the last mainline entry in the series, Command & Conquer 4, having been released almost 15 years ago, this move ensures that the classic titles remain accessible and moddable for years to come.
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| Empowering the community: The new modding tools ensure that the legacy of Command & Conquer lives on |