Why it matters: When EA released the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection five years ago, it published DLL files for the legendary real-time strategy franchise's first two entries to provide extensive modding support. With the series approaching its 30th anniversary this year, EA recently released new source code files and expanded the modding potential for several C&C titles. Furthermore, the franchise is currently 70 percent off.
EA has published the full source code for five Command & Conquer games and their expansions, implementing Steam Workshop support and enabling modders to build new maps, units, and other content. The company also updated the source code repositories for the original Command & Conquer and the first Red Alert game.
Interested users can now download the source code for Command & Conquer Renegade, Generals, Zero Hour, Tiberium Wars, Kane's Wrath, Red Alert 3, Uprising, and Tiberian Twilight from GitHub. A new mod support pack on GitHub also contains the source XML, Schema, Script, Shader, and Map files for SAGE engine games like Generals and Tiberium Wars.
Some source code files for the first Command & Conquer entry, later called Tiberian Dawn, and the original Red Alert have been available since EA released remastered versions of the two games in 2020. However, with help from veteran modder Luke "CCHyper" Feenan, EA has recovered and published their full code. Furthermore, a new update allows modders to publish maps directly to Steam Workshop for automatic updates and easier file management.
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2 are conspicuously absent from EA's announcement. Fans have demanded remasters for the titles since the first refreshed duology launched, but the company has remained silent on the matter.
Fortunately, the original versions of both games are available in the Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection bundle that EA released on Steam last year. As of this writing, the Ultimate Collection and the Remastered Collection are on sale for just $6 at a 70 percent discount.
Additionally, fans interested in the franchise's development history can download newly released early development footage of Command & Conquer Renegade and Generals.
Westwood Studios released the original Command & Conquer in September 1995. Building on the foundations from 1992's Dune II, it sold millions of copies and popularized the real-time strategy genre.
The franchise has since received multiple sequels and spinoffs, with sales eventually reaching the tens of millions. Although the series' last mainline entry, Command & Conquer 4, was released almost 15 years ago, EA has cooperated with modders to keep the classic titles readily available.
EA releases Command & Conquer source code, boosting modding capabilities
