OpenRA is an open source project that “recreates and modernizes” Westwood’s classic RTS games on the PC by building a new engine for them and making them free to download.
Why? A new engine means they can run natively on modern systems, and also means they can run natively at modern resolutions, so you can play Dune 2000 at 1920x 16:10 without a care in the world.
There’s also improved/modern multiplayer, as well as a few more tweaks, like:
- A choice between “right click” and classic “left click” control schemes
- Overhauled sidebar interfaces for managing production
- Support for game replays and an observer interface designed for streaming games online
- The “fog of war” that obscures the battlefield outside your units’ line of sight
- Civilian structures that can be captured to provide benefits
- Units gain experience as they fight and improve when they earn new ranks
Currently, having been in development for a few years now, there are three games supported: the original C&C, Red Alert and Dune 2000, though the team (of around 50 developers) behind it are also working on doing the same thing for the second generation of Westwood games, starting with Tiberian Sun.
Note that these remakes are primarily, at least at this stage, for skirmish/multiplayer gaming. Those wanting to play through the original campaigns — complete with cutscenes — need to know that each mission needs to be recreated in the new engine to work, and that there are hurdles you need to jump through to get movie and music files to play.
There’s more info (and download links) for OpenRA on the project’s site.
Comments
8 responses to “Fans Remake Classic RTS Games Like Command & Conquer, Red Alert”
There’s one of these for Rollercoaster Tycoon 2: https://openrct2.org/
Pretty interesting how they pulled it off. Because the whole thing is in assembly they replaced the code one function at a time as they tested it.
Hellmarch.mp3
read my mind
best video game music ever.
OpenRA has been around for years, they are developing and testing an isometric side to the engine so it can support later westwood games like Tiberium Sun/Red Alert 2 and probably any other isometric RTS thats open source these days
I’d love it if they put it on Steam or some kind of game client, that way I can get updates as soon as they’re ready.
I never realised how much I wanted a brand new, classical style Red Alert or Command and Conquer until right now… music, graphics… it doesn’t even need to be 3d. Just 2d with super high resolution, high level animated sprites. A bitchin’ RTS that plays classic old school. That’s all I want…
8-Bit Armies might scratch that itch… The team behind it includes former C&C developers and the music is done by Frank Klepacki!
Apparently it’s a bit bare bones at the moment, as there’s only one faction but the developers promise up to six eventually…
Definitely will check this out 🙂 ta