EA release Command & Conquer source code

Maybe I’m the odd one out with a PC that just hates Westwood Studios, and if that wasn’t a Vegas-based studio, I’d be making a Tim Westwood reference. Nonetheless, last year’s Winter Sale on Steam, I decided to pick up the Command and Conquer: The Ultimate Collection bundle, which is 12 (17 with included expansions) games and some of Tim Curry’s finest work. That said, EA and I (and now the modding community) need to have some words, as C&C (Tiberian Dawn) and Covert Operations crashed/froze repeatedly on launch. However, as announced yesterday with 12 “What’s New?” Steam posts, there may still be hope to play the original C&C.

The post itself is a bit of a catch-up, get-to-know-ya type deal, but it also has a very important detail: the source code for several of the C&C titles are now under a General Public license. The use of GPL offers users the ability to run and share modified software under what is technically called Copyleft. The post itself is a long piece about the hard work of EA’s non-money people (i.e., good people) and long-time Command & Conquer modder and community member Luke “CCHyper” Feenan. Feenan is a major part of the Command & Conquer Remaster and Ultimate Collection.

It isn’t the first bit of source code released: “It’s almost 5 years ago now that EA released the source code for the C&C Remastered Collection DLL files. This release received praise across the video games industry and has enabled the community to create amazing content for the Remastered Collection. In reaction to the restoration process of the C&C archives, EA wanted to take this one step further…” Feenan said. This is for four titles thus far, but four important titles nonetheless: You can get the source code for Tiberian Dawn, Red Alert, Renegade, and Generals Zero Hour on GitHub.

What does this mean? It means that new maps can be made, new assets, scripts, shaders, and so much more that maybe took a third-party approach before. Particularly those that used the SAGE engine and thus Sage Meta. Though speaking of those made with SAGE Engine, C&C Renegade, Generals & Zero Hour, Tiberium Wars and Kane’s Wrath, Red Alert 3 & Uprising, and Tiberian Twilight all now have Steam Workshop support.

I hate to speak for everyone, but this is what we want when it comes to game preservation and a way for future developers to further develop the series. Not only is Command & Conquer one of the best real-time strategy titles (alongside Total Annihilation and Supreme Commander), but it is also one of my favorites to jump straight back in when it comes to RTS titles. Having mods and even the possibility to improve and generally patch these classics of the series is exactly what you want out of extending a game’s or game series’ life. Even if EA doesn’t develop a new one soon, this lets people make new content and preserve old content.

For more information on modding, there is another GitHub support link, but I honestly can’t see much wrong with this at all. I don’t like saying “good guy, EA” because then the money people start taking liberties. I remember the reveal of Command & Conquer Rivals, which made me want to kick someone in the head. Don’t try it, EA. You’ve done well here, so keep going and maybe start thinking about restoring EA Sports BIG while you’re at it. The world went to pot when BIG stopped publishing interesting stuff too.