The Command & Conquer source code is going public

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EA is opening up Command & Conquer and Red Alert to modders

(Image credit: EA)

EA has announced that the source code for Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert will be released alongside the Remastered Collection next month. That's in addition to the new map editor included with the remaster, so expect bigger and better Command & Conquer mods in the near future.

"Today we are proud to announce that alongside the launch of the Remastered Collection, Electronic Arts will be releasing the TiberianDawn.dll and RedAlert.dll and their corresponding source code under the GPL version 3.0 license. This is a key moment for Electronic Arts, the C&C community, and the gaming industry, as we believe this will be one of the first major RTS franchises to open source their source code under the GPL," reads the announcement from EA.

With the Command & Conquer source code out in the open, modders will undoubtedly have a field day making dramatic changes to the games' maps, art style, and gameplay. Producer Jim Vessella gave us an example of just one way the DLL files can be used to engineer custom Command & Conquer experiences. Behold up above the Nuke Tank, which is what Remastered devs imagined would happen if Nods came across a Mammoth Tank.

It wasn't all good news, though. Vessella also announced that despite earlier plans, LAN play isn't coming to the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection at launch. Apparently, the pandemic affected development on that feature to the point where it's been delayed to an unspecified date. Though, with social-distancing guidelines still firmly in place, it might be for the better for now anyway.

Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.