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CnC-Online

C&C:Online is a free community service that allows you to continue playing Command & Conquer games online, even though the GameSpy servers have closed. It replaces the old multiplayer infrastructure whilst maintaining an experience as close as possible to how the games originally worked.

Today, C&C:Online allows you to play Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, Kane's Wrath and Red Alert 3 online.

What is C&C:Online?

C&C:Online is a community server that emulates the old GameSpy services used by several instalments of Command & Conquer.

The project was launched following the announcement that the GameSpy servers would be shut down in 2014, to ensure the continued availability of multiplayer for the relevant games.

It works differently from software such as GameRanger: once C&C:Online has been installed and configured, players can continue to use the multiplayer menus built directly into the games, just as they did when the official servers were still available.

Which games are compatible?

C&C:Online currently supports three games:

  • Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
  • Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath
  • Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

Historically, the service also supported:

  • Command & Conquer: Generals
  • Command & Conquer: Generals – Zero Hour C&C:Online ceased to provide services for Generals and Zero Hour. The community is now encouraged to use GeneralsOnline, a newer platform developed specifically for these games.

Key points

An alternative to the old GameSpy servers

C&C:Online was designed as a continuation of the official Command & Conquer multiplayer following the closure of GameSpy.

The service replaces the network infrastructure that once allowed players to connect to servers, chat and find opponents.

The aim is to retain, as far as possible, the functionality that players were accustomed to before the official services were shut down.

Multiplayer directly within the game

One of the main advantages of C&C:Online is its integration with the original games.

Unlike some solutions that use a virtual private network or software to create matches outside the game, C&C:Online allows you to continue using Command & Conquer’s multiplayer menus.

Players can therefore log in, view available matches, create their own matches and join their opponents via the familiar interface.

Lobbies, chat and friends list

C&C:Online recreates several features of the former GameSpy services.

In particular, the service allows you to:

  • host and join games;
  • chat with other players;
  • manage a friends list;
  • view statistics;
  • take part in leaderboards.

The statistics and leaderboards are linked to the community services provided by Shatabrick.

A new infrastructure in 2026

C&C:Online has recently undergone a complete overhaul of its server infrastructure.

This development brings a significant change for long-standing players: old C&C:Online accounts linked to Revora can no longer be used to log in to the new system.

Players must therefore create a new C&C:Online account to continue playing.

However, the old data has not simply been discarded. C&C:Online has retained historical statistics and offers players the option to request the restoration of their previous levels and data for the relevant games.

Compatible with mods

C&C:Online also allows players to play online with mods.

As with the original game, however, all players must have the same mod and version to be able to play together.

This compatibility means that C&C:Online serves not only players of the original versions, but also the various communities that continue to develop content for these games.

Community patches

C&C:Online continues to support the official versions of the games, but some communities now use additional patches that have become the standard for multiplayer.

This is particularly the case with certain community patches for C&C 3: Kane's Wrath and Red Alert 3.

These projects may provide fixes, technical improvements or adjustments designed for online play without altering the role of C&C:Online, which remains, first and foremost, the infrastructure enabling players to come together.

Free

Using C&C:Online is completely free.

Creating an account, downloading the client and using the servers do not require a subscription.

However, you must still own a legitimate copy of the game you wish to play. C&C:Online does not provide the games and does not support pirated versions.

The service relies in particular on donations from the community, which help to fund and maintain its infrastructure.

An independent community

C&C:Online is an independent community project managed within the Revora Creative Network ecosystem.

The project works with several long-standing communities and initiatives within the Command & Conquer scene, including GameReplays, Shatabrick, Project Perfect Mod, http://RA3Battle.net, CnC-Inside.de, GeneralsOnline and CnCSaga.

How to play?

Firstly, you must own and install the game you wish to play.

Then simply create a C&C:Online account and install the client required for the service to run.

Please note: following the overhaul of the C&C:Online infrastructure, old accounts associated with Revora no longer work. Even long-standing players must create a new account on the current system.

Once installation and configuration are complete, the game can be launched as normal. The online features are then accessible via the multiplayer menus.

Players who had an old account can also look up their historical statistics and request the restoration of certain data.