OpenRA
OpenRA is a free, open-source project that modernises Westwood Studios’ early real-time strategy games. In particular, it allows you to rediscover Command & Conquer, Red Alert and Dune 2000 through a modern engine designed for both single-player and multiplayer gameplay.
What is OpenRA?
OpenRA is an open-source reimplementation of a real-time strategy game engine, developed by a community of enthusiasts.
Unlike a simple patch designed to make old games run on modern computers, OpenRA recreates their gameplay within a modern engine. The project thus retains the universe, units and core principles of the Westwood classics whilst offering an experience tailored to today’s standards.
In particular, OpenRA improves the interface, multiplayer, artificial intelligence, the map editor and numerous game mechanics.
The project also serves as a platform for creating new games and mods.
Which games are available?
OpenRA offers three main adaptations:
- Command & Conquer (Tiberian Dawn)
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert (Red Alert)
- Dune 2000
These adaptations are generally referred to as mods within OpenRA, even though they constitute the three main games offered as part of the project.
Other community projects also use the OpenRA engine to recreate or reinterpret various strategy games.
An adaptation of Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun is also in development, but this is not one of the three games officially included in the main version of OpenRA.
Key points
A reinterpretation of the original games
OpenRA does not seek to replicate the original games’ mechanics exactly.
The three games have undergone numerous gameplay and balancing changes to offer a more modern experience better suited to multiplayer.
These include controls and features now commonplace in modern strategy games, as well as new gameplay options, an improved interface and various adjustments made by the community.
OpenRA is therefore more of a modern reinterpretation of the Westwood classics than a perfectly faithful reproduction of the original games.
A modern engine
The OpenRA engine has been developed to run natively on modern systems.
The project is available on Windows, macOS and Linux and continues to be improved by its developers.
It also offers numerous technical enhancements: support for modern resolutions, network play, replays, spectator mode, improved artificial intelligence and tools for creating maps and mods.
Built-in multiplayer
OpenRA has its own multiplayer infrastructure.
The built-in server browser allows you to view available games and join other players online directly.
It is also possible to play on a local network, against the AI, or watch certain games as a spectator.
The community regularly organises competitions and events centred around the various OpenRA games.
An open-source project
OpenRA is a free and open-source project distributed under the GPLv3 licence.
Its source code is publicly available and its development is driven by a community of contributors.
This architecture also allows other developers to use the engine and the OpenRA Mod SDK to create their own games or adaptations.
Several independent projects are now based on the technology developed for OpenRA.
Maps and mods
Content creation is an important part of OpenRA.
In particular, the project includes a map editor that allows users to create their own battlefields and missions.
Custom maps can be shared with the community and downloaded directly by players when needed to join a game.
OpenRA also serves as the basis for numerous community projects, including Shattered Paradise, Romanov’s Vengeance and OpenHV.
Free
OpenRA is completely free.
The project’s engine and code are open source, but certain graphics, sound and video content from the original games remains protected by their respective rights holders.
Depending on the game and the content used, OpenRA may therefore offer to import the necessary files from an installation or an official edition of the game.
Recent versions can, in particular, retrieve certain files from Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection.
An independent community
OpenRA is an independent community project.
It is not developed by Electronic Arts and does not constitute an official version of Command & Conquer.
Its development, infrastructure and various community projects are maintained by volunteer contributors.
How to play?
OpenRA can be downloaded free of charge from its official website.
Once installed, each game has its own launcher. You can then play solo, take on the AI or join available multiplayer matches directly.
Depending on the content required, OpenRA may also offer the option to import files from the original games or compatible digital versions.