OpenRA
What is OpenRA?
OpenRA is a project that recreates and modernizes the classic Command & Conquer real time strategy games. We have developed a flexible open source game engine (the OpenRA engine) that provides a common platform for rebuilding and reimagining classic 2D and 2.5D RTS games (the OpenRA mods).
This means that OpenRA is not restricted by the technical limitations of the original closed-source games: it includes native support for modern operating systems and screen resolutions (including Windows 10, Mac OS X, and most Linux distros) without relying on emulation or binary hacks, and features integrated online multiplayer.
While we love the classic RTS gameplay, multiplayer game design has evolved significantly since the early 1990's. The OpenRA mods include new features and gameplay improvements that bring them into the modern era:
- 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 for strategic advantage
- Units gain experience as they fight and improve when they earn new ranks
OpenRA is 100% free, and comes bundled with three distinct mods. When you run a mod for the first time the game can automatically download the original game assets, or you can use the original game disks.
Tiberian Dawn
An alliance of nations fights to protect Europe and northern Africa from a mysterious terrorist organization and the valuable but toxic alien mineral, Tiberium, that is slowly spreading over the world.
The Tiberian Dawn mod focuses on fast and fluid play, taking heavy influences from modern RTS games.
Red Alert
In a world where Hitler was assassinated and the Third Reich never existed, the Soviet Union seeks power over all of Europe. Allied against this Evil Empire, the free world faces a Cold War turned hot.
The Red Alert mod focuses on strategy, providing a range of units and tactics to conquer the land, sea, and air.
Dune 2000
Three great houses fight for the precious spice melange.
He who controls the spice controls the universe!
Establish a foothold on the desert planet Arrakis, where your biggest threat is the environment.
The Dune 2000 mod currently focuses on providing an experience that is authentic to the original game.
Tiberian Sun
The next major goal for OpenRA is to add support for the second generation of Command & Conquer games, starting with Tiberian Sun.
The game engine features to support Tiberian Sun are still in development. The mod is not included with the OpenRA installer, but the source code is available in our GitHub repository. Please note that we do not provide support for incomplete development builds.
Custom Mods
You can build your own project on the OpenRA engine using the OpenRA Mod SDK. A collection of community-built mods and games are listed on ModDB.
We are working to cleanly separate the OpenRA engine code from our C&C-specific mod details, so that it can be used as a general purpose RTS game engine.