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{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Infobox CVG| title = Command & Conquer: Generals
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
|image = ]
{{Infobox video game
|developer = ] (PC), ] Media (Mac OS)
| title = Command & Conquer: Generals
|publisher = ] (PC), ] (Mac OS)
| image = Cncgen-win-cover.jpg
|designer =
| caption = ''Command & Conquer Generals'' cover art
|engine = SAGE (Strategy Action Game Engine)
| developer = ]<br/>i5works<small> (OS X)</small><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aspyr to publish Command & Conquer Generals for Mac |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/168158/generals.html |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref>
|released = ], ]
| publisher = ] <small>(Windows)</small><br>] <small>(Mac OS X)</small>
|genre = ]
| designer = Dustin Browder
|modes = ] ]
| programmer = Jeffrey Lee Brown
|ratings = ]: Teen (T)
| artist = Richard Kriegler (Art Director)<br>Phil Robb<br>TJ Frame<ref name=manual>''Command & Conquer: Generals'' Manual</ref>
|platforms = ], ]
| writer = Danny Bilson<br>Paul DeMeo
|media = ] (2) (PC), ] (Mac OS)
| composer = ]<br>Mikael Sandgren
|requirements = Windows 98/2000/Me/XP, 800Mhz Processor (1.8Ghz recommended), 128MB RAM (256Mb recommended), 8x ], 32Mb ] 8-compatible video card, DirectSound-compatible soundcard.
| series = '']''

| engine = ]
Mac OS X 10.2.6 or later, 1GHz PowerPC G4 processor or higher, 256MB of RAM, ], 32MB video card (ATI Radeon 7500/nVidia GeForce 2 or better)
| platforms = ]<br>]
|input = ], ]
| released = '''Microsoft Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|February 11, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sulic |first=Ivan |date=2003-02-11 |title=Command & Conquer, Now! |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/11/command-conquer-now |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref name="euro">{{Cite news |date=2003-01-22 |title=C&C: Generals goes gold |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47264 |access-date=2023-04-02}}</ref>|EU|February 14, 2003<ref name="euro"/>}}'''Mac OS X'''{{vgrelease|NA|April 12, 2004<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aspyr offers Command & Conquer Generals Mac demo |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/170319/generals-4.html |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref>}}
| genre = ]
| modes = ], ]
}} }}
'''''Command & Conquer: Generals''''' is the most recent ] game in the '']'' franchise. ''Generals'' utilizes the SAGE (Strategy Action Game Engine) engine. This proprietary engine is an extended version of the ''C&C:Renegade'' 3D engine, and EA has not made any announcements as to whether or not it will license the SAGE engine to other developers, however it has been used for other EA games such as '']''.


'''''Command & Conquer: Generals''''' is a ] ] and the seventh installment in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/games/command-and-conquer-generals/pc-479092|title=Command and Conquer Generals PC|website=IGN|access-date=January 23, 2014|archive-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408111753/http://www.ign.com/games/command-and-conquer-generals/pc-479092|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was released for ] and ] in 2003 and 2004. The Windows version of ''Generals'' was developed by ] and published by ], the Mac OS X version was developed by i5works and published by ]. The Mac OS X version was released by Aspyr on April 12, 2004. In the game, the player can choose from three different factions: the ], ] and the Global Liberation Army (GLA).
''Generals'' was released onto the ] platform in ], and a ] version was released in ]. ''Generals'' marked the return of the ''Command & Conquer'' series to the Mac OS, and the first new game since ''Command & Conquer'' (although plans for a Mac OS version of ''Red Alert'' were under way before being scrapped).


''Generals'' utilizes ] (Strategy Action Game Engine), an extended version of the '']''{{'}}s ] engine.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20050409164740/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/btg_ccgenerals/p2_02.html</ref> An ], entitled '']'', was additionally released for PC in 2003, and for Mac OS in 2004. Both ''Generals'' and ''Zero Hour'' were met with highly positive reviews. A sequel, ''Command & Conquer: Generals 2'',<ref name="revival">{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/EA-Revives-Command-Conquer-zacks-2549015116.html|title=EA Revives Command & Conquer|publisher=]|date=December 14, 2011|access-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> was in development, until it was repurposed as a ] game known as '']''. The new game was part of the ''Generals'' franchise and was cancelled on October 29, 2013 by EA after negative feedback during the closed ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commandandconquer.com/en/news/1380/a-new-future-for-command-conquer|title=A New Future for Command & Conquer|publisher=]|date=October 29, 2013|access-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227180511/http://www.commandandconquer.com/en/news/1380/a-new-future-for-command-conquer|archive-date=December 27, 2014}}</ref>
== Plot ==
''Generals'' takes place in the 2020,2030 period, unlike the other ''Command & Conquer'' games. However, players are given a choice of three factions to play rather than the two in the early parts of the ''Command & Conquer'' and ''Red Alert'' series. In ''Generals'', the ] and ] are the world's two superpowers that are the targets of the ], a generic ]ern ] organization with an unclear agenda. Both the United States and China are depicted as the protagonists in the series, and frequently cooperate with each other throughout the storyline. The three factions thus comprise a war similar to that of the real-life ].


==Gameplay==
Each of the three factions are depicted in a different manner: the Americans use state-of-the-art technology, while the Chinese army has older but effective technology like that of a ]. The GLA, being technologically disadvantaged, often resort to ] to achieve victory in the battlefield.
''Command & Conquer Generals'' operates in a similar manner to that of other titles in the series - players construct bases and train units from these, acquiring resources on one of the game's maps to fund this, and then defeat their opponents by eliminating their bases and armies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/generals/walkthrough/|title=C&C Generals: Walkthrough – C&C Labs|website=cncgeneralsworld.com|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> Various units types are available for training, ranging from infantry to ground vehicles and aircraft, each focuses on specific roles (e.g. anti-vehicle), while base structures are divided between unit production, support facilities, and defensive counter-measures. Success in the game relies upon making the most out of mixing units, utilising their advantages while countering their disadvantages with other units, in order to win against opponents - for example, rifle infantry are useful for countering anti-vehicle infantry, but need to rely on tanks to counter anti-infantry vehicles. Units that survive and manage to kill other units gain "veterancy" points, earning chevrons when they level up, effectively improve their abilities and making them more powerful; at the highest level, it also grants the ability to repair any damage when out of combat.


Training can be queued at production structures and units sent to rally points designated by the player, with the ability to research upgrades to improve certain units. In addition, players can also deploy superweapons which can decimate an opponent's forces, though must wait for a cooldown period to end before they can use it again. Factions in the game function similar in how they operate, but maintain differences in units and strategies:
Unlike ''Tiberian Sun'' or ''Red Alert'', Generals has no major characters other than that of the in-game heroes (where they only play a minor role) and the player itself. The player is portrayed as a General in their respective army, and earns ''Generals Experience'' in order to rise in rank and receive new abilities, such as the ability to order airstrikes or the ability to repair units in a certain area.


* The United States rely on high-tech weaponry, such as ], lasers, and a dominant ] to deal with opponents, and are able to use ] to airdrop infantry into occupied buildings, alongside ], to clear them out. In addition, they can improve power plants, their defensive structures link together to deal with enemy units, and they collect more supplies than the other two factions, but units are more expensive to produce.
] Storm.]]
* China relies on stronger tank and artillery units, and can use ] to claim buildings or produce additional funds by stealing money from ] online. In addition, their troop transports can detect stealth units, while their tanks and infantry can incur horde bonuses when grouped together. However, their power plants can cause damage to surrounding units and buildings when destroyed, they maintain a weaker air force, and require large armies to make horde bonuses work effectively.
Despite the generally positive spin on China in the series, the ''Generals'' series, interestingly enough, is banned in China, probably due to the depiction of a nuclear attack on the ] in the first mission of the Chinese campaign, also, in the game China shows a degree of indiscretion with nuclear weapons, although they are in the lower tactical nuke yield range.
* The Global Liberation Army rely on cheap units and ]-styled ] to overcome opponents, in which several vehicle units can be upgraded by salvaging parts from defeated enemy vehicles (infantry can also claim this for funds), using specialized infantry units to create ambushes and considerable damage. In addition, they do not require power for base structures, and any buildings that are destroyed will be automatically rebuilt if the enemy fails to destroy a tunnel entrance that is left behind. However, they must use builder units to collect supplies, with several needed to ensure funds are steady, and cannot build air units; this is compensated by having more anti-air units than the other two factions.


''Generals'' functions differently to other titles in the series, in that base construction relies on dedicated builder units rather than a central construction building, but with the added ability of being able to construct buildings anywhere on the map. Resources are restricted to supply docks that have a limited amount for collection, with each faction able to construct units or buildings that provide continual resources as long as they are not destroyed. In addition, players can also make use of "Generals Powers" - a unique set of bonuses that can be purchased upon earning experience points during the game, which can confer additional abilities such as support powers (e.g. airstrikes), improvements to certain units, or access to additional units for construction.
The ''Generals'' story is continued in the expansion pack '']''.


===Single-player===
''Generals'' presents players with a separate musical score for each faction. The game's opening and ending theme music during the China campaign features China's national anthem, ]. The United States' theme music consists of epic, militaristic scores composed by Bill Brown. The GLA faction's theme soundtrack can be described as a combination of Middle Eastern sounds coupled with ], similar to the Somalian sequences in '']''.
In a single-player mode, players can tackle one of three campaigns, each dedicated to a faction and consisting of seven missions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/command-and-conquer-singleplayer-campaign/|title='Command & Conquer' Details: Singleplayer Campaign, Shorter Matches, & More|publisher=Gamerant.com|date=August 29, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> While a training mission is provided to allow new players to become accustomed to the game, players can freely choose which campaign to tackle and at what difficulty, with each mission becoming moderately more difficult and featuring different scenarios to tackle.


===Multiplayer===
==''Command & Conquer'' controversy==
The Multi-player mode can be played both over the Internet or a ] (LAN).<ref>{{cite web|last=Radcliffe|first=Doug|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/command-and-conquer-generals-walkthrough/1100-2911873/|title=Command & Conquer: Generals Walkthrough|publisher=GameSpot|date=February 28, 2003|access-date=September 3, 2014}}</ref> It adopts a similar format to skirmish mode whereby the goal is to eliminate the other team. Games over the Internet can be completely random, in the form of a Quick Match. Players can also play in Custom Matches where the number of players, the map and rules are decided upon by the host.
Fans of the '']'' universe and its alternative '']'' universe have had reservations about the use of the words "Command & Conquer" in the title of ''Generals'' due in large part to ''C&C'''s style of gameplay. In every other ''Command & Conquer'' game released players have had video briefings which tie the game's missions and plot togther, the control bar for construction of structures and units has been to the extreme right of the screen, there has been no "middle man" (a unit needed to build other structures), and all plot lines are centered either between the Allies and Soviets (Red Alert), or GDI and Nod (C&C).


The online feature originally worked via ] servers. After the ], these were no longer available.
''Generals'', on the other hand, departs from conventional ''Command and Conquer'' themes: The ], the ], and the ] resource are not present in this game. This game is not part of the 'Red Alert' theme either, it is an entirely separate game world. Unlike previous ''C&C'' games, ''Generals'' and the ''Zero Hour'' expansion were developed by ], after ] absorbed ]. The game mechanics are more like other RTS games, such as ]'s ] and the more recent ]. The control bar is now at the bottom, the ''unique'' units for each faction (USA:Colonel Burton, China:Black Lotus, GLA:Jarmen Kell) resemble Warcraft III's Heroes, several units have special action buttons (cfr. the ''Warcraft'' series ''magic spells''). There are no video breifings for upcoming missions, and the introduction of a "middle man" has been met with some resistance. As a result of these changes, some fans of the series argue that it is not a true Command & Conquer game.


The macOS version of the game does not support multiplayer. Apple discontinued ] for online play with the release of macOS Sierra.<ref>{{cite web|title=FAQs: Command & Conquer: Generals Deluxe Edition (Mac App Store)|url=https://support.aspyr.com/hc/en-us/articles/204228334|website=Aspyr|access-date=November 25, 2018}}</ref>
==Third-party modifications==
''Command and Conquer: Generals'' has a relatively strong online community. Among the community members are mod-developers. Below is a list of some of the mods that have been in development for ''Generals'' and '']''.


===Soundtrack===
*
''Generals'' presents players with a separate musical score for each faction. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/command-conquer-generals-ea/id87057695|title=iTunes - Music - Command & Conquer: Generals (EA™ Games Soundtrack) ] and Mikael Sandgren. China's musical themes feature apocalyptic, orchestral scores combined with East Asian instrumentation. The GLA faction's theme soundtrack can be described as a combination of Middle Eastern and few South Asian sounds coupled with ].{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
*
*
*
*
*
*]
*
*
*]
*
*
*]
*
*


===World Builder===
A thing to note about these third-party groups is that despite C&C Generals having a generic plot, many of these groups seek to give Generals an in-depth plot and backstory, mainly contributed by Derelict Studios.
''Generals'' includes a map editor named ''World Builder'' for the PC edition only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnclabs.com/maps/generals/worldbuilder/|title=C&C Generals: World Builder – C&C Labs|publisher=Cnclabs.com|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> The World Builder includes features such as:
* A ] tool
* An intelligent road system, able to detect when the player wants an intersection
* A tool to scatter ] around the map
* ]s and area triggers that the AI can use. Waypoints also determine starting points for the players on a skirmish map
* A scripting system that was meant for the missions in the single-player campaign


==See also== ==Plot==
===Setting===
{{wikiquote}}
''Generals'' takes place in a near future where the United States and China co-operate to fight against the Global Liberation Army (GLA), a terrorist organisation based in ]. In chronological order, the campaign is played through the Chinese, GLA and then the United States perspectives respectively.
*]
*]
*]
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]


==External links== ===Factions===
====China====
*
A military parade in ] is attacked by GLA forces, culminating in the detonation of a stolen Chinese ] and the beginning of the GLA's incursion inside China's borders. The Chinese mobilise to stall and contain the GLA, but in the process lose the ] and the ]. Now on the offensive, the Chinese attack GLA strongholds, arriving at the terror cell's main headquarters in ]. Utilising nuclear weapons, the Chinese put an end to the GLA's offensive.
*
*
*


====GLA====
]
Despite losses to China, the GLA maintains its presence across Central Asia and the ]. In efforts to revive itself, the GLA raid UN convoys and incite riots in Astana. However, the United States enters the war and a GLA renegade sides with the Chinese with the intention to destroy the organisation. The GLA retaliate by attacking the ], and uses the platform to launch devastating toxin attacks at highly populated cities.
]

====United States====

The United States sends its forces to the Middle East, ], ] and then ] to finally put an end to the GLA. Despite losses incurred from GLA attacks and ambushes, the US are able to push the GLA back to their final stronghold in ]. With Chinese support, the US destroys the last GLA stronghold, ending the GLA's ].
==Development==
Preliminary development of the game began in 2001.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20050907023237/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/btg_ccgenerals/p1_01.html</ref><ref>https://www.gamespot.com/articles/command-and-conquer-generals-updated-preview/1100-2898051/</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 84/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/command-and-conquer-generals/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Command & Conquer: Generals for PC Reviews|website=]|publisher=]|access-date=June 15, 2010}}</ref>
}}

After its release, ''Generals'' received mostly positive reviews. Based on 34 reviews, ] gives it a score of 84/100,<ref name="MC" /> which includes a score of 9.3/10 from '']''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Dan|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/07/command-conquer-generals-3|title=Command & Conquer Generals - PC Review|publisher=IGN|date=February 7, 2003|access-date=June 15, 2010}}</ref> ''Generals'' has received the ] 2002 ] Best Strategy Game award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2002winners.html|title=2002 Game Critics Awards|publisher=]|access-date=June 15, 2010}}</ref> '']'' named ''Generals'' the best computer game of February 2003.<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050123151422/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/030803/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/030803/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Month in Review: February 2003 | author=((The Editors of ''GameSpot'')) | date=March 8, 2003 | work=] | archive-date=January 23, 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref> During the ], the ] awarded ''Generals'' with "]"; it also received nominations for "Computer Game of the Year" and "]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2004&idGame=250 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Command & Conquer: Generals |publisher=] |website=interactive.org |access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, it sold over 100,000 units during the first half of 2003. This made it the United Kingdom's second-best-selling computer game for the period, or seventh across all platforms. At the time, Kristan Reed of ] wrote that its performance proved "you can still have big hits on PC".<ref name=summer2003>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030812221201/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=1780|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=1780|title=UK Charts 2003: Summer Report|last=Reed|first=Kristan|date=June 11, 2003|work=]|archive-date=August 12, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=January 22, 2019}}</ref> ''Generals'' received a "Silver" sales award from the ] (ELSPA),<ref name=silverelspa>{{cite web|url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3942|title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver|work=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154943/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942|archive-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php|title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK|last=Caoili|first=Eric|date=November 26, 2008|work=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php|archive-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> The game's ''Deluxe'' release received another "Silver" award from ELSPA.<ref name=silverelspa />

===Restrictions in Germany===
Initially, the game was released in Germany under its international title ''Command & Conquer: Generals''. However, the ] (''Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young People'') placed the game onto the "]" two months after the initial release, which, by law, forbids further public advertising and any sale for people under 18 years of age. The BPjM stated that the game trivialized war.<ref name="GermanC&Cgenerals">{{cite web|url=http://www.schnittberichte.com/schnittbericht.php?ID=3688|title=''Command & Conquer: Generäle''|publisher=schnittberichte.com|date=January 28, 2007}}</ref>

Due to the restrictions, in the middle of 2003, EA released a localized version specifically for the German market called ''Command & Conquer: Generäle'', with references to terrorism and real-world countries and places removed, as well as removing civilians and altering unit names and appearances.<ref name="GermanC&Cgenerals"/> For example, the "terrorist" bomber unit is a "rolling bomb" and all other infantry units are changed into "cyborgs" (e.g., Red Guard becomes Standard Cyborg).<ref name="GermanC&Cgenerals"/>

In September 2013, the restrictions were lifted and the uncut version was released with an 18+ rating.<ref>https://www.schnittberichte.com/svds.php?Page=IndexDocs&ID=2091&idid=1326</ref>

==Sequel==
In September 2003, an expansion pack called '']'' was released, which continues the story of ''Generals''. In December 2011, a sequel, ''Command & Conquer: Generals 2'', was announced, due to be released in 2013.<ref name="revival"/> ''Generals 2'' was repurposed as a ] game known as simply '']''.<ref name="C&CF2P">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/events/gamescom-2012/story.html?sid=6391569|title=Next Command & Conquer goes free-to-play|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|publisher=]|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref> The new game would have started with the ''Generals'' franchise and may have expanded to the rest of the franchise post-release. The game's project was cancelled on October 29, 2013.<ref name="C&Ccancel">{{cite web|url=http://www.commandandconquer.com/en/news/1380/a-new-future-for-command-conquer|title=A New Future for Command & Conquer|publisher=Victory Games|date=October 29, 2013|access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> Later in November, EA said that the game will still be developed by a new game studio,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-11-19-command-and-conquer-will-be-resurrected-after-its-untimely-cancelation|work=EuroGamer|title=''Command and Conquer'' will be resurrected after its untimely cancellation: ''C&C Ultimate Collection'' buyers will still get the beta - by a new studio|first=Jeffrey|last=Matulef|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=January 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/19/ea-plans-to-resurrect-command-conquer-at-new-studio|title=EA Plans to Resurrect ''Command & Conquer'' at New Studio: At least according to a support listing.|first=Luke|last=Karmali|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=January 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cancelled ''Command & Conquer'' to continue development at new studio: Free-to-play ''Command & Conquer'' brought back from the dead|url=http://www.videogamer.com/pc/command_conquer_generals_2/news/cancelled_command_and_conquer_to_continue_development_at_new_studio.html|work=VideoGamer|publisher=Pro-G Media Ltd.|first=David|last=Scammell|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=January 26, 2014}}</ref> but no further news emerged and the project appears to be abandoned.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Command & Conquer series}}
{{SAGE engine games}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Command and Conquer: Generals}}
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Latest revision as of 20:52, 13 December 2024

2003 video game

2003 video game
Command & Conquer: Generals
Command & Conquer Generals cover art
Developer(s)EA Pacific
i5works (OS X)
Publisher(s)EA Games (Windows)
Aspyr Media (Mac OS X)
Designer(s)Dustin Browder
Programmer(s)Jeffrey Lee Brown
Artist(s)Richard Kriegler (Art Director)
Phil Robb
TJ Frame
Writer(s)Danny Bilson
Paul DeMeo
Composer(s)Bill Brown
Mikael Sandgren
SeriesCommand & Conquer
EngineSAGE
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Mac OS X
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • NA: February 11, 2003
  • EU: February 14, 2003
Mac OS X
  • NA: April 12, 2004
Genre(s)Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Command & Conquer: Generals is a real-time strategy video game and the seventh installment in the Command & Conquer series. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X in 2003 and 2004. The Windows version of Generals was developed by EA Pacific and published by EA Games, the Mac OS X version was developed by i5works and published by Aspyr Media. The Mac OS X version was released by Aspyr on April 12, 2004. In the game, the player can choose from three different factions: the United States, China and the Global Liberation Army (GLA).

Generals utilizes SAGE (Strategy Action Game Engine), an extended version of the Command & Conquer: Renegade's 3D engine. An expansion pack, entitled Command & Conquer: Generals – Zero Hour, was additionally released for PC in 2003, and for Mac OS in 2004. Both Generals and Zero Hour were met with highly positive reviews. A sequel, Command & Conquer: Generals 2, was in development, until it was repurposed as a free-to-play game known as Command & Conquer. The new game was part of the Generals franchise and was cancelled on October 29, 2013 by EA after negative feedback during the closed alpha test.

Gameplay

Command & Conquer Generals operates in a similar manner to that of other titles in the series - players construct bases and train units from these, acquiring resources on one of the game's maps to fund this, and then defeat their opponents by eliminating their bases and armies. Various units types are available for training, ranging from infantry to ground vehicles and aircraft, each focuses on specific roles (e.g. anti-vehicle), while base structures are divided between unit production, support facilities, and defensive counter-measures. Success in the game relies upon making the most out of mixing units, utilising their advantages while countering their disadvantages with other units, in order to win against opponents - for example, rifle infantry are useful for countering anti-vehicle infantry, but need to rely on tanks to counter anti-infantry vehicles. Units that survive and manage to kill other units gain "veterancy" points, earning chevrons when they level up, effectively improve their abilities and making them more powerful; at the highest level, it also grants the ability to repair any damage when out of combat.

Training can be queued at production structures and units sent to rally points designated by the player, with the ability to research upgrades to improve certain units. In addition, players can also deploy superweapons which can decimate an opponent's forces, though must wait for a cooldown period to end before they can use it again. Factions in the game function similar in how they operate, but maintain differences in units and strategies:

  • The United States rely on high-tech weaponry, such as military drones, lasers, and a dominant air force to deal with opponents, and are able to use supply units to airdrop infantry into occupied buildings, alongside flash grenades, to clear them out. In addition, they can improve power plants, their defensive structures link together to deal with enemy units, and they collect more supplies than the other two factions, but units are more expensive to produce.
  • China relies on stronger tank and artillery units, and can use hackers to claim buildings or produce additional funds by stealing money from bank account online. In addition, their troop transports can detect stealth units, while their tanks and infantry can incur horde bonuses when grouped together. However, their power plants can cause damage to surrounding units and buildings when destroyed, they maintain a weaker air force, and require large armies to make horde bonuses work effectively.
  • The Global Liberation Army rely on cheap units and terrorist-styled guerrilla warfare to overcome opponents, in which several vehicle units can be upgraded by salvaging parts from defeated enemy vehicles (infantry can also claim this for funds), using specialized infantry units to create ambushes and considerable damage. In addition, they do not require power for base structures, and any buildings that are destroyed will be automatically rebuilt if the enemy fails to destroy a tunnel entrance that is left behind. However, they must use builder units to collect supplies, with several needed to ensure funds are steady, and cannot build air units; this is compensated by having more anti-air units than the other two factions.

Generals functions differently to other titles in the series, in that base construction relies on dedicated builder units rather than a central construction building, but with the added ability of being able to construct buildings anywhere on the map. Resources are restricted to supply docks that have a limited amount for collection, with each faction able to construct units or buildings that provide continual resources as long as they are not destroyed. In addition, players can also make use of "Generals Powers" - a unique set of bonuses that can be purchased upon earning experience points during the game, which can confer additional abilities such as support powers (e.g. airstrikes), improvements to certain units, or access to additional units for construction.

Single-player

In a single-player mode, players can tackle one of three campaigns, each dedicated to a faction and consisting of seven missions. While a training mission is provided to allow new players to become accustomed to the game, players can freely choose which campaign to tackle and at what difficulty, with each mission becoming moderately more difficult and featuring different scenarios to tackle.

Multiplayer

The Multi-player mode can be played both over the Internet or a local area network (LAN). It adopts a similar format to skirmish mode whereby the goal is to eliminate the other team. Games over the Internet can be completely random, in the form of a Quick Match. Players can also play in Custom Matches where the number of players, the map and rules are decided upon by the host.

The online feature originally worked via GameSpy servers. After the shutdown of GameSpy in 2014, these were no longer available.

The macOS version of the game does not support multiplayer. Apple discontinued Game Center for online play with the release of macOS Sierra.

Soundtrack

Generals presents players with a separate musical score for each faction. The United States' theme music consists of grand, militaristic scores composed by Bill Brown and Mikael Sandgren. China's musical themes feature apocalyptic, orchestral scores combined with East Asian instrumentation. The GLA faction's theme soundtrack can be described as a combination of Middle Eastern and few South Asian sounds coupled with heavy metal music.

World Builder

Generals includes a map editor named World Builder for the PC edition only. The World Builder includes features such as:

  • A terraforming tool
  • An intelligent road system, able to detect when the player wants an intersection
  • A tool to scatter flora around the map
  • Waypoints and area triggers that the AI can use. Waypoints also determine starting points for the players on a skirmish map
  • A scripting system that was meant for the missions in the single-player campaign

Plot

Setting

Generals takes place in a near future where the United States and China co-operate to fight against the Global Liberation Army (GLA), a terrorist organisation based in Central Asia. In chronological order, the campaign is played through the Chinese, GLA and then the United States perspectives respectively.

Factions

China

A military parade in Beijing is attacked by GLA forces, culminating in the detonation of a stolen Chinese nuclear warhead and the beginning of the GLA's incursion inside China's borders. The Chinese mobilise to stall and contain the GLA, but in the process lose the Three Gorges Dam and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. Now on the offensive, the Chinese attack GLA strongholds, arriving at the terror cell's main headquarters in Dushanbe. Utilising nuclear weapons, the Chinese put an end to the GLA's offensive.

GLA

Despite losses to China, the GLA maintains its presence across Central Asia and the Middle East. In efforts to revive itself, the GLA raid UN convoys and incite riots in Astana. However, the United States enters the war and a GLA renegade sides with the Chinese with the intention to destroy the organisation. The GLA retaliate by attacking the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and uses the platform to launch devastating toxin attacks at highly populated cities.

United States

The United States sends its forces to the Middle East, baghdad, Hindu Kush and then Kazakhstan to finally put an end to the GLA. Despite losses incurred from GLA attacks and ambushes, the US are able to push the GLA back to their final stronghold in Akmola Region. With Chinese support, the US destroys the last GLA stronghold, ending the GLA's reign of tyranny.

Development

Preliminary development of the game began in 2001.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic84/100

After its release, Generals received mostly positive reviews. Based on 34 reviews, Metacritic gives it a score of 84/100, which includes a score of 9.3/10 from IGN. Generals has received the E3 2002 Game Critics Awards Best Strategy Game award. GameSpot named Generals the best computer game of February 2003. During the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded Generals with "Computer Strategy Game of the Year"; it also received nominations for "Computer Game of the Year" and "Game of the Year".

In the United Kingdom, it sold over 100,000 units during the first half of 2003. This made it the United Kingdom's second-best-selling computer game for the period, or seventh across all platforms. At the time, Kristan Reed of GamesIndustry.biz wrote that its performance proved "you can still have big hits on PC". Generals received a "Silver" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom. The game's Deluxe release received another "Silver" award from ELSPA.

Restrictions in Germany

Initially, the game was released in Germany under its international title Command & Conquer: Generals. However, the Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien (Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young People) placed the game onto the "List of Media Harmful to Young People" two months after the initial release, which, by law, forbids further public advertising and any sale for people under 18 years of age. The BPjM stated that the game trivialized war.

Due to the restrictions, in the middle of 2003, EA released a localized version specifically for the German market called Command & Conquer: Generäle, with references to terrorism and real-world countries and places removed, as well as removing civilians and altering unit names and appearances. For example, the "terrorist" bomber unit is a "rolling bomb" and all other infantry units are changed into "cyborgs" (e.g., Red Guard becomes Standard Cyborg).

In September 2013, the restrictions were lifted and the uncut version was released with an 18+ rating.

Sequel

In September 2003, an expansion pack called Generals – Zero Hour was released, which continues the story of Generals. In December 2011, a sequel, Command & Conquer: Generals 2, was announced, due to be released in 2013. Generals 2 was repurposed as a free-to-play game known as simply Command & Conquer. The new game would have started with the Generals franchise and may have expanded to the rest of the franchise post-release. The game's project was cancelled on October 29, 2013. Later in November, EA said that the game will still be developed by a new game studio, but no further news emerged and the project appears to be abandoned.

References

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  2. Sulic, Ivan (February 11, 2003). "Command & Conquer, Now!". IGN. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  3. "Aspyr offers Command & Conquer Generals Mac demo". Macworld. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  4. "Aspyr to publish Command & Conquer Generals for Mac". Macworld. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  5. Command & Conquer: Generals Manual
  6. "Command and Conquer Generals PC". IGN. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
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  9. "A New Future for Command & Conquer". Victory Games. October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  10. "C&C Generals: Walkthrough – C&C Labs". cncgeneralsworld.com. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  11. "'Command & Conquer' Details: Singleplayer Campaign, Shorter Matches, & More". Gamerant.com. August 29, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  12. Radcliffe, Doug (February 28, 2003). "Command & Conquer: Generals Walkthrough". GameSpot. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  13. "FAQs: Command & Conquer: Generals Deluxe Edition (Mac App Store)". Aspyr. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  14. "iTunes - Music - Command & Conquer: Generals (EA™ Games Soundtrack) [EA™ Games Soundtrack] by EA Games Soundtrack, Bill Brown & Mikael Sandgren". Itunes.apple.com. November 8, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  15. "C&C Generals: World Builder – C&C Labs". Cnclabs.com. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
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  19. Adams, Dan (February 7, 2003). "Command & Conquer Generals - PC Review". IGN. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
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  22. "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Command & Conquer: Generals". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  23. Reed, Kristan (June 11, 2003). "UK Charts 2003: Summer Report". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  24. ^ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
  25. Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017.
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  28. Sinclair, Brendan (August 15, 2012). "Next Command & Conquer goes free-to-play". GameSpot. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
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  30. Matulef, Jeffrey (November 19, 2013). "Command and Conquer will be resurrected after its untimely cancellation: C&C Ultimate Collection buyers will still get the beta - by a new studio". EuroGamer. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  31. Karmali, Luke (November 19, 2013). "EA Plans to Resurrect Command & Conquer at New Studio: At least according to a support listing". IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  32. Scammell, David (November 19, 2013). "Cancelled Command & Conquer to continue development at new studio: Free-to-play Command & Conquer brought back from the dead". VideoGamer. Pro-G Media Ltd. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
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