(This is an issue my friend is having, not me. Still, I can get any information you guys need from him.)I got the Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection for both me and my friend for Christmas. We wanted to play some Red Alert 3 and when he tries to launch it, the splash screen comes up, stays for its duration, then it closes and nothing happens; the game never launches.The same thing happens when he tries to run Tiberium Wars, it never launches.Red Alert 2 and Generals both work fine for him however, and ALL the games launch fine for me.He tried a Steam demo of Red Alert 3 just to see, and that launched and played just fine. Something must be gunked up with Origin.Here are things I've had him try, none of which have helped:Run launcher and game EXEs as administrator.Disable all antivirus.Disable all firewalls.Check for updates for the affected games.Delete and install fresh copies of the affected games.Restart the computer (and Origin).Set the game EXEs to run in compatibility mode for Vista SP2.(For Red Alert 3) Move the Videos folder elsewhere.There's not much I can think to say that's "out of the ordinary" about his system. It's a modern computer running Windows 7. The only "odd" thing is that his hard drive is letter E instead of the typical C, but I don't see how that would affect anything since Red Alert 3 and Tiberium Wars both run in the same engine as Generals, and that game works just fine for him.

I know it's kinda late, but I had similar problem lately and I solved it.My installation folder was too deep in the folder structure - D:GRY\Origin\Origin Games\ So I manually took whole installation folder and put it in just D:\GRY - and it worked:DSo basically just uninstall (to be perfectly sure) and change installation destination in Origin to some other folder. But be sure it's not too deep. You're free to try it with just moving the folder to see if it really work though.

If you haven't done so already, try reducing your resolution to minimum on your desktop and try to launch again. If there's space, please try installing one of the games to C drive and check again. Go to Origin>application settings>Advanced and set a C drive install spot. Be sure to change it back to your E drive after so Origin doesn't keep trying to install later games to C drive.

Listen, if there's anyone who has solved this issue or who would try offering alternative ideas, please get in touch. As I said in my original post, the solutions we've tried have gone pretty deep and exhaustive, but it's still possible that someone else has an idea.I also know other people are having this issue and have either completely given up and moved on or just keep scouring the internet fruitlessly. Maybe there's something we can figure out together since EA support seems completely uninvolved; they've got their money, whether the games actually run is beyond their interest.

Have you tried to run through the menu/game browser? This can be helpful. Put -ui by the 'target' of the shortcut in the properties and try to run it that way.

Forum Discussion

Anonymous

12 years ago

C&C 3 and Red Alert 3 won't launch.

(This is an issue my friend is having, not me. Still, I can get any information you guys need from him.)

I got the Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection for both me and my friend for Christmas. We wanted to play some Red Alert 3 and when he tries to launch it, the splash screen comes up, stays for its duration, then it closes and nothing happens; the game never launches.

The same thing happens when he tries to run Tiberium Wars, it never launches.

Red Alert 2 and Generals both work fine for him however, and ALL the games launch fine for me.

He tried a Steam demo of Red Alert 3 just to see, and that launched and played just fine. Something must be gunked up with Origin.

Here are things I've had him try, none of which have helped:

Run launcher and game EXEs as administrator.
Disable all antivirus.
Disable all firewalls.
Check for updates for the affected games.
Delete and install fresh copies of the affected games.
Restart the computer (and Origin).
Set the game EXEs to run in compatibility mode for Vista SP2.
(For Red Alert 3) Move the Videos folder elsewhere.

There's not much I can think to say that's "out of the ordinary" about his system. It's a modern computer running Windows 7. The only "odd" thing is that his hard drive is letter E instead of the typical C, but I don't see how that would affect anything since Red Alert 3 and Tiberium Wars both run in the same engine as Generals, and that game works just fine for him.

15 Replies

AyhoMaru
5 years ago
I feel your pain. Many solutions presented here actually did not work for me as well. It's kinda random and sometimes it just starts working after Origin update. So you can try to uninstall the game and install it again when Origin update. If you have two drives, you can try installing it on the other one, see if that helps. There is also a recommendation to add the exe files and the launcher to the Windows firewall, try that too. Try also suggestions here (espescially the last page):
https://answers.ea.com/t5/C-C-The-Ultimate-Collection/Red-Alert-3-Will-not-launch/td-p/992422/page/2
bzz1986
5 years ago
Thanks mate, I just tried it. I still can only get into launcher, select Red Alert 3 or Red Alert 3 Uprising and then logo of whichever one I choose.... That is it... Then it closes and back to Origin ; /
DAMN YOU ORIGIN !
terminationshok
4 years ago
If you are trying to run this game in 2022, you need some ancient directx files. Even though directx is preinstalled these days, this Microshizz thread should help you get the installer that can download all the legacy dll files.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/directx-9-on-windows-10/7b7cec82-4a6d-4bb8-b7a5-3889aae764c1
Imuniser
3 years ago
I've had problems with launching the game as well. What worked for me is:
1. Lower your monitor or laptop resolution to 800x600 and start the game
2. Create a profile then exit the game
3. Go to
%appdata%/Red Alert 3\Profiles\
and enter the folder having the profile name you've just created
4. Edit Options.ini with any text editor
5. Change:
Resolution = 800 600
to
Resolution = [your_resolution]
e.g. Resolution = 2560 1440
6. Save the file and start the game again
I hope it helps.
Washe2010JA
3 years ago
@PaulvonNod I literally cut and pasted my insall to D: and it worked for C&C Red alert ll and lll