I realise this was an old post but i had similar problems with origin only playing 1.09 but found a workaround
It is possible to get other versions working through origin. Instructions are for version 1.06
First download the full 1.09 patch or even just the1.06 full patch.
Extract the patch itself to a folder. Then install the patch as normal, it will error at the end dont worry. Once its finished go into the extracted folder and copy over the executable.
Next go into your game directory and open the cnc3_english_1.9.SkuDef with notepad
Simply edit the 1.9 SkuDef file with notepad and change all the 1.9 settings to 1.6 except for MOVIES which stays at 1.0 and AUDIO which should be set to 1.5 (there is no 1.6 for audio)
Save and exit notepad.
Download a 1.6 version nocd crack (its a cnc3gamedat file) and copy that to retailexe 1.6 folder
Run Tiberium wars, go to OPTIONS, GENERAL in game to see which version is running. It should be 1.6 now.
Oh wow. That actually works? Thank you so much!
@Zelthukad: Seems this issue finally got a solution after all 🙂
UPDATE:
Before editing any .SkuDef files, make a backup -- simply copy and paste, and rename the new one to be "CNC3_english_1.X.SkuDef.old" (replacing X with the actual number). You MUST put the ".old" after the ".SkuDef" or the game may still recognize it as a valid file.
BONUS:
Instead of rewriting the 1.9 SkuDef, just make a backup using the above method, then delete the original, then copy the SkuDef for the version you want to play on and rename it to be 1.9. I have tested this with 1.0 and 1.4 so far and it has worked perfectly.
ORIGINAL:
@person61's method totally worked for me! For @Nyerguds, @Zelthukad, and anyone checking this in the future:
I used nothing special other than the fully installed C&C 3 folder from C&C Ultimate Collection in Origin, no extra patches downloaded. I went into the CNC_english_1.9.SkuDef file in the Tiberium Wars install folder, and changed every "1.X" number to be "1.0". I booted up the game, checked the settings which said version 1.00, and loaded into a Campaign game. I built a crane and confirmed my second Defense Build Queue is allowed to make Watchtowers and the like. I haven't tested more than that but that's absolutely a good sign that this is working as intended.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do load up an old patch using this method, the game will NOT prevent you from loading up save files from more recent versions. In my case, when I originally loaded the mission (even though it's from the start of the mission), the game crashed just as it appeared that units were spawning in. Loading a Campaign save (not in-mission) however hasn't been bad so far. If I have any different experiences I will update here.
I'm having difficulty locating the Tiberium wars install folder as well as the CNC_english_1.9SkuDef file, I'd greatly appreciate any further help.
@Zelthukad if you installed it to the standard location then the install folder will be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Command Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars". Mine is in the same place except it's on my D drive. In this folder you should find something like my attached screenshot.
