That is the game executable, yes. But it is normally ran through a launcher, since you can't launch executables directly unless their extension is .exe; renaming them to .dat is a classic way games use to force users to use the launcher instead, which often gives extra configuration or options to the game. (It's not new. The original 1995 DOS C&C1 has "game.dat" as executable, ran by a tiny "C&C.exe" launcher program)
For example, in C&C3's case, the game's launcher can select a version from the different cnc3game.dat files in the version folders.
But yeah, it's very possible that feature was broken by Origin, then :-\
I'll look further into this, and see if maybe it can be repaired by adding the older version folders manually or something. But if these .dat files themselves were adapted to Origin, that chance is rather low.
Hi Nyerguds, I have 2 Windows XP computers. One has the Internet on it and the other does not, and the computer that's not on the internet, (ALL) of my games work, Original Copies, Mods, Dune 2000, and even the older games on Dosbox. So my problem is: I installed Tiberian Wars on the newer computer and it installed ok and it plays for about five minutes and then crashes then I get a candcgame3.dat error message. This is an original copy, playing it from the disk. I'm not running this on Origin or Steam. I don't play online at all . I haven't had a need to.....in the 20+ years I've played cmd and cqr. What do you recommend that I try to get this game going on the new computer. My main Objective is to mod the game with a mod that has a playable mutant faction. That's part of the reason why I have 2 XP computers. I don't want the mod altering the original game on the other computer.....Am I making sense? and Ive tried the 1.09 patch It doesn't work
