You have many great ideas!
A number of them can already be done by changing the rules in the main rules.ini or changing the rules in specific maps, *.ini for single player missions, and *.mpr for multiplayer maps. For example:
- Armor upgrades to vehicles mentioned
-Weapon ranges
-Nuke spread and damage levels
-Terrain edit so units can cross rivers, etc.
The multiplayer lobby upgrades would sure be nice. I would also like to have the ability for teams to communicate by voice mic instead of trying to type. That is way too slow (for me) when you are already busy building and moving units. Player rankings would be nice also to help balance out some matches. Everyone likes to win so they play the same maps over and over until they are unbeatable almost. Not very fun for the lambs led to the slaughter. I would also like to see the ability to set unit type limits for each player and team totals that actually work. Currently, unit set limits in the *.mpr file gets overridden by rules.ini so the fastest builder always wins thereby eliminating strategy from a strategy game.
I don't think the RA1 engine would be able to run all these upgrades, and currently there are not enough global players for EA to make a big investment. One problem with the Command and Conquer series is that there are too many different games dividing up the community. RA2 is not anything like RA1. It is a completely different game so there isn't any flow between games. I would have liked to see a series of expansion packs and engine upgrades to the original RA instead. But, I am fan and not in the gaming business to make money.
If someone knew how to move all the original RA buildings and units to the RA3 engine, and then keep open the ability to change rules in Notepad++ and expand rule change ability even further, there would no limit to what the community could produce. It could be done. Check out this RA3 mod using RA1 buildings and units:
Hi, thank you and the new ideas just keep coming. If only there was a way to feasibly fully implement them all I'm sure it would revive RA bringing back many old and new players.
Is it really easy to edit the rules in both ways you described? Do I need to be a coder and does this have something to do with creating a mod? If so I thought you could not use mods in multiplayer? In terms of editing the actual game source code would this be possible and such a huge task? I've already spent a huge amount of time and really enjoyed it, creating incredibly detailed maps, similar in quality to the official maps (Steam Community :: kabssss :: Workshop Items), and I would consider looking into creating an expansion / mod, something similar to the example where that dude has created a RA mod for RA3 which looked pretty decent. Would also look into changing the *.mpr but it would not be the same if I could not implement all of the ideas I've spent time thinking about.
In terms simple things EA could which I don't think would require much time do to make RA so much better, would be to add in a main game lobby room, friends list. I'm sure the original Red Alert had this feature and so does CnC Universe so I am really confused why EA left these really important social/community features out/ did not introduce them in any of the previous patches.
And I agree with you in some way of using an automatic voice chat for team games would hugely enhance the gaming experience.
Also a couple of other things I forgot to mention, like ping and also a feature which detects how powerful a players PC is so you know if a player is going to lag out a game on huge 8 player maps. This is maybe a bit harsh but its blooming annoying when one player slows down the game for the other 7 players.
I could go on and on, maybe we could find some coders and game developers with a similar passion for RA, setup a project and crowdfund!? That would be awesome!
Thanks for your reply, lets keep this conversation going!
"Is it really easy to edit the rules in both ways you described? Do I need to be a coder and does this have something to do with creating a mod? If so I thought you could not use mods in multiplayer?"
I have a min to address this part of your post. You do not need to be a coder or create any mods. Mods change .dll and other game files on your computer as I understand it. I am simply talking about changing the rules for one specific map, whether it be a single player mission (*.ini) or a multiplayer skirmish (*.mpr).
There really isn't an easy way to explain how to do this, but I'm sure you can figure it out if you put some time into it. First, go here and download the original rules.ini with instructions: (Top one)
INI Files - Red Alert Archive (afraid.org)
Save it to desktop or anywhere you want. Just don't put it in the Red Alert Folder. Open with Notepad. Spend some time learning each section. (You don't need to memorize it. Just get familiar with it because you will refer to it often when making your own maps. Same with next step.)
Also, go here and read this great instruction guide to making missions: (It is mainly for single player missions, but multiplayer maps are very similar)
Learning software and programming can be taxing and boring. Like learning a foreign language. I have recently finished making the most modified multiplayer map I've ever seen. You can download it and open the *.mpr file to see all the changes I made. Seeing an example I think would make the learning curve faster. It is Battle Island 2.2 on my Steam Workshop page. Subscribe and it will download to you, though it might take hours or days to actually show up. (Steam Issue)
Play the Battle Island map (Skirmish with AI or something) and you can see all the changes. Try building everything and see the units unlocked and weapons and how they work. When done playing you can open the rules.ini (above) and my .mpr file side by side and see how I made all that happen vs the original. The .mpr file will be in your "Local Custom Maps" Folder. It will start with UGC. It should the last, most recent, .mpr file in that folder. I grouped everything together, Structures, Vehicles, Ships, Infantry, Aircraft, Weapons, Projectiles, Warheads, and Terrain. The Triggers and Team Types will make more sense when you open the .mpr file in the Map Editor. Settings - Triggers. Settings - Team Types. (Triggers and Team Types are how you make the enemy send reinforcements, play speeches, sound effects, etc.)
Examples of what you will see:
-Land units can now cross rivers, and ships can sail thru them also
-The Yak is now a bomber
-Iron Curtain fires long range heat seeking cannon
-Hospital is buildable and heals infantry that are near it
-All structures and units can be built, regardless of country
-Bio Research Lab creates a toxic area for enemy units and structures
-Heavy Tank now fires TeslaZap
-Medium Tank has machine gun secondary weapon
-Mobile Gap Generator now repairs your other vehicles (force fire to repair)
-Edyie, a civilian you can build, is cloaked and has Covid. Put him near enemy and select to infect them, or guard mode. (Works like Medic in reverse)
-Changed values for Power Plants and Silos. (Big power now is +800, Silos store $50k)
-Submarine now fires missiles with nuke warhead
-Construction Site, Ore Refineries, and Weapons Factories have built in AA Guns for air defense
-Camo Pillbox now has snipers and they are deadly for infantry and tanks
-Forward Command Center unlocks the "General." Like Shocktrooper in Aftermath
-Technology Center unlocks Agent Delphi, a suicide bomber
These are just a few things off the top on my mind. I adjusted, altered, or outright changed almost everything in the game. You may not like the map, but it is a thorough example of what can be done in the rules. If you've never done this before it might seem overwhelming at first but stick with it and it will make sense. Once you get a grip on these things you can make the game almost whatever you want it to be. Hope this helps. John
"Is it really easy to edit the rules in both ways you described? Do I need to be a coder and does this have something to do with creating a mod? If so I thought you could not use mods in multiplayer?"
I have a min to address this part of your post. You do not need to be a coder or create any mods. Mods change .dll and other game files on your computer as I understand it. I am simply talking about changing the rules for one specific map, whether it be a single player mission (*.ini) or a multiplayer skirmish (*.mpr).
There really isn't an easy way to explain how to do this, but I'm sure you can figure it out if you put some time into it. First, go here and download the original rules.ini with instructions: (Top one)
INI Files - Red Alert Archive (afraid.org)
Save it to desktop or anywhere you want. Just don't put it in the Red Alert Folder. Open with Notepad. Spend some time learning each section. (You don't need to memorize it. Just get familiar with it because you will refer to it often when making your own maps. Same with next step.)
Also, go here and read this great instruction guide to making missions: (It is mainly for single player missions, but multiplayer maps are very similar)
Learning software and programming can be taxing and boring. Like learning a foreign language. I have recently finished making the most modified multiplayer map I've ever seen. You can download it and open the *.mpr file to see all the changes I made. Seeing an example I think would make the learning curve faster. It is Battle Island 2.2 on my Steam Workshop page. Subscribe and it will download to you, though it might take hours or days to actually show up. (Steam Issue)
Play the Battle Island map (Skirmish with AI or something) and you can see all the changes. Try building everything and see the units unlocked and weapons and how they work. When done playing you can open the rules.ini (above) and my .mpr file side by side and see how I made all that happen vs the original. The .mpr file will be in your "Local Custom Maps" Folder. It will start with UGC. It should the last, most recent, .mpr file in that folder. I grouped everything together, Structures, Vehicles, Ships, Infantry, Aircraft, Weapons, Projectiles, Warheads, and Terrain. The Triggers and Team Types will make more sense when you open the .mpr file in the Map Editor. Settings - Triggers. Settings - Team Types. (Triggers and Team Types are how you make the enemy send reinforcements, play speeches, sound effects, etc.)
Examples of what you will see:
-Land units can now cross rivers, and ships can sail thru them also
-The Yak is now a bomber
-Iron Curtain fires long range heat seeking cannon
-Hospital is buildable and heals infantry that are near it
-All structures and units can be built, regardless of country
-Bio Research Lab creates a toxic area for enemy units and structures
-Heavy Tank now fires TeslaZap
-Medium Tank has machine gun secondary weapon
-Mobile Gap Generator now repairs your other vehicles (force fire to repair)
-Edyie, a civilian you can build, is cloaked and has Covid. Put him near enemy and select to infect them, or guard mode. (Works like Medic in reverse)
-Changed values for Power Plants and Silos. (Big power now is +800, Silos store $50k)
-Submarine now fires missiles with nuke warhead
-Construction Site, Ore Refineries, and Weapons Factories have built in AA Guns for air defense
-Camo Pillbox now has snipers and they are deadly for infantry and tanks
These are just a few things off the top on my mind. I adjusted, altered, or outright changed almost everything in the game. You may not like the map, but it is a thorough example of what can be done. If you've never done this before it might seem overwhelming at first but stick with it and it will make sense. Once you get a grip on these things you can make the game almost whatever you want it to be. Hope this helps. John
HI mate, thanks for the awesome reply, sorry its taken so long to reply.
I will have a look at what you have said.
I've also come up with some new ideas on vehicle and structure upgrades adding an extra element of strategy to the game.
The ability to upgrade both vehicles and buildings would be made available through building a Soviet Tech Centre of an Allied Tech Centre. When building either a new upgrades tab would appear on the building tab. Having more Tech Centres speeds up the research process the same way in which having more Construction Yard, War Factories, Barracks etc…
Armour Piercing Shells + 10 % damage to tank armaments: Cost $10000. Research time: 3 minutes.
High Impact Shells + 10 % damage to tank armaments: Cost $15000. Research time: 5 minutes.
Depleted Uranium Shells + 10 % damage to tank armaments: Cost $20000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Advanced Range Finder + 10% range to tank armaments: Cost $15000. Research time: 5 minutes.
Visual effect on the tank: With each level there will be a slight visual tweak to the tank’s cannon, it will grow in size and length.
Composite Armour + 10 % Armour to all vehicles: Cost $10000. Research Time: 3 minutes
Reactive Composite Armour MK1 + 10 % Armour to all vehicles: Cost $15000. Research Time: 5 minutes.
Reactive Composite Armour MK2 + 10 % Armour to all vehicles: Cost $20000. Research Time: 8 minutes.
Visual effect on vehicles: Additional armour and plates are added.
Compact Turbine Engine + 15% speed to all land vehicles: Cost $20000. Research Time: 10 minutes.
Hardened Machine Gun Bullets + 15 % damage to Machine Guns: Cost $10000. Research Time: 5 minutes.
Rapid Fire Machine Gun + 15 % damage, + 15 % range to Machine Guns: Cost $20000. Research Time: 10 minutes.
Resonant Transformer + 10% damage to Tesla Coils: Cost $10000. Research Time: 5 minutes.
Inductance High Capacitance Circuits + 15 damage, + 15% range to Tesla Coils: Cost $20000. Research time: 10 minutes.
Visual effect on Tesla Coil. More intense lightning bolts.
Advanced Missile Propulsion +10 % damage to all missiles: Cost $10000. Research time: 3 minutes.
Advanced Targeting System +10 % damage to all missiles: Cost $15000. Research time: 5 minutes.
Advanced Missile Tracking System + 10 % damage, + 15% range to all missiles: Cost $25000. Research time: 10 minutes.
Combat Training + 10 % damage for all infantry: Cost $7500. Research time: 3 minutes.
Advance Infantry Training + 10 % damage for all infantry: Cost $10000. Research time: 5 minutes.
Elite Unit Training + 10% damage, + 10% range for all infantry plus infantry will automatically move out the way of vehicles trying to run them over: Cost $15000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Endurance training + 10% infantry movement speed: Cost $7500. Research time: 5 minutes.
Ballistic Plate Body Armour + 20 % infantry armour: Cost $15000. Research time: 8 minutes.
MiG upgrades
Evasive manoeuvres + 20 % armour: Cost $20000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Hyper Afterburner + 20% speed upgrade: Cost $20000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Advanced Target Acquisition Missiles + 20% damage: Cost $20000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Hind upgrades (Armour and Speed upgrades also effect Chinook Helicopter.
Reinforced Armour + 20 % armour: Cost $12500. Research time: 8 minutes.
Fuel Injection Engine + 20 % speed upgrade: Cost $12500. Research time: 8 minutes.
Hyper Speed Chain Gun + 30 % damage: Cost $15000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Attack Helicopter
Reinforced Armour + 20 % armour: Cost $15000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Fuel Injection Engine + 20 % speed upgrade: Cost $15000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Advanced Target Acquisition Missiles + 20% damage: Cost $20000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Nuclear Reactor + 20% speed: Cost $20000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Advance Submarine Weapons Systems + 15% damage, +15% range: Cost $20000. Research time: 10 minutes.
Protective Plating + 10 % armour: Cost $10000. Research time: 5 minutes.
Advance Weapons Systems + 10 % damage, + 10 % range: Cost $20000. Research time: 10 minutes.
Building upgrades:
Reinforced Building Fortifications + 10% armour: Cost $10000. Research time: 3 minutes.
Advance Building Fortifications + 10% armour: Cost $15000. Research time: 5 minutes.
Composite Cladding + 10 % armour: Cost: $20000. Research time: 8 minutes.
Thanks again, will get back to you.
