Re: Command and Conquer Remastered -- Failed to launch

I can confirm that this is a problem that I'm also now experiencing.

Some history:

Back in November last year, I reported this problem:  https://answers.ea.com/t5/Command-Conquer-Games/Command-amp-Conquer-Remastered-Crash/td-p/12004154

One of the suggestions for the initial fix, was to use Origin. So, since then, I've been using Origin. The reported fix was to disable Overlay, but I just kept using Origin as it was working fine.

But, tonight I went to play the game, and I was no longer able to use Origin, as EA prevented me from accessing the game via Origin. You now have to install the EA Play app.

And, guess what?

It doesn't f**king work.

What a f**king surprise.

Perhaps the developers could stop f**king around and killing the game.

This is the message now displayed in Origin (refer attachment - note that you can't get around this as it blocks you from accessing the menus or anything underneath).

Second attachment shows the error.

Note that last time this was played - successfully - was last night using Origin.

@Nyerguds - This is not a problem with system specs.

It's a problem with the developers managing to screw up the game again, just like they did in November of last year.

Last night, the game was fully functional and playable.

Today, it dies with the "Your game failed to launch" message, which also says: "An error on our end caused your launch to fail. Try again a little later".

Also, this appears to be an issue with the EA Games app itself, and is also happening with other games:  https://answers.ea.com/t5/Origin-Client-Web-Technical/Pop-up-in-Origin-about-EA-app-which-can-t-be-closed/td-p/12122844/page/2

@alvincanada and @marsabc2 - there's a bigger problem with the EA Games app, and it isn't working for a number of different games including The Sims4 and Command & Conquer.

There are numerous bugs being reported here:  https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports-Technical-Issues/bd-p/ea-app-bug-reports-en - in relation to the EA Games app.

Many of those are in relation to people who were using the older app - Origin - but who have been forced since yesterday to install the EA Games app (which uninstalls the Origin app).

@bleearghh - You sir, are a God.

I followed your instructions and was able to finally launch Red Alert by using the -REDALERT option.

Many, many, many, many thanks.  :-)

Haha, you're welcome, glad it worked for you 🙂

Further to my previous post, here's a bit more info now that I've had a chance to do a bit more playing around. My theory is that the EA app is trying to call the C&C exe using an invalid path/filename. Adding the switch seems to invoke a different call which uses the correct path/filename. You can actually use any switch you want, even gibberish.

I thought I'd mention it because this workaround may well work for other games that throw up the same error. I have a bunch of other games installed but they all work fine and so I am unable to test it with a different title myself. Incidentally, C&C Remastered is the only game that I have installed that the EA App requests admin rights for when launching, so that may also be a related symptom.

@bleearghh :

"Adding the switch seems to invoke a different call which uses the correct path/filename. You can actually use any switch you want, even gibberish."

Very interesting.

I tested this using -blah blah (which resulted in that same initial error message), but -blah worked, so that's a very interesting pick up.  Using one of the other permitted characters (like a slash / ), also works.

As an example, /asd works, as does +asd.

One of the other games that people are reporting doesn't work, is Sims 4.  And even then, it works for some people, but not for others.

The only game I play is Command & Conquer Red Alert, so I've not been able to test it with Sims 4 or any other games, but I think you are onto something with the invalid path/filename.

Yeh, it would need to be preceded by a valid switch rather than a space, hence why the second " blah" caused it to fail.

Can't believe it was that simple.

Thanks Guy's. just in case anyone hasn't read the whole thread.

Right click on the desktop icon. Go to properties and set to run as administrator

Then click manage on the launch icon in the EA Games App and type -blah into the advanced properties box.

Works first time. These guys are a joke. Been all over the internet there's tons of forums all complaining about the same problem without a fix. They have been onto EA support for weeks.

Thanks again.

I don't have the advanced properties box. Under the 3 dots I get 'Play', 'Open install folder' and 'Uninstall'. Under 'Manage' only 'Open install folder' and 'Uninstall'. This sucks.

@Bloating1053 - very strange.

Can you post a screen capture?

Was working fine Feb 5th, tried today, broken.

THIS is why DRM is cancer anti-consumer BS.

EA you're currently in breach of contract; fix it immediately, or refund me!

@Bloating1053 That looks like yet another issue in the wonderful EA app!

Check out this thread:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports-Technical-Issues/quot-View-Properties-quot-is-missing/td-p/12012652/page/2

The -redalert thing worked, thanks mate.

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@bleearghh wrote:

I had same issue but managed to get C&C Remastered to launch by selecting it in the EA App, clicking MANAGE, then View Properties and then adding -REDALERT to the Advanced launch options. After clicking OK to the admin prompt, the launcher successfully ran and allowed me to select my C&C original game or Red Alert.

Hopefully this will work for others too until EA sort out the bugs in this awful EA app.

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This is a freaking joke, but works...

Not being able to launch CnC Remastered since Thursday because of an error, EA Helpers were powerless to assist me throught Mail, so I've tried reinstalling Origin and surprisingly the game started and worked fine.

And all I had to do was to type a command line in the starting options? Really? And no one on EA was able to tell me? My God.

Also I realize now it was a widespread issue probably caused but some change that THEY'VE MADE, but no one could help me or had the proper answer.

Definitely something has to change, starting by the EA's Client and the problems with the 'ingame overlay' and 'keep me sign up' options that never worked and nobody fixes. Incredible.

Thank you so much @bleearghh 

@MrMaDTanKs  Yeh it's pretty shocking that they forced people away from an app that worked, on to an app that is absolutely plagued with bugs. Then to cap it all their customer service is abysmal too.