User manual GAMES PC COMMAND & CONQUER - RED ALERT 2

KEYBOARD COMMANDS BASIC KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS NAME Deploy item/unit KEY D DEFINITION Some units have secondary functions that enable greater or different attacks or powers. You can also click on them when the "deploy" cursor appears above the unit. GIs, Desolators and Yuri all have secondary powers. You can also use this to exit units or garrisoned buildings. Units will actively scan the terrain and attack enemies automatically. Units will travel from place to place and actively attack & destroy enemies they encounter. Units will try to avoid being run over. Press when vehicle tries to run over your infantry. Stops selected unit's movement in its tracks. Forces a unit to fire on a friendly or neutral unit. Guard Current Area Attack Move Scatter Stop Force Fire G Click unit, CTRL/SHIFT, move to area X S Hold CTRL key, guide cursor over target, left-click Hold ALT key, guide cursor over target, left-click Force Move Forces a unit to drive/walk over an area or to run over a unit. Options Menu Create Team Select Team Ally with chosen side Type Select ESC CTRL + 1-9 1-9 A T Go to Options Menu. Creates teams of units. Selects a team you have already created. Press to avoid attacking friends. Left-click on TYPE SELECT button in the Advanced Command Bar or press T once to select all the units on screen of the same type (one click). Double-click to select them across the battlefield. Sends messages to all listeners Chat to all Listeners (in Multiplayer) Enter to bring up chat cursor, ENTER to send message, Rightclick to cancel message Hit BACKSPACE, type, hit ENTER Chat to all Allies (in Multiplayer) Chat to all Players (in Multiplayer) Sends messages to all allies Press `\' to bring up chat cursor, ENTER to send message, Rightclick to cancel message (B), press Enter, write message, press Enter to send message. Press DEL to delete beacon Sends messages to all players Place Beacon Writes messages to allies and sets them on battlefield. Enter Way Point mode Click on unit, press and hold Z, set down the way points, release to initiate movement command Sets Way Points. KEYBOARD COMMANDS Set Rally Point Click on Barracks, War Factory, Shipyard or Cloning Vats and select the rally point on the battlefield Space Bar C Rallies your units to a spot on the battlefield after they are produced. Go to Event on Radar All units cheer! Centers your view on latest radar map ping. Makes all your infantry cheer in victory! Accesses the Diplomacy Screen. Go to Diplomacy Menu Tab ADVANCED KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS NAME Follow Guard Destination Escort Unit Guard a Structure Structure Tab Armory Tab Infantry Tab Unit Tab Next Unit Previous Unit Select All Cycle through Elites Cycle through health Modify Selected Units KEY F CTRL/ALT + click area CTRL/ALT + click unit CTRL/ALT + click structure Q W E R M N P Y U Hold SHIFT and click on selected unit to deselect. Click on unselected unit to add to group H Left-click structure, K Left-click structure, L CTRL +F1-F4 F1-F4 DEFINITION Game viewport follows selected unit. Moves to area and then guard it. Guards a unit while it moves about terrain. Guards a specific structure. Hotkey to Structures. Hotkey to Armory. Hotkey to Infantry. Hotkey to Units. Selects the next unit in order of creation. Selects the previous unit you selected. Selects all units on battlefield. Selects all veteran or all elite units. Selects all units with like health bars. Remove specific unit(s) from a group of units. Center Tactical Map on Base Repair Mode Sell Mode Bookmark Creation Go to Bookmark Selection Multiplayer Taunts Centers your view on your base. Normally this is your Construction Yard. Repairs your structures. Sells your structures. Creates a spot on the map you want to instantly jump to. Jumps to bookmarked terrain area. F5-F12 Sends preset audio messages to other players. TABLE OF CONTENTS GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 WELCOME BACK, COMMANDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 MAIN MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SINGLE PLAYER GAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 NEW CAMPAIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 DIFFICULTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 LOAD SAVED GAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 SKIRMISH GAMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 INTERNET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 NETWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MOVIES & CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 DISPLAY OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 GAME OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 USER INTERFACE OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 AUDIO OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 KEYBOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 NETWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 SETTING UP A NETWORK OR SKIRMISH GAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 MULTIPLAYER GAME MODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 CO-OP PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 CHOOSING A BATTLEFIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 CREATE A RANDOM MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 THE INTERFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 THE TACTICAL MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 THE GAME MOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 THE COMMAND BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 GAME BASICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 MOUSE CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 SELECTING UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 MOVING AND FIRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 THE SHROUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 GATHERING ORE/EARNING CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 TABLE OF CONTENTS BUILDING UNITS AND STRUCTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 BUILD QUEUING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 RALLY POINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 PLACING STRUCTURES ON THE BATTLEFIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 POWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 TECH BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 FORTIFYING CIVILIAN BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 CAPTURING ENEMY BUILDINGS & REPAIRING BRIDGES, CIVILIAN STRUCTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 GAME ALLIANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 ADVANCED GAMEPLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 CREATING TEAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 SELLING AND REPAIRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 GUARD MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 ATTACK MOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 VETERAN & ELITE UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 FORCED FIRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 POWER-UP CRATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 THE ADVANCED COMMAND BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 WAY POINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 UNITS AND STRUCTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 ALLIED TECH TREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 ALLIED UNITS TECH LEVELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 ALLIED FORCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 SOVIET TECH TREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SOVIET UNITS TECH LEVELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SOVIET FORCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 SPECIAL MULTIPLAYER FORCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 ALLIED STRUCTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 SOVIET STRUCTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 WESTWOOD ONLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 TECHNICAL SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 V GET TING STARTED GET TING STARTED TO INSTALL COMMAND & CONQUERTM RED ALERTTM 2 WINDOWS¨ 95/98/2000/MILLENNIUM/NT AUTOPLAY 1. Insert either the Allied or Soviet disc into your CD-ROM drive and click on "Install". 2. 3. 4. Click "Next" and read through the license agreement. When finished, click the check box to agree or click "Cancel" to exit. Enter the serial number that is provided on the back of your Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 jewel case, then click Next. Follow the prompts to finish the installation. WINDOWS¨ 95/98/2000/MILLENNIUM/NT MANUAL INSTALL 1. Click on the "Start" button and select the "Run" option on the menu. 2. 3. 4. 5. Select "browse" and go to your CD-ROM drive. Double-click on the "Setup.exe" file. This may appear as "Setup" on some systems, but will always have a CD icon before it. Click "OK". Follow the procedures outlined in the AUTOPLAY section above, starting at #2. TO UNINSTALL 1. Click on "Start" and then select "Programs," "Westwood," "Red Alert 2," "Red Alert 2 Uninstall." 2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstall process. TO UNINSTALL THROUGH THE AUTORUN FEATURE 1. Insert either the Allied or Soviet disc into the CD-ROM drive. 2. 3. When the AutoPlay window pops up, click "Uninstall". Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstall process. 1 WELCOME BACK, COMMANDER WELCOME BACK, COMMANDER Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 gives you the choice of playing as one of two completely distinct forces: the honorable Allies or the aggressive and militaristic Soviets. In single-player games, if you elect to play as the Allies, you will battle against Soviet forces, and if you choose to play as the Soviets, you will fight against the Allies. In multiplayer games, both Allied and Soviet forces and factions can battle against each other. The two sides are very different, and share only a few common units and structures. Each side has a unique array of strengths and weaknesses that can be exploited. The units and structures of the two armies reflect the basic philosophy behind the armies. While the Allies depend on superior technology and finesse, the Soviet forces rely on brute strength to achieve their objectives. NOTE TO PLAYERS NEW TO THE COMMAND & CONQUER UNIVERSE We highly recommend that you play the Boot Camp missions before jumping into the full game if you are new to Command & Conquer. We always strive to make sure the game is easy to pick up, but the Boot Camp will kick you off with the basics. It'll teach you about base building, training units, the need to collect Ore with Refineries, how to move/target and many other things that will enhance your game experience. 2 STORY STORY If you could go back in time, what would you change? Would it be possible to prevent wars from ever occurring? Or would tampering with the past have drastic effects on the present and the future? Experiments in time travel have drastically altered the course of history. Assassinations altered the fates of nations, and thus the entire world. The Soviet Union found herself without enemies to check her expansion to the west. Under Josef Stalin, they began a march to the Atlantic, hoping to fulfill their manifest destiny of a continental Soviet Union. Only the combined might of the Allied forces prevented complete domination by the Soviets. The huge army of Mother Russia was finally stopped by the superior technology of the Allies. A peaceful world finally became reality. Stalin perished in the conflict, leaving the fate of the world's largest nation undecided. After the war, the Allies placed Alexi Romanov in charge of the new Soviet Empire. He seemed to be the perfect choice. A career politician, he espoused the ideals of the Allied powers and set about making the Soviet Union a benevolent, peaceful country. The Allied leaders breathed a sigh of relief. The great menace was finally put to rest. Or was it? Secretly, Romanov burned with hatred of the Allied powers that had destroyed his beloved country. Once in power, he immediately began plotting his revenge. Because the Allies had won with superior technology, he vowed that the Soviets would create their own superior weapons. The armies of the old Soviet Union would march again, and this time, they would not fail. This time, they would conquer the United States! For years the Allies were complacent. No one knew of the secret Soviet experiments into mind control or the nuclear tests conducted by Romanov's scientists. The invasion took the United States by surprise. Suddenly, there were Soviet troops rushing into California, Texas, and New York. Civilians succumbed to the Soviet mind control and left their country forsaken, taking up arms in favor of the invaders. Giant squids appeared on American shores, crushing ships with their massive tentacles. The onslaught had begun! Fortunately, the current US leader, President Dugan, has not let the old Allied technology stand. Massing his forces and preparing technology that allow him to control both the nature of time and the forces of nature, President Dugan prepared to battle the Soviet Union once again. Romanov has incredible power, surprise, and massive forces. The Allies are fighting for their home, and their way of life. And once again, the entire world erupts into conflict. 3 MAIN MENU MAIN MENU When you start the game, you will be presented with a short cinematic sequence of the Soviet invasion of the United States. Following this, you will be taken to the Main menu, where you will select the type of game you wish to play or determine a variety of options to optimize the performance of the game on your computer. On the Main menu, your selections include Single Player; Internet; Network; Movies & Credits; Options; and Exit Game. SINGLE PLAYER Allows you to select new campaigns, load previously saved games, replay missions and set up Skirmish matches against the computer INTERNET Play "Head-to-Head" or "Co-Op" games over the Internet through Westwood's free matching service. NETWORK Play "Head-to-Head" or "Co-Op" games over a Local Area Network (LAN). MOVIES & CREDITS Watch movies from the missions you've completed or meet your friends from the Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 team. OPTIONS Adjust your game settings. EXIT GAME Exits the game and returns you to your desktop. 4 MAIN MENU SINGLE PLAYER GAME To play single-player game of Command & Conquer Red Alert 2, click on this button on the Main menu. You will be taken to a new menu with several new options to choose from. These are: New Campaign; Load Saved Game; and Skirmish. To return to the Main menu, click the Main menu button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. NEW CAMPAIGN Clicking on the New Campaign button takes you to the Campaign menu. Here, you can choose to play either as the Allies or the Soviets. You can also elect to go through Boot Camp, which will teach you many of the basics of the game, including how to move your units around the map, how to target enemies, how to build your base, and more. It is highly recommended that players new to the real-time strategy genre or the Command & Conquer series play through the Boot Camp levels to familiarize themselves with the interface. While experienced players can skip the Boot Camp, it does include many new features that can help you tremendously. If you decide not to start a new campaign, click on the Back button to return to the Single Player menu. DIFFICULTY On the Campaign menu, you can select the difficulty of the campaign you will play. There are three settings ranging from Easy to Hard. Players new to real-time strategy gaming should start with the Easy level, while experienced players will find the Hard level quite challenging. LOAD SAVED GAME Clicking on this button takes you to the Load Mission menu. Here, you can select a previously saved game and continue playing where you left off. Select the mission you wish to continue, then click on the Load button. If you decide not to load a previously saved game, click on the Back button to return to the Single Player menu. 5 MAIN MENU SKIRMISH GAMES Skirmish games are unique. In a sense, a Skirmish is like playing a multiplayer game, but instead of playing against other people, you play against computer-controlled opponents. Clicking on this button will take you to the Skirmish menu, explained in greater detail later in the manual. INTERNET Press the Internet button located on the Main menu to go to Westwood Online. Westwood Online is a matching service sponsored by Westwood Studios for Red Alert 2 fans. It is always best to play with players with strong Internet connections and recommended system requirements. The game's performance will be affected by these factors. More information can be found in the Westwood Online section of the manual. You must already be connected to the internet through your Internet Service Provider in order to connect to Westwood On-Line NETWORK Click on this button to set up or join a game played over a Local Area Network. More information about playing games over a network can be found in the Options section of the manual. MOVIES & CREDITS Click on this button on the Main menu to go to the Movies & Credits menu. Here you can view movie sequences you have earned in campaign play, and see the credits for Command & Conquer Red Alert 2. 6 MAIN MENU OPTIONS The Options menu allows you to customize a variety of aspects of your game. When you click on the Options button on the Main menu, you'll be taken to the Options menu. DISPLAY OPTIONS VISUAL DETAILS: Choose Low to High. Higher detail will look more attractive, but requires increased processor speed. Slower computers will have difficulty playing the game with high detail. Visual details refers to special effects like smoke, lighting or water wakes behind ships. SET A VIDEO RESOLUTION: Setting higher resolution is more attractive and crisper, but requires a more powerful computer. You will also be able to see more of the battlefield during gameplay. Playing the game in 640 x480 (lowest resolution) will increase the performance of the game on your system. GAME OPTIONS Located below the display options are the game options. GAME SPEED: Use this slider to adjust the speed of the game units and the time it takes to build structures. NOTE: In the single player game, the game is locked to the default game speed. GAME DIFFICULTY: Change the difficulty to Easy, Normal or Hard. Newcomers to the C&C universe should play on the Easy level to begin. 7 MAIN MENU USER INTERFACE OPTIONS The user interface options give you additional control over the game and allow you to tailor it to your preferences. There are several tabs under this heading. TOOLTIPS: Displays helpful text when a cursor is left on a game object for 2 seconds. TARGET LINES: When you tell a unit to move to a particular location or attack a certain enemy, a line from the unit to the target will appear. With this box clicked off, these target lines will not appear. SEE HIDDEN OBJECTS: Allows you to spot units behind buildings and other obstacles. With this box clicked on, units and defensive structures behind obstacles will be indicated. If this box is clicked off, hidden units will not be visible. SCROLL RATE: Determines how quickly you can scroll around the screen with the mouse. AUDIO OPTIONS The three bars under Audio Options allow you to control the volume of the various sounds in the game. Values range from 0 (off) to 10 (loud). MUSIC VOLUME: Adjusts the mission and menu music volume. SOUND VOLUME: Adjusts sound effects (gunfire, explosions, etc.). VOICE VOLUME: Adjusts the character voices. KEYBOARD Click on the Keyboard button to customize your keyboard commands. CATEGORIES: The keyboard commands are broken down into various categories, which you can find by clicking on the arrow in the Category menu in the top left. The group of commands in that category will appear in the Commands box on the right. COMMANDS: Select the command you wish to change. The current key for that command will appear below "Current Hotkey." CURRENT HOTKEY: Click in the Press New Hotkey and select the key you wish to use for that command. To assign the selected key to that command, click the Assign button. You may choose a key that is already assigned to another command. When this happens, the command that the selected key is currently assigned to will appear below the Assign New Hotkey box. You can still assign the selected key to the chosen command, but the command for which that key was the default will no longer have a Hotkey. 8 MAIN MENU RESET ALL: To return to the Westwood sponsored default key commands, click the Reset All button at the bottom of the screen. NETWORK Click on the Network button to configure your network settings. Note: Only adjust these settings if you are experienced in networking protocol. 9 SET TING UP A NET WORK OR SKIRMISH GAME SETTING UP A NETWORK OR SKIRMISH GAME Network and Skirmish games are unlike campaign games in that they are Head-to-Head or Co-Op battles between two or more armies. There's no particular objective other than destroying everything else on the screen. Clicking on the Skirmish button on the Single Player menu or starting a new network game will bring up a list of possible options you can change. PLAYER: Along the top left, you will see the player tabs. In a Skirmish game, the top box will be you. Clicking into the top box under Player will allow you to give yourself a name. The default name is "New Player." In Skirmish, you can also choose the level of expertise of your opponent. "Easy" enemy will be much easier than the "Hard" enemy. COUNTRY: Click in the box to the right to determine which of the nine countries you would like to play as or click Random to have the computer select for you. COLOR: You can also determine the team color of your nation, or have this randomly selected as well. Computer opponents (or other network players) can be set up in the same way, clicking on the button under the Player menu to activate a player, then clicking on the country and color buttons. By default, computer-controlled enemies are random in terms of country and color. Below these menus, you will find a series of additional options. GAME SPEED: Use this slider to adjust the speed of the game units and the time it takes to build structures. If you are having trouble keeping up with the computer opponents, consider slowing the game speed down. CREDITS: Determines the amount of money you start the mission with. UNIT COUNT: Determines the size of your starting army. SHORT GAME: If clicked on, you can defeat the enemy by destroying just his structures. If clicked off, you'll have to destroy all of the enemy's units to eliminate him completely. SUPER WEAPONS: Turn super weapons on or off. BUILD NEAR ALLY: Allows you to build your structures near your ally's construction yard. 10 SET TING UP A NET WORK OR SKIRMISH GAME MCV REPACKS: Allows you to repack your Construction Yard, turning it back into a Mobile Construction Vehicle (MCV), which allows you to move your base. To move a Construction Yard, left-click on the structure and then left-click on the terrain area to which you would like it moved. CRATES APPEAR: Enables random power-up crates to appear on the map. If you are happy with the settings you have picked and wish to play, click the Start Game button on the right side of the screen. You can also choose a different map by clicking on the Customize Battle button. MULTIPLAYER GAME MODES Red Alert 2 comes jam packed with lots of battlefields to play on. Click on the Customize Battle button. This will take you to a new menu where you will be able to select not only a different map but also different Game Modes for your battle. In the Game Modes menu, you will see the different types of games available to you. Because many maps are not available for particular game types, you will want to decide on which type of game you want to play before selecting a map. The game types are: BATTLE: Any of the options on the Skirmish or Network map can be toggled on or off. Alliances and cooperative victories are supported. This is the default game. An "alliance" will allow you to team up with a friend against an enemy. You will not target that partner as an enemy and you'll also be able to see areas of the map he can see under the Shroud. FREE FOR ALL: Identical to Battle, except that alliances are not allowed. UNHOLY ALLIANCE: Each player starts with both an Allied and a Soviet MCV, and can build along either tech tree. MEGAWEALTH: Players must capture Oil Derricks with Engineers to gain a steady inflow of cash. No Miners allowed! LAND RUSH: Players begin in the middle of the battlefield with an MCV. Power-up crates are strewn around the maps and players must rush to set up their base to grab all the goodies. The Shroud begins completely removed. 11 SET TING UP A NET WORK OR SKIRMISH GAME MEAT GRINDER: This type of game forces players to rely on infantry and tanks. NAVAL WAR: Players battle on small islands. COOPERATIVE: Allows you to play with a friend through a specially designed campaign. CO-OP PLAY Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 allows two friends to play against preset computer opponents throughout the course of a short campaign. There are five campaigns, some harder than others. CHOOSING A BATTLEFIELD When you select a game type, the maps available for that type of game will appear in the menu on the right. Each map has a suggested number of players. Click on the map you wish to play, and you will see a small overview of the map in the top right corner of the screen. Click the Use Map button to return to the Skirmish/Multiplayer menu, where you can start the game. CREATE A RANDOM MAP You can create a random map by clicking on the Create Random Map button. Here you will be able to determine the terrain type you wish to use, the time of day of the battle, the climate, the general size of the map, the availability of resources, and the number of players. If you have no preferences, clicking on the Surprise Me button will generate a completely random map. You can preview the map you have created with the Preview Map button. LOAD MAP: Use a previously saved randomly created map. SAVE MAP: If the random map you have created appeals to you, you can save it for future play. Saved random maps can be loaded and deleted from this menu as well. DELETE MAP: Delete a map you've created. USE MAP: Use the created map and return to the Choose Map menu. PREVIEW MAP: Allows you to sneak a peek at the map you've created. A small version of the map will appear in the upper right hand corner of the screen. 12 THE INTERFACE THE INTERFACE THE TACTICAL MAP The Tactical Map dominates the bulk of your screen. It is here that you command your troops, build your base, and attack the enemy. The Tactical Map shows only a portion of the actual battlefield. To scroll your view around the battlefield, move your cursor to the edge of the screen. The cursor will change to a green arrow, and your view will scroll in the indicated direction. If you are currently at an edge of the battlefield, a slash red arrow will appear. THE GAME MOUSE Red Alert 2 can be played almost exclusively using a mouse. By left-clicking the mouse you can order and select your troops, choose targets to destroy or move your army around the battlefield. Right-clicking the mouse will cancel or negate orders. You can also scroll the view faster by holding down the right mouse button and dragging the cursor in the direction you wish to scroll. THE COMMAND BAR On the right side of the screen you will find the Command Bar. The Command Bar contains a number of important tabs and information you will need to operate your base successfully and efficiently. CREDITS: At the top of the Command Bar is your current amount of credits. This represents how much money you possess, and indicates how much you can build. Building an army costs money! 13