Electronic Arts (EA) has made a significant move in the gaming community by open-sourcing the source code for four classic Command & Conquer titles, including the original Command & Conquer, Red Alert, Renegade, and Generals. The code is now available on EA's GitHub page, allowing modders, game preservationists, and enthusiasts to access and modify the games' underlying code.

This is not the first time EA has open-sourced Command & Conquer code. In 2020, the company released the source code for its Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, which included Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert. However, the new release is notable for including the "fully recovered source code" of the original games, as opposed to the adapted code used in the remastered collection.

The open-sourcing of Renegade and Generals marks the first time these titles have been made available under an open-source license. Renegade, a 2002 first- and third-person shooter, and Generals, a 2003 strategy game, are both significant additions to the open-source community. The release also includes the expansion pack Zero Hour.

In addition to the open-sourcing, EA has also enabled Steam Workshop support for the games, making it easier for modders to create and share custom content. A 'Modding Support' pack has been released, which includes source XML, schema, script, shader, and map files for games using the SAGE engine. This pack covers a range of titles, including C&C Renegade, C&C Generals & Zero Hour, C&C 3 Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath, C&C Red Alert 3 & Uprising, and C&C 4 Tiberian Twilight.

To commemorate the announcement, EA has released a 35-minute video showcasing archival gameplay footage from the early development of Renegade and Generals. This rare glimpse into the games' creation process is a treat for fans and developers alike.

The move is seen as a positive step towards preserving classic games and enabling the community to breathe new life into beloved titles. By open-sourcing the code, EA is empowering modders and enthusiasts to create new content, fix bugs, and ensure the games remain playable on modern systems.

This development is also significant for the gaming industry as a whole, as it sets a precedent for game preservation and community engagement. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for companies to prioritize the preservation of their classic titles, and EA's move is a step in the right direction.

With the source code now available, fans and developers can explore the inner workings of these iconic games and create new experiences that will be enjoyed by gamers for years to come.