What is OpenRA?

Updated

OpenRA is an open-source project that recreates and modernizes classic real-time strategy games — specifically Red Alert, Command & Conquer (Tiberian Dawn), and Dune 2000 — so they run on modern systems. If you want to play these classic RTS titles with updated features, active development, and community-driven balance changes, OpenRA is the project to look at. It is community-driven and distributed through playtests and releases, with ongoing updates rather than a single frozen build.

What games does OpenRA cover?

OpenRA rebuilds three classic titles:

  • Red Alert
  • Command & Conquer (Tiberian Dawn)
  • Dune 2000

Each is recreated and modernized rather than emulated, meaning the underlying engine is reworked to support modern features and ongoing changes.

What does "modernized" actually mean?

The project adds features and improvements on top of the original games. Based on the latest playtest notes (playtest-20260222, posted 22 February 2026), recent developments include:

New random map generators

Random map generators were added for Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, and Dune 2000. You select a biome, the number of players, and details about symmetry and resources, then play. Generated maps work in both Skirmish and Multiplayer.

Dune 2000 visual and gameplay updates

  • New visual effects for the Sonic Tank and damaged structures
  • Long-awaited "bulk purchase" logic for the Starport
  • A complete, community-led balance overhaul for skirmish and multiplayer
  • Single-player campaign difficulty adjustments to ease the learning curve

Tiberian Dawn HD mod progress

Support for the C&C Remastered Collection assets in Tiberian Dawn reached two milestones in the (currently) standalone Tiberian Dawn HD mod:

  • The mod is now feature-complete, with new HD sprites for the last custom assets
  • A new content manager lets you select between remastered or classic artwork, audio, and music

Integration of these features into the core OpenRA Tiberian Dawn is in progress; the release remains a standalone mod for now, with the merge hoped for in the next release.

Map-making and editor improvements

  • Further UI improvements to the OpenRA map editor
  • New tools that take advantage of the random map generator logic
  • The new Path Tiler map editor tool makes it easy to place cliffs, beaches, and roads

Other notable changes

  • Added a new "Other RTS" mouse input mode
  • Added timed auto-save settings for missions/skirmish
  • Bots will now attempt to build expansion bases
  • Further progress toward localization support in a future release
  • Added a new mission each for Red Alert and Tiberian Dawn
  • Many bug fixes and minor performance optimizations

Who is OpenRA for?

OpenRA suits players who:

  • Want to play Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, or Dune 2000 on modern hardware
  • Are interested in community-driven balance and ongoing development
  • Want to try new features like random map generation and improved map editing
  • Prefer an open-source project they can follow and give feedback on

If you only want the original games exactly as they were, note that OpenRA modernizes and rebalances them rather than preserving them unchanged.

How do you get involved?

The project runs playtests and asks players to share feedback on its forum and community channels. The full changelog for each release is available with more detail on changes and fixes. If you want to influence development, taking part in a playtest and reporting your experience is the intended path.