Command & Conquer (1995 video game)
Command & Conquer (also known by the retronym Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn) is a real-time strategy video game developed and published by Westwood Studios in 1995. Set in an alternate history, the game tells the story of a world war between two globalized factions: the Global Defense Initiative of the United Nations and a cult-like militant organization called the Brotherhood of Nod, led by the mysterious Kane. The groups compete for control of Tiberium, a mysterious substance that slowly spreads across the world.
| Command & Conquer | |
|---|---|
Cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Westwood Studios Looking Glass Studios (N64) |
| Publisher(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Brett Sperry Edward Del Castillo |
| Designer(s) | Erik Yeo |
| Programmer(s) | Joseph Bostic William Randolph |
| Writer(s) | Eydie Laramore Ron Smith Joseph D. Kucan |
| Composer(s) | Frank Klepacki |
| Series | Command & Conquer |
| Platform(s) | DOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Westwood conceived Command & Conquer during the final stages of the development of Dune II, and it expands on ideas explored in that title. Inspired by the events of the era, particularly the Gulf War, the team gave the game a modern warfare setting. The game contains live-action full motion video cutscenes, which star Westwood employees and a single professional actor, Joseph D. Kucan, who plays Kane. The Nintendo 64 port was developed by Looking Glass Studios.
Command & Conquer was a commercial and critical success, selling over three million copies and winning numerous awards. It has been cited as one of the greatest games ever made. The title that defined and popularized the real-time strategy genre. The game was the first in the Command & Conquer series, which sold 30 million copies by 2009. To mark the 12th anniversary of the franchise, Electronic Arts, the current publisher and owner of the series, released the game for free in 2007.