Generals Online is not just another GameSpy emulator - it's a complete reimagining of multiplayer services for Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour.
Built upon the source code released by Electronic Arts, this community-driven project revitalizes and modernizes the game's multiplayer experience, improving stability, client functionality, and overall service reliability - all while preserving the original gameplay you know and love.
What's New
Full GameSpy functionality
All functionality present in the original game is present in GeneralsOnline - including Quickmatch!
Play In Minutes
Simply install and run GeneralsOnline. No extra software required, no router/network configuration required. Automatic updates.
Improved Multiplayer
60Hz multiplayer results in a more responsive experience
Stability & Security
Improved game stability, reduced mismatches and a far higher connection success rate (typically 100%)
Download
Download Installer
Click below to download the installer
Run Installer
Review and accept our license and when asked for the location of your Generals install, locate Generals.exe from your Zero Hour Installation
Play!
That's it, you are ready to play online!
Read our FAQ page or visit our Discord with any questions you may have!
Tutorials
Latest Updates
Servers in 330 cities across 125+ countries
Frequently Asked Questions
No. GeneralsOnline can be installed onto your current Generals installation.
Yes.
Yes.
No. GeneralsOnline is standalone and does not modify your installation.
You can continue to run the 'standard' Generals game alongside GeneralsOnline.
Yes.
Use the desktop shortcut or run GeneralsOnlineZH.exe
GeneralsOnline is only tested and developed against the Steam and EA Origin/Play versions of the game.
We do not modify the protections which Electronic Arts has applied to the game in any way, shape or form.
We recommend buying the game on Steam as this is the best place to play at this time and supports the developers.
Generals Online supports 3 login methods. Steam, Discord and GameReplays.
Yes. We utilize OpenID, which means we never see your credentials - just a unique identifier that identifies your account. You can read more about this technology on Wikipedia.
You can check the service-status channel in our Discord, or on our Status Page.
Please visit our Discord!
We release updates regularly. Your game will automatically update itself when you enter the multiplayer section of the game.
No. Generals Online is standalone and needs no additional software./p>
No. Generals Online solves this issue on your behalf.
We utilize the latest industry standard encryption (AES256-GCM) for network traffic. This is more secure than the original C&C Generals game.
The first time you access the multiplayer menu you may get a Windows firewall pop-up.
This is because the application is a 'new application' to the firewall and is attempting network/internet communication. Hitting allow will enable you to proceed..
Relays allow users who would otherwise be unable to connect to each other to do just that. It is a commonly used mechanism in modern retail games and platforms such as Steam and behaves similar to the Tunnels system utilized on CNCNet for earlier C&C games.
Typically not. In certain environments, a relayed connection may even be faster than a direct connection due to the premium backbone being used.
Relays connections are formed dynamically on a player-to-player basis, ensuring each P2P connection utilizes the server location with the lowest latency for that particular pair of players.
Users within one lobby/match can utilize different servers in different regions to achieve optimal latency.
Yes. The relay servers do not have access to the encryption keys that would be required to read the traffic they are relaying.
We thank you for your interest, however, we do not have a need for community relays at this time. Generals Online utilizes the CloudFlare backend which is available in 330 cities in 125 countries and has a latency of ~50ms from 95% of the worlds population.





