It was 1996. And I was nine.

With trembling hands I fed the CD-ROM into my computer. The disc tray hungrily retreated back within its plasticised orifice. A light flashed with anticipation as a low mechanical hum began to build. Louder, faster, the noise began to reach a piercing crescendo as the disc threshed inside its prison. The hard drive growled metallically in unison. I gazed deeply at the hourglass, turning end on end on end, listening to the mounting electronic symphony being orchestrated before me.

Then silence.

Green and black filled the screen and EVA’s voice graced my ears for the first time. Minutes later, I was carving a slew through GDI forces, a grin on my face and joy in my eyes. And then it happened. The moment.

It was around the third mission. Seth was calling the shots on behalf of Kane. But Seth decided not to listen to Kane. So Kane walked in and fucking shot him.

The coolness of it all sent me into paroxysms of pleasure. That simple moment was my
moment of zen. That single moment was the start of my love of gaming. The start of the entire affair.

It was Command & Conquer. A game which reinvented, cemented and popularised an entire genre. But for me, this game started it all. Playing it was like an epiphany, a life changing moment. And really, I can hardly think of a better title to do it.



Now, C&C was not the first game I ever played. I was well versed with the likes of Dune 2, Wolfenstein and Mechwarrior, all classics and excellent games of the day. But C&C was the first game I ever bought and the first game I truly loved. There were many reasons I loved this game, many reasons why I spent so many hours with it and many reasons why it is still on my computer today. In the interest of keeping things succinct, I’ll just mention a few.

Firstly, you play as yourself. You are directly addressed as commander. There is no crummy guise to assume. The choices you make are yours.

Secondly, the near future setting was incredibly well handled. It wasn’t too abstracted from modern war, yet fantastic enough to include some of the coolest units in RTS history. The story was excellent too. The appearance of a mysterious new resource leading to an all out war between the affluent West (GDI) and the downtrodden Rest (NOD) was very compelling and well worth completing for the two alternate endings. The two factions differed not only in units and play style, but on moral standpoints as well. GDI relied on superior technology and shock and awe tactics. The possessed a defensive play style synonymous with the slow moving yet outlandishly powerful Mammoth Tank. NOD, followers of something akin both to a cult and a political dogma, tended to be ruthless but secretive and subtle in their means, relying on hit and run tactics and surprise. NOD’s charismatic leader, Kane, has also gone on to become one of the greatest characters in gaming.



And lastly, the atmosphere throughout C&C was undeniable. Everything about the game felt serious, intense and realistic. Sound, graphics and gameplay combined to really bring gravity to everything that occurred in the story. Even the menus feel gritty and dark. The live action cutscenes gave faces to the situations while the CGI segments kept things interesting. Additionally, the game’s soundtrack is absolutely sublime.

But there are other reasons this game makes me feel so nostalgic.

It reminds me of a time when I could truly appreciate games, when I could take what I was given and be happy. When I could enjoy the simple things and re-enjoy them time and time again. Things never seemed to get old. I remember C&C through this golden lens, a lens which could possibly even skew my perceptions. Perhaps if I played the game again with my older, more jaded attitude I wouldn’t quite appreciate C&C as much as I do now. But I am hesitant to take that chance and destroy what is one of my greatest childhood loves.

And from this humble beginning, the rest is history.


Oh yeah. And seeing as you are here I would just like to add that EA can take their damn sequels and aliens and robots and screw right off.

Except Generals.

I BUILD FOR CHINA!!!