Command & Conquer: Generals manual

The following article serves as a partial transcript† of the Command & Conquer: Generals manual. All material written in this article is of copyright ©2003 by Electronic Arts, Inc. The author of this article claims no right of the material written.

† The following sections were removed to preserve only or mostly the lore-related information:


 * System Requirements
 * Clean Up Your System Before Running the Game
 * What is DirectX™?
 * Installing/Uninstalling the Game
 * Starting the Game
 * Setting Up the Game
 * Solo Play
 * Load/Save Game and Replay Files
 * Generals Online
 * Network Play
 * Credits
 * Customer Support – Here to Help You!
 * Electronic Help File
 * Ask Us
 * 24-Hour Hintline - Gameplay Hints and Tips
 * Keep up with the latest EA News!
 * Warranty

Security Council Sub-Committee (Resolution 1379) on Global Liberation Army
Report to Security Council: Situational Report (SIT REP) on GLA Activities

Distribution: Classified

Hotan, China

For several months, observers have expressed concern over the activities of the Global Liberation Army (GLA). A loose federation of freedom fighters and terrorists, the GLA has established several strongholds in the republics of Central Asia. By distributing forces and leadership across the borders of these developing nations, the GLA has thwarted efforts to engage in meaningful dialogue. Last year, this group without borders crossed into Western China and began building popular support for an independent state in this remote region. GLA funding continues to grow from unknown sources and its leadership remains a mystery.

For the Beijing government, this incursion along its western border could not have come at a worse time. The reforms in China’s "Modern Way" program have produced new civil liberties and excellent growth in Chinese exports, particularly in light manufacturing and agricultural products. Beijing has repeatedly stated that these changes are here to stay, a position that does not sit well with the GLA.

Last week, the GLA struck a military depot at Yecheng, stole thousands of rounds of munitions and destroyed a nuclear power plant. Dangerous levels of radiation have been detected over 100 kilometres downwind. The Chinese government is furious and has refused to allow observers to mediate discussions with the GLA. Several divisions of the Red Army have established positions in the province along major roadways and rivers.

While the United States continues to provide orbital reconnaissance to the Security Council, it has failed to contribute troops to peacekeeping efforts in the region. The Council’s refusal to support United States counter-terrorist initiatives in the Middle East in recent years has not been forgotten. USA military forces have remained in port and on base, venturing out only to secure its coastline.

Scattered intelligence reports arriving from Europe and Asia indicate that the GLA has established and funded sleeper cells to further spread its sphere of influence. If China succeeds in forcing out the GLA, it is difficult to predict where the group will resurface. The United States would be the logical choice to buttress Chinese efforts to contain the GLA, but the United States continues to maintain its non-involvement in this matter. The United States denies the sub-committee’s claim that eventually the GLA will cross paths with USA forces in Asia or elsewhere in the world.

The sub-committee recommends to the Security Council that it continue to maintain an open channel with the GLA, to establish a clear set of boundaries for Chinese activity and to communicate the need for USA participation in peacekeeping initiatives before the Council loses its influence on the situation.

USA
The best weapons in the world have "USA" stamped on their side. The United States has the most sophisticated arsenal. From its well-equipped and expertly trained Rangers to the top-secret Particle Cannon, the USA side is rarely caught at a technological disadvantage. However, some believe its isolationist policies have softened its war machine. Everyone agrees, though, that it costs plenty of money and power to keep the USA wheels moving forward.

USA Units
No side can match the USA advantage in the air. Its Comanches provide outstanding close air support (CAS) for ground forces and its Stealth Fighters can deliver heavy ordnance deep behind enemy lines.

USA Structures
Supporting the USA fighting forces are the structures to provide maximum power, steady supplies and the best in battlefield information.
 * When a USA structure is destroyed, the occupying Rangers emerge from the structure. Larger buildings produce a greater number of Rangers.

China
The Chinese forces have a resource that cannot be matched: population. Built to rely on the pride and nationalism of its people, the Chinese side can overwhelm the opposition with sheer numbers. Red Guard after Red Guard, Battlemaster after Battlemaster, the Chinese war machine wins by attrition.

Fuelled by a strong sense of teamwork, the Red Army is a force for the 21st century.

China Units
Armed with a simple rifle and adequate training, a Chinese man can be turned into a fighting machine for very little cost. Vehicles are cheap, too. However, results in the field suggest that quality is not a big concern in Chinese War Factories.
 * The Red Guard and Battlemaster Tank increase their rates of fire when travelling in large groups. The Horde effect is represented by a red star under the affected units and can increase with the Nationalism upgrade.

China Structures
Spare in design, Chinese construction is sound in principle and, when upgraded, can produce leading-edge technologies. Defences follow a strategy of protection by volume.
 * All Chinese structures can be protected by mines. To mine a Chinese structure, select it. Then, select the Mines icon in the Context Window.

GLA
Information has begun to trickle in about the organisation and strategies of the Global Liberation Army. A loosely aligned worldwide network of terror,the GLA prizes speed over destructive force. Relying heavily on the dedication of fanatics, the GLA sends soldiers into the teeth of its enemies and always has an escape route for its hardcore veterans.

Built to hit and run, the GLA is poorly suited for direct, large-scale battles.Generals of the GLA seek advantages in the terrain. Without the official backing of any national government, the GLA has become expert in making do with whatever is at hand. GLA units have been known to scavenge resources from the field of battle. Through its network of tunnels, GLA forces can appear at locations all over the map. If they are successful in defeating their enemies, GLA units earn money from the cause’s unknown backers.

GLA Units
The GLA fighting units tend to be lightweight and low-cost. The most effective of them self-destruct, making a sustained campaign against enemy forces difficult for the GLA to maintain.

The GLA has become expert in scavenging dated weapons from the Soviet era. Through Arms Dealers and the Black Market, it can assemble squads of tanks and Technicals which, when rapidly deployed, can put a dagger through unsuspecting enemy defences.

GLA Structures
In a large city, GLA structures tend to blend into the community around them. Hoping that they go unnoticed, GLA generals have chosen not to fortify their structures, knowing that new ones can be erected quickly and cheaply in a new location.
 * When a GLA structure is destroyed, an escape hole remains. If the hole is not destroyed, a Worker emerges from the hole and starts rebuilding the structure.