ra2 README

The project's README from github.com/ra2-games/ra2. As one markdown file: README.md.

RA2 VM

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Status: Alpha Runtime: v86 TypeScript pnpm License: GPL-3.0-or-later

Run the original x86 executables of Red Alert 2 and Yuri's Revenge directly in your browser. RA2 VM uses v86, custom firmware, and a Win32/DirectX compatibility layer without starting Windows.

⚠️EA has not endorsed and does not support this product.

Play online: ra2.games

Currently in Alpha: local resource imports, RA2/YR selection, skirmish entry, saves, map packages, and multiplayer through a WebSocket relay. Short two-player regressions do not establish compatibility with every campaign, MOD, large multiplayer battle, or long internet match.

Start playing

  1. Open the online site and prepare game resources you legally own.
  2. Choose Select files… to import an archive, or Select folder… to select a game directory. Include the original game executable in the bundle. The page checks required resources and lists missing files.
  3. One complete version starts automatically. If both RA2 and YR are present, choose which to run.
  4. In the original game, open Single Player → Skirmish, choose a map, factions, and computer opponents, then start.

The web interface automatically selects English or Simplified Chinese from your browser's preferred languages when the page opens. Other languages fall back to English. Game text uses the language of the imported resources.

To investigate slow gameplay, use Performance diagnostics… in the game toolbar, record for 20 seconds, then copy the report. See browser comparison reports.

Play with friends

1. Deploy a relay

A relay forwards multiplayer traffic between browsers. One participant or server administrator deploys it; all players then use the same reachable address and room path.

With this repository checked out on a server with Docker and Docker Compose, run from the repository root:

docker compose -f packages/relay/compose.yaml up -d --build
docker compose -f packages/relay/compose.yaml logs -f relay

The service listens on TCP 15176, restarts automatically, and exposes /healthz for health checks. Allow the required TCP port through the server's firewall. For a LAN, players connect to the server's reachable private IP and mapped port. 0.0.0.0 is a listening address, not an address to give players.

For internet access through a public IP or domain, put the relay behind a TLS reverse proxy with a valid certificate and WebSocket upgrade support. Forward the room path, such as /ra2, to the relay. The game frontend uses WSS for public addresses and WS for private/loopback addresses. Browser private-network permissions still apply. See relay deployment for address selection, standalone distribution, and configuration.

For local development without Docker:

pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
pnpm run server:relay --host 0.0.0.0 --port 15176

To build a standalone server:

pnpm run build:relay
node packages/relay/dist/gameRelay.cjs --host 0.0.0.0 --port 15176

The static frontend build does not include a relay server. If your site already provides a same-origin relay, players can use that service by leaving the relay address empty.

2. Connect and start a match

  1. Everyone opens the online page and enables Multiplayer before importing resources or starting the game.
  2. Enter the deployed relay's reachable host and port. The default room is /ra2; an optional path, such as 127.0.0.1:15176/friends for same-machine testing, selects a different room. All players must use the same address and path. Leave the field empty only to use the site's default relay.
  3. Import resources and start the same game version. Use matching MODs and maps; RA2 and YR cannot join each other's matches.
  4. Open Network in the original game. Confirm that the page reports a connected relay and that other players appear in the native lobby.
  5. The host creates a game and chooses the map and settings. Others join that room, wait for map verification, and confirm readiness. The host then starts the match.

If a friend or room is missing, check the multiplayer toggle, relay address, room path, and game version. Settings are saved in the page URL, so you can share the configured URL. Stop the game before changing connection settings. The member count represents other connections in the virtual LAN; relay RTT measures the round trip to the server, not opponent latency. Interrupted matches cannot be resumed after a disconnect; start a new match. See multiplayer limitations.

Development

Internal work uses dev, which is not pushed to GitHub. External contributions target main. Use Node.js and the pnpm version specified in package.json; this project does not pin a Node version range.

pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
pnpm run dev

Open the HTTPS address printed in the terminal and select a local game directory or archive. Supply the original game.exe (RA2) or gamemd.exe (YR) inside the game bundle. Import and cache restoration preserve that executable; the app does not download a replacement. Game programs and assets are not included in this repository, and public tests do not require them.

pnpm run check          # Types, asset-free unit/synthetic VM tests, production build
pnpm run build          # Static frontend in dist/
pnpm run preview        # Preview the build
pnpm run server:relay:dev  # Watch mode; restarts disconnect existing clients

Locally owned resources can be placed in the ignored game/ra2/ directory. See the testing guide. Your environment supplies Node and the initial pnpm installation; CI reports the actual toolchain versions.

Documentation and contributions

License

Original project code is GPL-3.0-or-later; see LICENSE. You may use, modify, and distribute it under GPL version 3 or any later version. The software comes without warranty. Third-party code, dependencies, and game assets retain their own licenses and ownership. See third-party notices.

ra2 (ra2-games/ra2)

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283 ·GitHub
Ra2
What is this?A fan-made web port that runs the original Red Alert 2 and Yuri's Revenge x86 executables directly in the browser, using the v86 emulator with custom firmware and a Win32/DirectX compatibility layer instead of a real Windows install.
Does it ship the game, or do I run my own copy?It doesn't include any game files; you import your own legally owned Red Alert 2 / Yuri's Revenge executable and assets (archive or folder) and the browser emulates them in place.
How do I start playing?Open the online site, select your legally owned game files or folder, and the page checks for required resources and flags anything missing; if both RA2 and YR are present it lets you pick which to run before launching into the native Skirmish menu.
Do I need to already own Red Alert 2?Yes, you must supply your own legally owned game.exe (RA2) or gamemd.exe (YR); the repository and the hosted site don't distribute any game programs or assets.
Does it work reliably with every mod and big multiplayer match?Not guaranteed — this is Alpha software, and the short two-player testing done so far doesn't prove compatibility with every campaign, mod, large battle, or long internet session; a dropped match also can't be resumed.
Which languages does the interface support?The page auto-selects English or Simplified Chinese based on your browser's preferred languages, falling back to English otherwise; actual in-game text follows the language of your imported game resources.
Can I run a public internet relay over a plain connection?No — the frontend uses WSS for any public address and only uses plain WS for private/loopback addresses, so an internet-facing relay needs to sit behind a TLS reverse proxy with WebSocket upgrade support.
What are similar projects?chinese-dos-games, Stronghold-Protocol, Ridge-Racer-Collection, v86, daedalOS, PS5SX2, romm, exodium
Which topics is it in?relay, retro, x86, multiplayer, virtual-machine, emulation, emulator, virtualization, reverse-proxy, game, websocket, gaming
Creator
ra2-games
Size
1.9 MB
Stars
283
Updated
CommitOct 13
Age
1mo
Commits · 90 Days