*sigh*
I was going to ignore it. I really was. I still have my original CD's (as well as an actual manual and soundtrack), and openRA should get it running regardless.
But then reviews came in with arguments. It being crisp clean on modern machines. Containing remastered audio and videos. Heaps of quality of life improvements, yet none touching on the core gameplay of just sending units out. All the expansions (ahem...I, erm...have played most of them through illegal means thus far). Without the hassle that is origin, but running fine on steam (and as such, on linux through proton). Skirmish matches on the original C&C (or "tiberian dawn" if you want to go with the redub)? mod support???
(C&C was the game that introduced me to it. I can't even remember where I got the "more red missions" and "extra content" packs for C&C and red alert from...this was pre-internet era)
And let's be honest: a good deal of nowadays' remasters is at best a mere graphical overhaul from something two or even one generation ago. C&C is from 25 years ago. It was made for DOS for CRT screens, mice without scroll wheels and 56k modems. To get that AND red alert (which grew on me while playing a pirated copy) for 20 bucks? I...honestly can't pass on this.
But what really drew me over the line was the idea that if this project was successful, perhaps EA would abandon their normal "let's be dicks" policy and allow for a remaster of red alert 2. Which would DEFINATELY be an instant-buy for me (even if I have to grab tiberian dawn into the same package...I hated that game).