Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Index
- Live-streaming:
- Playing the game:
- Game-related:
- Personal:
Live-streaming
Do you read the live-stream chat?
I try to read the chat as often as I can. Most of the time my focus will be on the game, so you might have to repeat yourself a couple of times. 😅
Can I write in my own language in the live-stream chat?
You are allowed to write in your own language, but please make an effort to write in English. I understand some of you are not comfortable, but don't worry, we're all quite chill. 🙂
What are your PC specs?
Hardware
- Ryzen 9 3900X CPU @ 4.25GHz
- Corsair H100 liquid cooler pimped out with two Noctua NF-A12x15 fans
- ASUS X570-P motherboard
- G.Skill F4-3200C16-8GVKB 32GB DDR4 @ 3200 MHz
- EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti SC2 HYBRID
- Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSD
- Gigabyte G750H 750w 80-PLUS Gold power supply
Graphics card sponsored by Instant-Shock. The RAM & SSD were birthday gifts 😁. The rest of the PC was sponsored by awesome supportive fans back in 2019! 🤩.
Peripherals
- Blue Yeti Pro Microphone
- ASUS PA248QV 1920x1200@60hz
- Drakken Prothero Spektrum Gaming Keyboard (Black)
- Razer Deathadder V2 gaming mouse
- Plantronics wireless headset
Keyboard sponsored by Instant-Shock.
Software
| Screen / Game recording + microphone | OBS Studio |
| Donation / Subscriber alerts + donation bar | Streamlabs OBS |
| Voice chat | Discord |
| Countdown timer + on-screen hotkeys + replay-clip system + fancy observer control bar |
My own Java program (not publicly available) |
Can I voice chat with you on the live-stream?
Yes! The Discord voice chat is open to the public during my live-stream, so everyone can stop by and say 'hello'! Just join the Community Outpost Discord server. After you've assigned yourself the C&C role just scroll to the bottom and find the Live-Stream Voice voice chat room and join me there.
Please make sure your microphone is set up correctly and that no background noise is present, otherwise you may be muted. Also please be on your best behavior; there is a zero-tollerance for shenanigans and you will be banned from the Discord server if you misbehave continuously.
How did you get the hotkeys to show when you play?
It's a Java program that I created myself. Unfortunately due to licensing issues I cannot make this program publicly available.
Playing the game
Do you play on GameRanger or Cnc-Online / Revora?
I play on both but I mainly play on GameRanger. If you want to contact me on GameRanger, just send me a message. 🙂
My GameRanger Account ID is 8984146.
Can I play a game with you?
If you have been playing online regularly for over a year and you are a good player then you are more than welcome! 🙂
Unfortunately I have difficulty with finding time to play the game as is... Preferably I would avoid playing with players who aren't very experienced. I hope you can understand. 🙂
That being said, we have an awesome Discord community with many players of all skill levels who are very eager to play with you. 🙂
Why did you block me on GameRanger?
There are a number of reasons why I block players. All have to do with keeping a smooth livestream with fun high-quality matches. These are the reasons why I block players:
| Using Abort to close the game | This can cause DC bug and essentially freeze the current match. Players should close the game properly. |
| Mismatching | Mismatches end the match immediately. If I get a suspicion that it's caused by a certain player, I will block them. |
| Lag | If a player lags (either because of slow Internet or a slow PC) they will get blocked. |
| Maphack detected | If a player is detected having maphack they will get blocked. |
| Noob player in pro match | If I specifically check with a player if they are pro but it turns out they are noob, they will get blocked. |
If you are blocked it is extremely unlikely you will get unblocked in the future.
How can I see my cash-per-minute, KD ratio, or 'offline' radar?
My KD ratio, my cash-per-minute, and the 'offline' radar (when no radar is contructed, or when low power) are something known as stream overlays. They work in the same way as the donation bar is shown on-stream. They are elements that are 'drawn onto' the livestream video feed. They are not part of the game. I don't even see them myself when I play.
Curious about how it works? Have a look at this livestream where you can see the radar being drawn over my mouse cursor.
This means you cannot download and install it for the game. They are just features that are shown on the livestreams.
Game-related
What is "pro rules"?
Pro rules are a set of rules agreed on by all players. They act as a gentlemen's agreement, and breaking pro rules will probably get you blocked, fast! There are small variations of pro rules depending on the map or match style played. If you're unsure of which pro rules apply, just ask the host before you start the game.
Commonly, pro rules consists of:
- No Superweapons (Particle Cannon, Nuclear Missile, SCUD Storm).
- Super Weapon General is allowed to build 1 Particle Cannon. - No Auroras or Alpha Auroras.
- No Tactical Nuke MiG upgrade.
- No demo bike (Combat Cycle + Terrorist).
- No demo (Suicide) upgrade.
The most common variation of pro rules is used in Twilight Flame 3v3 $50k matches. These changes are a little more extensive:
- No Superweapons unless you want to upgrade the Nuclear Tanks or Uranium Shells upgrades from the Nuke silo.
- No Auroras or Alpha Auroras.
- No Tactical Nuke MiG upgrade.
- No demo bike (Combat Cycle + Terrorist).
- Demo (Suicide) upgrade is allowed.
- No Stealth Comanche upgrade.
- No Air Force carpet bomb allowed until the player is a 3-star general.
- Only 2 Patriots/Gattling Cannons/Stinger Sites allowed at each pair of Oil Derricks.
- Unlimited Tunnel Networks around oils are allowed.
What is a "mismatch"?
A mismatch can occur during online matches and it stops the match immediately. It occurs because one (or more) players have different data about the match.
For example: Alice plays against Bob. Alice builds a Power Plant, but this data for some reason does not reach Bob's computer. As a result, Alice's version of the match will see the Dozer constructing a Power Plant. On Bob's view that same Dozer will just be standing still (not building anything), because the online game data was not received. Then when Alice builds a Supply Center, it will cause a mismatch. This is because on Bob's version of the match it is impossible for Alice's Dozer to build a Supply Center as to its knowledge no Power Plant has been built.
So what can causes these mismatches to happen?
- Anti-virus blocking game-data.
- Cheat programs like maphack.
- Unstable overclocked hardware.
- Faulty hardware.
- Invalid game installations with modified files.
- Map transfers (just restart the game to fix this).
Mismatches should be relatively uncommon. Also, the more human players in a match, the higher the chance a mismatch will occur. For 6 player matches, a mismatch may happen once per 15 matches. For 2 player matches, a mismatch may happen once per 100 matches. If you encounter mismatches more frequently than that, you may be interested checking out: "Game has detected a mismatch".
What are the commonly used expressions or acronyms (e.g. "s&d", "cc", "hunted")?
Here is a list of commonly used acronyms.
| Expression | Definition |
| 50k | Usually a reference to the starting cash in the game being set to $50,000. |
| afg | Air Force General. |
| ambo | Ambulance. |
| au, aur |
Aurora Bomber. |
| arty | Artillery Barrage. |
| bm | Battlemaster or rarely used for Black Market<./td> |
| bunkerlix | Bunker Helix with rocket troops inside. |
| cc | Command Center. |
| cxn | Reference to the CXN maps that have 2 Oil Derricks for each player, but no Supplies to collect. |
| eco | Economy; a reference to income. |
| ffa | Free for all (also known as 1v1v1v1v...). |
| flamer | Dragon Tank. |
| gat | Gattling Tank. |
| gatlix | Helix with the Gattling Cannon upgrade. |
| gg | Good game. |
| gt | GenTool. |
| heli | Any helicopter unit, but mainly used for Stealth Comanche. |
| hunted | Having lost all Dozers/Workers and Command Centers/Supply Stashes. |
| inf | Infantry General or 'infantry'. |
| jk | Jarmen Kell. |
| lix | Helix. |
| market | Black Market. |
| md | Missile Defender. |
| no eco | A build order where the player relies on a single Supply Center or Supply Stash with no plans to increase income within the next few minutes. |
| no rush | Players choose not to attack each other's base for a certain amount of time; commonly 10 minutes. |
| nook | Chinook. |
| op | Overpowered (implying something is imbalanced or unfair). |
| ovie | Overlord. |
| pc | Particle Cannon. |
| pro rules | Scroll to What is "pro rules"?. |
| prop | Propaganda Center. |
| proplix | Helix with Speaker Tower upgrade. |
| quad | Quad Cannon. |
| rap | King Raptor. |
| rockvee | Humvee with rocket troops inside. |
| scan | USA Spy Satelite, USA Spy Drone or GLA Radar Scan. |
| scorp | Scorpion Tank. |
| tech | Technical (the GLA vehicle). |
| tech up | Referring to constructing a Strategy Center, Propaganda Center, or Palace. |
| tech building | Oil Derrick, Oil Refinery, Reinforcements Pad, Repair Bay, or Hospital. |
| tech rpg | Technical with RPG troopers inside. |
| tech terror, terror tech |
Technical with Terrorists inside. |
| tox | Toxin General. |
| towvee | Empty Humvee with the TOW missile upgrade (often accompanied by Hellfire Drones, sometimes Scout Drones). |
| tunnel | Reference to Tunnel Network - An ally might say "tunnel me" implying he wants you to build a Tunnel Network in his base. |
| tw, tf |
Reference to the map Twilight Flame. |
| vee | Humvee. |
| spam | Building a large amount of units (sometimes also referred to buildings like Black Markets or defenses). |
| sw | Superweapon (Particle Cannon, Nuclear Missle or SCUD Storm) or a reference to Superweapon General. |
| snd, s&d |
Search and Destroy (or a reference to a Strategy Center). |
| strat | Strategy/tactic or Strategy Center. |
| swg | Superweapon General. |
How can I get my friends interested in C&C Generals Zero Hour?
Briefly explain the three main factions (USA, China, GLA) and then let them play the campaign on easy.
Personal
Where do you live?
I live in Malta (the country!) in the Mediterranean Sea.
How old are you?
Between 30 and 40.
How can I contact you?
The best way to contact me is via Discord or e-mail. I check my e-mail multiple times a week, so expect a reply within 48 hours. 😉
My e-mail address is [email protected].
Can I help you out in any way?
If you can help me out with just one of these, then my dude, YOU ROCK! 🤜🤛
- Like any video that you enjoyed or that helped you.
- E-mail me if you spot any incorrect translations on the website.
- Give a donation to show some love! (Do it during a live-stream so everyone will see your message!)
- Tune in to one of my Friday live-streams and show your support in the chat!
- Join the Discord community and meet new players.
- Leave a comment saying which part of the match you enjoyed most.
- Share your favorite video to Twitter, any Facebook group or Steam group.
Thanks very much for the support, guys! 😍
Your question is not listed? Join the Community Outpost Discord and ask over there.