Guide updated on 16.05.2025: The installation of the CnCNet client has become a lot easier since the first time I wrote this guide. A 32bit windows wine environment is no longer required.

If you want to play the classic Games Red Alert 2 and Red Alert Yuri’s Revenge with multiplayer support on Linux (or other old Command and Conquer Games), you need to download and install the CnCNet Client. Here are the instructions on how to get CnCNet 5 working under Linux using Wine and winetricks.

Prerequisites

Wine and winetricks should already be installed (not part of this guide). You need the original Red Alert 2 Game and to download the CnCNet Installer for Red Alert 2.

CnCNet Client Installation using Wine

# Configure wine to use a reasonable screen resolution and font size before installation (using the default wine prefix)
$ winecfg

# copy the (mounted) game directory into home, e.g. ~/Downloads/ra2, and install the game Red Alert 2 Yuri's Revenge
$ wine ~/Downloads/ra2/setup.exe

# install dotnet 4.8
$ winetricks dotnet48

# install the CnCNet client, if it displays a black screen after installation, never mind just close wine
$ wine ~/Downloads/CnCNet5_YR_Installer.exe

# start the OpenGl version of the client
$ wine C:\Program\ Files\ (x86)\Games\RA2\Resources\clientogl.exe

Create a launcher for the start menu

Instructions for Linux Mint 22 (other distributions should work similarly):

1. right click on the start menu
2. select Edit menu
3. Select Games and click on New Item

Command: wine C:\Program\ Files\ (x86)\Games\RA2\Resources\clientogl.exe

Enjoy!