Playing RA3 Online using Tacitus or BattleLab (updated)

You cannot play online with C&C:Online account. Here are the steps...
Update as of May 2026: Since the account creation has been renewed and upgraded by server, you must use Discord, Steam, Google Account, or GameReplays to register. I recommend to use Discord or Steam which are very easy for registration.

You must login on your Steam, then authorize your account to use it.


You must login on your Discord, then authorize your account to use it.


You must login on your Google Account, then authorize your account to use it.


Then access your information and continue.


Setup your in-game username and password, then press Create Game Account.


By the way, that username is only for Kane's Wrath and Tiberium Wars only. Email will auto-generate once you set your display name.


This credential must be used on RA3 in-game login...


If it is successful on registration, then congrats! If not, you're forever alone. Joke. :P

This will be the home screen once you're successful in registration:

Now that registration's done, let's download and set up the online provider. :D

- Go on the Downloads tab[cnc-online.net], and click the Tacitus Download button.


Of course, save the download so you can install it. :D

The new application may trigger antivirus alerts, such as a COVID alert. Lol. Disable your antivirus or add an exception to run the program.

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- Go on the Downloads tab[cnc-online.net], and click the BattleLab Download button.




You can apply BattleLab menu, run it, and allow all the games. Then click Apply to save changes.

• Universal launcher: One launcher to rule them all. Supports Tiberium Wars, Kane's Wrath, Red Alert 3, and Red Alert 3: Uprising. More to come, if desired.1
  
• Game settings management: Adjust game settings such as resolution, graphics quality, and audio levels directly from BattleLab rather than from the command line.
  
• Automatic updates: BattleLab can automatically check for and install updates, ensuring you always have the latest features and bug fixes.
  
• Custom launch options: Add custom command-line arguments for anything not supported graphically.
  
• Replay repairs: Thanks to the research done by LanYi in his RA3 Quickloader project[github.com], replays can be repaired directly from within BattleLab. This functionality is now also available outside of Red Alert 3.

With Tacitus or BattleLab installed, you're almost ready! Let's prepare for battle, Commander!

- Click the game in your Steam Library to start. If you see text, QuickLauncher is ready for fast loading.

Click on the Skirmish > Online, or click the star logo on the upper right side of your screen.
Enter your credentials: the mentioned earlier were the ones you are using on RA3.

Once logged in with correct credentials, you're ready for the battlefield, Commander!

- Yes, it is. However, when you download the program, it is detected as malware. Be sure to add to your anti-virus ignore list.

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- Oh, yeah! So you'll not be alone anymore. Lol. Be sure that he has the account as well. :D

- Tacitus recently upgraded to 1.13, so be sure to downgrade it to 1.12 in order for you to play (unless others are using the newer version). Just hit the hotkey for Tacitus, then choose Chronoshift to downgrade or upgrade it. (Note: It will restart the game once you have applied the version.)

Alternatively, you can also set a version game to launcher. While the RA3 launcher loads, you need to click so you can go to UI menu.


Go to Options, then set to 1.12 if the game sets 1.13.


- Make sure you have a good internet connection. Sometimes the VPN is interfering with the connection; you probably need to check the network settings to see which IP you're using.

Go to Options > Settings > Network

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- Yes, but be sure you and your playmates have the same mods. Moreover, you need to check mods to see if they'll desync. Some mods have their own engine, like Corona mod. However, on Corona mod, you'll need another server, which is RA3Battlenet[ra3battle.net], because I'm not sure why they haven't made one for C&C:Online.

Also mods for co-op play is playable as long as you have both same mods.

- As far as I know, version 1.12.6 can be transferred, but if not, you need to manually download the map here[www.gamereplays.org], which has the 1.12.6 version.

- Yes... you can download it via Steam Workshop. You can check one of my guide for downloaded maps on workshop.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3435900797

However, for 1.12.8 maps, you should revert the version to 1.13.

This server is provided by C&C:Online. You can hop on their server[discord.com] for some questions. They can help you out more just in case you have server-related questions.