Rules.ini
The rules.ini (naming variations for expansions) is the core file of C&C modding. As indicated by the name, it includes the "rules" of the game – the properties of every object, weapon, warhead, etc. in the game. For any C&C game from Red Alert to Yuri's Revenge, this is the main modification file. For Generals and everything else based on the SAGE engine, the INI-system is more complex and wide-spread.
Discounting the side functions of the other various INI files, including ai.ini and art.ini, there is no way to make any changes to the game other than what the rules.ini allows for. An exception to this would be pd's RockPatch. Not everything in the game is customizable. Features that cannot be modified are called "hardcoded" features.
File Locations
Red Alert
rules.ini, located in redalert.mix → local.mix
Tiberian Sun
rules.ini, located in tibsun.mix → local.mix
- The patches add a new rules.ini to patch.mix
Firestorm
firestorm.ini, located in expand01.mix
- Expand01.mix also contains a new rules.ini for the Firestorm-installed, regular Tiberian Sun game.
Red Alert 2
rules.ini, located in ra2.mix → local.mix
Yuri's Revenge
rulesmd.ini, located in expandmd01.mix
See Also