How a time-traveling Albert Einstein rewrote the history of World War II
In short: In 1946, Albert Einstein activated an experimental time machine, changing the course of human history forever. By traveling back to 1924, he erased a dictator from the timeline, triggering an alternate reality where the Soviet Union's rise to power leads to a massive conflict for the European mainland.
Released by Westwood Studios in 1996, Command & Conquer: Red Alert is a real-time strategy game set in a parallel universe. The divergence begins at the Trinity Site in New Mexico in 1946, when Einstein travels back to Landsberg, Germany. By meeting Adolf Hitler on December 20, 1924, and shaking his hand, Einstein erases Hitler from the timeline, preventing the rise of Nazi Germany.
This shift in history allows the Soviet Union, under Joseph Stalin, to expand across the Eurasian landmass. To counter this threat, an Allied Nations coalition—including a rearmed Germany—is formed to fight the invading Soviet Army for control of Europe. The game's narrative is famous for its dramatic, live-action cinematic sequences and its branching mission paths.
Gameplay revolves around intense resource management and asymmetrical faction mechanics. Players mine ores and rare gems to fund their war efforts, often needing to build ore silos to store excess credits. Unlike other strategy games of the era, Red Alert emphasizes distinct faction identities: the Soviet Union relies on durable, expensive units like the heavy tank and Tesla Coils, while the Allies favor agile, cheaper forces and superior naval power with ships like the Destroyer and Cruiser.
The game also serves as a prequel to the original 1995 Command & Conquer, introducing the broader lore of the franchise. Its endings offer starkly different fates: an Allied victory sees Stalin buried alive in the Kremlin, while a Soviet victory reveals a shadowy transition of power to the Brotherhood of Nod, orchestrated by the mastermind Kane.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Command & Conquer: Red Alert
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