Global Defense Initiative

Lore & Background

In the game's alternate history, a meteor carrying an alien substance called Tiberium crashes near the river Tiber in Italy in 1995. Tiberium can absorb and crystallize precious metals from the soil but also produces toxic gases and radiation fatal to humans. The Brotherhood of Nod, led by the mysterious Kane, rapidly develops technology to harvest Tiberium, gaining wealth and a growing army. GDI, initially formed by the UN as a peacekeeping force after an alternate World War II, is repurposed to eliminate Nod. The conflict culminates in a world war, with the GDI campaign taking place in Europe. The player, a GDI commander under General Sheppard, establishes a beachhead in Eastern Europe, focusing on controlling Poland and Belarus. After a Nod media manipulation incident in Białystok, the UN cuts GDI's funding, forcing defensive operations. However, this is revealed as a ruse by Sheppard and the UN to lure Nod into a false sense of security, and new funding allows GDI to deploy new combat units. Eventually, GDI locates Kane's main base, the Temple of Nod in Sarajevo, Bosnia. General Sheppard orders a final assault, and GDI destroys the complex using its superweapon, the space-based Ion Cannon, ending the conflict, though some question if Nod will cease operating.

In Their Own Story

General Mark Jamison Sheppard briefs the GDI commander: 'The UN has called for GDI to assist in combating Nod in Europe. Establish a beachhead within Nod's territory in Eastern Europe.' The commander focuses on controlling Poland and Belarus, removing troops from occupied Germany. Then Kane uses media manipulation to convince the world that GDI deliberately attacked and massacred citizens of the Polish city of Białystok. Sheppard denies involvement, but the UN cuts funding. GDI mounts defensive operations, protecting bases and leading Tiberium scientist Dr. Ignatio Mobius. But Nod soon finds itself on the defensive: the funding cut was a ruse designed by Sheppard and the UN. New funding allows GDI to bring forth new combat units. Eventually, GDI locates Kane's main base at the Temple of Nod in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Sheppard orders the commander: 'Launch a final assault to defeat him.' GDI succeeds, destroying the complex with the Ion Cannon, ending the conflict, though some experts question if Nod will cease operating.

Reader's Guide

GDI relies on superior firepower and armour at the expense of greater production costs and slower movement. To produce units, you must establish a base using a Mobile Construction Vehicle (MCV), which can only be deployed on open flat land. Structures must be placed close to each other. Bases can be protected with defensive structures like sandbags, gun turrets, and concrete walls. Units are produced in production structures: Barracks for infantry, Factory for vehicles, Helipad for aircraft. Tech buildings unlock more advanced units. Construction options function on a tech tree: certain buildings must be built to unlock new options. Silos store extra resources, repair facilities repair damaged vehicles, and power plants keep the base operational. Low power slows production, stops defensive weapons, and causes buildings to take damage over time until sufficient power is restored. The game contains around fifty units and structures. The single-player GDI campaign consists of a series of missions across a campaign map, with objectives usually to destroy units or destroy/take control of enemy buildings. Each mission begins with a briefing using computer animations and live-action full motion video (FMV). At times, you can choose which mission to undertake.

Did You Know?

• GDI was initially formed by the United Nations as a multinational peacekeeping force after an alternate version of World War II.
• GDI's superweapon is the space-based Ion Cannon, which is used to destroy the Temple of Nod in Sarajevo at the end of the GDI campaign.
• The GDI campaign is set in Europe, focusing on controlling Poland and Belarus and removing troops from occupied Germany.
• General Mark Jamison Sheppard commands the GDI forces in the game's campaign.
• The game's sequel, Tiberian Sun, established the GDI commander's name as James Solomon.