This is the expected and only way to play to the complete edition: It's played in mostly chronological order (except for the France flashback). Hence you start with the Russian capture of West Berlin and later switch to the US side (with some more faction changes later on).

Downloading a player profile to unlock all missions would work around this design.

Really cool that this way, there's no way to play the original campaign first (which I'm nostalgic for, and which is what I wanted) with this version unless you basically cheat the game. Great idea -_-

I've just found out about this possible workaround
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/World_in_Conflict#Issues_fixed

but haven't tried it yet

Hi,

This is also something that has been puzzling me. I also have the retail version where you can first install the basic version and then the upgrade. My solution was to first only install the original basic version, start a new game, save etc. and only after that install the upgrade. There I would also create a new game, which means that when I want to start a new game now I can choose between the US or the Soviet campaign.

At least, I am relieved. I always thought I was stupid ;-).

Cheers

Tried it out again just now and it worked. Now the campaign stuff under single player is not blacked out - you can even select the difficulty level when choosing between playing the US or Soviet side.

Please note: This is not a bug in the GOG version !!! Unless you follow what I did it also happens in the retail version of World in Conflict plus Soviet Assault.

However, it might be nice if GOG could be so nice as to add to their version according safe games so that it is also possible to select both sides incl.difficulty levels in the GOG version.

FYI - You can unlock "cheat codes" to unlock all missions such that you can select the new Soviet missions only, which are highlighted in "yellow" in the Campaign selection.
I've played this game like 10 yrs ago when it first was released and while playing through the initial 14 missions had a case of "deja-vu" with the American missions. Didn't want to relive those missions again, and google found the following cheat codes ...

WEB LINK (copy to browser): gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/932462-world-in-conflict/cheats

You have to create a Window's short-cut of the "wic.exe", select "properties" of the short-cut, and change the target command line to include the option "-console" like the "example" below:

"E:\Program Files (x86)\World in Conflict\wic.exe" -console

This allows the developer's command console to appear in the game when "~" is typed.
Then simply type "UnlockAllMaps" to get all replayable missions.
Remember that the "new" Soviet missions are highlighted in yellow in the "Campaign" option.

And don't forget... Better RED than Dead! ;)

I can confirm that renaming assault.dat to assault.dat.bak allows Vanilla to run and you can make a save game with that. Renaming assualt.dat.bak back to just assault.dat returns to the DLC enabled behavior.

Soviet Union are Great and strong! You must play as Soviet comandir, comrades!

Worked like a charm - thanks !