I have the solution for all the nvidia laptops with optimus. I found this method fixing Just Cause 2 on a laptop and it works for Empire Earth too! Unfortunately AMD Enduro laptops users ( such as myself ) still have no solution.
1. Download Nvidia Inspector
2. Open Nvidia Inspector
3. Click the button to the right of DRIVER VERSION.
4. From the PROFILE menu, select EMPIRE EARTH.
5. Scroll down the window until you find: Shim Rendering Mode Options per application for Optimus.
6. Click the text to the right, scroll to the top of the dropdown, and select SHIM_RENDERING_OPTIONS_DEFAULT_RENDERING_MODE
7. Click APPLY CHANGES in the top right-hand corner.
8. Run your game
cheers from Italy!
10 guys still playing empire earth LAN in the basement.
edit to help google users to find this post: intel hd 4000 intel hd 4600 drivers flickering glitches empire earth fix