Command: Modern Air Naval Operations

Last updated
Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations
Command, Modern Air Naval Operations cover.jpg
Developer(s) Warfare Sims
Publisher(s) Matrix Games
Designer(s) Dimitris Dranidis
Platform(s) Windows
ReleaseSeptember 24, 2013 (2013-09-24) [1]
Genre(s) Real-time strategy, warfare
Mode(s) Single-player

Command: Modern Air Naval Operations is a warfare simulation video game developed by Greek studio Warfare Sims and published by Matrix Games, it was released on September 24, 2013. Often described as the spiritual successor to the legacy Harpoon series, Command expanded on both the scope and detail of simulation compared to Harpoon and was designed to overcome the earlier series' limitations.

Contents

Gameplay

In Command: Modern Air Naval Operations, players have operational control over units on a 2D map of the Earth. Similar to Harpoon , players can command their units using preset missions or by giving direct instructions of the "Go here, do this" variety. [2] [3]

The size and scale of the engagements depend only on the scenario; the engine can perform small patrol boat battles right up to global warfare, with hardware performance being the only relevant limitation to scale. Individual scenarios vary from a few hours to multiple days of real-time, although time can be accelerated to allow faster completion of operations.

No multiplayer mode is currently included with the commercial license for any game in the series. Both games also feature a scenario editor that allows for real-time changes to scenarios under construction, allowing battles in the editor to be run and changed instantly. Copies purchased from the Steam platform allow users to share such user-made scenarios through the Workshop.

Development

The Warfare Sims development team released several updates containing new simulation mechanics, improvements, and bug fixes based on player feedback. [4]

Upon release of its sequel, Command: Modern Operations, on November 14, 2019, Command: Modern Air Naval Operations was taken down from the Steam Store and the Matrix Games website, although those who had previously purchased the game on Steam did not have it removed from their library. [5]

Downloadable content

New scenarios are available for purchase in the form of downloadable content. One such scenario, Northern Inferno, released 22 October 2015, depicts a World War III between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in 1975. It has 15 levels, [6] whereas another one, Command Live, is a series of one-level scenario downloadable content packs that deal with contemporary events.

Professional Edition

An official "professional edition" was unveiled in May 2015, offering advanced functionality tailored to the needs of defense-related professionals and organizations. [7] Features exclusive to the Professional license include full database-editing access, umpire-controlled WEGO-style multiplayer, Monte-Carlo mode (statistical analysis), data import/export and more. These additional abilities are offered piecemeal to allow customers to tailor Command to their needs. [8] One of the first unveiled professional customers has been BAE Systems. [9]

Reception

SimHQ gave the game a rating of 9.5/10. [10] Rock Paper Shotgun contributor Tim Stone criticized the game for feeling incomplete compared to its competitors, specifically remarking on its lacking audio presentation, lack of multiplayer, as well as its high launch price. [11]

Command: Modern Air Naval Operations was picked as the "Top Simulation of 2013" by Eurogamer of Denmark. [12]

Sequel

Command: Modern Operations is a sequel released on November 14, 2019. While the core gameplay and mechanics are largely similar to its predecessor (maintaining backward compatibility with Command: Modern Air Naval Operations scenarios), [5] Command: Modern Operations runs on a newer version of its 32-bit engine. Among the main features that differentiate it from Command: Modern Air Naval Operations are: Tacview integration (allows for a live 3D view of a scenario, although scenario recording and playback is not supported for Command: Modern Operations at this time); a quick-battle generator; detailed satellite maps of the entire planet; and automatic image fetching for a number of common entries in the databases (an internet connection is required for the on-the-fly image download of both); a new UI; realistic submarine communication; and terrain effects on ground operations and weapon deployment. Also included are the latest versions of the DB3000 and Cold war databases that Command: Modern Air Naval Operations and the prior Harpoon games utilized. (These determine the number, properties, and capabilities of all the weapon systems and units in the game.) [13] [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wargame</span> Strategy game that realistically simulates war

A wargame is a strategy game in which two or more players command opposing armed forces in a hypothetical simulation of some military operation. Wargaming may be played for recreation, to train military officers in the art of strategic thinking, or to study the nature of potential conflicts. Many wargames re-create specific historic battles, and can cover either whole wars, or any campaigns, battles, or lower-level engagements within them. Many simulate land combat, but there are wargames for naval and air combat, as well.

<i>Falcon 4.0</i> 1998 video game

Falcon 4.0 is a combat flight simulation video game developed by MicroProse and published by Hasbro Interactive in 1998. The game is based around a realistic simulation of the Block 50/52 F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter in a full-scale modern war set in the Korean Peninsula. Falcon 4.0's dynamic campaign engine runs autonomously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military exercise</span> Employment of military resources for training

A military exercise, training exercise, or war game is the employment of military resources in training for military operations. Military exercises are conducted to explore the effects of warfare or test tactics and strategies without actual combat. They also ensure the combat readiness of garrisoned or deployable forces prior to deployment from a home base.

Combat flight simulators are vehicle simulation games, amateur flight simulation computer programs used to simulate military aircraft and their operations. These are distinct from dedicated flight simulators used for professional pilot and military flight training which consist of realistic physical recreations of the actual aircraft cockpit, often with a full-motion platform.

Harpoon is a series of realistic air and naval computer wargames based upon Larry Bond's miniatures game of the same name. Players can choose between either the Blue or Red side in simulated naval combat situations, which includes local conflicts as well as simulated Cold War confrontations between the Superpowers. Missions range from small missile boat engagements to large oceanic battles, with dozens of vessels and hundreds of aircraft. The game includes large databases containing many types of real world ships, submarines, aircraft, and land defenses.

Matrix Games is a publisher of PC games, specifically strategy games and wargames. It is based in Ohio, US, and Surrey, UK.

<i>The Next War</i> (board game)

The Next War: Modern Conflict in Europe is a board wargame published by Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI) in 1978 that simulates a hypothetical Warsaw Pact invasion of Western Europe.

<i>Microsoft Flight Simulator X</i> Flight simulation computer game

Microsoft Flight Simulator X is a 2006 flight simulation video game originally developed by Aces Game Studio and published by Microsoft Game Studios for Microsoft Windows. It is the sequel to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and the tenth installment of the Microsoft Flight Simulator series, which was first released in 1982. It is built on an upgraded graphics rendering engine, showcasing DirectX 10 features in Windows Vista and was marketed by Microsoft as the most important technological milestone in the series at the time. FSX is the first version in the series to be released on DVD media.

<i>Fleet Command</i> 1999 video game

Fleet Command, previously labelled as Jane's Fleet Command, is a real-time tactics naval warfare simulation computer game released in May 1999. It was developed by Sonalysts Inc. and published by Electronic Arts (EA). The game licensed parts of Jane's Information Group's military information database, which was used as an in-game "Jane's Library", reference material that the player could refer to while in-game. Jane's also licensed to EA the "Jane's" name and the "Jane's Combat Simulations" logo, and the game was marketed under the "Jane's" name, much like the previous "Jane's Fighters Anthology", also published by Electronic Arts.

Three-Sixty Pacific was an American video game publisher and developer. Founded in the late 1980s by avid wargamers and military history enthusiasts, they were acquired by IntraCorp Entertainment Inc. in 1994.

Vehicle simulation games are a genre of video games which attempt to provide the player with a realistic interpretation of operating various kinds of vehicles. This includes automobiles, aircraft, watercraft, spacecraft, military vehicles, and a variety of other vehicles. The main challenge is to master driving and steering the vehicle from the perspective of the pilot or driver, with most games adding another challenge such as racing or fighting rival vehicles. Games are often divided based on realism, with some games including more realistic physics and challenges such as fuel management.

<i>Harpoon</i> (video game) 1989 computer wargame

Harpoon is a computer wargame published by Three-Sixty Pacific in 1989 for DOS. This was the first game in the Harpoon series. It was ported to the Amiga and Macintosh.

Panzer Campaigns is a series of operational level wargames originally developed by John Tiller Software, and currently by Wargame Design Studio. The games were originally published until 2010 by HPS Simulations, then self published by John Tiller Software until being bought out by Wargame Design Studio in 2021, after Tiller's death. There are currently twenty-eight titles in the series, spanning the various fronts of World War II.

<i>Naval War: Arctic Circle</i> 2012 video game

Naval War: Arctic Circle is a real time naval strategy game developed by Norwegian development company Turbo Tape Games and published by Swedish video game publisher Paradox Interactive. It was released on April 10, 2012. Naval War: Arctic Circle was announced at the 2011 Paradox Interactive Convention held in New York. The game is supported by the Norwegian Film Institute, Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Research Council, and is developed in close consultation with the Royal Norwegian Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panther Games</span>

Panther Games Pty Ltd is an Australian games developer, best known for the WWII Airborne Assault and Command Ops PC video game series. Panther Games specialises in developing operational level wargames for the PC Wargame market.

<i>Assetto Corsa</i> 2014 sim racing video game by Kunos Simulazioni

Assetto Corsa is a sim racing video game developed by the Italian video game developer Kunos Simulazioni. It is designed with an emphasis on a realistic racing experience with support for extensive customization and moddability. The game was first released through the Steam Early Access program on 8 November 2013, and officially left Early Access as final release version on 19 December 2014.

<i>Wargame: Red Dragon</i> PC game

Wargame: Red Dragon is a real-time strategy video game developed by Eugen Systems and originally published by Focus Home Interactive, released on April 17, 2014. It is the sequel to the 2013 Wargame: AirLand Battle.

<i>Kriegsmarine</i> (board game)

Kriegsmarine is a board wargame published by Simulations Canada (SimCan) in 1980 that is a simulation of tactical naval comabt in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during World War II.

<i>The Fast Carriers</i> Board game

The Fast Carriers, subtitled "Air-Sea Operations, 1941–77" is a board wargame published by Simulations Publications Inc. (SPI) in 1975 that simulates naval combat involving aircraft carriers from 1941 to the mid-1970s.

References

  1. ↑ "Command Store Page at Matrix Games". Matrixgames.com. Matrix Games. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  2. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (2013-09-24). "Game Review: 'Command' is A Worthy Successor to Harpoon". News.usni.org. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  3. ↑ Cobb, Jim (22 October 2013). "Review on Wargamer.com". Wargamer.com. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "CMANO official updates". Warfare Sims. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  5. 1 2 "IMPORTANT - FROM CMANO TO CMO, WHAT HAPPENS?". Warfare Sims. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  6. ↑ "Command: Northern Inferno". Warfare Sims. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  7. ↑ "MILITARY: COMMAND PROFESSIONAL EDITION-AVAILABLE LICENSES". Warfare Sims. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  8. ↑ "Command Professional Edition". Warfare Sims. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  9. ↑ "BAE Systems signs agreement to use Command". Warfare Sims. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  10. ↑ Jens McGonigle Lindblad (2013-10-10). "Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations 1.01 Review". SimHQ. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  11. ↑ Stone, Tim (4 October 2013). "Rock Paper Shotgun Review". Rockpapershotgun.com. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  12. ↑ af Martin Wiinholt Publiceret 29/12/2013 (2013-12-29). "Ĺrets Spil 2013: Simulator •" (in Danish). Eurogamer.dk. Retrieved 2016-09-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "Command: Modern Operations (Features tab)". Matrix Games. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  14. ↑ "Tacview Advanced". Raia Software Inc. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.