Command: Modern Air Naval Operations
Command: Modern Air Naval Operations is a warfare simulation video game developed by Greek studio Warfare Sims and published by Matrix Games, and 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.
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.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.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.
Downloadable content
New scenarios are available for purchase in the form of downloadable content. One such scenario, Northern Inferno, released on 22 October 2015, depicts a World War III between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in 1975. It has 15 levels, 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. Features exclusive to the Professional license include full database-editing access, umpire-controlled WEGO-style multiplayer, Monte-Carlo mode, data import/export and more. These additional abilities are offered piecemeal to allow customers to tailor Command to their needs. One of the first unveiled professional customers has been BAE Systems.Reception
SimHQ gave the game a rating of 9.5/10. 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.Command: Modern Air Naval Operations was picked as the "Top Simulation of 2013" by Eurogamer of Denmark.
Awards
CMANO and CMO have received numerous industry & press awards, including:- TIGA Awards 2024 – Best Education, Serious Or Simulation Game
- Charles S. Roberts Awards 2019 – Best Modern-Era Computer Wargame
- MS&T Magazine Industry Simulation & Training Awards 2017 – Finalist
- GrogHeads readers Choice Awards 2013 - Digital Wargame of the Year and overall Digital Game of the Year
- Eurogamer.dk - Best Simulation of 2013
- USENET Wargame of the Year 2013
- War Is Boring Best War Games of 2013
Sequel