Command: Modern Air Naval Operations
Spiritual successor to the Harpoon series.
Command: Modern Air Naval Operations is a warfare simulation video game from Greek developer Warfare Sims and publisher Matrix Games, released on September 24, 2013. It is widely considered the spiritual successor to the Harpoon series, expanding on that franchise's scope and detail while addressing its technical constraints.
In the game, players manage units on a two-dimensional map of Earth. They can issue orders through preset missions or direct commands like "go here, do this." The scale of engagements is limited only by the scenario and the player's hardware—scenarios can range from small patrol boat skirmishes to global conflicts. Play times vary from a few hours to several days in real time, though players can accelerate time to speed things up. No commercial version of the game includes multiplayer. Both the original and its sequel feature a scenario editor that allows real-time adjustments and testing, and Steam users can share custom scenarios via the Workshop.
The development team released multiple updates based on player feedback, adding new mechanics, improvements, and bug fixes. After the sequel, Command: Modern Operations, launched on November 14, 2019, the original game was removed from Steam and the Matrix Games website, though existing Steam owners kept access.
Downloadable content adds new scenarios. One pack, Northern Inferno, released on October 22, 2015, depicts a 1975 NATO-Warsaw Pact World War III and includes 15 levels. Another series, Command Live, offers single-scenario packs based on current events.
A professional edition launched in May 2015, with advanced features for defense professionals and organizations. These include full database editing, umpire-controlled WEGO multiplayer, Monte-Carlo statistical analysis, and data import/export. Customers can select individual features. BAE Systems was among the first professional customers.
SimHQ rated the game 9.5 out of 10. Rock Paper Shotgun's Tim Stone criticized it for feeling incomplete versus competitors, citing weak audio, no multiplayer, and a high launch price. Eurogamer Denmark named it the Top Simulation of 2013.
The game and its sequel have won several awards, including the TIGA Awards 2024 for Best Education, Serious or Simulation Game; the Charles S.
- Developer
- Warfare Sims
- Publisher
- Matrix Games
- Release date
- September 24, 2013
- Platform
- Steam, Matrix Games website
- Genre
- warfare simulation
- Sequel release date
- November 14, 2019
Lore & Background
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.
Reader's Guide
Command: Modern Air Naval Operations is notable for its depth and scale, serving as a spiritual successor to the Harpoon series. The game received a 9.5/10 rating from SimHQ, and was picked as the 'Top Simulation of 2013' by Eurogamer of Denmark. However, 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, and high launch price. The game's professional edition, unveiled in May 2015, offered advanced functionality for defense professionals, with BAE Systems among its first customers. The game was taken down from the Steam Store and Matrix Games website upon the release of its sequel, Command: Modern Operations, on November 14, 2019, though previous purchasers retained access. Its legacy includes numerous awards, such as the GrogHeads Readers Choice Awards 2013 for Digital Wargame of the Year and overall Digital Game of the Year, and the Charles S. Roberts Awards 2019 for Best Modern-Era Computer Wargame.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed by Greek studio Warfare Sims and published by Matrix Games.
- A professional edition was unveiled in May 2015, with BAE Systems among its first customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Command: Modern Air Naval Operations?
CMANO is a modern warfare simulation that places the player in command of air and naval assets across a full globe map. It was built by the Greek studio Warfare Sims and brought to market by Matrix Games.
Who made Command: Modern Air Naval Operations and where can you buy it?
The Greek development team Warfare Sims created the title, with Matrix Games handling publication. Players can purchase it through Steam or directly from Matrix Games' online store; it shipped on September 24, 2013.
What is the relationship between Command: Modern Air Naval Operations and Harpoon?
The community generally views CMANO as the natural next step after the Harpoon line, carrying forward that franchise's depth while shedding the older engine's limitations. It gives players a far more detailed and flexible version of the same kind of naval-air combat sandbox.
How do you actually control units in Command: Modern Air Naval Operations?
You can either assign pre-built mission templates to your assets or type out individual orders telling each unit where to go and what action to perform. The size of the battle you can run is bounded only by the scenario author's design and your own machine's processing power.
Did Command: Modern Air Naval Operations get a sequel?
Yes—a follow-up entry arrived on November 14, 2019. It builds on the same simulation foundation while adding new content and refined systems.
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