Chain of Command (computer game)

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Composite screen shot of "Battle for the Bunker," one of the many Chain of Command maps.

Chain of Command is a free, online, multiplayer WWII game. In each battle, players can join the German or American team. Each player controls four individual soldiers in a squad and there are 1-10 players per team. On an overhead isometric map, each battle lasts a maximum of 15-20 minutes.

A player's perspective of the battle is limited by his line of sight and visibility of subordinate teammates. Kills are calculated through mathematical probability. As opposed to the lowest ranking soldiers, the commander has a good overall view of the battle. Promotion points are passed on through the highest-ranking survivor of each team to lower-ranking players.

To play, one must first register an account. After the account has been verified, one downloads the program (Windows only) and connects to one of the rooms. All commands in the game are entered via mouse by clicking the table of buttons at the bottom of the screen. Each soldier is assigned a row of buttons, or may select the top row to command all his or her soldiers at once. The text-chat interface offers communication to other players for help or gameplay.

The game was originally made by 2AM Games, which went bankrupt in early 2001. The game itself now survives with dedicated players that mostly play in the evenings in North America. The weekends are especially busy.