DESCRIPTION

Released to coincide with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States, Commander in Chief lets gamers test their mettle when it comes to managing all of the complex real-life challenges facing the world in 2009. The game interface includes a 3D world map with information about 192 countries and more than 8,000 cities, as well as video inserts and scrolling news tickers with details about important economic, social, environmental, military, and cultural issues. Strategists must also deal with the complex maneuvering of 50 international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and OPEC.

Players begin each game by selecting cabinet members, a process that takes into account more than 250 personality attributes. Gamers must then get to work dealing with internal issues, such as taxes, education, homeland security, lobbyists, and natural disasters, all while managing external issues such as military engagement, trade agreements, foreign relations, and terrorist attacks. As in real world politics, nothing in Commander in Chief occurs in a vacuum, and even the smallest domestic decisions can have massive global implications. Players can participate in "Open Mode," where the goal is simply to stay in power for as long as possible, or "Missions Mode," in which gamers must meet specific challenges. A multiplayer "War Game Mode" also lets up to 16 gamers compete for global dominance. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide