Global Operations is a first-person tactical shooter video game developed by Barking Dog Studios and co-published by Crave Entertainment and Electronic Arts.[1][2] It was released in March 2002, following its public multiplayer beta version which contained only the Quebec map. The full game featured thirteen maps and featured both a single player and a multiplayer mode, which supported up to twenty-four players and three teams. Afterwards, a multiplayer demo with only the Antarctica map was released.[3] The game was built on the Lithtech game engine.[4]
The game focuses on firearms in a special forces setting, with a mixture of military and counter-terrorist type themes. The game features a large number of firearms, numbering in the dozens and including a wide selection of handguns and rifles. Many of them can be customized as well; for example, a C-mag and silencer can be added.
The singleplayer and the multiplayer mode offer different specialities (Commando, Recon, Medic, Heavy Gunner, Demolitions Expert and Sniper) with extra abilities and class-specific weapons. All classes can use all other classes' firearms (by picking them up off the battlefield), but each class does not have the same level of skill with a given weapon (such as less precision).[5]
Other features include a life-sign tracking device, as well other game items like tear gas grenades, smoke grenades and medkit. A LAW (Lightweight Anti-tank Weapon) can be used, as well as night vision and thermal vision.
The existing player base has continued improving the game by way of modifications and custom maps.[4]
The game received favourable initial reception. Actiontrip currently has the game at an 8.1 "very good" rating citing advanced teamwork over Counter-Strike.[6] The game holds a 79 on Metacritic based on 13 critics.[7]