However, Computer Gaming World's Terry Coleman noted that the series' complexity made this job "too daunting" initially.

[1][2] This project fell through in July 1998 to become the independent wargame Combat Mission, in the run-up to Hasbro's purchase of Avalon Hill.

[8] Levay described Squad Leader as an effort to capture the original's "spirit",[7] and to make an "accessible" tactical game,[9] rather than a hardcore simulation or literal adaptation of the board version.

[7][8] The head of marketing for Squad Leader's computer version, Tom Nichols, explained that the game was "heavily based" on Chaos Gate.

[8] Squad Leader also reused that project's game engine,[8][9] which had likewise appeared in Random's Soldiers at War.