The game was designed by GolemLabs and published by DreamCatcher Interactive, debuting on March 28, 2002, for Microsoft Windows.
The start of play is set during the first week of January 1997, with the player assuming the role of the newly appointed leader of one of 140 controllable nations.
Players are given complete command over their nation from the use of thermonuclear weapons, to the level of taxes, to what kind of government is in control, to sending secret service operatives to conduct covert missions.
The main factor that makes the scenarios difficult is that they restrict what kind of actions you can take (Ex: not being able to use military action) Scenarios Freeplay is a sandbox mode, beginning with the choices of which nation to control, which objectives to complete and a time limit to complete them within.
[2] It has been heavily criticized for its many bugs, including some that do not allow the player to complete the game in the amount of time listed, the game often crashing back to the desktop even when all the computer requirements have been met, and the country's budget suddenly crashing.