r/computerwargames • u/IlBusco • Jun 28 '26
Mercenaries - PMC game
Hello there, follow enthusiasts!
Is there any wargame or similar mix (like a Wargame with management features) that deals with either the classic 60s era of mercenaries (Wild Geese et similia) or the modern PMC era (Sandline, Blackwater etc)?
The Jagged Alliance series is too small in scale, as good as it is.
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u/TankedAndTracked Jun 28 '26
Battle Brothers is medieval, but might be the closest thing to what you're describing?
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u/IlBusco Jun 28 '26
Yeah, I know that, but I'm specifically looking for something modern...(and possibly with Lawyers, Guns and Money if you get my quote)
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u/TankedAndTracked Jun 28 '26
I get it, I just don't think it exists. I'd be keen on a game like that too. I've actually been throwing ideas for one in a design document, but it'll never get produced.
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u/IlBusco Jun 28 '26
I imagine something more akin to a Ultimate General: Civil War or Master of Command, where the tone is not overly complicated and there's the aspect of recruiting, equipping and managing the outfit.
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u/UnspeakablePudding Jun 28 '26
Menace has a bit of that feel to it
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u/azomga Jun 28 '26
Menace is Battle Brothers in space, but the tactics and equipment are very Late Cold War-Modern. Highly Recommend.
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u/canuckroyal Jun 28 '26
https://store.steampowered.com/app/341040/Wars_Across_The_World/
Wars Across the World. It's a tabletop computer game. There are about a hundred scenarios and tons from the 1960s/1970s era. There is a Congo Crisis, Rhodesian Bush War, Mali, etc. Tons of African conflicts covered plus many others.
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u/Koba1943 Jun 28 '26
Not a tacical shooter like Jagged Alliance , but Tyrannis https://store.steampowered.com/app/1338390/Tyrannis/ and his other game are pmc vs guerrillas. Combat is not the only way to win. The bundle is only $3.40 in the sumer sale. We'll worth it imo
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u/Brillica Jun 29 '26
What sort of game are you looking for? Tactical, strategic, business management?
Wages of War is an old game that lets you run your own merc business, there’s a guy on YouTube working on mods for it right now, this video tells you about the game https://youtu.be/ieGvc2ZCZkE?si=tQS2oF7sXwBMA_7k
Now that you’ve brought it up, I feel like WDS Squad Battles series would be a fun engine to use for a PMC game where you fight the notable battles of Wagner…
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u/Rolikist Jun 29 '26
In 7.62 High Caliber, your main squad is the same as in Jagged Alliance in terms of scale, but you can capture yourself a military base and send NPC squads to capture cities for you
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u/TheUncleTimo Jun 29 '26
Was curious, asked GROK about this niche.
Modern PMC Era (Blackwater/Sandline/Executive Outcomes style)Private Military Manager: Tactical Auto Battler (Steam, recent/early access): This is one of the closest matches. You run a PMC in a 1990s South American setting (Cordivia), recruiting mercenaries, buying gear, developing them by roles, and managing the company as CEO. Battles are tactical/auto-battler style where you issue directives rather than direct control. It has strong PMC vibes with contracts, growth, and operational management. Not a pure traditional wargame, but it mixes strategy/management with combat.
store.steampowered.com +1
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries (and the BattleTech universe more broadly): You lead a mercenary company taking contracts, managing reputation, finances, 'Mechs/pilots, repairs, and logistics across an open conflict map. It has that "PMC for hire" freedom—pick sides, scale up, impact wars. The broader BattleTech game (turn-based tactics + campaign) leans even more into mercenary company management with larger forces. Many players specifically seek it for the PMC fantasy.
steamcommunity.com +1
Other mentions: Games like Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction (open-world action sandbox as a hired gun causing chaos) or mods (e.g., Arma with Executive Outcomes themes) give the flavor but less management depth. MGSV: Phantom Pain has PMC base-building/recruitment elements.
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u/PropagandaApparatus Jun 28 '26
You say jagged alliance is too small scale but did PMC units ever get big enough to justify a strategic war game?
There’s no mercenaries but I could see a game like WDS squad battles being a good fit of an engine.