The player assumes the role of First Lieutenant Parker, an United States Army officer under the command of Colonel Sawyer. Their plan was to blackmail Western Europe to get the needed aid, but failing to achieve this diplomatically, the Soviet Union invades Western Europe. The game is set in an alternate reality of the year 1989 in which the Soviet Politburo elects to take military action to preserve the crumbling Soviet Union, rather than see it fall apart. Tactical Aids allow the player to perform special actions such as calling in airstrikes, deploying paratroopers and carpet bombing. World in Conflict uses a tactical aid system similar to that of Command & Conquer: Generals. For example, standard infantry has the offensive grenade launcher attack and are capable of a defensive sprinting maneuver. Most units have special offensive and defensive abilities that recharge after use. In addition, each role has its own exclusive units, that aren't available for purchase from other roles. Each role's basic units can be purchased by everyone but are more expensive for players with a different role. Finally, the support role contains anti-air, artillery, and repair units. Players choosing the air role have access to anti-armor, air superiority, scout and transport helicopters. The infantry role gives access to various infantry squads such as anti-tank teams, snipers, and light transport vehicles whereas armor allows players to use various classes of tanks, the dominant direct fire land combat unit of the game. The player may choose one of four roles in battle: infantry, air, support or armor.

The USA and NATO are pitted against the Soviet Union throughout the story as well as in online. Normally the Soviets are unplayable in the single player campaign.But with the Soviet Assault expansion pack you can play the Soviet parts.These parts are distributed in the campaign and cannot be played seperately.

World in Conflict contains three main factions: USA, Soviet Union & NATO, all playable in multiplayer games.

World in conflict mods