Bosnian War is a simulation of the brutal ethnic war that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992–1995. There are two players: the Government player and the Bosnian Serb (VRS; Serb) player. The Government player controls the units of the Croatian Defense Council (HVO) although certain game events allow the Serb player to control the HVO units. The Serb player can also control the units of the Krajina Serb Army (SKV) through random events (13.0 & 17.0) or NATO intervention (15.0). The Government player can also control units of the Croatian Army (HV) under certain conditions (14.4). In this game, the enemy population is not the victim of collateral damage: the enemy population is the target, so conquering towns and cities and practicing ethnic cleansing is a key aspect of the game.

Each game turn represents three months of time. Each hex represents 12 km (7.5 miles). Each combat unit represents a task force ranging in size from a regiment to a division.

22 x 34-inch game map, 176 5/8-inch counters