Joint Operations is a squad-based shooter from NovaLogic, the creators of the successful Delta Force series and Black Hawk Down. The game is set in 2006 within a heavily populated country being torn apart as the nation's military splits into two factions. Violence between factions is a threat to the country's innocent civilians as well as the world's economy. Joint Operations gives players the opportunity to either enlist in a Joint Force to neutralize the threat or to play as a separatist in the fight for independence.

Running on an enhanced version of the Black Hawk Down game engine, Joint Operations features what NovaLogic refers to as "realistic super-foliated" maps. In layman's terms, this means players can hide within the foliage while traveling by foot or in one of the game's vehicles. Players can transport teammates by sea in LCACs, by air in Chinook helicopters, and control other vehicles such as Humvees, troop transport trucks, ATVs, Black Hawks, Apaches, and Mark V speedboats. Multiplayer options include a variety of game modes, such as deathmatch, team deathmatch, king of the hill and capture the flag. The number of players supported is largely dependent on the map, though some maps support up to 64 players.