A "mission control" (administration) system for controlling multiple game playing satellite computers on a network employs a mission control program that sends generic control commands to the satellite computers for controlling game programs to be played on the satellite computers. In response to a generic command to start a game program, the satellite computer's game control program loads a game-specific command set from its database for controlling the selected game program, and provides the mission control program with status information on the game program. The game-specific command sets are derived by analyzing each game program and determining standard game control codes. The game status information is derived by parsing game log files and identifying keywords. A plurality of mission control sites can be connected via Internet to a network server which provides an online interface to players anywhere.