Götterdämmerung Expansion Transforms German Strategy

Thought crippled by the settlement of the last war, a strong Germany has returned as the axis of power in Central Europe. This strength only heightens the resentment for what is thought to have been a historic injustice. But history is not written in stone. What path will Germany take in your hands? Can you revitalize socialist resistance to the Fascist regime? Will German might take its shape under a revived monarchy? Brace yourself for the gathering storm and write a new history of the world’s most dangerous years in Götterdämmerung, a new expansion for Hearts of Iron IV, coming on November 14.

This addition to Paradox Interactive’s popular strategic wargame focuses on the key player of the Second World War – the Germany Reich. Through new National Focus Trees, people can steer this great power through years of armed struggle against ideological foes. This expansion also revises special research projects – like rocketry and atomic weapons – and offers new combat options.

Watch the Hearts of Iron IV: Götterdämmerung official announcement trailer HERE.

Features of Hearts of Iron IV: Götterdämmerung include:

  • Larger German Focus Tree:
  • Revised national focuses and alternate historical paths for one of the most played nations in Hearts of Iron IV. Revised political paths include new monarchist content, a restored democratic Germany and alternate fascist militarist paths. More character driven events add flavor to the war’s central player.

  • Revised Austrian Focus Tree:
  • New alternate histories for Austria free of German control, as well as content for surrounding countries that were once part of the Habsburg Empire. There is also a revised historical path for AI controlled Austria.

  • Hungarian Focus Tree:
  • Rebuild the nation, using technology to overcome manpower shortages. Reform the Austro-Hungarian Empire and forge a powerful, unified faction.

  • Belgian Focus Tree:
  • Resist or welcome German supremacy. Draw on the natural wealth of the Congo and build potential for an African government-in-exile.

  • Special Projects:
  • Build scientific facilities to pursue advanced research in special projects, assigning scientists to further your war effort. Special projects include nuclear physics, advanced aircraft, rocketry, advanced tanks and artillery, naval engineering and electronics.

  • Raids:
  • Attack important enemy targets with carefully planned strikes. Enemy ports, industrial structures, research facilities and special resource collection areas are potential targets for bombing strikes, commando raids or paratroop attacks.

  • And more:
  • Including, changes to the map art to show new structures, AI players better at planning attacks, changes to the use and effectiveness of atomic warfare, and deeper city combat.

    Hearts of Iron IV: Götterdämmerung will be available on 14 November 2024 for the suggested retail price of $24.99/£21.99/€24.99. Götterdämmerung is also available through the Hearts of Iron IV Expansion Pass 1, which includes other game content, including a country pack to be released next year, at a 20% discount for included items.

    For more game information please visit the official Hearts of Iron IV website, or via the games Steam page.

    armored-brigade-iiMatrix Games has released a new trailer featuring American Vehicles from their upcoming simulation strategy game Armored Brigade II. You can view the trailer and read a short article to help you follow along here.

    Building on the success of its acclaimed predecessor, Armored Brigade II elevates the wargaming experience by skillfully blending accessibility with tactical depthall within a new, more immersive 3D graphic landscape. This finely-tuned balance makes it an ideal choice for both newcomers and veterans of military wargames. Engage in a simulator that offers both pausable real-time and turn-based gameplay, where every decision counts. Authentic, detailed gameplay captivates players of all levels, immersing them in a world where strategy and realism converge.

    At the heart of the game are the command and control dynamics. Orders and information take time to be received and executed, influenced by factors such as training, doctrine, distance from HQ, and communication within formations. This system creates tense moments, especially when waiting for orders during critical situations. Players have the flexibility to issue orders to formations using a mix of general commands and specific Standard Operating Procedures. Engage in combat under a variety of weather and lighting conditions, each realistically affecting combat capabilities and tactics.

    Armored Brigade II is scheduled for release November 15th on the Matrix Store.

    broken-arrowSlitherine and Steel Balalaika announce that the release date of Broken Arrow, originally planned for a 2024 launch, had been moved to 2025.

    Marco Alessandro Minoli, Director of Publishing, stated: “The game won’t be releasing this year as intended, but we felt it was necessary. This decision is motivated by our desire to fully meet our community’s expectations, to ensure that Broken Arrow is the best game of its kind and that it provides a flawless experience to its players. To achieve this, we needed to run more extensive testing and iterate on improving the code efficiency. We don’t want to underestimate any potential issue and we’d rather wait than risk letting anyone down on day one. The development team has been hard at work and we can’t wait to show you what is new for the game“.

    The publisher acknowledged that this will disappoint many players and members of the game community, but there is some good news for them as well: a new multiplayer Open Beta will be available for everyone to play on November 12th. Throughout the entire month of October, Broken Arrow fans can expect weekly developer diaries on the Steam page, which will highlight all the latest updates and showcase the content available in the beta, including new units, specializations, maps, and features.

    Furthermore, fans can expect an important reveal of Broken Arrow in December, which would also be the occasion for a very special announcement.

    Slitherine, the publisher, and Steel Balalaika, the developer team, promise to players that their patience will be rewarded: “We think we have an amazing game on our hands and we are certain that you won’t be disappointed“.

    What is Broken Arrow

    Broken Arrow is a large-scale real-time modern warfare tactics game. A unique army building system and deep units customization tools allow for endless replayability. With 200+ realistic military units and technologies, each battle is more immersive than ever before.

    Click here for more game information.

    Broken Arrow Strategy and Wargaming | Donster | |

    headquarters-world-war-iiThe wait is over. The first DLC for Headquarters: World War II—the Market Garden expansion—is out now. This is your chance to dive back into the action and experience one of World War II’s most daring offensives from the front lines.

    In the Market Garden DLC, you’ll pick up right where the base game left off, following the Normandy landings of 1944. Get ready to command British land forces as they embark on a critical mission to relieve Allied paratroopers trapped in the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden. With eight new, intricately designed battles, you’ll be tackling fierce German resistance and navigating complex tactical challenges to save the surrounded paratroopers.

    You can find out more details about Headquarters: World War II HERE.

    commander-europe-at-warThe beloved 2007 classic Commander: Europe at War is back and better than ever. With a full remake set to release soon, the game is poised to serve as a perfect entry point for both veterans of the genre and newcomers to hex-based wargames. Developed by Fury Software, the same team behind the Strategic Command series, this remake delivers enhanced 3D graphics, smarter AI, and modernized gameplay that bring the experience of World War II strategy into the modern era.

    Players can take command of history by leading either the Axis or Allies in six immersive campaigns beginning in 1939, spanning the European and African theaters of the war. With a 3D hex-based map and fully rendered units, the game lets players control vast armies, air forces, and naval fleets in their fight for dominance or survival. From managing resources to researching advanced technologies and deploying commanders to key fronts, every decision can shift the balance of power on the battlefield.

    Key Features

    Six Epic Campaigns
    Players can relive the entire scope of World War II across six detailed campaigns, ranging from the early Blitzkrieg in Poland to the final battles for Berlin. The game’s wide-reaching map takes you from the Atlantic to North Africa and as far as the Urals, providing players with a comprehensive view of the conflict.

    Enhanced 3D Graphics
    The remake features a fully upgraded 3D map and unit graphics, allowing for greater detail and control in strategic planning. The more immersive visuals make it easier for players to navigate the battlefield and engage in complex operations.

    Smarter AI
    The AI has been overhauled to present a more dynamic and reactive opponent. Players can expect greater challenge, as the AI adapts to their tactics and forces them to rethink their strategies.

    Intuitive Interface and Enhanced Gameplay
    A streamlined and modernized UI makes the game more accessible while still offering the depth fans of the genre expect. Whether you’re a veteran or new to the world of wargames, Commander: Europe at War balances tactical complexity with easy-to-learn mechanics, making it ideal for newcomers.

    Total Control
    Players must not only focus on tactical battles but also manage key aspects like technological research, resource distribution, and diplomatic decisions. Commanders can be strategically placed on crucial fronts to maximize their impact, offering an additional layer of strategy.

    Multiplayer Options
    For those seeking to test their strategic skills against other players, the remake offers both Play by Email (PBEM++) and hotseat multiplayer modes. This allows for endless replayability and the opportunity to face off against friends or foes.

    Optimized for Modern Systems
    The game has been optimized for a variety of display setups, supporting HD, Full HD, 2K, and 4K resolutions. Whether you prefer playing in full-screen or windowed mode, the game offers flexibility for different devices and preferences.

    A Classic Revived
    As a remake of one of the most accessible and beloved WWII strategy games, Commander: Europe at War will appeal to wargame enthusiasts, history buffs, and casual gamers alike. Fury Software’s efforts to enhance the game while maintaining its core appeal ensure that this remake will be a fresh and exciting experience for anyone looking to relive the grand strategies of World War II.

    Whether you’re strategizing massive offensives or holding out in a last-ditch defense, this remake of Commander: Europe at War promises to immerse players in a conflict that shaped the world. Get ready to command history and reshape the course of war when this iconic title makes its return.

    Don’t miss your chance to experience the ultimate WWII strategy game. Add Commander: Europe at War to your wishlist on Steam today and be among the first to lead your forces to victory when it launches.

    six-days-in-fallujahToday, Victura announced its much-anticipated “Command and Control” update for the historically accurate first-person tactical shooter Six Days in Fallujah, available November 7, 2024, for all players on Steam.

    Six Days in Fallujah brings video game players closer to the realities of war by recreating real-world scenarios and authentic military tactics and blending these with documentary videos featuring interviews with Iraqis and Americans who were present during the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004.

    The upcoming Command and Control update reintroduces, and modernizes, the “squad-based shooter” genre, which was pioneered by games like the original Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, Brothers in Arms, and SOCOM, but has been mostly abandoned for more than a decade due to the technical challenges of delivering realistic AI teammates that players can control. This upcoming update will allow players to execute sophisticated military tactics, like fix-and-flank, breaching, and 360-degree security, by giving orders to their AI fireteam.

    This update also introduces Six Days in Fallujah’s first two single-player story campaign missions, making Six Days in Fallujah the world’s first documentary videogame. These missions bring players inside the events that led to the creation of ISIS and the first major battle in which Iraqis and Americans joined forces to fight Al Qaeda in Iraq, which had seized control of the city of Fallujah.

    Six Days in Fallujah initially launched into Steam Early Access on June 22, 2023, instantly becoming the world’s #1 best-selling PC game, and it remained a Top 10 seller throughout the following week. Conceived by Sgt. Eddie Garcia, a Marine who was wounded during the battle, Six Days in Fallujah was created in collaboration with more than 100 US Marines and Soldiers as well as more than two dozen Iraqi civilians and soldiers.

    Developed by Victura’s internal development studio, Highwire Games, Six Days in Fallujah features a first-ever “Procedural Architecture” system that reshapes the physical architecture of buildings each time the game is played; just like actual combat, players never know what to expect. Six Days in Fallujah asks players to overcome real-world scenarios with their fireteams by using real-life military tactics while experiencing an unglamorized depiction of one of the most consequential events of the 21st century.

    Six Days in Fallujah’s Command and Control Update Key Features:

  • Advanced Fireteam AI System: The game’s innovative “Go! Command” makes it as easy for players to give orders to their AI fireteam as it is to fire their weapon. One tap causes the team to execute authentic military tactics, such as Fire and Maneuver, Breaching, Covered Movement, Ambush, and 360-degree Security.
  • First Documentary Story Missions: The first two single-player story campaign missions available in the Command and Control update draw players into the genesis of ISIS and the opening day of the Second Battle of Fallujah. These missions also act as a tutorial for solo players to learn the tactics and controls for leading three NPC teammates using the newly implemented Fireteam AI system.
  • New ‘HLZ Wolf’ Procedural Mission: In addition to two all-new single-player story campaign missions, the Command and Control update also includes the new “HLZ Wolf” “Procedural” mission, which can be played solo with Fireteam AI, as well as cooperatively with up to four human players. This brings the total number of “Procedural” missions to eight. And, for the first time, teams with fewer than four human players can now fill open slots with sophisticated AI teammates.
  • Graphical Overhaul: The game’s graphical engine has also been significantly upgraded. The game now adds ray-traced lighting and many new visual effects through NVIDIA’s RTX Global Illumination (RTXGI) technology, building upon the game’s industry-leading Global Dynamic Lighting and Procedural Architecture technologies, which dynamically simulate real weather and lighting effects and re-shape the physical architecture of buildings so no encounter indoors or outdoors is ever the same.
  • Additional Improvements: More than 300 technical enhancements, improving everything from game performance to the effectiveness of enemy AI to the smoothness of interactions and controls.
  • Six Days in Fallujah is available for purchase for Windows PC in Early Access via the Steam store for $39.99. Current players will be able to download the update free of charge once it is released. Future Steam Early Access updates will add more content and features to the game before Six Days in Fallujah’s full release on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles in 2025.

    More information about Six Days in Fallujah is available at www.sixdays.com.

    headquarters-world-war-iiThe Market Garden expansion introduces a new British campaign with eight meticulously crafted battles, focusing on the events of Operation Market Garden.

    The first DLC expansion for Headquarters: World War II deployed on Steam today. The Market Garden DLC continues the story from the base game following the Normandy landings of 1944 and covers the daring and massive offensive from Allied forces that was Operation Market Garden.

    Watch the Headquarters: World War II – Market Garden Trailer HERE.

    In this new campaign, players command British land forces tasked with reaching and relieving Allied paratrooper units that have landed in the Netherlands and are holding key bridges in the area of operation. However, due to stubborn German resistance and a series of setbacks, players find themselves fighting to save the paratroopers.

    In addition to an all-new British campaign, which is made of eight meticulously crafted battles, the Market Garden DLC also introduces new units for every playable country – 5 British units, 2 US units, and 3 German units. For the first time, players can deploy the UK’s Staghound Tulip and the US’s Sherman Calliope rocket launcher, ensuring that all three factions now have their own powerful rocket units. All new units in the DLC are available in Skirmish and Multiplayer modes.

    You can find out more details about Headquarters: World War II HERE.

    gary-grigsbys-war-in-the-east-2A new update is out for War in the East 2. This is planned to be the Final Feature update for WITE2. You can download the update here.

    We still intend to fix bugs as they are reported. If you do find a bug please report it on the Matrix Forum or the Gary Grigsby Discord. We would like to thank our fans for their steadfast support over the last three years as WITE2 has grown with the Steel Inferno DLC and numerous major updates.

    We have added many new gameplay options to allow the player to customize morale by nation as well as combat delay effects, campaign end conditions, repair rates, leader casualties, and more. All of this is aimed at allowing players to tailor WITE2 to suit their preferred playstyle and historical balance.

    We’ve also added the option to allow for production for the Axis side as an optional feature, which will require support from modders to provide the necessary data, but makes possible a system for both sides similar to what the Soviet side has had from release.

    There are many other smaller fixes and improvements all with the goal that this will be the final, stable update for WITE2 for the long term.

    The full changelog is available to read here.

    We hope you enjoy playing War in the East II in the years to come. We are very excited to see what the modding community will implement with this framework.

    crusader-kings-3Major Expansion for Crusader Kings III Available Today

    Explore a richer and deeper medieval world in Roads to Power, the highly anticipated expansion of Crusader Kings III, Paradox Interactive’s best-selling strategy role-playing game about the Middle Ages. Travel a world of danger and opportunity as your character seeks wealth and adventure, or navigate the perilous waters of imperial politics – a setting where brute force often bows to diplomacy and intrigue.

    Watch the Roads to Power Release Trailer HERE.

    Roads to Power is the newest Major Expansion of Crusader Kings III, focusing on two significant changes to the core game experience. First, Landless Adventurer characters start with a camp and a few followers but can gain great power and influence by offering their skills to neighboring rules. Second, the Administrative Government playstyle comes to the Byzantine Empire, in a more historically appropriate representation of the political system of one of the great Mediterranean powers. An associated comic book about the rise of Basil I, “Many Roads to Power”, was published in August, free for everyone to read and enjoy.

    Features of Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power include:

  • Administrative Government: Experience medieval rule outside of the feudal system with a new style of empire management. A web of Governors jockeys for position in the empire with intrigue and power, sometimes rewarding merit and sometimes rewarding perfidy. Only a truly skilled Emperor can keep these squabbling forces in line.
  • The Family Estate: Run and manage a powerful Family Estate, the seat of your House’s power, even when you hold no other land. Construct new buildings and improvements to further your power and influence within an administrative empire.
  • Influence System: Build up a character’s influence within an administrative empire to climb the rungs of bureaucracy. Raise your status in the realm and gather more power for yourself. Start as a landless noble on an estate, and compete for valuable provinces to govern before making your bid for the Purple.
  • A Life of Adventure: Freely roam the map, untied to any realm or holding, going wherever the winds of fortune blow you. Fulfill contracts as a landless adventurer, even through the generations, building up a reputation of your own. Earn gold, prestige and fame travelling the globe until you decide to settle down and claim land you have earned through merit.
  • Choose Successor or Caesar: Spend the influence you have gathered to determine the course of the Empire and get the successor you want, whether a royal family member, a powerful noble, a martial hero, or any other candidate you can rally the people behind. The Emperor can even opt to co-rule if the burden of the throne is too much for one person.
  • New Byzantine Flavor Content: New events, monuments and activities built around the Byzantine theme, including chariot racing.
  • Cosmetic Additions: A Byzantine-themed UI skin and new court fashions for your characters, new 2D event art, new on-map monuments of the Byzantine world, new on-map holding designs, and a Byzantine throne room for Royal Court sessions, among other aesthetic improvements. New music inspired by Orthodox holy chants is also included.
  • Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power is now available for the suggested retail price of $29.99/£24.99/€29.99. It is also available as part of Crusader Kings III: Chapter III – which includes the Core Expansion ‘Legends of the Dead’, the Major Expansion ‘Roads to Power’ and the Event Pack ‘Wandering Nobles’.

    More game information is available on the official Crusader Kings III website.

    scramble-battle-of-britainSlitherine Games have announced that the major update to the Scramble demo is out now! Grab the demo on the games official Steam page!

    Here’s a list of the new features included in this version:

    Aircraft

  • Player can now fly the Me 109
  • Me 110 now appears as enemy aircraft
  • Missions

  • New pack of missions to showcase 109 and 110. 110 also crops up in some existing missions!
  • Gameplay options

  • Metric measurements now supported
  • Option to reset controls to zero at the start of each turn
  • UI

  • New-look menus with improved controller and keyboard functionality
  • Menu flow and UX unified and improved
  • In-game

  • Game can now be played with a mouse (this is very WIP and not refined!)
  • Player is now warned about dangerous loss of speed and potential stalling
  • Player can click on plane icons at top of screen to select individual aircraft
  • Score screen improved to give better breakdown
  • New pilot portraits added
  • Luftwaffe pilots now have portraits
  • Level flight autopilot option to reduce busy work for players
  • Match replay

  • Improvements to Replay system include unbroken playback option
  • Review phase UI and tools improved (e.g., player can now view entire match to date after any turn)
  • Too many bugfixes, balancing tweaks and performance improvements to mention!