2026 is proving to be quite the remarkable year for anniversaries. While Panzer Corps prepares to celebrate its 15th Anniversary on July 11th, the United States of America marks the most extraordinary milestone on July 4th: 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

This year also marks the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, two of the most famous American engagements of World War II. As we reflect on these historic anniversaries, we could not help but notice another fitting connection: the legendary 82nd Airborne Division fought in both of them. From the skies over Normandy to the frozen forests of the Ardennes, the “All American” Division was at the forefront of some of the most important battles fought by the United States in Europe.

As proud as we are of the Panzer Corps franchise reaching fifteen years, our anniversary is but a drop of water in the ocean compared to the quarter millennium history of an entire nation. So, in our own small way to help mark and commemorate this special year for the United States, we wanted our next Elite Campaign to pay tribute to one of the most famous formations in American military history: the legendary 82nd Airborne Division, the “All American” Division.

There were many worthy candidates for our choice for the next Elite Campaign. From the armored spearheads of the 1st Armored Division “Old Ironsides” and the 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels,” to the hard-fighting formations of Patton’s Third Army, America fielded no shortage of iconic units during the Second World War. However, after the heavy tank battles featured in our Ghost Division and Soviet 1st Guards campaigns, we felt it was time for a change of pace. An Airborne Division offers a completely different flavor of combat, and no American formation embodied it better than the 82nd Airborne.

And once we closely examined and researched the combat record of the 82nd, we knew we had found our star. From Sicily and Italy, to the skies over Normandy on D-Day, to Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, the 82nd Airborne was present at every single one of these major American engagements fought on the Western Front of the European Theater. The result is truly an action-packed journey through some of the most famous battles of World War II!

We’ll be revealing much more information about Elite: All American in the days ahead. For now, you can check out the link below for additional details and screenshots.

Panzer Corps 2: Elite – All American Store Page

Wishlist the DLC on Steam.

Two new Operation Neptune battlefields, spectacular destruction effects, improved animations and fresh weapons arrive in the WW2 online shooter

Gaijin Entertainment and Darkflow Software announce Operation Neptune, a new major content update for Enlisted, the squad-based online shooter dedicated to the key battles of World War II. The update brings players to Normandy, expands the research trees with new weapons and vehicles, and significantly improves the look and feel of combat with reworked explosions, ricochets, tracers, animations and visual effects.

“Operation Neptune” Update Trailer

The centerpiece of Operation Neptune is the new Omaha location, inspired by the Allied landings on Omaha and Sword beaches. The new battlefield offers varied terrain, where trenches, pillboxes, artillery craters, barbed wire and coastal batteries create new tactical opportunities for both attackers and defenders. Battles will also move beyond the beach itself, taking players through battered urban districts, rural areas, farms, factories and warehouses, each demanding a different approach to movement, cover and squad tactics.

Operation Neptune also adds new research-tree equipment for several armies. The USSR receives the SU-122 self-propelled gun, built on the T-34 chassis and armed with a gun capable of threatening both infantry and armored targets. Germany adds the Nashorn tank destroyer, equipped with the powerful 88 mm PaK43 cannon, as well as the Suomi KP/-31 (SJR), an improved version of the famous Finnish submachine gun with better accuracy and a 71-round magazine. Japan receives the Type 4 90 mm anti-tank launcher, while the United States adds the F7F-1 Tigercat, a fast twin-engine heavy fighter armed with 20 mm cannons, Browning machine guns and bombs.

The update also makes Enlisted’s battles more spectacular and readable. Tank destruction effects have been reworked, including improved ammunition rack fires and turrets that can be blown off by internal explosions. These turrets are not just cosmetic: they can crush soldiers unlucky enough to be standing beneath them. Flying debris now leaves smoke trails, fires can spread to nearby grass, and vehicle armor penetrations produce more visible sparks, smoke and flames, helping players better understand the result of their shots in the heat of battle.

Aircraft destruction has received similar attention. When planes are destroyed in the air, they now produce more powerful explosions, while torn-off parts scatter more naturally and leave fiery trails behind them. Small arms bullets can now ricochet off armored vehicles, and the update also improves muzzle flashes, dust from impacts, fire animations and other battlefield effects. Finally, tracers now have a more natural teardrop shape, with thin fading tails, brighter heads and thickness that better reflects the projectile’s caliber. This makes incoming and outgoing fire easier to read.

On PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One, visual presets have been updated to improve image quality while keeping the same FPS target. PlayStation 4 now uses high quality Temporal Hyper Resolution at 1080p, Xbox One switches to 720p upscaled to 1080p with high quality THR, and PlayStation 4 Pro now outputs a 4K image. On PC, ray tracing has received under-the-hood CPU optimizations with better multithreading and caching, improving performance on systems with a weaker CPU and a strong GPU.

More information about Enlisted is available at the official website, or on Steam.

Slitherine has announced that “Battleplan“, its latest World War II strategy game, will be releasing on July 14. Prepare to take control of armies and tactically draw up your plans in some of World War II’s largest battles. Relive history and dictate your path to victory.

Battleplan Release Date Announcement Trailer

Battleplan is a historical, WW2 real-time strategy game of unparalleled realism and simulation. Fight across massive battlefields created from real-world geographic data. Create your army by customizing your order of battle and chain of command. Draw directly on the map to create elaborate plans, and watch your officers carry them out.

Wishlist Battleplan today on Steam.

Many of the mightiest medieval rulers feared the judgment of an even greater power. But that greater power is also a distant one, its will only interpreted and imposed by mortals that claim to speak with divine authority. This is a semi-divine power that can be turned to mundane ends. The Church can be just one more avenue to glory and prestige. On 30 September, you can experience the drama and power of the medieval church in Crusader Kings III: By God Alone.

By God Alone, an upcoming core expansion for Crusader Kings III, introduces new ways to engage with religion and church politics. Focusing on the development of Christian leadership through the medieval era, By God Alone allows you to play theocratic landholders such as archbishops or even the Pope, guiding your flock, increasing church power and fattening your purse.

The expansion also adds many new ways for characters to interact with their religion, with new faith-based activities and a reworking of rites and tenets. You can follow the straight and narrow or defy the religious authorities and bend the faith to your own will. But beware. Mortal concerns and earthly power are not all that matters.

Crusader Kings III: By God Alone Announcement Trailer

Crusader Kings III: By God Alone includes:

• Playable Theocracies: Take control of landed realms headed by an archbishop or even the Pope himself. As the Papacy, new resources of power and wealth will be at your disposal.
• The Christian “Situation”: A new persistent Situation for Christian realms, allowing actions and decisions connected to the development and progress of the Faith. You can participate in Ecumenical Councils to decide on religious tenets and beliefs.
• Heresies: Religious rites that diverge too much from the standard Faith steal power and wealth from the Church and may be declared heretical, forcing you to either conform or rebel.
• The Great Schism: In the 867 game start, the Christian church will eventually reach a crossroads for the faith. This can result in the Great Schism, separating Western Catholicism from Eastern Orthodoxy.
• Monastic Holy Orders: Centers of both research and theological power, Monastic Holy Orders offer potent bonuses to those who host their headquarters. Chief among their offerings is spiritual fulfilment, for their prayers protect secular rulers from eternal damnation.
• Changes to Religious Tenets: Revisions to the tenet system in Crusader Kings III now center characters’ relationships to their faith and what is appropriate behavior within that faith. Follow heretical beliefs that push the boundary of what is accepted or have your personal preferences adopted and accepted through internal church politics.
• Spiritual Fulfillment system: Traits, actions and religious tenets work together to paint portraits of characters’ inner spirit and spiritual life. Sinful or virtuous actions are not merely a concern for stress, but can also affect relationships with God and concerns about the afterlife.
• Archdioceses: New clerical titles that have religious authority over a geographical region independent of the secular rulers’ lands.
• College of Cardinals: The Pope can appoint cardinals across Christendom. But, the struggle between secular and religious authority never ends – secular rulers can use their power to influence the appointment of Cardinals and the direction of the Church.
• Dynamic Holy Sites: Faiths can now dynamically change their holy sites as they grow and change over time.
• Cathedrals: Cathedrals can become the focal point for reverence of specific saints or other holy figures, leading to them becoming Holy Sites.
• Puppets: In order to interact with the political machinery of the church, secular rulers will be able to puppet clerical characters so they can act on their behalf.

And more!

Crusader Kings III: By God Alone will be available on 30 September 2026 and is part of Chapter V for Crusader Kings III. It will also be available as a standalone purchase the suggested retail price of $19.99/£16.99/€19.99.

More information about Crusader Kings III is available on the official Crusader Kings III website or on the games Steam page.

Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading naval multiplayer game World of Warships, is celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence Day with a wealth of new content as part of its 15.5 update. Players will be greeted with a new Independence Day themed New York port upon login, and can enjoy themed content including a new narrative campaign and Event Pass full of special camouflages, ships, destruction effects, and more. New ship customisation effects are also here in the form of Decals, along with other gameplay changes and enhancements.

World of Warships 15.5 – 250th Anniversary of American Independence Trailer

A Brand New Dawn of a Nation Narrative Campaign

Headlining the update is Dawn of a Nation, a brand new narrative campaign with four unique chapters exploring the history of the Thirteen Colonies and their journey to independence. A new chapter is unlocked weekly, and players that progress through the story over the next month will earn valuable themed rewards, including Historical U.S. commanders John Glover and John Paul Jones, the Betsy Ross flag, American Tier VIII premium cruiser Congress, as well as new enemy destruction effects and a special permanent camouflage for Tier X ships. Progress Tokens can also be earned through activities, granting Dawn of a Nation containers that offer pieces of the campaign’s themed historical collection and award the rare camouflage Minuteman for the Supership Maine.

Celebrate 250 Years of American Independence with a Special Event Pass

The celebrations continue with the 250 Years of Independence Event Pass, rewarding a host of content across two progression lines to complement players’ American fleets. The first progression line, open to all players, includes the Statue of Liberty Commander with an individual voiceover, the Stars & Stripes permanent camouflage, an Artillery Chest container, and the Freedom permanent camouflage for Baltimore as the final reward. For 2,500 doubloons, players can unlock the second progression line and work towards earning the Revolutionary permanent camouflage, U.S. Premium battleship Arizona, the new Old North State permanent camouflage for North Carolina, and the new Thirteen Salvos enemy destruction effect as the final reward. The Go Navy! permanent camouflage for Helena is also received as a bonus reward.

Dive Deeper into Ship Customisation with New Decals

In addition to Independence Day celebrations, update 15.5 introduces Decals, a brand new customisation feature allowing for greater ship personalisation, obtainable via special combat mission containers. Decals include historically-inspired symbols, mottos and other artworks placeable on ship hulls. While they’re currently limited to Tier IX ships, the functionality will be expanded in future updates.

Italian Submarines, Shadow Mapping, and More

Italian submarines Pietro Micca and Pietro Calvi remain available in Early Access as part of this update, allowing players to experiment with the unique Exhaust Smoke Generators native to these stealthy vessels and the Italian tech tree. Each submarine also comes armed with main guns equipped with semi-armor piercing shells, complemented by an improved Main Battery Reload Booster consumable, allowing for powerful attacks on unsuspecting foes.

Improvements to in-game shadow mapping are also here, along with Season 34 of Clan Battles, three new Brawls, and a new Rare Tier X battleship Sete de Setembro arriving in the Armory.

You can find the full patch notes HERE.

Visit the World of Warships website for more game information.

MicroProse is pleased to announce that Drone Sector, the futuristic tactical gunship command game blending close air support with real-time squad leadership, will launch in Early Access on Steam on July 21st.

To celebrate the announcement, players can jump into the battlefield right now with an updated playable demo, currently available on Steam during Steam Next Fest.

Drone Sector Launch Date Trailer

Inspired by platforms such as the AC-130 gunship and MQ-9 Reaper drone, Drone Sector puts players in command of an advanced aerial weapons platform tasked with supporting allied ground forces in hostile environments. Combining devastating firepower, battlefield observation, and tactical decision-making, players must guide squads, eliminate threats, complete objectives, and extract safely under pressure.

Far more than a pure aerial shooter, Drone Sector challenges players to think strategically. Coordinate autonomous squads on the ground, identify high-priority targets, and adapt to evolving battlefield conditions using advanced surveillance systems and overwhelming firepower.

The currently available demo offers players a focused first look at the experience, featuring fluid gunship combat, squad command mechanics, tactical camera systems, and two handcrafted missions with semi-randomized objectives. Players can also experiment with the full loadout builder and a variety of weapon options ahead of launch.

Wishlist and grab the Demo on Steam!

Matrix Games have announced that Brian Kelly’s WEGO World War II: Desert War, will be out on Steam June 22nd. WEGO World War II: Desert War is an operational level, ground-centric wargame which captures the drama of North Africa during WW2. The game allows the players to recreate the epic tank battles between the Allies and Axis powers for the control of Libya and Egypt.

The game centers on real historical scenarios as well as ‘What If’ scenarios allowing players to feel the ebb and flow of battle. Command air, land and naval forces in 12 scenarios that explore the action from the Italian Invasion of Egypt in 1940 to Rommel’s defeat at El Alamein in late 1942.

Matrix Games has released a new set of screenshots for Decision Point: Battlegroup Operational Simulator, its tactical wargame about intent, action, and reaction. Players issue NATO-standard, intent-based orders using authentic AAP-6C terminology, marking clear objectives and operational guidance directly onto real-world terrain maps. Subordinate units interpret and execute these plans autonomously in real time, adapting dynamically to terrain, threats, and evolving battlefield conditions.

Check out the screenshots on the Matrix Games news site. More game information is available on Steam. Decision Point: Battlegroup Operational Simulator is scheduled for release in 2026.

Kraken Studios, known for its WarPlan series and Kingdom Dungeon and Hero, is excited to announce that the updated demo for Total Victory: World Conflict 1939-1945 is now available on Steam. In this new preview, play as Germany’s Afrika Korps in the Operation Sonnenblume Scenario and experience your first taste of naval combat.

Command Key Players of WWII from 1939 to 1945
Pulling inspiration from classic wargames, such as ADG’s World in Flames, SPI’s ETO, and others, Total Victory is a grand strategy wargame that allows players the chance to experience the entirety of World War II in a variety of different ways. It combines moderate complexity and divisional-level strategy with historically inspired units and production. Play as any major nation from the Axis, Allies, or Comintern. Manage production, military units, and prominent historical commanders. Lead land, naval, and air forces against rival nations.

Realistic World Map and Tile-Based System
In Total Victory, a modified Mercator map with NATO symbols or, colorful silhouettes icons, highlights military units unique to each nation. Manage the deployment of a wide range of period-based military units used throughout the war, each with unique attributes. Use land units such as infantry, armor, paratroopers and marines to engage the enemy from the front lines, and select from a wide variety of aircraft models to attack from above. Command carriers, battleships, cruiser, destroyer, and submarine groups in land, air, and sea operations. Monitor your nation’s overall manpower and oil, as they could be crucial to the war’s outcome. Ore fuels the industry that produces war materials for steel, tanks, aircraft, and support units. Through continued research, explore over twenty technological advances that unlock new units, combat enhancements, and intelligence to enhance your nation’s military power.

Strategy-First Gameplay
Total Victory replaces the pain of endless menu-clicking, often found in other popular RTS games, with an easy-to-use interface. With an automatic reinforcement and supply mechanic, players can now focus more on making strategic decisions rather than unit upkeep. Players can also enjoy multiple ways to play. Battle against an AI opponent and enable add-on bonuses for rival alliances in readiness, production, and more for an increased challenge. Exchange your latest moves through PBEM or play pass-and-play on a single PC against a friend in Hotseat mode.

New Scenario Available for Steam Next Fest
Command the Afrika Korp in “Operation Sonnenblume,” the new North Africa 1941 scenario launching in the Total Victory Steam Next Fest demo. Taking charge of German and Italian forces against a formidable British defense, you must master a grueling operational campaign that tests your strategic endurance, patience, and timing of attack with limited forces. The scenario begins with Rommel on the move in March of 1941 and ends in December of 1941. This scenario introduces naval assets for naval support and critical resupply for units on the coast.

Try the updated preview of Total Victory: World Conflict 1939-1945, now available on Steam.

New Theater Pack for Hearts of Iron IV Highlights Australia, Siam and Indonesia

Japanese expansion into the southwest Pacific would be a crippling blow to the Allied powers of World War II. Control of the seaways and regional resources will determine the fate of Asia and perhaps the world. In Thunder At Our Gates, you can take on the challenge of directing regional opposition to the advancing Empire with new focus trees and historical flavor for three nations.

Hearts of Iron IV: Thunder At Our Gates Official Release Trailer

Available today, Thunder At Our Gates is a new Theater Pack for Hearts of Iron IV, Paradox Interactive’s grand strategy wargame about the years around the Second World War. In this pack, you can explore new ways to either resist or submit to imperial aggression, playing as Australia, Siam or the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia.

Thunder At Our Gates also includes new ways to organize the leadership of your armies and navies.

This Theater Pack is accompanied by a free update that includes many game changes, including the Regimental Support feature, introducing new ways to attach support units to your divisions, including several new regimental support companies.

Hearts of Iron IV: Thunder At Our Gates is available now on Steam for the suggested retail price of $19.99/£16.75/€19.99.