Month: September 2025

A legend of the skies returns — rebuilt in stunning detail for a new generation of pilots

A symbol of history, perseverance, and bravery, the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress was forged in the skies over Europe and is famous for returning crews home against insurmountable odds. With an accuracy and level of detail befitting her fame, MicroProse will recreate this legend in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on 9 October 2025, with an MSFS 2020 version to follow later on.

Pilots all over the globe will be able to relive the thrill of flying historic B-17Gs and other WWII warbirds in Microsoft Flight Simulator thanks to MicroProse’s new Heritage Valor Collection.

B-17 Flying Fortress: The Queen Early Access October 9 Trailer

More than just simulation is at stake here. The main goals are to keep these incredible warbirds in the air for future generations to enjoy, to pass on our love of flying to them, and to preserve our heritage.

The development journey

Months of painstaking work have gone into recreating every single feature of the B-17G, including the bomb bay, top and ball turrets, the tail gunner’s position, and every inch in between. Joining fully animated crew stations, period-correct details, and authentic sounds captured directly from the flying B-17 Sentimental Journey are optional modern avionics for those who desire more navigational capabilities, as well as period-correct details.

Professionals versed in the aircraft’s actual behavior are assisting with the tuning of flight dynamics and systems. This meticulous attention to detail, along with the meticulous visual work, guarantees that the B-17G will have a genuine feel both when flying and when exploring.

Early access approach

As soon as the B-17G is “ready to start using,” it will be available in Early Access, giving sim pilots a chance to fly while also giving important feedback for future updates. While the team works to complete the sophisticated systems and make further improvements, they are releasing the aircraft in stages so that the community can connect with it early on.

Product features

An obsession with historical accuracy, meticulous study, and top-notch craftsmanship went into creating the B-17 Flying Fortress for Microsoft Flight Simulator. To pay tribute to the legacy of this legendary plane, we recreated it in stunning detail and made it as immersive as possible.

Launch features for the aircraft include a high-fidelity flight model, interior and exterior hand-crafted 4K PBR textures, effects for engine vibration both inside and out, sounds from Sentimental Journey’s engine, cockpit sounds recorded specifically for the add-on, and animations that can be used in multiplayer modes to further immerse players.

In addition to a maintenance model, a fully functional electrical system with circuit breakers, visible wear and tear, and an in-sim clipboard for basic aircraft functions will be available to pilots.

Looking ahead

With the B-17G as its inaugural member, the Heritage Valor Collection kicks off a larger initiative to acquire historically important warbirds for the Museum of Flight Simulation (MSFS). Aircraft that pay homage to these legendary planes are already in the works, with the goal of bringing them to life for the modern generation of sim pilots.

There will be a full crew, first-pass animations, a prototype of the in-sim clipboard system, a range of authentic liveries, and all basic systems, including the initial flying model, for the B-17G when it launches in Early Access. Following that, MicroProse will adhere to a regular update cycle, delivering new content and improvements every two weeks for about eight weeks, until the final release version.

Additional liveries, a crew configuration system, a maintenance mode, optional modern avionics, a paint kit, and the MSFS 2024 walk-around system will be added to the experience in that final release. The B-17G will be one of the most satisfying aircraft experiences in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the team plans to keep improving it beyond the final release by fixing bugs, introducing new features, and responding to user input.

Call to experience

This isn’t just an add-on for flight simulators; it’s an opportunity to experience what it was like to fly the “Flying Fortress” in the days when four Wright Cyclone engines rumbled through the air.

Get more information and view images about the B-17 Flying Fortress – The Queen for Microsoft Flight Simulator HERE. Find out more about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on its official website.

Major graphics update, long-awaited map changes, new weapons and more

Gaijin Entertainment and Darkflow Software are pleased to announce that the “Scorching Rays” major content update is now available for the online military shooter Enlisted. It brings new weapons, vehicles and headgear, as well as significant upgrades to the Tunisia map, and of course — ray tracing support for the latest graphic cards.

Watch the “Scorching Rays” Trailer HERE.

The research tree has been expanded with interesting weapons like the Kawaguchiya shotgun (a double-barreled shotgun with a bayonet), and the iconic “Chicago Typewriter”, an M1921AC Thompson submachine gun with a 50-round drum magazine. New vehicles have also been added, the Churchill VII heavy tank with 152 mm of frontal armor, the Chi-Nu II with a powerful long 75 mm cannon, and the lightning fast Ki-83 interceptor.

Players can also now get rewards from previous Battle Pass seasons, including rare weapons and vehicles, along with unique soldiers. The ability to get some of these is available until the 7th of October.

Ray tracing support greatly improves the visuals of the game by making lighting and reflections much more realistic. Various RT options can be enabled and disabled independently to allow for scaling performance for your specific GPU. Many more graphical details have also been added, like improved impact marks and explosion effects, plus other smaller details such as craters left by crashed aircraft and dirt on lenses.

Finally, the “Kahif cave village” section of Tunisia has been completely overhauled, making the once desolate desert a blooming oasis. We’ve also improved the layout of the terrain to make it easier to navigate both on the outskirts and within the village.

More information on the update is available at the official Enlisted website.

New Asia-Pacific Themed Expansion Leads of Hearts of Iron IV Expansion Pass

Before the war exploded in Europe, Asia had been fighting aggression for two years. Japan’s efforts to build an empire in China and the neighboring countries led to a prolonged war of attrition that would topple regimes across the region. In No Compromise, No Surrender, Hearts of Iron IV players will face new challenges as they rewrite the history of humanity’s greatest conflict.

No Compromise, No Surrender is a new expansion pack for Hearts of Iron IV, Paradox Interactive’s best-selling grand strategy wargame set in the years around World War II. With a focus on the Asian nations, No Compromise, No Surrender adds new game mechanics, deeper strategy and added historical flavor to Nationalist China, Communist China, Japan and more. It will reinforce your army on 20 November 2025.

Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass 2 Official Announcement Trailer

Highlights of Hearts of Iron IV: No Compromise, No Surrender include:

Additional supporting features and quality-of-life updates, such as new Naval Special Projects and updates to Naval Combat with improved carrier mechanics.

Hearts of Iron IV: No Compromise, No Surrender will be available on 20 November 2025 for the suggested retail price of $29.99/￡24.99/€29.99 or as part of the Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass 2.

The components of the Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass 2 are:

The Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass 2 is available now for the suggested retail price of $48.77/￡40.99/€48.77.

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

The wargame is set to be released on January 22nd, 2026

During Wargamers annual celebration, Home of Wargamers 2025, Matrix Games presented War in Spain 1936–39. This release marks the debut of a new wargame engine, designed to preserve the depth and authenticity cherished by the grognard community, while introducing significant improvements in realism, playability, and scope. The first title in this new series, War in Spain 1936–39, captures the intensity of the Spanish Civil War with a deep attention to detail. Developed by an international team of experts, the game has been meticulously researched to the highest standards of historical accuracy, encompassing logistics, land, sea, and air units.

Players will be able to engage with nine campaigns of varying length and scope, playable against the computer opponent, in hot-seat mode, or via play-by-email. The game’s map scale of 5 nautical miles per hex delivers an immersive operational and strategic experience. With orders of battle and combat resolution modeled down to the individual vehicle, aircraft, gun, and squad level, the game covers the conflict in extraordinary depth.

From division-level operations down to brigades, regiments, battalions, and even company-level engagements, the game offers an authentic recreation of one of history’s hardest-fought conflicts. Players will command forces and equipment from Spain, the Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, and other nations that shaped the course of the war on land, at sea, and in the air.

Find out more about War in Spain 1936-39 on its official webpage.

Matrix Games is thrilled to announce a major addition to the Combat Mission: Cold War franchise. During Home of Wargamers 2025—the annual event highlighting the most anticipated wargames of the coming months and years—the company unveiled its brand-new DLC. Excitingly, fans won’t have to wait: the DLC is available immediately, bringing fresh content and new tactical challenges to players worldwide.

The newly announced and just released British Army of the Rhine DLC expands the acclaimed tactical simulator with additional vehicles, units, and armies, building on the base game’s focus on the Fulda Gap and the hypothetical clashes between the US Army and the Warsaw Pact.

Combat Mission Cold War – British Army of the Rhine Gameplay Trailer

Starting today, Cold War enthusiasts can take command of three new armies.

The BAOR DLC also features three full campaigns—one for each new faction (UK, Canadian, and Soviet Airborne “Lost Company”)—as well as dozens of standalone scenarios that let players experience the full spectrum of Cold War tactical warfare. In addition, it introduces a brand-new region: the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada, offering challenging terrain perfect for custom battles and even “Blue on Blue” engagements.

Whether players prefer armored assaults, infantry maneuvers, or combined-arms operations, Combat Mission: British Army of the Rhine delivers an authentic, deeply tactical wargaming experience.

Combat Mission: British Army of the Rhine is available now on the DLC’s official webpage.

Matrix Games has released WEGO World War II: Overlord, the operational-level wargame that recreates the iconic Allied invasion of Normandy and the campaign that followed. Step onto the beaches of Normandy and lead your forces through one of history’s most decisive campaigns.

With 14 scenarios ranging from D-Day landings to the breakout from Normandy, dynamic weather, and authentic airborne and seaborne operations, Overlord delivers the most immersive WEGO experience yet.

WEGO World War II: Overlord Gameplay Trailer

Following in the footsteps of Stalingrad and Desert War, this new chapter in the WEGO series brings enhanced tactical depth, historical accuracy, and the unique simultaneous turn-based gameplay that sets the series apart.

You can is now available to purchase on the WEGO World War II: Overlord webpage.

Gaijin Entertainment is thrilled to announce that the “Tusk Force” major content update for the online military action game War Thunder has been released to players. The update name is inspired by the new subtree of Thai ground vehicles, and the update itself features dozens of new military vehicles for different nations and eras. Some great examples include the American M55 self-propelled howitzer and the sleek B-66B jet bomber, the Chinese Qing-6 flying boat, the Thai F-5TH Super Tigris and the USS Charles F. Adams destroyer.

Watch the Tusk Force Release Trailer HERE.

The F-5TH Super Tigris is an extensively modernized variant of the F-5E/F Tiger II developed and operated by the Royal Thai Air Force in the late 2010s. This considerable upgrade brings modern avionics, radar, new cockpit elements and most importantly — compatibility with highly advanced air-to-air and precision-guided weapons, bringing the capabilities of the aircraft up to a modern standard.

The M55 is a huge 203mm self-propelled howitzer produced in the USA, and later exported to many allied nations, including Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. In War Thunder, it relies on teamwork to operate effectively, helping the team behind the frontline by supplying devastating supporting fire from a safer position. The benefit of a cannon this size is that accuracy doesn’t need to be perfect, as long as the shell connects it will more than likely be game over for your target.

Douglas B-66B Destroyer is a light bomber developed for the U.S. Air Force in the early 1950s as part of America’s shift toward jet-powered tactical aircraft at the beginning of the Cold War. Originally derived from a naval twin-engine jet bomber, the B-66B features sleek swept wings, optimized for transonic speeds. Powered by a pair of Allison J71 turbojet engines, the B-66B can reach top speeds of around 1,000 km/h at medium altitudes, complete with a sizable bomb load.

Charles F. Adams-class destroyers became iconic during the Cold War, combining traditional gunfire with cutting-edge missile technology. The lead ship of the class entered service in 1960 and immediately found itself at the epicenter of history, participating in the Mercury 8 mission and later the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. She is armed with the RIM-24 Tartar anti-aircraft missile system, which can also be used against enemy ships.

More information on the update is available on the official website.

Armored Warfare, the tactical free-to-play MMO from Wishlist Games, expands its Black Company Special Operations with the release of Tiger Shark. Mercenaries Joshua Seagrove and Kathryn Grey return in Tiger Shark, tasked with reclaiming a hijacked vessel from a pirate stronghold in the Indian Ocean. Facing ex–special forces warlord Louis Pareil, this mission pushes them into their toughest fight yet.

Check out the Launch Trailer HERE.

A New Chapter in the Black Company Saga

Tiger Shark picks up after the liberation of Port Houston in Lone Star. Seeking redemption from war crime accusations, Seagrove and Grey strike a deal with Suez Incorporated: recover a hijacked vessel in exchange for clearing their names. Their hunt leads them to a remote island, now a pirate fortress under Pareil’s command. Cunning, ruthless, and unpredictable, Pareil ensures this fight will be unlike any before.

Key Features

Rewards Highlights

Players can unlock a full set of achievements across vehicle classes and difficulty levels, with rewards such as:

The Tiger Shark Special Operation is available now in Armored Warfare. Jump in today, unlock rewards, and continue the Black Company story.

To find out more about Armored Warfare and download the game for free, visit the games official website, or visit the games Steam page.

June 2025 saw the launch of Broken Arrow, and with thousands of copies sold, this is just the beginning for developer Steel Balalaika Studio and publisher Slitherine, who have both been hard at work perfecting the ‘Everyone Fights!’ Update 1.0.10, available now for Broken Arrow via Steam.

Watch the Broken Arrow Update 1.0.10 – “Everyone Fights!” Trailer HERE.

What is coming with Update 1.0.10?

Player feedback continues to be crucial and is meticulously monitored by Steel Balalaika and Slitherine teams. The point of players leaving matches with no consequence is one that is flagged most notably, and will no longer be an issue with this latest game patch.

In the standard matchmaking mode, a system of progressive penalties is in place, meaning that if a player quits a match with no reconnection, a temporary ban will be in place from joining new matches. Each repeated violation will increase the penalty duration, ranging from 2 minutes for the first offence up to 3 hours for systematic leavers.

With this new system, Broken Arrow aims to reduce the number of matches where teams are left at obvious disadvantages, ultimately making the battles a more enjoyable gameplay experience for everyone involved.

This isn’t the only upgrade in 1.0.10, far from it. Alongside deserter penalties, Broken Arrow will also see the implementation of the surrender option mode. When victory is long past the horizon and only defeat remains, players can look to end matches early with this option, allowing them to move on to the next match and put their focus into new battles.

The surrender option also grants players greater control over the flow of a match and the time spent in each foray. This mode will be available in all current game mode inclusions and allows teams to end a battle on their own terms, without the additional penalties. The match is simply recorded as a loss for one side and a victory for the other.

Other 1.0.10 changes:

On top of the aforementioned improvements, Broken Arrow will also receive an abundance of amendments, bug fixes, brand new dynamic battle music, new and improved models for certain units, several new customisation options, and improved controls. Other highlights include:

Balance Improvement

· New tools to analyse player habits

· Factions’ win rates rebalance

· US Specialisations interoperability improvements

New Models

· Improved models for BMD-4 family of vehicles

· Upgraded armor customisation

· M4A1 URG-I Rifle

The battle pushes on, and so does Broken Arrow. Future updates will see further performance enhancements based on player feedback, and the developers will continue to iron out issues and improve overall factors of the game.

For more game information please visit the games website or its official Steam page.

This is not a drill. German tanks have been spotted on the horizon, moving fast and closing in. On September 19 at 17:00 CEST / 08:00 PST, Call to Arms: Panzer Elite will launch its Early Access offensive on Steam. The mission is more than pure entertainment—it’s a rallying call for players to join the front lines and provide vital feedback to help shape an outstanding game.

Call to Arms: Panzer Elite’s Early Access adventure begins with the opening chapter of its campaign in France, where players command a German tank platoon on a desperate mission to halt the Allied advance. During the Early Access period, developer Digitalmind Software will roll out regular updates, including additional campaign missions, more tanks and armored vehicles, and expanded PvP content, as well as new features for players.

A detailed Steam post answers frequently asked questions and emphasizes how community input will guide the game’s evolution throughout Early Access.

Watch the Call to Arms: Panzer Elite Early Access Release Trailer HERE.

Players can choose the standard edition, which delivers the full game experience for $29.99 / €29.99. For the first week of Early Access, a 10% launch discount will be available.

A Deluxe Edition upgrade adds extra skirmish maps for multiplayer or solo play, along with cosmetic skins for three vehicles. It will be offered at $19.99 / €19.99 and will also receive the launch discount.

Deluxe Edition Content:

About Call to Arms: Panzer Elite

Call to Arms: Panzer Elite is a tactical World War II simulation that puts players in command of a German armored battalion during the summer of 1944. Set in the aftermath of the D-Day landings, the game challenges players to hold the line against overwhelming Allied forces through strategic tank warfare and authentic battlefield decision-making. With full support for single-player, co-op, and competitive modes, Call to Arms: Panzer Elite combines realism, historical depth, and explosive action. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game features destructible environments, meticulously modeled vehicles, and uncompromising attention to simulation detail.