Strategy and Wargaming

Wargame is back with a second dose of free DLC for the million-selling franchise’s third installment, Wargame: Red Dragon. In this new expansion for the spectacular real-time strategy game from Eugen Systems, which will patch automatically into the game today, 12 new units and an additional full-length story campaign are added, which takes the war to 1992 charging an uchronical alternate-history narrative.

Fielding some of the most advanced military technology of the time, The Second Korean War will see China, North Korea, and the Soviet Union pit themselves against the might of the United Nations’ coalitions. Armed with the Patriot missile system, the USA buffs their anti-air defenses, as do the Chinese with the JH-7. The South Korean K9-Thunder marches onto the field, to the detriment of the USSR’s elite Spetsnaz GRU infantry units.

In the all-new campaign, a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev succeeded in 1991, a year prior to the events of the narrative. The former guard succeeds Gorbachev, and restores Soviet order, bringing them closer to the communist leaders in Asia, as leaders in the West grow ever-distant from the Soviet super-power. After a year of friction, the entire Korean peninsula is at war as the Soviets and UN coalitions take their increasingly distancing ideologies onto the battlefield.

And there’s more good news: Wargame is the MidWeek Deal on Steam!

SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe, Ltd. today announced Total War: Rome 2 – Emperor Edition, the definitive edition of the best-selling game in the Total War series from Creative Assembly. Emperor Edition collects together all free content to date, which includes wide-ranging revisions, additions to game features and adds a brand new Campaign Pack expansion, ‘Imperator Augustus’.

Most importantly, existing Rome 2 players will receive all of the above content via automatic update on the day of launch, upgrading them to Emperor Edition at no cost.

The new ‘Imperator Augustus’ Campaign Pack adds hundreds of hours of sandbox gameplay across a new campaign map reflecting the geopolitical boundaries of the Second Triumvirate War. Players will determine the outcome of a vast civil war, which saw Octavian, Marc Antony and Lepidus vying to become the very first Emperor of Rome.

Alongside all feature updates from launch (including Twitch.tv integration, touch controls, new factions, new units and now the Mac version), Emperor Edition also features an improved politics system, overhauled building chains, rebalanced battles, and improved visuals in both campaign and battle.

For more information about Emperor Edition and the’ Imperator Augustus’ Campaign Pack, please tune in to the latest episode of community show Rally Point which aired today.

“This war, like the next war, is a war to end war.” (David Lloyd George – UK Prime Minister)

One hundred years ago today, Russian and German forces were standing facing each other in East Prussia. This early confrontation on the Eastern Front – known as the Battle of Tannenberg – resulted in the almost complete destruction of the Russian Second Army and the suicide of their main commander, Samsonov. On the German side the battle made Paul von Hindenburg famous for the rest of the war, and proved that moving troops quickly by train could bring a decisive advantage. Technology was an asset that could make all the difference in the years to come…

In To End All Wars – their new Grand Strategy game dedicated to WW1 – Ageod (www.ageod.com) aim to reproduce in detail this conflict that involved all of the main powers of this period. The AGE engine has been especially enhanced in order to cover the specifics of this war. New technologies, trenches, war plans, aerial and armored units, and an original diplomatic system have been implemented to simulate the Great War with a high level of realism.

Today we are proud to announce that the game is finally released! Players can now embrace a new military career by leading the destiny of one the major WW1 alliances that fearlessly fought, not only for Europe, but also for Africa and Asia. The game allows a high degree of freedom in terms of decisions, so battles, diplomatic relations, political events and war production will depend on player’s choices.

In order to celebrate the release we are offering a $5 discount to the early adopters during the week of the launch! Note that To End All Wars will be released on Steam as well on August 29th and that this version will also benefit from the launch discount. We are also going to offer a free Steam key to anyone who has a copy the game, wherever they bought it from, once the game is available on this digital platform!

Get more information on To End All Wars from its product page and its official Introduction Video.

New Story-driven Real-Time Strategy Game With Stellar Cast Announced

Paradox Interactive today revealed that Ancient Space, a new story-driven real-time strategy (RTS) game from developer CreativeForge Games, will be coming to Windows and Mac PCs in Fall 2014.

Ancient Space is a single-player, real-time strategy title that puts the player in command of a fleet conducting a scientific mission on the edge of the known universe, charting what lies beyond in ‘The Black Zone.’ A rich and compelling story will guide the player as they build and upgrade their fleets and then survive overwhelming odds in deadly strategic missions.

See what awaits beyond the fringes in the Ancient Space announcement trailer.

Ancient Space mixes an engrossing single-player campaign story with time-honored RTS gameplay for a suspenseful experience. Mission objectives are many, varying from exploration to stealth, from assault to defense and more.

Ancient Space is host to a cast of characters voiced by fan-favorite actors from sci-fi television series and films, including:

• John Billingsley (Star Trek: Enterprise, True Blood)
• Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica)
• Ron Glass (Firefly)
• Richard Gunn (Dark Angel)
• Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers, Star Trek: Nemesis, Saw)
• Dwight Schultz (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager)

Ancient Space Features:

• New Frontiers, Classic Gameplay: Build, maintain, upgrade, and strategically command a multitude of ships in tactical battles and missions, facing aliens, pirates, and the unknown
• An Explosive Space Opera: A compelling story, performed by a stellar cast, follows the player as the fleet tackles questions of humanity and science in an epic single-player campaign
• Live with Your Choices: Each mission advances the plot, and introduces new challenges to be met by choosing the right crew and the right upgrades for the job

For more information on Ancient Space, visit the games official website.

We are very pleased to announce, along with The Lordz Games Studio, the release of the 1.52 update for the PC version of Commander: The Great War! This patch comes with loads of fixes and improvements for an enhanced gameplay experience.

This time the focus was set on the AI and technical issues reported by the community. With this new boost the AI is likely to provide an even tougher challenge, so good luck commanders!

Please find below the official changelog of the 1.52 update.

PC and Steam versions:

• Various AI crashes fixed including the AI crash caused by incorrect embarking and the long (to infinite) AI turn loops
• Fixed a problem with loading game when custom unit name has “,” (comma)
• Fixed Unmoved unit cycling with PageUp/PageDown keys
• Introduced double click to confirm action or move to reduce accidental actions/moves
• Rendering via Direct3D support
• Fixed a bug in the Steam installer causing game not always starting
• Fixed camera AI swinging bug by auto zoom-out on turn end
• Added link to gameplay support forum

Click here to download the 1.52 patch. Steam will download the update automatically.

Get more information on Commander: The Great War from its official game page.

Rome 2 players will find their game updated via Steam today with a new, free content pack. The August Warriors Update adds unique units such as the Hex-Bearers, Amazonian Riders and Scythian Noblewomen to several playable factions, and includes a significant upgrade to the Suebi roster.

Also available for purchase today, the Daughters of Mars Unit Pack brings fearsome new warriors to Rome 2. Whether in defence of their homelands or called upon to fulfil their part in glorious conquest, female combatants featured throughout the ancient world. Adding a swift and deadly mix of fighting styles and abilities to the fray, generals will wisely place value on those who aspire to be the avatars of the war gods themselves!

Daughters of Mars expands the faction rosters of Rome, the Lusitani, the Suebi and Sparta. These new units can also be hired as mercenaries from specific provinces, whichever faction you play as.

Find out more at the official Total War: Rome 2 website.

Learn the Art of War with the Father of Europe in “Art of War” and “Charlemagne” Content

Paradox Interactive today revealed two new game expansions for their award-winning grand strategy titles Europa Universalis IV and Crusader Kings II. The expansions, entitled “Art of War” and “Charlemagne,” coming respectively to Europa Universalis IV and Crusader Kings II, will add new events, new mechanics, new in-game abilities, and plenty of new ways to change the course of history for strategy fans everywhere. Both expansions will be available for their respective games on Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs in the near future.

Charlemagne will introduce Crusader Kings II players to the man who became the “Father of Europe,” uniting much of the continent for the first time since the since the fall of Rome and founding the Holy Roman Empire. Now starting in 769 AD – another century to play! – the expansion will include a series of story events that follows his rise to power, and will come with new game options to allow players to chart their own places in history – such as a new in-game “Chronicle” that highlights a dynasty’s conquests, marriages, and labors for the faith. Kingdoms are also more customizable in Charlemagne with the option to create your own with custom names and banners.

Join the revolution and watch the trailer for Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne HERE.

In Art of War, players of Europa Universalis IV will add new possibilities to explore what Clausewitz called the “continuation of politics by other means.” Changes to battle mechanics will allow wily warlords to launch sorties from sieges, sell obsolete ships and transfer occupied lands to allies. A revamped Reformation system will let you relive the Thirty Years’ War in a series of unique in-game events to see how they fare in Europe’s greatest conflict prior to the 20th century. Once the fighting has settled down, rulers will be able to try a new set of diplomatic options inspired by the Napoleonic Era, including the creation of client states to support – or resist – revolutions. And this is just the beginning.

View the trailer for Europa Universalis IV: Art of War HERE.

To learn more about Europa Universalis IV, visit www.europauniversalis4.com.

To learn more about Crusader Kings II, visit www.crusaderkings.com.

All New Standalone Single-Player Expansion Reliving the Infamous Battle of the Bulge

SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault; an all new standalone single-player expansion and a harrowing new chapter in the critically acclaimed series. Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault is inspired by the conflict that Winston Churchill once described as “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war” – the Battle of the Bulge. The new campaign content will see players take control of the US Forces in this pivotal World War II battle in the densely forested, strategically critical Ardennes region of Western Europe. They will face huge tactical and navigational challenges as they strive to repel a surprise attack from the relentless German Oberkommando West forces in 18 brand new, single-player scenarios.

Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault will feature three entirely new Companies to choose from within the US Forces, each with their own unique Officers and play-style. Players will see their decisions and actions reflected across the Ardennes landscape in this dynamic new single-player campaign. Player choices are crucial as every decision will not only impact the story but also their Company with upgrades and Veterancy carrying over from mission to mission. With limited soldiers under your command, you must manage their lives and well-being effectively or risk losing that Company for good. Will you lead your Company valiantly and emerge as heroes?

“We can’t wait to bring our players this awesome new single-player campaign for Company of Heroes 2,” said Greg Wilson, Executive Producer at Relic Entertainment. ”We managed to include more missions in this expansion than we had in the original release and it’s packed full of great new features which we’ll be revealing over the coming months.”

Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault is developed by Relic Entertainment and will be launching on November 18, 2014, for Windows PC and PC digital download platforms.

August 13, 2014 – One hundred years ago today Austro-Hungarian forces cross the River Drina and start their invasion of Serbia. General Oskar Potiorek, Commander of the Austrian forces in the Balkans expected a quick and easy victory, but unexpected resistance from Serbia led to the Battle of Cer that resulted into a serious defeat for the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Field Marshal Putnik, the battle hardened leader of Serbian forces, launched a counter-attack on August 15th giving the Austro-Hungarian’s a bloody nose. Although both sides sustained heavy casualties, the Austro-Hungarian army, surprised by the tenacious resistance fell back in panic and disarray. General Potiorek was humiliated but it was only the first major encounter on this front and lots of famous battles followed.

However Europe was not the only battlefield and at the same moment in Africa, the Entente was seizing the capital of Togoland from the German Empire. The war was spreading like wildfire!

In To End All Wars, the latest wargame designed by Ageod, you will be able to refight the Great War and to manage the destiny of your alliance across the world. Trenches, aerial warfare, new technologies, and an original diplomatic system have been implemented to model the conflict with a high level of realism.

To End All Wars will be available on August the 26th. The countdown has begun…

Get more information on To End All Wars from its official product page.

June 21, 1941 – The German army suddenly turns east and embarks on its ambitious Operation Barbarossa intended to put German troops to Moscow in a couple of weeks. This was the first move of a frightful 4-years conflict that involved millions of soldiers, tanks and weapons of all genres.

In Battle Academy 2, you will have the possibility to join both sides and re-fight some of the key operations that made the east front legendary. Building on the qualities of its predecessor, the gameplay of Battle Academy 2 will preserve both the accessibility and dynamism that built its reputation while enhancing it with brand new tactical tools and vast amounts of new content as well. There are 4 campaigns, a random map generator, multiplayer modes with cooperative and versus gameplay and a unique skirmish mode that allows to generate an infinite number of customized scenarios, you should prepare for long, tough journey on the Eastern Front!

Matrix Games and Slitherine have the pleasure to unveil the official release date of the game: Battle Academy 2 will be available on both our sites and Steam on September 12th.

Get more information on Battle Academy 2 from its official product page.