Strategy and Wargaming

Christen Your Fleet in Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns

New Add-On Expands the Naval Game and Democratic Options

Two thirds of the earth’s surface is covered by water, and free access to the nautical highways is essential to empire. In wartime, these highways are contested waters and you, or an ally, must be able to regulate that traffic. Carriers, convoys and battle cruisers — these are the weapons of the sea. Your enemy is over the horizon. It is time to Man the Guns!

Man the Guns is the newest expansion to the best-selling grand strategy wargame, Hearts of Iron IV. Paradox Development Studio will have more to say in coming weeks, but, for now, our intelligence agents have been cleared to forward the following information:

• Man the Guns adds greater depth to the naval side of the war, including the ability to design your warships in more detail. Add armor or heavier guns through a modular design. You can also refit older ships so that they are more in line with the latest technology.
• Man the Guns also introduces new options for the democratic nations, including new paths for the United States and other great free nations. Explore alternate histories or fully mobilize the arsenal of democracy.

There are many more details to reveal, but, at the moment, these are state secrets.

And, as usual, Man the Guns will accompanied by a large, free update available to everyone who owns Hearts of Iron IV.

Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns will be available soon for a suggested retail price of $19.99. Click here to view the Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns announcement trailer.

Bow Before the Peacock Throne in New Europa Universalis IV Expansion

Europa Universalis IV: Dharma To Focus on Indian Subcontinent

A hundred and fifty million souls speaking dozens of languages stand between European traders and unimaginable wealth. Diplomacy, war and subterfuge will be used on both sides to either preserve the power of the Mughal emperor and his dependents or to undermine that throne. Unite the Indian people, or divide and conquer. You write the history in Europa Universalis IV: Dharma.

Dharma is the newest expansion for Europa Universalis IV, Paradox Development Studio’s best selling history strategy game about the early modern era. Dharma puts greater emphasis on peacetime interactions, especially for the varied nations of India and those colonial powers who want to make their fortune in Asia. This government design feature is the most significant change in Dharma, with some exclusive reforms for many nations.

In Dharma, players will find a new level of customization for their governments, since not every monarchy should be the same! Design a kingdom or republic with new reforms and upgrades as the balance of priorities shifts around you.

Features in Europa Universalis IV: Dharma include:

• Design Your Government: Unlock reforms that will define how you govern your kingdom or republic, earning free policies and boosting the power of some estates.
• Reworked Policy System: Policies get a new look in the free update, but Dharma will include special bonuses that make this system even more attractive.
• Trade Company Investments: Upgrade and improve the provinces tied to your trade companies, conferring bonuses both to the European master and neighboring Indian nations.
• New Cossack Government: Exclusive for owners of The Cossacks expansion.
• New Indian Mission Trees: Unique mission paths for the most important Indian sultanates and kingdoms.
• New Indian Estates: Alongside a free update to the estate system, India gets five new castes. Raise the brahmins to reduce unrest in a province or install Jain governors for a boost to income while reducing manpower..
• New Mughal Culture Bonus: The Mughal Empire can assimilate and accommodate newly conquered cultures with ease.
• Charter Companies: Europeans can buy a foothold into trade charter zones in Africa and Asia, if they can find a prince that trusts them.
• Upgraded Trade Centers: Invest in the development of your Centers of Trade
• And more, including: new ways to suppress rebellion, the monsoon season, new uses for colonists in non-colonial development, scornful insults, multiplayer teams, new art, and a host of new achievements.

As usual, Europa Universalis IV: Dharma will be accompanied by a free update for all Europa Universalis IV players, including a major reworking of the game’s map of India, Tibet and Burma.

Europa Universalis IV: Dharma will be available later this year for a suggested retail price of $19,99. Click here to view the Europa Universalis IV: Dharma announcement trailer.

Baptism or War! Force the Choice in Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury

Huge New Expansion Highlights Religious War

“One heart and one soul against the Christian name.” So went the message from Estonia after the routing of the Teuton invaders at Umera. The fires of faith burn hot, as local gods come under attack from a universal church that offers a stark choice – God or the Sword?

Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury is the newest and one of the most wide-ranging expansions to Paradox Development Studio’s beloved medieval grand strategy role-playing game. Take charge of a body of righteous warriors in Holy Fury, leading your army on a Crusade for the faith, or defending against attackers. Holy Fury takes its inspiration from the Northern Crusaders of Catholic Europe against its Pagan neighbors. Play either side in a new holy war.

In Holy Fury, Pagan rulers who reform their religion instead of converting will have a chance to design that new Reformed Paganism. A religion of peace or one of war? Will you be guided by the stars or bow to the whims of bloodthirsty gods? Who will lead this new church? Build a new creed on the ashes of the old ways.

Other features in Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury include:

• Shattered and Random Worlds: Start your game on a fictional map of Europe as a small realm fighting for space, or on a random map with historical analogues for the great kingdoms of yore.
• Warrior Lodges: Join a Pagan warrior lodge and raid your way up the ranks, unlocking access to powerful allies and greater military skill.
• Legendary Bloodlines: Descendants of great warrior heroes will have bonuses that match the accomplishments of their forefathers, including historical bloodlines of Charlemagne, Genghis Khan and others..
• Sway or Antagonize Your Neighbors: Try to win a reluctant vassal through charm and persuasion, or provoke someone you want to push into conflict.
• Sainthood: Pious Catholics can become canonized, passing on their glory to their descendants and making their resting place a site of great value.
• Coronations: Feudal kings and emperors must find clergy to crown them, since all power descends from the heavens.
• New Crusade Events: Deeper gameplay for the religious wars of the era.
• New Succession Laws: A Pagan Elder Council may have the final word in how a realm is divided among heirs, or a ruler may challenge his brother to combat to unify a realm.
• And much more: Changes to religion, custom names for people or objects, deeper baptismal mechanics, lists of people you’ve killed, and other small changes for flavor and variety.

Like all Crusader Kings II expansions, Holy Fury will be accompanied by a major free update for all Crusader Kings players, including changes to how Crusades work.

Holy Fury is coming in 2018 for the suggested retail price of $19.99. Click here to view the Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury announcement trailer.

Anniversary Edition Comes With New Expansion and Diorama

Paradox Development Studio is very happy to announce that its grand strategy wargame Hearts of Iron IV has sold one million copies. This is the third of its historical titles, after Crusader Kings II and Europa Universalis IV, to hit the one million market, and is evidence of a strong and durable market for challenging games about our shared past.

Hearts of Iron IV offers players unparalleled flexibility in exploring new historical paths and pursuing hundreds of “what if?” alternate futures, tied to a powerfully flexible war planning system that gives people control over wide fronts, amphibious operations and the air and sea.

Hearts of Iron IV celebrates the one million milestone and its second anniversary by announcing a special physical bundle for collectors and newcomers alike, that includes a special historical diorama designed by Power Up Factory.

“When we released the game, we didn’t know it was going to be such a success,” says Dan Lind, Game Director for Hearts of Iron IV. “We did not dare make a big physical collector’s edition. It feels great to be able to make something like that now – both as Game Director and as someone who loves miniatures!“. Mike Horn, CEO and President of Power Up Factory, is also very excited about the alternate history model his team got to design – the Italian Army raising its flag on the ruins of London.

“We’ve made a lot of interesting collectibles here, but this one’s a first for sure,” says Horn. “I lived in the Washington, DC area for many years and saw the real life Iwo Jima statue countless times. To now be able to make a creative interpretation of it? Amazing!”

Lind adds, “You know you have the right job when you can dream up alt-history scenarios for your game and someone makes a big ass amazing statue of it!”

The Hearts of Iron IV Anniversary Edition will include:

• Historical Diorama from Power Up Factory: A hand-painted collector’s diorama from the experts of game memorabilia. This diorama depicts an alternate history, with the Italian army raising its flag over the ruins of London.
• Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns: The newest expansion to Hearts of Iron brings greater depth and customization to the naval aspect of war, new National Focus options for the United States, unique actions for democracies and much more.
• Hearts of Iron IV Base Game: A Steam key of the best-selling grand strategy wargame that tests your understanding of subtlety, supply and strategy to keep or share with a friend.

If you want to spend a little extra, your Anniversary Edition can also include keys for every other Hearts of Iron IV expansion: Together for Victory, Death or Dishonor and Waking the Tiger.

For complete game information and to pre-order the Hearts of Iron IV Anniversary Edition, check out the product page at hoi4.paradoxplaza.com.

Go from Brick to Marble in Paradox’s Imperator: Rome

What we think of as “western civilization” was not guaranteed. Imagine Alexander’s empire centralized under one successor. Italy might never have been unified under Roman rule, strangling a juggernaut in its cradle. A world without Caesar. Now you can explore these alternate histories in Imperator: Rome.

The masters of historical strategy have returned to the days of legions and legends. Paradox Development Studio is happy to announce Imperator: Rome, an upcoming grand strategy game set in the classical world from the glory days of Athens to the establishment of the Roman Empire four centuries later. Rule any nation on the most detailed Paradox map ever stretching from the Pillars of Hercules to the far reaches of of India, allowing you to build an empire to dwarf that of Alexander. Govern republics or monarchies, balancing the factions, and keeping the loyalty of your most capable generals.

Imperator: Rome’s features include:

• Character Management: A living world of characters with varying skills and traits that will change over time. They will lead your nation, govern your provinces and command your armies and fleets. We also introduce our new, more human-like character art.
• Diverse Populations: Citizens, freemen, tribesmen and slaves – each population with its own culture and religion. Whether they fill your armies, fill your coffers or fill your colonies, keep an eye on their happiness – your success depends on their satisfaction.
• Battle Tactics: Choose your approach before battle to counter the stratagems of your foes.
• Military Traditions: Each culture has a unique way of waging war. Romans and Celts have different options available to them. Unlock unique bonuses, abilities and units.
• Different Government Types: Manage the senate in a Republic, hold your court together in a monarchy, answer to the clans in a tribal system.
• Barbarians and Rebellions: Migrating barbarians may sack or settle your best land, while disloyal governors or generals can turn against you – taking their armies with them!
• Trade: Goods provide bonuses to their home province. Will you take advantage of stockpiles for local strength or trade excess goods to spread the wealth around?
• Provincial Improvement: Invest in buildings, roads and defences to make your kingdom stronger and richer.

Imperator: Rome is scheduled for a 2019 release. Click here to view the Imperator: Rome announcement trailer.

Panzer Strategy is a historical wargame that combines classic turn-based strategy gameplay with modern looks. The game offers a never-before-seen level of tactic options. Prepare your own strategy, develop the army and fight your way through the real battles of World War II.

Scenarios in Panzer Strategy are precisely recreated from the archive maps and historical reports. Tanks, troops, artillery, aircraft and all the other forces start at the exact places where their real-life commanders had placed them. Armies in the game use historically accurate vehicles and weaponry, each with a unique set of actual traits. Every bit of Panzer Strategy is carefully crafted to stay true to the WWII history.

Panzer Strategy utilizes Unreal Engine 4 technology. For the first time in the wargame genre players can command armies so realistically recreated in full 3D on the battlefields so rich with details. Now the warfare of WWII is more immersive than ever.

Panzer Strategy is not only the most graphically advanced and historically accurate wargame to date – it’s the strategy itself that makes it stand out. The genre is famous for its complex gameplay. Panzer Strategy pushes the boundaries offering diverse tactic options and more than a hundred of customizable units. Moreover, the game adds a range of new mechanics to the mix: army commanders with unique abilities, headquarters management, fuel and ammo supply. Panzer Strategy is designed to create the most flexible strategy gameplay in the genre. You’ll experience the duty of WWII commander in full manner – with battle preparations, supply management and ruthless clashes.

Panzer Strategy is developed by Starni Games, an independent studio from Kyiv, Ukraine. Panzer Strategy is available on Steam Early Access with full release set for Summer 2018 on PC. Watch the Panzer Strategy Steam Early Access Trailer HERE. More information about Panzer Strategy can be found on the games official website.

Matrix Games today have announced that the new expansion in the Order of Battle series, Sandstorm, is now available.

Relive the deeds and battles of Erwin Rommel in North Africa in a new dynamic branching campaign spanning all of the North African theater. Command tons of new units from the Italian army, navy and air force. Learn how to master a new type of battlefield: the desert is merciless and only those who know it well will triumph.

This is a big day for the Order of Battle franchise: on top of the release of Sandstorm we’re proud to announce that the whole Order of Battle saga lands on GOG.com!

And to celebrate this day, we’re about to launch a new sale on all Order of Battle products! Starting from today until May 23rd, the following games will be discounted:

• U.S. Pacific – 75% off
• Rising Sun – 75% off
• U.S. Marines – 50% off
• Morning Sun – 50% off
• Blitzkrieg – 50% off
• Winter War – 50% off
• Kriegsmarine – 50% off
• Burma Road – 34% off
• Panzerkrieg – 34% off

Don’t miss this amazing chance to complete your Order of Battle collection from GOG.com! The offer is only valid for a few days, until May 23rd!

Get more information about Order of Battle: Sandstorm from its official product page!

476 Anno Domini. Romulus Augustus, the last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, has been deposed by Odoacer. The last vestiges of the first and greatest unifying power of Europe are now in ruins.

While the old western provinces of the Empire are now ruled by kings of Germanic lineage, the Eastern Roman Empire is solidifying its power, succeeding in preserving the ancient Roman legacy, but its frontiers are far from being at peace.

On its most eastern edges, the House of Sasan has dissolved the old Parthian rule, and on its ashes has created one of the most powerful and influential powers of Early Middle Ages: the Sasanian Empire.

A new age is coming, an age of transformation and bitter fights. An age of warriors and kings, of valorous emperors and generals.

To whom will you swear loyalty?

Age of Belisarius expands Field of Glory II forwards from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD to 600 AD, a period when the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) army transformed itself from a mainly infantry force to a cavalry army in response to the threats it faced.

You can be part of the flowering of the new “barbarian” kingdoms that replaced the Roman Empire in the west, and the conflict between them. You can play a major role in the resurgence of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and the reconquest by the Emperor Justinian I’s generals, especially Belisarius and later Narses, of the Vandal kingdom of Africa, the Ostrogothic kingdom of Italy and part of the Visigothic kingdom of Spain.

You can take part in the almost continuous warfare between the Byzantines and the Sassanid Persians in the East, and the Sassanids’ own troubles with their eastern neighbours, the Hephthalites and the Göktürks. You can lead the Avars to conquer a mighty empire north of the Danube, and to threaten the very existence of the Byzantine Empire – or you can defend against them.

Get more information about Field of Glory II: Age of Belisarius from its official product page.

Eugen Systems announced today that ‘First Blood’, the free anniversary update for Steel Division: Normandy 44, will be available on May 17th and will feature 2 new FREE divisions and unlock 2 ace models.

Let’s focus today on the most famous and dreaded division of the Waffen-SS, 1. SS-Panzerdivision “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler“.

ORIGINS

LSSAH traces its origin back to Hitler’s Stabswache (staff guard), his small group of bodyguards, back in 1923 when the Nazi party was still in its infancy and mostly involved in brawls with communists. It was their leader, Julius Schreck, who resurrected for them the old Totenkopf (Death Head) symbol & black uniform of the elite Totenkopfhusaren from Frederik the Great & Napoleon’s wars. Disbanded in 1923 after Hitler’s failed coup in Bavaria, it was recreated in 1925, expanded and reorganized several times that same year, until finally being known as Schutzstaffel (roughly “Protection Squadron”), more commonly referred to as SS.

Among the new members of that reformed SS was Heinrich Himmler, who in under two years was to rise as deputy-commander of the SS, and two more years later as its supreme commander. From a battalion-size unit when he took command, Himmler was to build an organization of a bit under a million men by the end of the war, with control over the army, the entire State security apparatus (from intelligence services to police and concentration camps) and a large part of the economy, etc.

But prior to the beginning of WW2, the SS was still a modest force. Membership started to rise in the early 30’s, concurrently with the Nazi party’s political successes. In 1933, when Hitler rose as Germany’s chancellor, his bodyguard had expanded to a regiment, 1. SS-Standarde, which provided the nucleus of the new chancellor’s guard. This new elite unit went on by several names before being finally named Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler in April 1934, under the command of Josef “Sepp” Dietrich for most of the war, throughout its expansion.

Read the rest of this blog post HERE.

The redde rationem has arrived. The HMS Queen Elizabeth and its Type 45 destroyers’ escort group has joined the Indian carrier Vikrant.

Together they are ready to retaliate against Pakistani forces, after the recent deaths of several British visiting officers killed by a rocket strike coming from the Pakistani border.

But Islamabad won’t just sit down and wait for the unavoidable attack. Intelligence is reporting that Beijing has been more than willing to provide anti-ship missiles and hardware to Musallah Afwaj-e-Pakistan (Pakistani Armed Forces), specifically conceived to kill supercarriers.

Who will prevail?

Command LIVE: Commonwealth Collision, the eighth installment in the Command LIVE series, has been released! This new episode explores a scenario in which the supremacy of carriers in modern naval conflicts will be put to a decisive test!

Watch the just released Command LIVE: Commonwealth Collision News Report video HERE.

You can purchase Command LIVE: Commonwealth Collision from its official Product Page. The game is also available on Steam.