Strategy and Wargaming

Matrix Games today announced that Armored Brigade Nation Pack: France – Belgium is now ready to join the conflict with hundreds of new units and aircraft, on a completely new map centered around the Bastogne area. All the Armored Brigade titles are available on Steam as well.

To celebrate this important milestone, Armored Brigade (base game) and the first Nation Pack (Italy – Yugoslavia) are being discounted, you can get them at 30% off. This promotion will last an entire week, until November 8th. In addition, you can get the Armored Brigade Complete Bundle – featuring all the Armored Brigade titles at 15% off.

You heard it right. Command: Modern Operations has entered its final phases of internal testing and developers are ready to reveal the release date. The most comprehensive and realistic simulator on operational level ever created will be released on our store and on Steam on November 14th.

In few weeks you’ll have the chance to simulate every military engagement from post-World War II to the present day, thanks to his unmatched database covering Aircraft, ships, submarines, ground forces, installations, satellites and even strategic weapons from almost every nation in the world.

At release, you’ll find all the original Command official scenarios remastered from scratch and integrated, plus brand-new official and community scenarios to quench your wargaming appetite (more detail to follow).

Updated cold-war and modern-day databases with the latest in hardware and systems mean you’ll never run out of setups to try out. Seamlessly import and use your existing Command scenarios, saves, .inst files and more!

Stay tuned for further updates and get more information about the game from its official product page.

Developer Starni Games has announced that the historical turn-based strategy game, Strategic Mind: The Pacific is now out of Early Access and officially available on Steam for just $29.99.

In Strategic Mind: The Pacific you’ll face the waging war between the USA and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Ocean – with mindblowing historical accuracy and attention to detail. The game offers an immersive experience of commanding both sides of the conflict, allowing you to gain a unique understanding of the situation through the eyes of both sides’ real-life commanders.

Build up, train and equip your troops with the newest weaponry available to maximize their efficiency and set sail for victory. The core element of the game is large scale naval battles with numerous carrier ships bringing aircraft into the battle for seizing control over the ocean. Upon overtaking the sea you will have to set foot on hostile land through a series of costly landing operations.

You will have to make your naval, aerial and amphibious forces act as one flawless mechanism – a task only a truly strategic mind can achieve.

Key features

• Two full campaigns featuring both sides of the conflict;
• Unreal Engine-based graphics with historically accurate models of all units;
• Over 60 minutes of plot-driven cinematics;
• Full English voiceover for all the characters;
• Rich upgrades and equipment system;
• Thought-through tactics;
• Complex naval battles mechanics allow you to damage various ship systems – armament, hull, engine, flight deck, etc;
• Headquarters traits system;
• Heroes you can assign to a particular unit.

WarPlan, one of the most anticipated wargames of the year, is released. Lead of one of the two alliances into the war, from its initial engagements to its largest-scale operations. Grab the game now.

In a wargame with such a big scope, War is fought and won not only by military alone. Production, Supply, Diplomacy, play a crucial role in keeping your war machine oiled and running, while your divisions on the frontline would demand care and meticulously military thinking to operate and reach the objectives.

Fight on Land, Sea and Air in a massive scale, not so often seen before, in a map large 30 miles / 50km per hex using a Peters map scaling. 15 different types of terrains subdivided into sizes with each different features including motorized and non-motorized movement, airfield capacity, and defensive bonuses; 12 different resource types, 5 different strategic resources.

Moreover, 5 different weather conditions make the whole gameplay more challenging. If you wish to know more about the game and its details, have a look at the WarPlan Tutorials Playlist, with videos designed to guide you through all the different mechanics.

Learn more about WarPlan on the games official webpage!

Secrets and Sabotage Take Center Stage in La Résistance

The quickest way to kill an enemy is to do it from within. Learn its secrets. Sabotage its industry. Break its codes. Strike at vulnerable points behind the front lines. Send agents to build a network of informants and a secret army that will rise against the occupiers. Resistance is never futile.

Paradox Development Studios is happy to announce Hearts of Iron IV: La Résistance, an expansion to the best-selling grand strategy wargame. La Résistance introduces a new espionage system to the game, and also increases the range of interactions and options with resistance movements in occupied territory. Watch the Hearts of Iron: La Resistance – Announcement Trailer HERE.

Features of Hearts of Iron IV: La Résistance includes:

• New Focus Trees for France: New National Focuses for Free France and the Vichy Regime, as well as an option for conservatives to restore the old French Monarchy.
• More in Depth Spanish Campaign: New National Focuses for Republican and Nationalist Spain, as well as an expanded Spanish Civil War that can spiral into a wider conflict..
• Espionage: Use you Intelligence Agency to train spies to specialize in certain types of information warfare and develop passive resistance to enemy espionage, then send them on special operations.
• Support Resistance: Use your agents to assist allied resistance movements, giving them what they need to damage the enemy.
• Collaboration Governments: Use your agents to prepare the ground for collaborators to fill the void once you’ve conquered your target.
• Code Cracking: Decrypt enemy communications to gain short term battlefield advantages.
• Recon units: Scout planes can provide useful information on nearby areas while armored cars help in detecting and suppressing resistance activities.

As usual, La Résistance will be accompanied by a significant free update to Hearts of Iron IV, available to all players. This update will include a reworking of the resistance system, interface improvements to battleplans and air operations, and many other quality of life improvements.

Paradox Announces Sequel to Classic Medieval Grand Strategy Game

The security of a dynasty rests in the quality of its successors. An heir should be strong. An heir should be forward thinking. Heirs should improve on the oversights of their predecessors. But the most successful heirs are those who build on an already secure foundation.

Crusader Kings III is the sequel to the classic Paradox Development Studio game about medieval conquest, intrigue, religion and high drama. It is a firm step in the direction of a new generation of grand strategy games, with new 3D character models and an even more detailed map. Designed to enhance the experience of Paradox veterans while being more welcoming to young squires, Crusader Kings III is a rich setting for an infinite number of new stories.

Crusader Kings III is slated to arrive in 2020, available for PC via Steam and included in Xbox Game Pass for PC. Watch the Crusader Kings III – Announcement Trailer – An Heir is Born HERE.

“Crusader Kings III is a grand medieval simulator where you are free to live out any plausible ruler fantasy that we could think of – but not without challenge.” says Henrik Fåhraeus, the Game Director. “Seeing its predecessor explode in popularity was very satisfying, especially considering that user friendliness was never our primary goal. Now we have a chance to address an even larger audience.”

Crusader Kings III is the ultimate grand strategy role-playing experience.

• Shape Your Dynasty: Guide unique characters through history, choosing lifestyles best suited to their personalities and your ambitions.
• Rewrite Medieval History: Dynasties will change and adapt to changes in family and politics, and religious beliefs are more firmly under your control.
• Build a Mighty Kingdom: Use your vassals’ fear of you as a weapon or call on familial obligations to persuade reluctant relatives to submit.
• Experience High Drama: Stranger than fiction stories leap off the screen, as characters plot against you and events push you to extremes.
• Learn as You Go: Guided advice to help newcomers navigate a rich medieval world. In-game suggestions tip you off to paths you might not have considered.
• The Usual Crusader Kings Fun: Keep a stubborn council in line, scheme against your overbearing uncle or marry the rich duchy…oops, I mean pious duke or duchess of your dreams.

Greater detail about the features of Crusader Kings III will be coming in the next few months.

And, since there is no better time to practice your skills as a ruler, Paradox Development Studios is happy to announce that the base game of Crusader Kings II is now free on all platforms where it can be purchased. CK2 players can also join us on The Monarch’s Journey, a series of custom challenges for the game that will unlock in-game rewards upon completion.

Prepare your trusty steed and rally your banners.The troubadours are ready to sing your songs. The splendor and intrigue of the Middle Ages returns in Crusader Kings III.

Source: Blue’s News

Steam offers free weekend for another game, as Crusader Kings II can be played gratis for the next free days. Here’s a refresher on this Windows, macOS, and Linux grand strategy game:

The Dark Ages might be drawing to a close, but Europe is still in turmoil. Petty lords vie against beleaguered kings who struggle to assert control over their fragmented realms. The Pope calls for a Crusade to protect the Christians in the Holy Land even as he refuses to relinquish control over the investiture of bishops – and their riches. Now is the time for greatness. Expand your demesne and secure the future of your dynasty. Fill your coffers, appoint vassals, root out traitors and heretics, introduce laws and interact with hundreds of nobles, each with their own agenda.

A good lord will always need friends to support him. But beware, as loyal vassals can quickly turn to bitter rivals, and some might not be as reliable as they seem… Stand ready, and increase your prestige until the world whispers your name in awe. Do you have what it takes to become a Crusader King?

Crusader Kings II explores one of the defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy. Medieval Europe is brought to life in this epic game of knights, schemes, and thrones…

The WW2 turn-based strategy launches on October 25

Starni Games studio is delighted to reveal the release date of Strategic Mind: The Pacific. The historical turn-based strategy will leave Early Access and head to the full launch on October 25. To celebrate the release Starni Games releases a new story trailer.

Watch the Strategic Mind: The Pacific - The trailer of the game Full Version HERE.

In Strategic Mind: The Pacific you’ll face the waging war between the USA and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Ocean – with mindblowing historical accuracy and attention to detail. The game offers an immersive experience of commanding both sides of the conflict, allowing you to gain a unique understanding of the situation through the eyes of both sides’ real-life commanders.

Build up, train and equip your troops with the newest weaponry available to maximize their efficiency and set sail for victory. The core element of the game is large scale naval battles with numerous carrier ships bringing aircraft into the battle for seizing control over the ocean. Upon overtaking the sea you will have to set foot on hostile land through a series of costly landing operations.

You will have to make your naval, aerial and amphibious forces act as one flawless mechanism – a task only a truly strategic mind can achieve.

Key features

• Two full campaigns featuring both sides of the conflict;
• Unreal Engine-based graphics with historically accurate models of all units;
• Over 60 minutes of plot-driven cinematics;
• Full English voiceover for all the characters;
• Rich upgrades and equipment system;
• Thought-through tactics;
• Complex naval battles mechanics allow you to damage various ship systems – armament, hull, engine, flight deck, etc;
• Headquarters traits system;
• Heroes you can assign to a particular unit.

Head on over to the Strategic Mind: The Pacific Steam page for more game info and to purchase the game on October 25th.

Matrix Games has announced that the recently released Close Combat: The Bloody First has been updated to Version 1.0.1. Version 1.0.1 fixes many bugs encountered, from fixing the crash/save file corruption, tanks accuracy in close range, the STEEP ANGLE ISSUE and more.

You can download the update from HERE.

Please check the full changelog below…

• Fix for crash / save file corruption that could occur after saving in a battle.
• Soldier name or portrait pic no longer changed incorrectly after saving in battle.
• Campaign no longer stops early when playing with a language other than English set.
• Fix for incorrect ‘STEEP ANGLE’ state with vehicles targeting another vehicle at very close range.
• German units no longer redeploy into original positions after first battle on Omaha Beach.
• Fixed missing string error when initiative changes during an Operation.
• Original order choice now shown correctly if you return to the Planning Screen.
• Original order choice now shown correctly if you return to the Planning Screen.
• Fixed Accuracy for tanks and guns in close range

IMPORTANT! ISSUES WITH SAVED GAMES CREATED UNDER VERSION 1.0.0
Several issues related to saved games have been addressed in the 1.0.1 update. For best results it is recommend that you start new games after installing the update. The game will attempt to restore and continue saved games that were effected by the earlier problems but may not be able to do so in all cases.

Stop by the official Close Combat: The Bloody First webpage for more game information!

The Beta to test the New Stacking limit in Armored Brigade has been a success. Thanks to all the testers who have helped with their feedback and suggestions, this important feature has been implemented for everyone.

You can download the update from HERE.

The new stacking limit is a major change for the game. It has been discussed by the community and the developers for a while now, but it posed some technical challenges, and we had to make sure the change would not compromise the simulation, or the AI’s capabilities. After adopting the game code to handle it, we have found that 3 units per square work best.

Thanks to this change, the game now flows even more naturally, and unit pathfinding has been greatly improved. The AI has been adjusted to be aware and utilise the new stacking limit, so players should also see improvements in its behavior.

Get more information about Armored Brigade from its official website.