Strategy and Wargaming

Source: Blue’s News

The Total War Blog announces that mod support has arrived for Total War: THREE KINGDOMS, the latest installment in Creative Assembly’s strategy series. The Assembly Kit and Steam Workshop support are now available, and they have word on some improvements they’ve made to some of the tools in the kit. Here are the details:

We know that modding is an important part of the Total War community, and so we’re happy to officially announce the release of the Assembly Kit and Steam Workshop support for Total War: THREE KINGDOMS.

I’M NOT A MODDER – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This means you can expect to see a wide variety of Total War: THREE KINGDOMS mods including unit reskins, balance tweaks, new battle maps, scripted mods, new UI elements, new events, new characters, and much more.

You’ll be able to find these on the Steam Workshop, much like you would for other titles such as Total War: WARHAMMER II or Total War: ROME II. Simply find the mod you like, subscribe to it, and check it’s loaded in the launcher’s mod manager next time you launch the game.

KNOWN ISSUES
There are currently some unexpected issues when downloading custom battle maps through multiplayer lobbies. On occasion, acquiring a map this way can cause the game to become temporarily unresponsive, and may additionally place players in separate lobbies. There is also a crash that can occur when loading a replay after quitting a game on a map acquired through the lobby.

While we are working on a fix, we recommend you acquire maps from the Steam Workshop before attempting multiplayer battles that use them.

AND FOR THE MODDERS?
First and foremost, the modding process will largely remain the same as in previous titles.

As such, if you want to take a dive into modding THREE KINGDOMS we recommend you take a look at some of the guides out there for ROME II onwards to get you ready for release on Thursday the 4th of July.

By Ian Boudreau @ Wargamer

Up near the Korean DMZ there’s a place called Rodriguez Range. If you make the trek up the hill to the control tower, you can almost see the whole thing. Tank gunnery lanes stretch out for miles before you, curving around rugged mountains and eventually disappearing in the misty distance. Abrams tank crews qualify on this range, firing at targets five kilometers from their position, and seeing it from such a height, but still so close, provides a fleeting glimpse at the sheer geographic scale of war.

Steel Division 2 aims to provide an even larger and better perspective on war, and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t almost pull it off.

Read on…

Source: Blue’s News

Creative Assembly announces a Reign of Blood Effects Pack coming to Total War: THREE KINGDOMS on Thursday, which will increase the blood and gore level in the historical strategy game. Those who purchase this on Steam will find a new option for more gore in the game’s advanced graphics settings. This trailer shows this off, so avoid this if you faint at the sight of blood. Here’s word:

Experience the battlefields of ancient China in gruesome detail with the Reign of Blood Effects Pack for Total War: Three Kingdoms. This pack introduces a number of new gory and mature-rated effects, animations and kill-moves to the game in both Campaign and Battle. Once installed, these effects can be activated in the graphics settings of Total War: Three Kingdoms.

Campaign effects:

• New campaign event-pictures depicting blood and gore
• New blood effects for battle-resolution combat animations between characters

Battle effects:

• Human dismemberment: limb-lops and beheadings
• Equine dismemberment: leg lops
• Charred bodies
• Blood sprays on weapon impacts
• New death animations for characters vs infantry
• Dead bodies as battlefield set-dressing
• Blood scaler: increase or decrease the level of gore to your tastes

Please note that, depending on your country of residence, the Reign of Blood Effects Pack may raise the age-rating of the main game.

Eugen Systems Commences Launch of Sequel to Acclaimed Real-time Strategy Game

French independent developer and self-publisher Eugen Systems is happy to announce that their new real-time strategy game Steel Division 2 has launched on Steam (Windows/Mac). The Steel Division 2 launch trailer can be viewed HERE.

“We can’t wait for players to finally get their hands on the final version of Steel Division 2,” says Game Director at Eugen Systems Alexis Le Dressay. “On behalf of the entire development team at Eugen Systems, we want to thank our die-hard community and players who helped us continue to improve and polish this game through its extensive closed beta period.”

Set during massive Operation Bagration on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1944, Steel Division 2 pushes the limits of the World War II tactical experience. After an extensive closed beta period which saw the roll-out of brand-new game modes, units, and divisions to players who pre-ordered Steel Division 2, Eugen Systems (R.U.S.E., Wargame series, Steel Division: Normandy 44) is excited to welcome all strategy players to their latest game. Steel Division 2 is the sequel to the real-time strategy title Steel Division: Normandy 44, which was released to critical acclaim in 2017. Featuring the loving and painstaking attention to detail developer Eugen Systems is famous for, players can expect historically accurate units, weaponry, vehicles, aircraft and battlefields throughout the course of Steel Division 2’s new campaign, multiplayer, and co-op modes.

Steel Division 2 owners can enjoy:

• New Dynamic Strategic Campaigns: turn-based single-player mode with four different campaigns, which sees players reenact crucial engagements during Operation Bagration on a 1:1 scale. Each campaign offers dozens of authentic units, and thousands of soldiers and tanks for players to command.
• 600+ Units: Hundreds of authentic units, spanning troops, tanks, artillery, and airplanes, from both the Soviet and German side. From the fearsome “beast killer” ISU-152 tank destroyer, the iconic Tiger heavy tank, to partisans and penal troops, prospective commanders can create their own battlegroup on both the Soviet and German side.
• New Deck Builder: a new deck building customization mode allows the players to create their own formation choosing from 18 parent divisions including the 5th Panzer, the hard-hitting 2nd Guards Tank Corps and the Hungarian 1. Lovasz division.
• New Game Modes: multiple challenging game modes, each providing a different tactical experience. Players can play in different variations of the fast-paced Skirmish mode, solo or online against human opponents. The demanding Breakthrough mode is also available and features new defensive structures.
• Historical Battles: six meticulous crafted scenarios, delivering players a refined tactical experience of some of the most important battles which occurred during the strategic offensive.
• Maps: 25 maps, painstakingly researched using real-life military maps and aerial photography set across the breadth of the Eastern Front, with new terrain features and topology providing more variety (and obstacles) on the battlefield.
• IrisZoom: Steel Division 2 is developed in-house with the IrisZoom engine, allowing players to seamless zoom in and out, drinking in the glorious details of each battlefield from afar with an eagle eye perspective one moment and examining up-close details of each individual unit the next.

To stay up to date on the latest regarding Steel Division 2, be sure to visit the game’s official website and follow the developers at Eugen Systems on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Fans can also interact with the Steel Division 2 team at Eugen Systems and find the latest developer diaries on the official Eugen Systems forums. The release of the Standard Edition of Steel Division 2 is available for $39.99/£34.99/39,99€, while the Commander Deluxe, General Deluxe and Total Conflict editions are available for: $59.99/£59.99/59,99€, $69.99/£69.99/69,00€ and $79.99/£79.99/79,00€, respectively. Complete details about each edition can be found here.

Mark the date into your calendar (Julian Calendar of course), as Field of Glory: Empires will be released on July, 11th!

In a month you’ll be able to forge your civilization and lead it toward the heights of History!

Alexander the Great just died on the limits of the known world, and its dominions shatter in pieces. A tragedy for the Greek and Macedonian civilization, but a golden opportunity for a new leader to forge a new Empire from one of over 70 playable factions, each with its own set of national traits and units.

Are you still on the fence about Field of Glory: Empires? Maybe this short video will help you!

Get more information on the Field of Glory: Empires official product page at Matrix Games. Or visit the official Field of Glory: Empires Steam page.

Paradox’s Grand Strategy Wargame Marks Milestone Birthday

Three years ago, Paradox Development Studio expanded on its beloved Hearts of Iron series with the fourth version of the World War II simulation game. With a greater focus on long-range planning and alternate histories, Hearts of Iron IV quickly became popular with armchair generals and all those who think they have a better battle plan for France.

Hearts of Iron IV marks this anniversary with a relaunch of its official website. heartsofiron.com will now provide players with up to date information on the status of the game, as well as reveals of upcoming features and downloadable content and more to come!

We’ve also prepared a celebratory trailer that notes how much has happened over the last three years.

Earlier this week, Paradox released two new DLC packs via Steam for Hearts of Iron IV – a new pack of armor graphics for the major Axis powers and a radio pack that highlights new music for each of the major factions in an attractive music player.

“The last three years have been a crazy journey for us, shaping HOI4 into its current form. We feel like we’ve done this alongside the players,” said Hearts of Iron game director Dan Lind, “I can’t wait to see what the coming years have in stock for us!”

Paradox Development Studio thanks its community for the support they have offered Hearts of Iron over the last three years. There are still many stories about World War II (or alternate World Wars) that we have yet to examine, and we look forward to bringing them to life.

Hearts of Iron IV and many of its add-on packs are on sale (limited time only) for up to 60% off and available via the Paradox Store and on Steam.

Strategic Command is back, and this time it is bringing you the Great War!

Matrix Games along with Fury Software have announced the latest Strategic Command title, Strategic Command: World War I, is currently in development.

Relive this momentous conflict from the opening shots of 1914 to the final offensives. From the bloody fields of Flanders to the sweeping advances in the east, the fighting in Italy, the Balkans and Middle East, Strategic Command: World War I covers all the main aspects and theaters of the war.

Improvements since our original WWI game:

• This game features a greatly improved interface and a return to hexes.
• It can be played in four languages: English, French, Spanish or German.
• Friendly Majors can be set to be AI-controlled, and this selection can be adjusted at any time in the game. You can even switch sides should you wish to.
• Games can be played via a PBEM++ Multiplayer server with a Challenge Lobby and seamless in game sending/receiving of turns.
• The war is fought on a 20 mile per hex map of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Atlantic, as seen in our recent WWII: War in Europe release, though with some special modifications suitable for WWI, such as the addition of Ypres and Gallipoli.
• Victory will require developing new military doctrines to improve your commanders’ abilities, the combat effectiveness of your units, and even your ability to deploy new technologies like the Tank and Fighter aircraft.
• You can minimize the Decision box to examine the map and assess the situation prior to responding to any Decisions, and many decisions have additional notes providing their historical context and advice.
• Enhanced Fog of War clearly shows the limits of your units’ spotting range.
• Dynamic Movement allows units that haven’t used up all their Action Points to be de-selected and re-selected again later, making planning your moves so much easier.
• Naval Cruise allows you to move your naval units swiftly over longer distances.
• Naval units can only be reinforced in stages, preventing instant repair following significant damage.

Get more details from the Strategic Command: World War I product page.

Matrix Games has announced that Wolves at the Gate – the fifth DLC in the Field of Glory II series – is available. Welcome to the Dark Ages!

Play with Fatimids, Khazars, Magyars, Vikings – and many more other factions – and deploy into the battlefield powerful units such as Huscarls, Byzantine Skutatoi, Berserkers, Varangian Guard, along with other historical formations of the time for a total of 55 new units!

Further, as said in a previous announcement, the accompanying free patch adds tons of new features and elements, including the new Allies mechanic. Click here to read the full changelog!

But the good news is not over!

To celebrate this important milestone, Field of Glory II (base game), Immortal Fire, Legions Triumphant, Age of Belisarius and Rise of Persia are getting a nice discount! Hurry up! You have until June 3rd to take advantage of the offer.

Get more information about Wolves at the Gate on its official webpage.

Latest Steel Division 2 Beta to Feature 18 Divisions and Over 600 Units with Solo, Multiplayer, Co-op and More

Independent developer and publisher Eugen Systems announced today the launch of the biggest closed beta yet for Steel Division 2, the sequel to the critically acclaimed real-time strategy title Steel Division: Normandy 44. Starting today and scheduled to remain open and playable until the final game launches on June 20, 2019 (June 18, 2019 for players who pre-ordered the Digital Deluxe Edition of the game), the Steel Division 2 closed beta on Steam will offer players the most in-depth look at the title to-date.

As part of their extensive pre-order bonus offerings, the pre-order beta will feature 18 Divisions, and more than 600 units, giving players access to every unit and division that will come with the game when it launches.

Additionally, players of the pre-order will received two exclusive Divisions. These two Divisions are the Skijäger-Division, a heavily mechanized elite infantry division. It features the famous Sturmpanzer KV-2® heavy tank and the Panzerjäger Gazelle Exclusive Units. The next is the 3rd Guards Tank Corps, a fantastic Armored Division featuring the state-of-the-art 85mm AA/AT guns, as well as the very last of the IS-2 family, the IS-2 obr.44.

For full details on the launch of today’s Steel Division 2 continuous closed beta, please head to the page on Steam. For full details on pre-order bonuses for Steel Division 2 and immediate access to the current closed beta, please head to the official website at buy.steeldivision2.com.

Key Features for the Steel Division 2 Closed Beta on Steam include:

Four Game Modes

• Conquest
• Closer Combat
• Breakthrough
• 5-Player Online Coop

Five Maps

• Orsha North
• Vitebsk East
• Tsell
• Lyakhavichy
• Autobahn zur Hölle

18 Divisions

• 2nd Guards Tank Corps
• 29th Tank Corps
• 3rd Guards Mechanized Corps
• Manoeuver Group “Tyurin”
• Manoeuver Group “Bezugly”
• 9th Guards Cavalry Division
• 26th Guards Rifle Division
• 44th Guards Rifle Division
• 184th Guards Rifle Division
• 5. Panzerdivision
• 20. Panzerdivision
• 78. Sturmdivision
• 28. Jägerdivision
• 14. Infanterie-Division
• Gruppe Harteneck
• Köruck 559
• 1. Lovas Hadosztály
• 12. Tartalékos Hadosztály

Steel Division 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed real-time strategy title Steel Division: Normandy 44. Set during Operation Bagration on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1944, Steel Division 2 pushes the limits of the World War II tactical experience, delivering new 1:1 scale Dynamic Strategic Campaigns. Command entire armies during Operation Bagration, covering the Soviet counter-attack against Axis forces in Byelorussia. Battle in the multiple skirmish modes on 25 maps and customize your battlegroups in the brand-new deck system, allowing for an unprecedented level of customization.

Steel Division 2 players can also look forward to a special surprise that will happen during the closed beta and are encouraged to follow the team at Eugen Systems. To stay up to date on the latest regarding Steel Division 2, be sure to visit the game’s official website.

Matrix Games has announced that they are opening subscriptions to the beta of Panzer Corps 2!  You can now apply to the beta and help us in developing the game. If you are willing to test it, find bugs, offer feedback and criticism and you love Panzer Corps, we definitely could use your help.

What are you waiting for? Click here to sign up!

Panzer Corps 2 is currently in development using Unreal Engine 4, to allow an impressive leap forward in both technological capabilities and visual impact. Hundreds of World War 2 units will be shown with a level of quality and detail never seen before in a wargame.

The move to a fully 3D engine is a natural evolution of the game, but the core gameplay will always remain true to its roots: pay tribute to the classic gameplay of a distant golden age of strategy gaming, refine it, perfect it and use the most recent technologies to enhance these experiences and bring them to a new generation of gamers. In other words, strike the perfect balance between tradition and innovation, both in visuals and gameplay.

Get more information on Panzer Corps 2 from its official product page.