Strategy and Wargaming

broken-arrowThe new Broken Arrow Patch – out now – focuses on strengthening protection against cheaters while improving overall stability and balance.

Since launch, developer Steel Balalaika and publisher Slitherine have worked tirelessly to listen to community feedback and ensure the best possible gameplay experience. The fight against unfair play has now taken a major step forward with the introduction of the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system. Working alongside the existing internal anti-cheat system, EAC offers players two launch options when starting Broken Arrow:

  • Launch Offline (without EAC) – Designed for players who prefer a single-player experience and do not plan to participate in online modes.
  • Launch Broken Arrow (with EAC activated) – Grants access to all multiplayer features and team-based battles.
  • This is the most significant change introduced by the update, but it’s not the only one. As a special Halloween treat, a brand new zombie scenario has been added, inspired by a workshop creation from community member Joining Player. It can be played by 1 to 4 players in co-op mode, and features a unique visual and sound atmosphere designed specifically for the map. Players will face off against different types of zombies and command various forces to fight them in an intense and immersive survival experience.

    Alongside this, several smaller changes have been made:

  • Introduction of support for server-side network architecture
  • Mission Editor improvements
  • Balance adjustments
  • Bug fixes
  • To know more about all the improvements read the changelog here.

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

    crusader-kings-iii-newExplore the dramatic history of East and Southeast Asia in “All Under Heaven”, a new major expansion pack for Crusader Kings III, available today. All Under Heaven, the largest Crusader Kings expansion to date, adds thousands of new provinces and characters in an ambitious addition to the game map. For the first time, Crusader Kings players will be able to rule the Celestial Government of China, the Empire of Japan and the temple kingdoms of Southeast Asia.

    Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven adds new government forms and cultural flavor to a deeply researched setting, years in the making. Have your characters excel in civil service examinations to climb the ranks of the Chinese bureaucracy, build family alliances to challenge the reigning powers in Japan or even become a god-king in Indochina, adding tributaries to your Mandala rule.

    Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven Release Trailer

    Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven is now available for the suggested retail price of $29.99/£24.99/€29.99. More information about Crusader Kings III is available on the official Crusader Kings III website or on the games Steam page.

    stronghold-crusader-definitive-editionSound the alarm and rally to the gates! Prepare yourselves for the arrival of a mighty trail and two fresh lords – the cunning Canary and the tricksome Trader! March your way across untouched new environments and showcase the depth of your true ability against remarkable new opponents in the first major DLC for Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition.

    Sibling of the fan-favourite Rat, the Canary has a similarly craven attitude, preferring to harass invading forces with traps and infernal defences. The Trader is greed personified, a depraved gold-hungry merchant who prioritises a robust economy but won’t hesitate to attack with strength when required. Vanquishing these fierce foes will ultimately take wits, courage and perhaps a healthy dose of luck.

    Carve a path to glory through nine thrilling missions, each designed to stress your tactics and game knowledge. Embrace the confrontation, improve with each struggle and climb to untold levels of prestige! Battling against the sly schemes of the Canary and the powerful economies of the Trader is not for the fair-hearted. Are you prepared for it?

    Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition – The Canary and The Trader DLC Trailer

    The Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition v2.0 – Free Autumn Update has also been released!

    The time is upon us, my Liege! Autumn has arrived and with it comes the eagerly-awaited Crusader DE Autumn Update!

    Dust off your armour, sharpen your steel and charge into the fray! The first major update is here in two parts – a free content update and an optional DLC.

    The free content showcases a new cruel CPU Lord, the Crocodile, as well as additional maps for Skirmish, Freebuild and Multiplayer.

    The paid DLC will feature two new CPU commanders in the form of The Canary and The Trader, and a new 9 mission ‘Sands of Time’ skirmish trail – complete with target completion times and leaderboards.

    The Autumn Update is now live on Steam!

    panzer-corps-2-elite-1st-guardsAchtung, Panzer Generals!

    Special announcement today! The Panzer Corps 2: Elite DLC continues with its second installment: a Soviet campaign titled 1st Guards!

    As with the Ghost Division before, the focus once again falls on following the battles of the very best a nation involved in the Second World War had to offer, and for the Motherland, this means the Soviet Guards!

    With the glowing reception and success of Elite – Ghost Division, and while larger mega campaigns continue their production, we’re eager to fulfill the ideal of the Elite series to bring each major nation its own Panzer Corps 2 campaign. And who better to represent the soldiers of the USSR in their debut campaign than the 1st Guards?

    As before, the Elite series is also resolved to its commitment to fight against rising inflation, and will once again release at the 4.99 USD price point. We were extremely pleased with the player reception from Ghost Division, and see no good reason to arbitrarily raise this series’s price point.

    Because in the end, that is what really matters, that we’re making great content that our players are excited to enjoy at fair exchange.

    To uphold those values, we’ve got a great campaign lined up, filled with awesome battles of epic size. Elite – 1st Guards is stuffed full of key battles ranging from 1937 all the way to 1945, and you’ll be deploying almost twice as many CORE units to battle over the previous Ghost Division campaign.

    The 1st Guards
    When Operation Barbarossa was launched in June of 1941, there was no such thing as a ‘Guards’ unit. By the time World War II ended in 1945, over 200 formations carried the venerated title of ‘Guards’; from Guards Rifle Divisions to Guards Tank or Guards Mechanized Divisions to even Aviation Regiments and entire Guards Armies.

    We’ll reveal a more information about this new campaign in an upcoming Developer Diary, but for now you can check out the store page for some more details and screenshots.

    field-of-glory-kingdoms-burghers-and-bombardsSlitherine Software has announced today that Field of Glory: Kingdoms expands with Burghers and Bombards, a new DLC introducing two grand campaigns and powerful new mechanics that mark the dawn of the Renaissance.

    Lead the Mongols in the 1223 campaign or shape centuries of history in the Mega Campaign (1054–1470). Master the Advanced Economy, rise with the Guilds, and command the battlefield in the Age of Gunpowder, where bombards, handgunners, and cannon-armed galleys change warfare forever.

    Join the Closed Beta now.

    crusader-kings-iii-newWrite New Histories of East Asia in All Under Heaven, Coming This Month

    From the Great Wall to the great temple cities of Indochina, from the foothills of Mount Fuji to the river valleys of China, an infinite array of new adventures and stories awaits you in All Under Heaven, the largest expansion for Crusader Kings III to date. The newly expanded map presents a rich and colorful setting for imperial ambition, sacred duties and shadowy scheming with detailed representations of medieval China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

    Coming on 28 October, All Under Heaven takes Paradox’s celebrated grand strategy role-playing series to entirely new settings, unseen in any previous Crusader Kings game. Keep a steady hand on the regional hegemon or manage the tumult of dynastic change in China. Revere the Yamato emperor and his regent in Japan, or pursue the path of the samurai warlord. Build a monumental temple facility in the jungles of Southeast Asia and compel weaker kingdoms to pay tribute to your greatness.

    All Under Heaven also introduces Japanese as a supported language for Crusader Kings III, further expanding the international audience that has grown to support this royal game.

    Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven Announcement Trailer

    Features of Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven include:

    China: The Mandate of Heaven

  • Ascend to the highest tier of power with the new Hegemony title, reigning supreme over all empires in the Chinese region.
  • Navigate the Dynastic Cycle, a living system of stability and chaos. Exploit periods of instability to rise to power and reshape the political landscape.
  • Explore the Celestial government system, unique to China. Earn Merit through deeds or the Imperial Examinations, gaining favor and influence.
  • Manage the Imperial Treasury to fund Great Projects, defend against disasters, or expand your influence with statecraft and might.
  • Japan: Rise of the Shogunate

  • Take control of a Japanese house and forge your destiny. Rise through the intricate courtly system to become a mighty Shogun or Kampaku regent.
  • Strengthen your position through alliances, intrigue, and ritual, or unite the houses through the strength of your samurai armies; which path you take is for you to decide.
  • Lead the Imperial Yamato house to restore power to the Emperor, ushering in an age of imperial grandeur.
  • Experience the rich cultural traditions of Japan, where honor and scandal intertwine, shaping the lives of lords and vassals alike.
  • Southeast Asia: God-Kings and Temple Empires

  • Rule as a Devaraja with the Mandala Government, uniting tributaries into vast, temple-centered empires.
  • Pay tribute to the God King by performing Tributary Missions as a Tributary ruler, increasing favor with your subjects.
  • Explore the Silk Road, new Starting Bookmarks and Historical Flavor

  • Thrive along the expansive Silk Road by profiting from the wealth and innovations of China, even if you are far beyond its borders.
  • New historical starting bookmarks bring fresh perspectives and new challenges. Play as iconic characters from the past or forge your unique path.
  • Immerse yourself in Asia’s cultural, artistic, and historical nuances with new throne rooms, events, and traditions.
  • And much more

    Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven will be available on 28 October 2025 for the suggested retail price of $29.99/£24.99/€29.99. It is also available as a part of the Crusader Kings III: Chapter IV expansion pass.

    More information about Crusader Kings III is available on the official Crusader Kings III website or on the games Steam page.

    hearts-of-iron-iv-no-compromise-no-surrenderNew 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:

  • Japan Focus Tree: Seize control of the Pacific, shatter Western dominance, and usher in a rising sun, red dawn, or other unique paths as you reshape the Pacific in an image of your choosing.
  • Communist China Focus Tree: Drive out the old order, unite the people and lead the nation towards its rightful ascendancy as you balance enemies within and without.
  • Nationalist China Focus Tree: Rally the republic, crush the warlords and bring your nation back from the precipice. Choose one of several paths towards victory against the hostile Empires in your war of resistance.
  • Philippines Focus Tree: Defend the islands, defy the invaders and establish independence for your nation. Explore alternative histories and work with those you once considered foes; leverage your access to abundant natural resources, and lend your support to those who most benefit your situation.
  • New Military Doctrines: Shape, manage, and ultimately reform the armed forces according to your battlefield requirements with unique doctrines that accompany a rework of the core doctrines system.
  • Expanded Factions System: Wield greater control over allied countries with new and expanded Faction Rules and defined goals of your alliance.
  • 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:

  • Seaplane Tenders (Instant Unlock): Dominate the Pacific Ocean with the Instant Unlock Bonus Seaplane Tenders; adding unit art for an often-forgotten class of ship – Japanese, Australian and American seaplane tenders.
  • No Compromise, No Surrender: Mould new paths in history for Japan, China and the Philippines in No Compromise, No Surrender, an Expansion for Hearts of Iron IV. Seize a greater depth of control over factions, forge new military doctrines and steer towards a new future for the Pacific and beyond.
  • Warships of the Pacific (Cosmetic Pack): Command the seas with Warships of the Pacific, a new Cosmetic Pack for Hearts of Iron IV. Warships of the Pacific includes unit art for new seafaring vessels; from nimble destroyers to mighty battleships, representing iconic warships from multiple nations across the globe.
  • Thunder at Our Gates: Step into the heart of command in Thunder at Our Gates, a Theater Pack for Hearts of Iron IV. Expand on the art of organizing a campaign with new features such as military headquarters and navy captains, as well as unique new content for nations caught between rival empires; Australia, Siam and Indonesia.
  • Peace for Our Time: Peace for Our Time is a Focus Pack created in collaboration with veteran modders of the Hearts of Iron IV community, adding new alternate history tracks for Czechoslovakia. Stand firm as a lone democracy or government-in-exile, ignite a socialist revolution to replace the failed middle path, or rally nationalist forces to establish a new kingdom of Bohemia.
  • 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.

    war-in-spain-1936-39The 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.

    combat-mission-cold-war-british-army-of-the-rhineMatrix 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.

  • British Army of the Rhine (BAOR): Field iconic UK vehicles and weapons including the FV432 series, Swingfires, Strikers, Scorpions, Scimitars, and the mighty Chieftain tank.
  • Canadian 4th Mechanized Brigade Group (4 CMBG): A distinctive NATO force featuring Centurion and Leopard C1 tanks, Lynx 25mm vehicles—and even the last flamethrowers ever deployed by NATO in Europe.
  • Soviet VDV/Airborne Forces: Elite paratroopers backed by BMD infantry fighting vehicles and specialized equipment, creating new tactical threats on the battlefield.
  • 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.

    wego-world-war-ii-overlordMatrix 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.