Strategy and Wargaming

“No Mission Too Difficult. No Sacrifice Too Great. Duty First!”

Matrix Games has announced that, after several months of hard work, Close Combat: The Bloody First is ready to go officially in Beta!

Developers have put a lot of effort into creating one of the most realistic tactical wargames ever, improving and refining the overall gameplay experience.

Now it’s your turn to duty! If you think you have what it takes, enlist here and help us in giving the final touches to the game!

IMPORTANT:

If you have applied in precedence for the Alpha, you don’t have to apply a second time as you have been automatically added to the Beta.

Close Combat: The Bloody First is the latest release in the critically-acclaimed Close Combat series, and the first using the new 3D Archon engine. With this Close Combat: The Bloody First combines classic Close Combat tactical gameplay with battles fought across a wide variety of diverse 3D landscapes including craggy ridgelines, narrow valleys and dense villages. The switch to 3D also allows an increase in the level of detail (e.g. the specific types of ammunition used by each weapon are now modeled) with more realistic movement and projectile physics.

Following the career of the famed US 1stInfantry Division (forever known as ‘The Big Red One’) Close Combat: The Bloody First visits the battlefields of Tunisia and Sicily for the first time, as well as covering the Normandy campaign. 

With 3 theatres to cover Close Combat: The Bloody First places the focus firmly on the tactical level putting you in command of a 1st Infantry Division company (sometimes reinforced … and sometimes not!), leading your men through a series of linked operations and battles from Longstop Hill in Tunisia to Mortain in Normandy. You’ll have to look after your men, work out the best combination of fire and movement, know when they need bolstering with armoured vehicles and decide when to call in support from artillery and aircraft.

New Sudden Strike 4 DLC adds new generals, missions and vehicles

Kalypso Media’s hit World War II real time tactics game, Sudden Strike 4, rages into the Pacific with The Pacific War DLC pack, is now available on GOG.com and Steam for PC, Linux, Mac, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One, priced at £14.99 / €19.99 / $19.99.

Along with introducing a new theatre of the conflict, The Pacific War DLC features ten missions set across two campaigns. Players will have access six new commanders including the Imperial Japanese Army’s Admiral Soemu Toyoda, the Southern Expeditionary Army Group’s Hisaichi, Legendary five-star US general Douglas MacArthur and Chief of Staff Richard J. Marshall. Also included in The Pacific War DLC are 51 new vehicles, including amphibious vehicles for land and sea combat, massive controllable aircraft carriers to rule the skies, advanced air combat planes for vicious dog fights and devastating flamethrowers to eliminate ground combatants in spectacular fashion. A new gameplay trailer is available showing the DLC in action.

In addition, update 1.15 has also been released today for the main game, which introduces three new bonus missions completely free of charge. Read the full PC and console changelogs for all the details.

Pre-Orders Naval Themed Add-On to Popular Strategy War Game

The great democracies of the world face unprecedented challenges on their legitimacy. Fascists and Communists pressure freedom loving nations on every side. Will they hasten war against the forces of tyranny or follow a path to authoritarianism? Are they safe beyond the seas that have historically provided ample protection? What path will you choose? Make your mark on history in Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns on 28 February, 2019.

Man the Guns is the newest expansion for Paradox Development Studio’s best-selling grand strategy wargame Hearts of Iron IV. It brings new detail to the naval game as well as adding a host of new gameplay options for major democratic powers including new political focus trees and governments in exile.

Man the Guns can be pre-ordered from the Paradox store or other major online retailers for $19.99.

Features of Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns include:

• Major Alternate Paths: Revive the Old Confederacy as the United States and provoke a new civil war, or hasten decolonization of the British Empire.
• Ship Design: Research new components and refit older vessels to take advantage of new knowledge. Outfit your submarines with snorkels or improved stealth.
• Admiral Traits and Skills – Tailor and level up your Admirals with new traits and skills.
• Governments in Exile: Welcome a government in exile to your democracy, boosting their legitimacy in return for more manpower and elite troops fighting to free their homeland.
• Other National Focuses: New national focuses for The Netherlands and Mexico.
• Naval Mines: Protect your coasts from invasion or assault with anti-ship mines, or clear a path through enemy mines before you make the big push.
• Shipping route controls – plot new routes for your shipping and navies by marking areas you want to avoid.
• Naval Treaties: Struggle to keep the peace by following internationally agreed upon rules, or creatively defy the world consensus by exceeding your limits.
• Amphibious Landing Vehicles: Add power to your beach landing by researching and producing specialized combat vehicles for your marines.
• New Music: Original music composed specifically for the Man the Guns expansion.

As is standard with all Paradox grand strategy expansions, Man the Guns will launch with a major free update, with this one including new naval aspects, training of pilots and sailors and the much requested Fuel resource to better simulate the constraints of extended supply lines.

Steel Division 2 to Launch April 4, Pre-orders Now Available on Steam with Beta Access, 48-hours Early Access, and More

Independent developer and publisher Eugen Systems, is excited to announce that strategy fans may now pre-order Steel Division 2 on Steam, the upcoming sequel to the award-winning real-time strategy title Steel Division: Normandy 44.

As a special thanks to Steel Division fans for their longtime support, Steam users who already own Steel Division: Normandy 44 can expect eight exclusive divisions with over 350 extra units from the original title when Steel Division 2 launches later this year. These 350 units will join over 600 brand-new units from the Allies and Axis factions in the sequel for a total of over 950 units in Steel Division 2. There is no need to pre-order Steel Division 2 to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

In Steel Division 2, fans can look forward to deploying some of the most famous units and divisions from Steel Division: Normandy 44, including the Sherman Jumbo tank from the United States of America, the Churchill IV heavy infantry tank from the United Kingdom, the Spitfire Mk9B tank from Canada, the Sherman M4A2 from France, and many more. For a complete list of divisions and units, please visit the official Steel Division 2 page on Steam.

In addition, Steel Division: Normandy 44 owners who purchase can also look forward to exclusive new units in Steel Division 2, including:

• Long Tom 155 mm howitzer (US)
• PIAT Scout (UK)
• AEC Matador (CAN)
• Panzer III N (GER)
• Do 217 Bombing plane (GER)
• Fw 58 Recon plane (GER)
• Panzer IV F1 (GER)

Players who pre-order any edition of Steel Division 2 can also expect guaranteed access to game’s Beta phase. Scheduled to start later this year, the Steel Division 2 beta will offer players exclusive access to an early build of the game ahead of its 2019 launch. In addition, players who pre-order the Commander Deluxe Edition, General Deluxe Edition, or Total Conflict Edition will also benefit from 48-hours of early access to the game ahead of the worldwide launch for Steel Division 2.

For full details on pre-order bonuses for Steel Division 2, please head to the official website at buy.steeldivision2.com.

Watch the new Steel Division 2 – Back To War Trailer HERE.

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.

To stay up to date on the latest regarding Steel Division 2, be sure to visit the game’s official website.

The United States and its ally Colombia have declared that they will retaliate against any treat coming from the “murderous regime of Caracas” supported by Moscow.

After heavy fights occurred in two border towns, where soldiers wearing Venezuelan uniforms have stormed, Bogotà is quickly requesting support from the United States, worried that the Russian presence in the island of La Orchila would greatly impede any major action against Venezuela without escalating the conflict.

Are we witnessing the end of the Monroe Doctrine or will the USA intervene to prevent a new Syria-style crisis at their “courtyard?”

With the new Command LIVE DLC, you’ll be able to play the events that have happened recently, the historic tension between these two nations on the border is now at its peak.

The new Cold War of the Third Millennium moves quickly in South America. Choose which side to stay, and defend your Allied, deployed on the side of Colombia or Venezuela.

Features:

• Playable as Russia or USA.
• The new Cold War of the Third Millennium moves quickly in South America.
• Choose which side to stay, and defend your Allied,deployed on the side of Colombia or Venezuela.
• Support your allies in hot spots like the two cities on the border,their airports and facilities.
• Try to defend yourself from the enemy attack from the navy the air force and the army.
• Intense air battles with 4 nations involved F-15, F-16, F-18, Mig-29, Su-33 and many others.
• Tough fight by sea,take control of the sea fighting against the most deadly Russian carriers or with the majestic Ronald Reagan..this carefully using your submarines.
• Defend the main cities on the border with mech and Inf, use your artillery to plan every single shot.
• Plays the events that have happened recently,the historic tension between these two nations on the border is now at its peak,russia sending two bombers to the Venezuelan Orchila Airbase
• Attack or Defend the island of Orchila,destroy the two Russian nuclear bombers Tu-160 BlackJack and the the present structures.
• Pay attention to the Cuban airspace
• Americans are not welcome…
• Plan every single move, from choosing armaments to refueling for your units
• Each side has its own technological or logistical weakness and strength

Watch the new Command LIVE: The King of the Border News Report HERE.

Find out more about Command Live: The King of the Border on its official webpage.

For weeks, military observers have reported the worsening of the relations between Venezuela and Colombia. The escalation has been reported after a series of incidents occurred on the frontier.

The fear is that a full-scale regional conflict would erupt soon, especially now that the news of a naval Russian expeditionary force diving toward the Venezuelan island of La Orchila is being confirmed. The United States has declared that they will support the government of Bogotà against any aggression.

Venezuela and Colombia have both battle-hardened Armed Forces, backed up by the powerful arsenals of – respectively – Russia and the United States.

The situation is pretty uncertain and even the experts have a hard time in predicting the outcomes.

Do you want to know more? Take a look at the report our Command LIVE team dispatched in the are has sent!

Command LIVE: The King of the Border will be out on January 31st!

The crisis that has enveloped Venezuela since 2013 has reached a quasi-apocalyptic dimension.

The Government of Caracas has accused in several occasions that the reason for this humanitarian catastrophe is the constant interference of the USA and its puppets in the region, willing to stop the glorious Bolivarian Revolution started with Hugo Chavez.

These suspects have been reinforced by the enclosing relationship between Colombia and NATO, culminating in 2015 in a joint military operation against maritime piracy.

Recently the situation has further escalated as for days two Colombian bordering towns, Cucuta and Arauca, have been theatre of fights between soldiers wearing the uniform of The Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela and local Colombian border troops.

Claiming the episode is a machination of Washington to destroy the revolution, Venezuela has asked for support to Russia, granting it the Caribbean Island of Orchila as an outpost. Moscow, eager to expand its influence in the area, agreed immediately and it is confirmed news that an aero-naval expeditionary force is already being sent in aid of its new ally.

The United States has declared they’ll support Bogota from aggression with any means and have put their forces in Panama and Porto Rico on the highest alert.

Stay tuned for further information. Command LIVE news report will keep you informed on any update on this escalation.

Find out more about Command Live: The King of the Border on its official webpage.

Plus Ultra: Rival the Empire of Charles V in Golden Century

From Madrid to Mexico to Manila, the Spanish Crown had the one of the first empires where the sun never set. From the fall of Granada to the Dutch Wars of Independence, Spanish power always had to be taken into consideration. But its road to dominance ran through local rivals like Portugal and Morocco, and its control over the vital sea routes was challenged by English navies and ruthless privateers. What path will you take?

Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century is the newest immersion pack for Paradox’s classic game of empire and exploration in the early modern era, and it is available today on Steam, the Paradox store and other major online retailers for $9.99 / £7,15 / €9,99.

Golden Century focuses its improvements on parts of the game central to the kingdoms of and around Iberia,including new mission trees for the major historical powers and a hypothetical Andalusia if you manage to turn back the armies of Catholicism. But Golden Century also lets you live out your childhood dream of being a pirate king, ruling a republic of brigands, sending your ships to finance realm by raiding the trade routes of more powerful rulers.

Other features of Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century include:

• Minority Settlements: Settle your distant colonies with homeland minorities, promoting greater cohesion at home, while adding more diversity to your subject nations.
• Establish Holy Orders: Iberian nations can appoint Jesuit, Franciscan or Dominican clerics to govern their states to reduce unrest or ease conversion.
• New Mission Trees: New missions and objectives for the nations of Iberia and Northwest Africa, including Spain and Andalusia.
• Pirate Republics: Raise the black flag and pillage the high seas, or defeat these scourges of humanity..
• Flagships: Appoint a Flagship to lead your navy, adding combat and trade power to your fleets.
• Naval Barrage: Use your ships to help besiege coastal forts by bombarding the walls.
• New Army Models: New army and naval models for Castile/Spain, Aragon, Portugal, Leon/Navarra, Pirates, Sale and Galicia
• Plus over ten minutes of new original music.

Golden Century is accompanied by the free Spain update, available to everyone who owns Europa Universalis IV. This update will include newly detailed maps of Iberia, North Africa and the Spanish Main, as well as revised National Ideas for many nations in the Western Mediterranean, new Government Reform options and other changes for all players.

Watch the Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century Release Trailer HERE.

1939. The sand is slipping fast through the hourglass and the clouds of war are gathering all around the globe. While in Europe Germany is ready to finally challenge the order established with the Versailles Treaty and Italy is eager to expand its colonial dominion, in the Far East the Empire of Japan – already embroiled in a bitter war against China – has already proved to be a formidable adversary and soon it will have to face the rising American hostility.

Can Germany, Italy and Japan triumph and construct their new world order, or will triumph turn to disaster as the rest of the world mobilizes to meet force with force?

Strategic Command WWII: World at War is your chance to re-fight the 20th century’s greatest conflict, from Poland to China, Normandy to the Pacific, on a map encompassing the globe.

Building on the success of Strategic Command WWII: War in Europe, this new turn-based game will provide even more opportunities to try out different strategies, maximizing re-playability to the utmost!

Both experienced wargamers and newcomers will find much to love in this beautiful WWII wargame!

Today, Crusader Kings II Gets Its Biggest Expansion Yet

The medieval battle for the soul of Europe takes center stage in Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury, the newest expansion to Paradox Development Studio’s beloved grand strategy role-playing game. The almost infinite playground of dynastic politics in the Middle Ages takes on new drama with the addition of pagan warrior lodges, where you must constantly prove your mettle, and heroic bloodlines that add glamor and prestige to the descendants of history making characters.

Holy Fury is available now for $19.99 at the Paradox Store and major online retailers.

Holy Fury adds special new challenges for experience players by adding Shattered and Random World starts for the game. Begin playing in Shattered world where no one controls more than one county and prove how clever you are on an even playing field. Or start in a Random World that includes ahistoric kingdoms, empires and religions – a world that resembles our own, but is entirely fictional.

Other features in Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury include:

• Warrior Lodges: Join a Pagan warrior lodge and raid your way up the ranks, unlocking access to powerful allies and greater military skill.
• Dynamic Pagan Reformations: Choose the tenets and organizing principles of your new religion.
• 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
• Mass Baptism: Emulate Vladimir the Great and convert your pagan nation to Christianity or Islam, dragging your citizens and vassals to the altar with you.
• 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, lists of people you’ve killed, and other small changes for flavor and variety.

As usual, Holy Fury is accompanied by a major update FREE to everyone who owns Crusader Kings II. This patch is especially significant since it includes an entirely new Crusade system, breathing new life into one of the game’s major themes.

Watch the official Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury Release Trailer HERE.