Strategy and Wargaming

Second Wave Coming September 21, Free Updates Coming All Through 2017

Paradox Interactive, a publisher known for shooting from the hip, today announced Steel Division: Normandy 44 Second Wave, the first DLC since the tactical RTS game’s release in May 2017, will be available September 21 on Windows PCs for $7.99.

The Second Wave DLC rolls out four new divisions, including two Allied: the 4th Armored Division (US) and 1st Special Service Brigade (UK), and two Axis: 9. Panzer (DE) and 16. Luftwaffen (DE). Second Wave also includes an exclusive ace – Lt. Col. Creighton W. Abrams and his famous thunderbolt M4 tank, along with 35 new units, including the legendary M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer!

This means Steel Division: Normandy 44 – Second Wave players will have an arsenal of new star units at their disposal, both on land and in air, as the game’s already giant list of historically accurate weaponry, tanks and troops expands even further.

In addition to the DLC announcement, a roadmap of all the free content that will be added continuously to the base game for the coming year, with a possible spill into early 2018, has also been released.

For more information on the Content Roadmap, click here.

For more information on Steel Division: Normandy 44, visit the games official website.

“Jade Dragon” Pushes Borders Eastward with New Features Spanning India and Transoxiana

Paradox Interactive, a stately pleasure palace devoted to ambitious rulers from all corners of the globe, announces a new expansion coming soon to Crusader Kings II. In “Jade Dragon,” the richest empire on earth looks to the west, seeking subjects and adventure.

In Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon, Paradox Development Studio introduces the Empire of China as an off-map influence that can give great rewards or great dangers to those whose realms lie in the shadow of the Dragon. Flatter the Emperor with gifts of gold or concubines. Ask favors from the mighty prince. Stay on the good side of his appointed marshals on your borders.

What’s the old saying about crisis being both “danger” and “opportunity”?

Paradox hopes you are not too Jaded to enjoy a new trailer.

Features coming in Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon include:

• The Imperial Majesty Request: A new “China Screen” lays out the status and desires of the Emperor of China, letting you keep tabs on what he wants and how to earn his grace
• Kow-tow For Now: Submit to the Empire as a tributary, always keeping an eye on the waning power of the Emperor, so you can time your escape to freedom
• Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere: Disgruntled princes or curious adventurers may leave China to seek their own fortune to the west.
• Booty and the East: Collect wondrous new Chinese artifacts for your characters, and explore a new Silk Road system that adjusts returns based on China’s stability.
• Rally Points: Instruct your levies to automatically gather up exactly where you want them.
• Dictionary of Chinese Characters: New Chinese and Tibetan portraits and Chinese units bring the empire to life
• Eight New Casus Bellis: You can never have enough

For more information about Crusader Kings II, visit the games official website.

The anticipated new chapter of the Order of Battle series is here: Burma Road is out!

Lead the British forces and their allies in the desperate defence of south Asia against the invading Japanese army. Fight across an unexplored theater and defend the gate to India.

Terrain is a double edged sword, it will hinder and endanger both your troops and those of your enemy. Turn this to your advantage: only by mastering the intricacies of jungle warfare will you manage to overcome your opponent. Make use of expert jungle fighters and train your army to adapt to the theater.

Execute deep infiltration attacks into enemy territory, striking unexpectedly and disrupting the Japanese supply lines! Make them pay for any progress until they have bled enough that they can be beaten back.

Watch the release trailer HERE.

Burma Road adds a vast number of new units (over 70!) to an already huge roster. With new planes, artillery, infantry and several new factions, specializations and commanders and a campaign 13 scenarios long, Burma Road is a must have for any Order of Battle fan.

It is accompanied by a big update which brings the game to v.4.1.1. Among all new content being added to the game, some Burma Road units and commanders will be made available in other campaigns.

For more game information please visit the official Order of Battle: Burma Road product page.

By Ian Boudrea @ The Wargamer

The problem facing any developer setting out to make a real-time strategy game today, particularly one set in World War II, is how to distinguish their title from a pack that’s already chock-full of very good games. StarCraft II’s success frightened off most competition for years, and between the excellent Company of Heroes and the janky-but-loveable Men of War series, it’s tough to keep your steel pot above the water line. Kite Games’ Sudden Strike 4 doesn’t try anything fancy, and while it’s a nice return to tactical basics at its core, the flaws make it hard to shake the feeling you could be playing a better, older game.

Read on…

Fourth Entry in Legendary World War II RTS Series is Available Worldwide on Steam and in Europe as a Physical Retail Version

The legendary World War II Real-Time-Strategy series Sudden Strike has returned! Kalypso Media is proud to announce that Sudden Strike 4 is now available digitally worldwide on Steam, with a North American retail and PlayStation® Store release to follow on August 15, 2017. The boxed retail edition for Windows PC, Mac, Linux and PlayStation®4 is also available today across Europe. Today marks the return of a beloved PC strategy series and a groundbreaking moment for PlayStation®4. For the first time in the series’ history, Sudden Strike has received a multi-platform release, positioning the game to become the definitive strategy experience available on consoles.

Sudden Strike 4 on Steam supports Windows PC, Mac and Linux platforms, and includes the ‘Battle of Kursk’ DLC, a digital artbook and a digital soundtrack. These bonuses are also available with the physical Day One Edition for Windows PC, Mac and Linux. The PlayStation®4 Day One Edition is complete with a digital artbook and digital soundtrack. Both versions of the Sudden Strike 4 Day One Edition feature reversible cover artwork designed by Games of Thrones artist Robert Simon.

Watch the Sudden Strike 4 Release Trailer HERE.

Watch the Sudden Strike 4 General’s Handbook #6 Soviet Forces Video HERE.

Afghanistan ’11 is getting an update with many new exciting features, and it’s completely FREE!

Before we talk about it, though, we want to announce that Afghanistan ’11 is now 34% off on our site, so if you still don’t have it and you are interested (of course you are, why else would you be here otherwise?) go grab it RIGHT NOW! The discount will last for a week.

The first and probably most important new feature is the MOAB!

The MOAB is a very interesting weapon: it costs a lot in terms of PP and HM but if used correctly it can be a huge asset. It disables the Taliban and Militia caves and kills enemy units in the bomb radius. High risk – High reward!

The second new feature helps your logistics: it carries your troops and vehicles around the map in a safer and more efficient way!

With Convoys you will be able to link up to 6 vehicles and move them together around the map while having the possibility to move each of these vehicles away from the convoy whenever you want. Are you mad because enemy mines blow up your “Buffalo” every single time you move it out of the base? Are you sick of having to move each one of your 24 vehicles? This one is for you!

There are also many more features that will help to enhance your in-game experience, so let’s take a rapid look at them:

• You can now drop Emergency UN Aid on villages
• Explosions adjacent or on villages reduces HM
• Helicopters can now rank up and have higher chance of surviving RPG fire
• Added exit ambush stance to Infantry
• Added hotkeys for Load (L) and Unload (U) actions
• NATO icon colours changes after handover
• Intel from villages now appear at less predictable intervals
• There is no handover penalty if PP is negative
• Repatriating units while PP is negative returns more PP
• Added rappelling animation to SF unloading from helicopters in mountains
• Units low on rations or fuel now warn the player before ending the turn
• Units low on rations will leave ambush, observation point or sentry
• Next / Previous unit buttons will work relative to the last unit selected

You can download the MOAB Update from the Members’ Area. Check out the MOAB Update trailer HERE.

Source: Blue’s News

A new General’s Handbook trailer #4 from Sudden Strike 4 takes a look at the German forces in the upcoming World War II strategy sequel. This is hosted by producer Christian Schlütter, who is poorly mixed, so the audio is a little muddy. The game is due for release on August 11th, so they plan on quickly bringing out the other installments in the series to cover the Allied and Soviet campaigns. Here are more details:

To prepare you for the final push to the frontlines, Kalypso has released the first of three new videos in the official “General’s Handbook” developer series hosted by Sudden Strike 4 producer Christian Schlütter. The new series introduces the three main factions of Sudden Strike 4 — the German, Allied and Soviet forces. Each video is packed with exciting details from the developers, with close examinations of the various units each faction will command. You can also pick up some strategic tips ahead of launch to get ahead of the curve when you take on Sudden Strike 4’s 20+ missions over its three campaigns!

To find out more about Sudden Strike 4, and to pre-purchase, please visit the official game page on Steam.

BattleGoat Studios is pleased to announce the release of their Real Time Geopolitical Strategy/Wargame, Supreme Ruler The Great War. Game Designer and Project Lead Christian Latour commented, “The Supreme Ruler franchise has given our community members deep tactical combat and nation management from World War II to the present day, but previously offered nothing for the beginning of the century. The First World War was such a milestone in shaping modern warfare that we’ve had frequent community requests for a game in this period since our last release. Having developed the later eras already, we have been able to add the earlier time frame while still offering a game which can be played into modern times“.

BattleGoat’s Lead Programmer and Co-Founder George Geczy added, “Supreme Ruler The Great War adds a new era to the franchise, building upon a game system which has evolved over more than a decade. The combat, diplomatic and economic systems developed for the series continue to offer a unique strategy experience, one which has always been well suited to global conflicts. The First World War remains a topic of great interest to historians and gamers alike, although few games model the strategic challenges that the great powers faced during that era. Adding a World War I title to the series fills a gap in both the franchise and within the PC strategy genre.”

About Supreme Ruler The Great War
Expanding on sixteen years of development on the Supreme Ruler series of Real Time Geo-Political Military Strategy Games for PC and Mac. Supreme Ruler The Great War brings players back to 1914, to a world that has little understanding of the devastation that will be unleashed as long-time alliances and animosities drive ever-growing conflicts. Whether leading a major power or a minor nation, players can experience the tensions of a world descending into chaos. Campaigns follow paths similar to historical events while allowing players control of their own destiny, with the opportunity to change those events and chart their own course. Set-Piece Scenarios will provide for a shorter game focused on specific events from the era. As well, the ever popular sandbox mode allows players to customize their gaming experience by picking any nation and choosing their own preferred Victory Condition. With the further option of multiplayer matches, Supreme Ruler The Great War provides incredible amounts of replayability.

• World War I Campaigns for various major powers from the era.
• Take Control of any Nation in Sandbox Mode and impact the outcome of the conflict.
• Start in 1914 and progress well into the 21st century for an Epic Game-play experience.
• Challenge yourself with Set-Piece Scenarios for a faster-paced game.
• The butterfly effect… Influence the timeline and outcome of thousands of historical events.
• Use Diplomacy, Trade, Espionage, and Intimidation to influence the policies of other nations.
• Guide your Nation through the first war waged on a global scale.
• Modernize your economy to support whatever social and military policies you choose.
• Comprehensive Tech Tree features over 100 years of technology and equipment advances.
• Sophisticated Real-Time Strategic and Tactical Control of your Military Forces.
• Detailed historically-accurate Armies down to the Battalion level.
• Choose your level of control. Make all decisions or use your Cabinet Ministers to help.
• Battle the elements! Fully integrated weather model influences battlefield outcomes.
• Up to 16 players in Multiplayer over local network or Internet.

Supreme Ruler The Great War is now available for purchase on Steam. Visit the BattleGoat Studios official website for more information.

Matrix Games has released a new trailer for Order of Battle: Burma Road, showing many of the new features and additions coming with this new expansion pack, ranging from units to scenarios and specializations. You will have to adapt to a new unfamiliar terrain if you want to prevail!

Matrix Games will be showing a live stream of Order of Battle: Burma Road for the first time on Twitch!

Come say hello and enjoy the live stream with us the 11th of August, 11.00AM EDT / 4.00PM BST / 5.00PM CEST!

Order of Battle: Burma Road will be released on the Matrix Games store and on Steam on the 17th of August!

Gary Grigsby’s War in the West, the most ambitious and detailed computer wargame on the Western Front of World War II ever made, has finally been released on Steam!

Join the fight and lead your troops to victory with this incredibly detailed simulation. Each squad and vehicle will be under your command, waiting for your orders, in a huge 36k hex map with a comprehensive new air game that will allow you to control the skies above the battleground.

While your troops bring chaos and destruction on the field, you will also have to make plans for the logistic side of the battle, including rail usage, depots, trucks, ports and realistic interdictions.

Improve your World War II experience with the expansion “Operation Torch”, that introduces 10 new challenging scenarios, including both historical and what-if operations like the “Battle for Tunisia”, “Operation Dragoon” and “Breach of the Gothic Line”.

So, are you ready to show what you got on the battlefield? Grab Gary Grigsby’s War in the West on Steam now!

Do you think you are not tough enough for this? Then watch the tutorials we just made for new players! They’ll guide you and teach you the core mechanics of the game.