Strategy and Wargaming

Get the Expansion on October 11th, Live Streams Begin

In the wake of the announcement of “Rights of Man”, Paradox Development Studio is reviving their Europa Universalis multiplayer stream. In these weekly streams fans can watch the development studio compete against each other for world domination. Tune in on Tuesday the 30th of August at 15.00 CEST for the first episode of what will most certainly be an epic tale of betrayal and tense work environment relations.

For those who desire a more in-depth look at the features coming to the “Rights of Man” expansion without all the drama of developers trying to annex one another, there will be a feature live stream on the same channel on Wednesday August 30th at 16.00 with Junior Game Designer Jake and Johan Andersson, EVP of Creative Direction at Paradox Development Studio.

Check out the Europa Universalis IV: The Rights of Man, Release Date Reveal Trailer here.

For more information about Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man please visit the “Rights of Man” webpage.

“The Reaper’s Due” Kills Your Free Time (and half of Europe) 

Few things are more contagious than the stories people tell about Crusader Kings II. Tales of intrigue, piety, conquest and murderous sibling rivalry have circled the internet for over four years. Today, Paradox Development Studio adds the world’s greatest pandemic to the mix in The Reaper’s Due, the latest expansion to its best-selling medieval grand strategy-roleplaying game. Watch the release trailer here.

The Reaper’s Due adds a host of new mechanics centered on the Black Death and other world shaping epidemics. Lock your gates to keep the plague from infecting your court, even if it means cutting yourself off from your suffering citizens. Peace and good management will see your provinces reward you with greater wealth and manpower, but rampant disease may depopulate your countryside.

The Reaper’s Due introduces many new systems and features to what is already the richest medieval tapestry in gaming:

• The Black Death: New additions to epidemic system include this super destructive disease and a new map mode that track the expansion of deadly illnesses.
• Court Physicians: This new position for learned courtiers opens up a series of events tied to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases with medieval tech.
• Hospitals: Slow down the spread of epidemics by investing in these outposts that care for the sick and infirm.
• Prosperity and Depopulation: Watch your provinces thrive under your careful attention and degrade under the pressures of diseases run amok.
• Seclusion: Take a page from the Masque of the Red Death and hide yourself away with your court as plagues ravage the countryside.
• And even more: New physical traits, new events chain and a host of smaller changes.

And, as always, The Reaper’s Due will be accompanied by a major free update for everyone who owns Crusader Kings II, whether they buy the new expansion or not.

Are you a clever enough ruler to make it through one of humanity’s darkest moments? Invest wisely and avoid the plague, or shut yourself off and take advantage of the destruction later. The choice, as always, is yours.

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

Developers from Ageod are very proud to reveal today the main art for their new project, Wars of Succession!

The game will allow you to take the lead of different Great Powers during the turmoil of two greatest wars of the early XVIII° century. The War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713) pitting the French & Spanish Bourbons monarchs against the Grand Alliance built by Austrian Habsburg, Britain and the United Provinces, and the Great Northern War (1700-1721), between Sweden and Russia (and her allies), most of which focused around the succession of Poland.

But the good news are not over! The game has reached the Beta stage, and we invite all the players to join it and help us for the final touches!

You can enlist by signing up here!

Get more information about the game from its official product page.

Matrix Games has announced the release of Command LIVE: You Brexit, You Fix!  an expansion of Command: Modern Air / Naval Operations and requires the base game to be played. Read more:

After decades of slow integration, Europe has to face a decisive turning point. British citizens have expressed their will to leave the Union, adding a new element of instability in a Continent already plagued by economic stagnation and pressed by multiple crisis.

The unpredictability that has followed this event must not be underestimated in the short period.

While Europe is struggling to act as a whole, Russia is trying to turn this new geopolitical situation to its advantage.

Even if weakened by western sanctions, Moscow has showed to the world to have the political will to pursue ambitious projects, despite high risks.

The Baltic States have always been considered by the Russians as part of their historical Sphere of Influence, and several thousands of troops have been already deployed in the region to conduct extensive military exercises.

Maybe this is the right moment to take advantage of Europe’s lack of cohesion and deliver a surgical – but devastating – blow to NATO?

Play history as it happens in the second episode from the Command LIVE series!

You Brexit, You Fix it! is military strategy at his finest, featuring two playable factions – NATO countries and allies against the Russian Federation – fighting a highly technological war!

Expect intense air and naval combats, and the deployment of some of the most modern equipment in use: F-22 & Eurofighter Typhoon featured fighting side by side, the Russian SS-26 Iskander Short Range Ballistic Missile system, S-400 SAMs, SM-3 – Theater Ballistic Missile Defense missiles as well as some of the newest and most capable ships in NATO and the Russian Federation inventory.

The game is an expansion for Command: Modern Air / Naval Operations and require the base game to be played.

Command LIVE: You Brexit, You Fix! it is also available on Steam!

Pre-orders Now Available at the Paradox Store

Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio today announced that death can come early for those eager for new ways to die in Crusader Kings 2 as pre-orders for The Reaper’s Due are now available on the Paradox Store. Featuring new disease and medicine mechanics and a whole host of deadly new challenges for players’ in-game nobles, The Reaper’s Due will be available on Windows, Mac and Linux PCs on August 25, 2016.

For those eager to know why they should fear the reaper in the upcoming expansion, Game Director Henrik Fåhraeus details what kind of grisly demises you can expect from horrendous world events such as the Black Plague in this video developer diary.

Those who duly wish to pre-purchase Crusader Kings 2: The Reaper’s Due before it’s due for release can pre-order on the Paradox Store right now.

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

Today, Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio announced the next expansion for their hit grand strategy game Europa Universalis IV.

Thomas Paine wrote that laws get their force from the consent of those who agree to live under them. It is in this spirit of that Paradox Development Studio continues expand and improve Europa Universalis IV, with the upcoming Rights of Man.

This expansion to Paradox Development Studio’s best-selling historical strategy game introduces a number of small changes that add up to a deeper and more dynamic experience. Near the top of this list is the Great Power mechanic, where the most developed nations have access to new diplomatic options to bully or entice weaker neighbors. Keep that development going, or lose the powers you paid a high price for.

Rights of Man also adds a little more character to your monarchs, as they acquire traits that will give bonuses (or penalties) to your country, and affect how rival nations approach you. Beware the conqueror next door, but be nice to the generous king across the river – he may have some gold to spare in your time of need.

Other features coming in Rights of Man include:

• New goals for Coptic and Fetishist religions
• Greater control over adopting new cultures in your empire
• Leader Traits giving battle hardened commanders added prowess
• More detailed military instructions for Subject Nations
• Revolutionary Republics now have Factions to balance
• Ottoman Empire gets new Harem Politics events and options
• AND MUCH MUCH MORE

As usual, the release of Rights of Man will be accompanied by a free update for all Europa Universalis IV players – and this one will have the first major overhaul of the technology system since launch.

The grandest historical strategy game is just getting grander. For more information on the game, click here.

Time has come for another reportage from our Command LIVE News team on the ground!

How the Brexit referendum will impact on the quintessential Western collective defense, the North Atlantic Alliance?

Are the rumors of a Russian mobilization in the east confirmed? And how much effective would be a European countermove?

Watch the Video Reportage HERE and find the answers!

Command LIVE: You Brexit, You Fix it will be available on August, 23rd!

Get more information about Command LIVE: You Brexit, You Fix it from our official product page!

1C is happy to announce that Assault Squad 2: Men of War Origins, the remake of the bestselling Men of War game, will be released on the 25th of August for PC. Return to the blood-drenched battlefields of World War II, take command and lead your men to victory!

The renowned Men of War RTS series has been continuously improved and polished by 1C for over 10 years. Everything we’ve learned in that time has been crystalized in Assault Squad 2: Men of War Origins, to make probably the best Men of War game to-date.

Return to the battlefield and enjoy the classic missions with dozens of improvements, for a more refined and balanced gaming experience. The vastly upgraded GEM engine – now with DirectX 11 support – will ensure a splendid visual experience, worthy of the wait. Newcomers and fans alike should not hesitate to pick up this thoroughly remastered classic!

• Completely enhanced HD visuals and remastered audio
• Vastly upgraded engine featuring DirectX 11 support for Soft Particles, Depth of Field, Flora translucency, Soft Alpha Rendering, SSAO and more
• Plenty of improvements in the gameplay, interface and AI
• Revised unit management, including automatic ammo re-supply and unit veterancy
• Improved physics and ballistics engine

Watch the Assault Squad 2: Men of War Origins Trailer announcement trailer here.

Learn more about Assault Squad 2: Men of War Origins at the official Men of War website.

In 2002, the original Strategic Command game was a relatively simple construct. With a limited rule set and a much smaller 62×37 map of approximately 2300 hexes, the requirements for the AI were not necessarily trivial, but in general terms, they were straightforward.

Fast forward to today, and Strategic Command WWII: War in Europe has been expanded into a modifiable hexagonal game engine allowing map sizes of up to 512×512 or 262,144 hexes!

Inevitably, with an equivalent increase in game complexity and detail, the requirements and expectations of the computer opponent had to grow as well.

As a result, the primary challenges for the AI, with the player’s point of view in mind, was to not only ensure it continued to play well, but also to complete its turns within a reasonable amount of time.

Read on…

We have received from the Command LIVE News Report editorial team their second dispatch (.PDF), and as expected, this time is entirely focused on the Brexit situation!

A truly in-depth analysis, essential to better understand the military implications for NATO and Europe after this extremely important referendum.

Stay tuned for further updates! Get more information about You Brexit, You Fix it from its official product page!