Hearts of Iron 3: Semper Fi
Continuing to improve upon Hearts of Iron 3: Semper Fi, Paradox Interactive has released a new update that brings numerous refinements to the company’s recently released World War II strategy game expansion.
The patch further enhances the vast AI improvements found in the expansion, brings balance changes to units and weapons, and also improves overall stability. Combined, the changes make it that much easier for players to re-write the history as they lose themselves in their own version of World War II, set their own hidden victory conditions, and manage their allies.
Released in June 2010, Semper Fi marks the first expansion to Hearts of Iron 3, and is available through most major digital distributors, including GamersGate, Impulse and Steam.
Major Changes in 2.03b
- Fixed multiple stability bugs, most related to nations being annexed
- Fixed the missing unit model picture bug
- Fixed the Arcade Mode freeze during “Adapting History”
- Fixed the bug with automated HQs below Theatre level suddenly deciding to defend the whole theatre front
- Convoys should no longer ship either fuel or supplies when none are needed in the area
- AI improvements across the board
For more information and a full list of fixes, visit www.facebook.com/heartsofiron
The August Gamers Front Specials Heat Up The Dog Days Of Summer!
Save On Pushing Tin And Paratroops All This Month!
This month at the Shrapnel Games official e-store, the Gamers Front, gamers looking for something different in their strategy games will be pleased to know that Air Command 3.0 and The Falklands War: 1982 are the choices for the monthly special. Grab them all month long at their reduced prices and enjoy their unique gaming challenges.
In the majority of strategy games victory is only attainable through destruction and elimination. Air Command 3.0 is a strategy game in which violence creates failure, not success.
A rather unique game, Air Command 3.0 belongs to the strategy sub-genre of the air traffic control sim. The player is responsible for directing air traffic at one of ten airports through all manner of environmental conditions. Winning the game is dependent on those aircraft landing safely, and though it features a great UI that makes Air Command 3.0 highly accessible, there is a lot more to getting those aircraft on the ground then just a click or two.
Air Command 3.0 does an excellent job of setting the mood. Digitized vocal acknowledgements from the pilots will make you feel like you’re up in the tower at Hartsfield, and realistic doppler precipitation patterns will make your local weatherman jealous. Four levels of difficulty ensure that everyone from professionals who do this kind of thing for a living to those that are afraid to fly will find the right amount of challenge. There is even an option to simulate communication difficulty with the pilots, adding yet another layer to the challenge. An editor to create your own airports is also included, making it possible to create any airport in the world.
Gamespy said it best of Air Command 3.0. “Have you ever seen those jugglers that juggle three objects and then suddenly have three or four more thrown into the mix? That’s what it feels like during the rush hour in Air Command 3.0. Just when you think you’ve got the situation under control, it changes. However, when you get it right, it’s very rewarding, and when you get it wrong, you’re left with the mix of anger and desire to improve that is sometimes called addiction.” Read more
Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
Highly anticipated sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s sci-fi real-time strategy game launches around the world
Following several years of development and an extensive beta test that resulted in focused feedback from thousands of players worldwide, Blizzard Entertainment is pleased to announce that StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is now on sale in North America, Europe, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. To celebrate the launch with players, Blizzard Entertainment hosted retail launch parties in 12 cities around the world. For video assets from these events, visit www.newsinfusion.com/starcraft2.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is the sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s 1998 hit StarCraft, which has been hailed by players and critics worldwide as one of the top real-time strategy games of all time. Sporting a vibrant 3D-graphics engine, StarCraft II once again centers on the clash between the protoss, terrans, and zerg, with each side deploying legions of veteran, upgraded, and new unit types. Unparalleled online play for StarCraft II is available through a new version of Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s world-renowned gaming service. Battle.net has been redesigned from the ground up to be the premier online gaming destination for Blizzard gamers, with several enhancements and new features, such as voice communication, cloud file storage, leagues and ladders, achievements, stat-tracking, and more.
“We’ve worked hard to deliver an epic continuation of the StarCraft story line as well as the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game with StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Combined with the next-generation online environment of the new Battle.net, we believe players will agree that StarCraft II offers an experience unlike anything we’ve ever created, and we’re excited to finally be able to share it with them.”
The solo campaign for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty picks up the saga where it left off in StarCraft: Brood War®. The story line chronicles the exploits of marshal-turned-rebel-leader Jim Raynor and features both familiar faces and new heroes. Players can tailor the experience, choosing their own mission path and selecting technology and research upgrades to suit their playing style throughout the 29-mission campaign. Several challenge missions are also included, with focused goals designed to ease players into the basics of multiplayer strategies. Read more
Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge free playable demo
Matrix Games and Panther Games are thrilled to release a free playable demo for the critically acclaimed WWII strategy game, Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge. The demo includes the fictional scenario called “Return to St. Vith” which depicts Patton’s 4th Armored Division launching a fierce counteroffensive behind enemy lines to cut off the supply route for German units still in the Bulge.
The demo is available is available from here.
You can also find some tutorial videos to help you out: Getting Started, Game Concepts, and Assess, Plan, and Order.
Battles from the Bulge has seen some impressive critical reaction since its release, scoring a 9 out of 10 on Eurogamer.dk, winning a Silver Award from Gamer’s Hall, and taking home a perfect score of 8 from Out of Eight!
David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Critics and gamers alike have poured on the praise since the release of Battles from the Bulge. We believe that the unparalleled historical realism and playability found in Battles from the Bulge speaks so loudly for itself that releasing a demo makes perfect sense!”
Assess, Plan, Order and React – The Decisions are Yours!
Acclaimed developer Panther Games brings us to the bitter cold of Western Europe during the Winter of 1944 with Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge. Although the Battle of the Bulge is ground that has been visited by wargamers before, it has never been done with this level of fidelity and historical accuracy. The most advanced and realistic model of command decision-making implemented to date in a commercial wargame, combined with thorough historical research on the battlefields and forces involved in this campaign sets Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge apart from the competition.
Set during the hard fighting of the Battle of the Bulge, Command Ops lets gamers assess, plan, order and react at the operational level just like a real Corps, Division and Brigade commander. Hundreds of hours of gameplay await armchair generals who will be challenged to fight their way across 27 scenarios that stretch from the initial German surprise offensive to the powerful Allied counter-attack. Read more
Prepare for Battle as Disciples III Arrives in Stores
The fantasy tactical RPG/strategy is now available in North American retail stores and via global digital download
Kalypso Media and Akella announced that Disciples III: Renaissance is available in North American retail stores and via global digital download today. In the world of Disciples III: Renaissance, players will enjoy three distinct campaigns as they battle to capture an artifact of great power while being immersed in a rich story crafted by renowned Russian fantasy authors.
Players will engage in combat with a diverse variety of enemy creatures – on both a global map and tactical battlefield – challenging players to make the best use of the variety of character classes they can recruit into their adventuring parties. For more information about Disciples III: Renaissance, please visit http://www.disciples3.com.
Disciples III: Renaissance is the next title in the award-winning Disciples series and represents a huge leap forward in the evolution of the turn-based RPG/strategy genre. Building on the successes of the first two games, Disciples III: Renaissance introduces a host of new features as well as the compelling gameplay that made the previous titles so popular.
Sid Meier’s Civilization V Special Edition
Sid Meier’s Civilization V Special Edition, a robust retail package that contains collectable items and exclusive access to behind-the scenes content, will be available starting September 21, 2010 alongside the standard retail edition in North America for $99.99.
In development at 2K’s world-renowned Firaxis Games studio, Sid Meier’s Civilization V is the next entry to the original turn-based strategy franchise that reinvents the addictive “just one more turn” formula with a plethora of exciting new additions and enhancements.
In addition to a copy of the highly anticipated game, the following elements are included in the Civilization V Special Edition:
- 5 metal figurines based on units from Civilization V, manufactured by Reaper Miniatures
- 2-disc CD soundtrack of game score selections
- DVD “Behind-the-Scenes at Firaxis on Civilization V”
- 176-page hardcover art book Read more
SAGA Online: Manage, Trade, Fight
The free-to-play real-time strategy game SAGA Online from Silverlode Interactive is set in a continuous online world with a traditional fantasy setting populated by characters such as elves, orcs, dragons, dwarfs, and giants. Players get to create their own realms and do battle or trade with one another. Two main aspects dominate gameplay in SAGA Online.
The first is the management of one or several nations. When managing nations, players can examine the situation of their people, determine activities for peasants and workers, and trade resources, troops, and spells at the market. Players of SAGA Online also get to organize in guilds in order to support each other and take part in guild wars that yield many new resources for the victors.
The second great aspect of SAGA Online is found on the battlefield. Here, players send their units to take part in massive online combat, as seen in LAN games or the online battles of most RTS games.
Every SAGA Online user can create up to five nations with his or her account. However, collector’s cards, which hold troops or spells, are assigned to the player’s nations individually. Thus, a card assigned to nation A is not available for any of the player’s other nations. This means commanders have to disband an active army before they can use this particular card for any of their other nations. As the game progresses, troops gain experience. Battles make them stronger, improve their skills and lead to new armor and weapons. Players can purchase booster packs in order to add to their forces. These packs remain the user’s property, but can be exchanged with other SAGA Online players for troops or resources. Moreover, armies can be adjusted to suit a particular nation type, which is determined individually at the start of the game. Players choose from among various available troops and spells compatible with their nations to find the ideal combination.
For more information on SAGA Online, or to sign up for the current Open Beta, visit the official website www.playsaga.eu.
Shogun 2: Total War
Platform: Windows PC
Genre: Strategy
Release date: 2011
Rating: PEGI: 16/ OFLC: PG/ USK: 12/ ESRB: Teen
Shogun 2: Total War Features:
9 Playable clans ranging from the large and powerful to the tiny and weak.
Take charge of any of the nine major factions of Japanese feudal history, from the mighty Oda to the more delicate but well positioned Tokugawa clan. All of these clans could rise to take the position of Shogun under your leadership.
Pre-Battle speeches with Generals inspiring their men before engaging.
Made famous in Rome Total War and much requested since, the generals pre-battle speeches have returned! Daimyos and Generals alike will seek to inspire their men on the battlefield (With variable results) there are over 100,000 possible speeches that could be delivered based on the character, their location, their relationship to the enemy etc.
Brand new siege mechanics vastly improved over Napoleon and Empire.
Japanese siege warfare is markedly different form its European equivalent. Castles are now elaborate death traps, with the enemy being invited in to attempt to destroy the defender. Defenders and attackers now have multiple options, paths and objectives within a siege and a larger number of castle types make this all the more elaborate and strategic.
Much improved terrain and environments, mountains in battle and new environments.
Shogun 2s terrain system is brand new to deal with the Japanese landscape and the radically different topography it presents the player. From savage mountain ranges to gentle landscapes and cherry blossom trees, the new battlefield terrain system generates battlefields that play utterly differently to previous TW titles and feel totally unique.
The four seasons on the battlefield. Autumn leaves to summer sun.
The four seasons are fully represented on the battlefield for the first time. Beyond simple snow and rain, the season system now affects the battlefield conditions as a whole and has an impact on the troops within it. This adds the staggering beauty of Japanese landscapes, and the tactical depth of seasonal warfare.
Total War Encyclopaedia, an archive of all the units and history in the game accessible from the menu.
A full knowledge base of the in game units and technologies, along with historical facts and information relevant to the players experience.
Five stage castle sieges, breaking the outer walls of the toughest castle is only the start.
Multiple types of castles, across a variety of terrain that can be upgraded across five different levels of fortification allow for truly diverse siege mechanics and siege play.
Storming the outer walls and entering a courtyard is simply the beginning of what is a true challenge of both the defender and the attacker’s skill.
Morale boosting buildings, capturing temples on the battlefield offers reward.
For the first time, battlefields will feature structures that will influence the men as they fight. Protect or capture shrines or temples, or indeed burn those of your enemy, to dictate the morale of troops on the battlefield.
All new historical land battles, drawn from the period.
Famous battles such as Sekigahara will be included for the player to test their mettle against history’s greatest tactical challenges and feudal Japans greatest adversaries.
Coastal battles; fight naval engagements of the coast of Japan navigating islands and land.
For the first time ever Shogun 2 Total War combines land and sea battles. Navigate the island coast of Japan, using the coast, mist and the elements against your enemy. Use ships to create choke points and to engage as the land dictates.
Unique ‘Hero’ units. Single men on the battlefield able to carve through the enemy.
At the height of martial prowess and technology are the hero units. Available to the player as ‘legendary’ units of a certain discipline these troops make a distinct difference on the battlefield. A single hero surrounded by a handful of their disciples can take on large numbers of enemy troops and will seek to find enemy heroes and duel them to the death for the honour of their lord and their clan.
Armada 2526 is coming to Europe
Premier videogame publisher Iceberg Interactive and Ntronium Games have announced that they have struck a deal, with Iceberg securing the rights to publish Armada 2526 in European retail. Armada 2526 is an exciting and deep hybrid ‘4x’ space strategy game for PC. The game is currently in its final tweaking stage and set for a retail release in June 2010 across Europe.
Iceberg Interactive CEO Erik Schreuder says: “We are really looking forward to once again step into the world of 4x space strategy with this challenging and great looking strategy game. Be ready to conquer the universe not just by sheer force, but by cunningly negotiating with alien races until you are strong enough to defeat them.”
Ntronium Games CEO Bob Smith says: “We are extremely pleased to be working with a veteran publishing team like the people at Iceberg, who have played and successfully published in the 4x genre before. Exciting times lie ahead when we will see localized boxed versions of our game on European store shelves.”
Armada 2526 continues the great tradition of space opera games. You guide your race from its first interstellar journeys, until it becomes a mighty galactic empire. Along the way, you’ll explore the galaxy, conduct research, diplomacy and trade, find new colonies, maneuver mighty star fleets, and fight epic battles.
Although the game is complex, and the possible strategies endless, powerful help and advisor features, help you get up to speed quickly. Unlike many games in this genre, Armada 2526 focuses on providing a game that can be finished in a reasonable time, and emphasizes battle and strategy over economic micro-management.
The game consists of two sections. The Star Map is where you run your empire: manage your colonies, deploy your fleets, do research, and conduct diplomacy. It uses a turn based system, so you can take as long as you wish to plan your actions. However, once battle is joined, you switch to the battle module and fight it out in a real-time 3D system that brings to life the beauty and visceral carnage of space combat.
Armada 2526 Features
• Turn based star map for moving fleets, managing colonies, performing research, and conducting diplomacy.
• Customizable map size and number of players, allowing you to construct tight 2 player confrontations, or huge galaxies with 50 or more players, and thousands of stars. Map designer included.
• Twelve animated alien races to play and battle against.
• Full featured diplomacy system, with a highly intelligent AI and options to ask favors, make demands, and issue ultimatums.
• More than 100 technology items to research, including advances in ship construction, ground defenses, biological warfare, and psychic powers.
• 3D Real-time battle system for fighting huge battles with 100 or more ships per side.
• Ground combat is integrated into the combat system, allowing marines to be landed to battle ground defenses while ship combat rages overhead.
• More than a hundred beautifully crafted ship models, including mighty dreadnaughts, long range missile cruisers, fighters, carriers, and asteroids for bombarding planets.
• Tough A.I. opponents.
Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943
Excalibur Publishing Ltd is set to release ‘Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943’, a next generation real time strategy WWII battle on February 26. The battle is set in Tunisia in 1943 after the Second Battle of El Alamein.
The German Afrika Korps have finished counting their losses and reinforced by the Italian Army they are preparing to once again battle the Allied Forces. Lead by the legendary General Erwin Rommel the Axis Forces have a small window of opportunity to seize control and go up against the allied forces to secure the sector.
The player will lead Rommel’s Afrika Korps in the final campaign against Eisenhower and Montgomery. Adding to the realism of the game you must control anti-aircraft vehicles and stationary anti-aircraft mounts
Robert Stallibrass of Excalibur Publishing says: “The developers at 1C and Battlefront have put an incredible amount of effort in creating this sequel and making it as realistic as possible. They have listened closely to comments in the gaming world and used these to create this fantastic RTS that will not only appeal to strategy gamers but also to WW2 enthusiasts.”
The product will retail at £29.99, is available on pre-order at www.excalibur-publishing.com and will officially hit the shelves in all major game retailers on 26 February 2010.