The New Successor to SSG’s Award-Winning Wargames!

Matrix Games and Strategic Studies Group (www.ssg.com.au) are excited to announce a new World War II operational strategy game, designed to be the successor to both the award winning Decisive Battles and Battlefront designs… Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Strategic Studies Group has a new masterpiece on its hands with Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets. Not only does this expertly designed and meticulously balanced title give gamers the ability to experience the solid gameplay found in both the Battlefront and its predecessor, the Decisive Battles series, but it brings some truly unique, innovative and fun gameplay elements to one of the epic battles of World War II!”

Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets is the latest strategy title from the award-winning team at Strategic Studies Group.  A synthesis of the very best elements of two critically acclaimed and top-rated game systems, Decisive Battles and Battlefront, and a successor to both, the new Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets brings to life a campaign of epic scale and dynamic battles on the Eastern Front of World War II.

Command the Soviet forces, newly confident after stopping and throwing back the Barbarossa offensive, or try the elite and seasoned German army now reconstituted after winter losses and ready to regain the initiative.  Two separate forces prepared offensives in the same area in the Spring of 1942.  When the dust had cleared the Germans had managed a great victory that opened the doors to the drive on Stalingrad.  But the outcome was far from certain and in Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets, history is yours to rewrite.

This new system allows both regimental and battalion level combat, while incorporating many innovative features such as off-map reinforcement decisions and on-map historical areas of operation with mystery variants to increase replayability and limit the effect of hindsight.  Along with the substantially improved and simplified supply and movement systems, a new bonus and advantage system for headquarters effects, simplified direct fire and better combat tables, an improved strong points system and the ability to create hedgehog defenses make this the most advanced and realistic SSG design to date.

Perhaps the most innovative new feature of Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets is the on-map area of operation and mystery variant system. This new system takes away the advantage of hindsight by restricting mass unit relocation while allowing the areas to change as you achieve your objectives, with mystery variants keeping the opponent from predicting your limits.  These new rules represent a realistic modeling of historical command restrictions and add a new and fascinating layer to each side’s decision-making.

Features include:

• Successor to the highly popular and award winning Decisive Battles and Battlefront engines, combining the best elements of both

   

• An innovative and fun area of operation system which limits unrealistic redeployments for both players, with changes triggered as local objectives are achieved and based on mystery variants to keep the enemy guessing

   

• Improved and simplified supply, movement and direct combat systems

   

• Improved combat tables that better model diminishing returns and new HQ bonuses that can affect Direct and Indirect Fire

   

• Improved strong points and new hedgehog rules

   

• Models both battalion and regimental combat

   

The latest project from the people who created War in the Pacific heads to the American Civil War!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “2 by 3 Games have brought us some timeless wargames that people will be enjoying for years to come. Now that they’re taking their talent in grand strategy games to the American Civil War we can look forward to another masterpiece of wargaming!”

Taking gamers back to the American Civil War, Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States allows players to experience the trials and tribulations of the role of commander-in-chief for either side.  Historically accurate, detailed and finely balanced for realistic gameplay, War Between the States is also easy to play and does not take months to finish.

Promote and cultivate talented young colonels or brigadiers to build Corps and Army commanders that will help you fight and manage the war effort from battles to training of recruits with the utmost efficiency and success.  An innovative multi-faceted rank promotion system allows leaders to gain in abilities and power based on their successes, while also simulating the historical progression of leaders during the war.  Each decision you make must be weighed carefully, as promoting and demoting leaders, entering neutral states, raising troops and many other actions cost you the political capital that will determine your ability to achieve victory.

Explore the historical tactics of the day to find the best way to win. Use cavalry to raid the enemy supply depots and conduct reconnaissance to determine the best place to strike and then engage the enemy head on and watch the epic push and pull of battle unfold in front of you. In between battles, the mighty Union navy or brave Confederate raiders can strangle and disrupt supply flow at critical times in your campaign.  Build river gunboats and transports to exploit the strategic value of the Mississippi and entrench and fortify key locations to deny passage to the enemy.

Test your mettle and strategic vision in one of the most bitterly fought contests in history – the War Between the States.

Features include:

• Use wisdom and strategy to appoint the best leader for the job – With an innovative new system, units train and function best with the right leader. Weigh the strengths and weakness of the men commanding your armies to maximize unit attributes like attack, defense, movement, initiative probability, and training.

   

• Play on the edge of your seat with a suspenseful battle resolution system – Watch the push and pull of forces as the battle unfolds that will make or break your plans resolve.

   

• Master critical Cavalry Scouting and Raiding and penetrate deep into enemy territory - With the optional Fog of War rule, cavalry scouting becomes even more important. The Confederate early war cavalry advantage is accurately simulated.

   

• Achieve naval superiority with a realistic and complete naval war model – Harass and interrupt critical trade routes with a Union blockade and or Confederate commerce raiders. Build river gunboats and transports to control the “Father of Waters” and conduct amphibious assaults by river or sea.

   

• Fortify and Entrench – Entrench your armies and build permanent fortifications to protect strategic locations and interdict river movement.

   

• Conserve your Political Capital – Use it prudently to call for new troops, change leaders and enter neutral states.  Build it up through successes and keep it high enough to secure final victory.

   

Take command over the great armies of Europe at a discount price for a lightening fast limited time!

Matrix Games and Slitherine Strategies (www.slitherine.com) are thrilled to announce a Blitzkrieg Sale for Commander – Europe at War! Starting midnight April 21^st through May 5^th, Commander – Europe at War will be available for $49.99 as a boxed version – a savings of $10 - and $39.99 as a digital download – also savings of $10!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “With the lightning speed of blitzkrieg tactics, Commander – Europe at War has invaded and occupied much of my free time! This fun grand strategy game is thoroughly addicting and with a brilliant interface and easy learning curve the game is well suited for veteran wargamers and newcomers alike.”

Commander – Europe at War allows the player to command the armies of the Axis or the Allies in World War II. With only two goals at hand - survive and conquer, the player is charged with building and commanding the combined air, land and sea forces of his side. Advance your research to the cutting edge of technology in order to best your opponents and either conquer or liberate Europe!

Commander - Europe at War is easy to learn and elegant, but deep in strategy and hard to master. Players will find themselves glued to their chairs from the beginning when all mayhem breaks loose across the continent with the invasion of Poland in 1939. Research new technologies, manage your manpower reserves, improve your industry, husband your oil supply and manufacture armies, fleets, and bombers to use all available strategic and tactical might to bring about victory. Commander - Europe at War includes realistic combat resolution that models supply morale, terrain, leadership, equipment, training, strategic weapons and fog of war. To capture the immense scope and distance of WWII, Commander - Europe at War includes 6 epic scenarios with different starting points, including the famous Barbarossa campaign, D-Day, the battle for France, and finally the Grand Campaign that will let the player refight the entirety of the Second World War the way they see fit!

Since Uncle Sam is taxing everybody today, why not get something for free in return!!

Today is tax day in the United States and since the government is going to take something out of your pocket, Matrix Games and Boku Strategy Games are going to put something back in. With The War Engine Tax Day Giveaway, gamers can download and play the full version of The War Engine for free! The download for this powerful wargame development tool kit is available from Strategy Informer, Gamer’s Hell, Fan Gaming, and Atomic Gamer.

The War Engine is the latest addition to the Matrix Games free games catalogue, but don’t forget to check out the other free products we have available like Titans of Steel, Pacific War, Steel Panthers: World at War and War in Russia.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “I don’t think there are many wargamers out there that look forward to tax day. So why not soften the blow a little bit with a completely free product that brings tons of versatility and hours of fun?”

The War Engine is the ultimate table top war game simulation and replication kit.  Limited only by your imagination, all units, weapons and terrain are fully configurable in artwork and stats.  Ready made worlds range from sci-fi to fantasy to space to World War 2. 

Features include:

• Highly tactical – watch your tracks, destroy key terrain, find the objectives!
• Seven full games in one
• Individual scenarios as well as linked campaigns
• Move your army from one battle to the next!
• Weapons, terrain and units are all fully configurable
• Use our graphics or your own
• Excellent AI performs well under the wide variety of situations.

A Major New Release in the Panzer Command 3D Tactical Wargame series from Matrix Games!

Matrix Games and Koios Works are proud to release Panzer Command: Kharkov a major new release in the Panzer Command series of 3D tactical wargames.  In Panzer Command: Kharkov, players step back to the early days of May, 1942 as both the German and Soviet armies prepare major offensives focused on the same place – Kharkov.

Panzer Command: Kharkov is a 3D tactical game in which players control a core force of vehicles and squads while battling through individual scenarios and historical campaigns.  In addition, Panzer Command: Kharkov includes a Random Battle Generator and a Random Campaign Generator that cover battles and campaigns across the Eastern Front of World War II.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Panzer Command: Kharkov sets a new benchmark for our series of 3D tactical wargames and we’re very proud of the exciting new features and the historical content we’ve built into this release.  This is really a major leap beyond the original Winter Storm release!”

Panzer Command: Kharkov is a 3D simultaneous turn based strategy game where you command either the Soviet or German forces during the punch and counter-punch of the 1942 battles around Kharkov in the Ukraine.  Two new Kharkov campaigns as well as some additional short campaigns tie the scenarios together, allowing core units to progress from battle to battle, gaining experience, medals and special abilities. A point system allows players to “purchase” additional units for each mission in the campaign as well as replace losses, forcing decisions on management of resources.  The new random battles system and the random campaign system allow for virtually infinite replayability with a variety of historical forces and settings.

The design for Panzer Command: Kharkov lets first time wargamers sit down and start playing, while allowing hard-core gamers to enjoy the realism and historical accuracy.  All campaign battles can also be fought as individual scenarios and a new random battle generator as well as a random campaign generator make for almost infinite replayability!  The AI can control either side in each battle and a full Play-by-Email system allows for head to head play. 

Panzer Command: Kharkov includes a full set of scenario and campaign editing tools as well as excellent support for moddability, extending to the game data as well as the 3D models themselves. 

Owners of Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm will also be able to use the additional Winter maps from Winter Storm in Panzer Command: Kharkov, which expands the winter map selection for random battles and campaigns significantly (only one winter map comes with Kharkov).  In addition, if Kharkov is installed on a system which already has Winter Storm, it will install bonus Winter Storm campaigns that are updated to work with all the new features and improvements of Panzer Command: Kharkov.

Panzer Command: Kharkov is available now from the Matrix Games Online Store at $39.99 US for the digital download and $49.99 US for a boxed copy with a printed manual.  Owners of Panzer Command: Winter Storm can register for a special upgrade coupon to purchase Panzer Command: Kharkov at a $15 discount.  A bundle offer is also available for new customers to purchase both Winter Storm and Kharkov together for $15 off the combined price.  Check the Panzer Command: Kharkov game page and forums for information on these special pricing offers.

Features of Panzer Command: Kharkov include:

·         New Scenarios and Campaigns

      o        German Kharkov, May 1942, 14^th Panzer Division, (8 Battles)

      o        Soviet Kharkov, May 1942, 169^th Rifle Divison, (8 Battles)

      o        German Mcensk, October 1941, 4^th Panzer Division, (4 Battles)

      o        German Kursk North, July 1943, (3 Battles)

      o        Boot Camp Tutorial (6 Battles)

      o        Plus additional individual battles and updated Winter Storm campaigns for Winter Storm owners (48 scenarios total if you own Winter Storm)

·         New Random Battle Generator

·         New Random Campaign Generator

·         New Spring and Summer Maps

      o        One Winter map is included with Kharkov.  Winter Storm owners get access to all the additional Winter Storm Winter maps for the historical winter campaigns as well as random battles and campaigns.

·         Trenches and Foxholes

·         Minefields

·         Detailed LOS and Terrain rules for historical realism

·         Scenario Editor, Campaign Editor, Template Editor

·         Improved Commands, Improved Interface Options

·         Improved AI

·         Improved Infantry Combat

·         Reinforcements

·         Surrender Option

·         Smoke

·         New Auto-Targeting

·         Improved Graphics

·         Improved Sounds

·         Improved Performance

·         New Units

      o        New On-Map Mortars

      o        New On-Map Infantry Guns

      o        Greatly expanded list of German and Soviet Units from 1941 - 1944

No, this isn’t an April fool’s joke! Get 35% off PureSim Baseball now through April 7^th!

Matrix Games and PureSim (www.puresim.com) are thrilled to announce the PureSim Season Opener Sale and a new 1.71 Update that adds support for the newly released Lahman 2007 database. Now baseball fans can snatch this award-winning line drive of a game for 35% off the original price starting on April 1^st and going until midnight on April 7^th. This means the digital download price is now reduced to$19.49 from the original $29.99 – a savings of $10.50! Grab your copy while supplies last!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “This Season Opener Sale is really a home run for baseball fans. PureSim Baseball 2007 provides every bit of the excitement and strategy found in baseball and with incredible customization too!”

The new 1.71 update adds a new roster size option of 40, numerous simulation speed improvements and some AI and stat improvements.  It also includes support for the new 2007 Lahman Database, allowing you to play with the latest real players and teams as well as historical ones.

PureSim Baseball 2007 uses an automatically-generated dream almanac containing thousands of pages of detailed stats on players and team histories.  Directly integrated into the game, it uses standard HTML formatting which allows it to be published onto the web. The Lahman database is fully licensed and integrated into PureSim Baseball 2007, making it easier than ever to play with historical players and teams from 1900 to 2006! PureSim Baseball 2007 includes multiple levels of minors (A, AA, AAA), flexibility in allowing players to simulate any Major League season from 1900 to 2007, with 2008 support on the way.  The game's unique player aging system, completely customizable parks and leagues, and the ability to edit any aspect of any detail found within the game all round out a sharper, quicker, and more intense baseball simulation.
 
PureSim Baseball 2007 also lets the slugger in you design your own teams and leagues, giving you the opportunity to field a real 'fantasy' team against any opponent in online or offline play. Your players, like your organization, will grow; their skills fluctuate, they age, and eventually, they retire. All the while you pull the purse strings and negotiate the hard contracts that will ensure your dynasty has the power it needs to stay on top.

Get the update here. The latest v1.71 update can be downloaded from the Matrix Games Downloads section and will update any version since 1.70b.

By downloading the tour and running it in Google Earth, players can press “play” and watch the campaign unfold from the operational level or examine the changing fronts of the battle and unit positions and maneuvers on both sides!

Not familiar with Google Earth? No problem – it’s easy! Just head to our instructions page and experience the Panzer Command: Kharkov Google Earth Tour in no time.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “We’re fans of Google Earth so putting this powerful tool to good use is something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time now. The ability to explore a massive battlefield like Kharkov in Google Earth and then follow a virtual tour of the battles in the German Campaign gives gamers a unique preview of what’s coming in Panzer Command: Kharkov.”

Panzer Command: Kharkov is a 3D simultaneous turn-based strategy game where you command either the Soviet or German forces during the punch and counter-punch of the 1942 battles around Kharkov in the Ukraine.  Two new Kharkov campaigns as well as some additional short campaigns covering battles in 1941 and 1943 tie the scenarios together, allowing core units to progress from battle to battle, gaining experience, medals and special abilities. A point system allows players to “purchase” additional units for each mission in the campaign as well as replace losses, forcing decisions on management of resources.

The design for Panzer Command: Kharkov lets first time wargamers sit down and start playing, while allowing hard-core gamers to enjoy the realism and historical accuracy.  A tutorial scenario and a full basic training campaign provide a gentle learning curve for new players.  All campaign battles can also be fought as individual scenarios and a new random battle generator as well as a random campaign generator make for almost infinite replayability!  The AI can control either side in each battle and a full Play-by-Email system allows for head to head play.  

Panzer Command: Kharkov includes a full set of scenario and campaign editing tools as well as excellent support for moddability, extending to the game data as well as the 3D models themselves.

As an added bonus to people who are already Panzer Command fans, owners of Panzer Command: Winter Storm will receive a special upgrade offer to purchase Panzer Command: Kharkov at a discount.

Download Google Earth.
Download the Kharkov Tour.
Check out the instructions page.

As an added bonus, Flyboys Squadron comes with a free one month of online play for both Flyboys Squadron and Warbirds, a World War II air combat simulator with over 100 aircraft and ground vehicles!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Whether its manning the gunner’s seat and fending off another wave of enemy aircraft or piloting a legendary Nieuport 17 yourself, Flyboys Squadron brings good fun and plenty of action in a conflict that isn’t covered nearly enough.  We’re pleased to offer this new bundle with two classic Interactive Magic air combat titles, which offer both World War I and World War II air combat in a package geared for online play.”

Join the brave knights of the skies in this World War I flight combat simulation, developed by Interactive Magic. Fast, fun and furious action takes you to the skies above no man’s land in the first air war in history, where you’ll exchange machine gun fire with enemy pilots in desperate turning dogfights. Based on the motion picture “Flyboys”, a twelve mission campaign will take you through the immersive single player storyline and prepare you for the next step – online play.

Forge a mighty tradition of strength and courage for your air squadron by besting opponents in over 10 authentic World War I aircraft and prove you’re the best in the world by surviving the infamous close range dogfights over Western Europe. In the rugged French Nieuport 17 biplane players must protect the homeland as either the pilot or rear gunner and use teamwork and sheer courage over 12 single player battles and several hidden missions.

Flyboys Squadron is part of the Warbirds community of massively multiplayer online flight simulations and comes with a month of free subscription time, after which further online play requires a paid subscription. Once you connect to the online community, you’ll find a virtual world with dynamic online missions and events.  Ranks, points and medals will track your performance against human and AI pilots as you rise from rookie aviator to the “Ace” and Squadron Commander. 

A Major New Release in the Panzer Command 3D Tactical Wargame series from Matrix Games!

Matrix Games and Koios Works are excited to announce a major new release in the Panzer Command series of 3D tactical wargames.  In Panzer Command: Kharkov, players step back to the early days of May, 1942 as both the German and Soviet armies prepare major offensives focused on the same place – Kharkov.  Panzer Command: Kharkov is scheduled for release during March, 2008.

To mark the official announcement, Matrix Games has also released a short promotional trailer to give gamers a quick peek at what they can expect in just a few weeks. The trailer is available for download or simply watch it on YouTube.

Panzer Command: Kharkov is a 3D tactical game in which players control a core force of vehicles and squads while battling through individual scenarios and historical campaigns as well as new random battles and campaigns across the Eastern Front of World War II

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Panzer Command: Kharkov is the second in our new series of 3D tactical wargames and we’re very excited at the progress we’ve made since the first release in realizing our vision.  If you enjoyed Winter Storm, just wait till you see what Kharkov can do!”

Panzer Command: Kharkov is a 3D simultaneous turn based strategy game where you command either the Soviet or German forces during the punch and counter-punch of the 1942 battles around Kharkov in the Ukraine.  Two new Kharkov campaigns as well as some additional short campaigns tie the scenarios together, allowing core units to progress from battle to battle, gaining experience, medals and special abilities. A point system allows players to “purchase” additional units for each mission in the campaign as well as replace losses, forcing decisions on management of resources.

The design for Panzer Command: Kharkov lets first time wargamers sit down and start playing, while allowing hard-core gamers to enjoy the realism and historical accuracy.  All campaign battles can also be fought as individual scenarios and a new random battle generator as well as a random campaign generator make for almost infinite replayability!  The AI can control either side in each battle and a full Play-by-Email system allows for head to head play.  

Panzer Command: Kharkov includes a full set of scenario and campaign editing tools as well as excellent support for moddability, extending to the game data as well as the 3D models themselves.

Owners of Panzer Command: Winter Storm will receive a special upgrade offer to purchase Panzer Command: Kharkov at a discount.

Features of Panzer Command: Kharkov include:

•    New Scenarios and Campaigns
     o    German Kharkov, May 1942, 14th Panzer Division, (8 Battles)
     o    Soviet Kharkov, May 1942, 169th Rifle Divison, (8 Battles)
     o    German Mcensk, October 1941, 4th Panzer Division, (4 Battles)
     o    German Kursk North, July 1943, (3 Battles)
     o    Boot Camp Tutorial (6 Battles)
     o    Plus additional individual battles and updated Winter Storm campaigns for Winter Storm owners (48 scenarios total if you own Winter Storm)
•    New Random Battle Generator
•    New Random Campaign Generator
•    New Spring and Summer Maps
•    Trenches and Foxholes
•    Minefields
•    Detailed LOS and Terrain rules for historical realism
•    Scenario Editor, Campaign Editor, Template Editor
•    Improved Commands, Improved Interface Options
•    Improved AI
•    Improved Infantry Combat
•    Reinforcements
•    Surrender Option
•    Smoke    
•    New Auto-Targeting
•    Improved Graphics
•    Improved Sounds
•    Improved Performance
•    New Units
      o    New On-Map Mortars
      o    New On-Map Infantry Guns"
      o    Greatly expanded list of German and Soviet Units from 1941 - 1944

The successful Slitherine Strategies hit is now available at Matrix Games!

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Slitherine Strategies (www.slitherine.com) are excited to announce that the classic game of ancient warfare strategy and tactics, Legion Gold, is now also available from Matrix Games. In Legion Gold, players can command massive armies that march across the ancient world and build mighty cities that will last through the ages while also standing amid the blood and mud on the battlefield and commanding the tactical action of every battle!

Well-received by gamers and critics alike, Legion Gold is the expanded and improved version of its predecessor, Legion, and includes not only the original Legion game but a hefty expansion pack too!  The “Gold” expansion brings gamers even more hours of gameplay on top of the already addicting Legion system. Improvements in Legion Gold over Legion include vastly improved diplomatic, economic, and management elements, improved strategic and tactical elements in the battle system, 3 new campaigns, new races, units, structures, and more!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Legion Gold is the definitive version of this Roman empire-building classic and we’re glad to be able to offer it at Matrix Games. With so many historical strategies and options available to the player, Legion Gold can offer near endless fun!”

The Matrix Games Online Store now offers the full range of ancient world strategy games from Slitherine Strategies, including Chariots of War, Gates of Troy, Spartan, Legion Gold and Legion Arena Gold.

Legion Gold is a revolutionary, high-level strategy game that incorporates strategic and tactical elements in a unique Roman Empire adventure. Control vast armies and attempt to carve out an Empire at the strategic level. At the tactical level, position your armies and make use of the best formations to achieve victory. Each map can be replayed a number of times in different settings, with different nations, giving you hours of gameplay.

Features of Legion Gold include:

• Many sides – Play against many unique tribes, nations and AI opponents from the Roman Empire era
• Detailed economy - control your cities, allocate workers, construct new buildings, build fortresses for protection and train new regiments
• Historical Accuracy - all maps, soldiers’ uniforms and weapons are accurately modeled to capture the flavor of the ancient world and its warfare
• Diplomacy - with so many opponents, careful use of diplomacy will be required if you're going to succeed
• 3D battlefields - 3D rendered terrain affects the combat model
• Huge realistic battles – based on historical data, the combat model provides a realistic look and feel as hundreds of men are displayed in epic battles

Nothing says Valentines Day like some absolutely free futuristic destruction!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Titans of Steel: Warring Suns may have been released several years ago, but the thrill of blowing apart a squad of heavily armored Titan-ATs has not diminished in the least over the years!”

The Titans of Steel: Warring Suns universe is a future where the main fighting unit is the Titan Attack Tech, better known as the Titan-AT. Titan-ATs are generally humanoid in appearance, range from seven to fifteen meters in height and weigh as much as 200 tons. A Titan-AT can have an array of weapons including lasers, auto cannons, missile launchers and other specialty weapons and defensive systems.

Titans of Steel: Warring Suns allows you to design or reconfigure your own Titan-AT. There are 450 different Titan-AT types to start with, including 150 pre-designed Titan-ATs. Each Titan-AT has over 74 internal systems, electronics systems, 4 armor types, 20 chassis styles, 5 size classes (recon, light, medium, heavy, assault) and 29 weapon types ranging from conventional to exotic. Once you've settled on your perfect Titan-AT, you can share your design with other commanders.

Titans of Steel: Warring Suns is more than a combat game. It is also a fully open ended role playing system designed to allow you to choose between eight different race and gender combination. All your pilots have a full statistics sheet and earn experience points. These experience points can be used to increase 7 attributes and 19 skills. Your pilots can go up in rank and will benefit from additional training. They are assembled in squads, which can have 8 pilots and up to 16 Titan-ATs.

Download the full version of the game absolutely free right here.

Scramble the Spitfires! A hard hitting action/strategy blend is in the skies and on its way

Matrix Games and Shockwave Productions (www.shockwaveproductions.com) are proud to announce that Battle of Britain II – Wings of Victory, the popular blend of air power strategy and 1^st person World War II flight combat, is now available for purchase from the Matrix Games Online Store. Battle of Britain II – Wings of Victory gives gamers the chance to decide strategy as the Air Commander or sit in the cockpit of any of the most popular aircraft of World War II and take to the skies over Great Britain and the English Channel.

Battle of Britain – Wings of Victory is a strategy/action classic which has received acclaim from reviewers and gamers since its original release.  GameSpot gave it an 8.4 rating and called it “… the ultimate combination of a strategy game and a hard-core simulation." Available now as a fully updated v2.06 release from Matrix Games, Battle of Britain – Wings of Victory is not an experience to be missed!

Players can fight every battle first hand or watch the action from afar and dictate the battle strategy to try to best their opponent with strategic insight and intelligence rather than quick reflexes and guts. Overall, Battle of Britain – Wings of Victory offers gamers a fantastic and unique blend of intense action with considerable historical accuracy and an addicting strategic campaign so players can re-fight the famous and desperate air war for Great Britain the way they want to!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Battle of Britain II – Wings of Victory packs a spectacular one-two punch as players can fight the air war over British skies almost any way they like and choose their own level of involvement. Whether you’re a hardcore strategy gamer or an action junky looking for some good historical air combat, this game will deliver.”

Each plane, factory, airfield, and radar station has a specific purpose and effect on the progress of the war and when these are targeted by each side, the course of the war can change.  As the campaign for air superiority plays out, you can watch flights from both sides carrying out their assigned daily missions.

If you prefer the tactical to the strategic, you can leave the map view of the air commander and jump into the cockpit of the British Hurricane, Spitfire, German Messerschmitt, Stuka dive bomber, or man the gun stations of the Dornier Do17, Heinkel He111, and Ju-88 level bombers. As a pilot, your focus is limited to your mission - destroy the enemy and get you and your mates home alive.  Test your skills in this fierce battle - will you become an ace or just a statistic?

Whatever your choice, you will face missions against relentless waves of enemy aircraft and find yourself part of the most authentic historical re-creation of these amazing battles to date.  Strap yourself in for the fight of your life!

Please note that Battle of Britain – Wings of Victory is only available for sale in North America via the Matrix Games Online Store due to contractual limitations.

Do YOU have what it takes to run a country?

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com), Tri Synergy, Inc. (www.trisynergy.com), and Positech Games (www.positech.co.uk) are thrilled to announce that Democracy is now available for purchase from Matrix Games!  As the first release of the 2008 election year, the fully updated version of this political strategy gem is now available for worldwide download.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said of the release, “This game puts the quote ‘Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms…’ into perspective. Democracy is as addictive as it is realistic as players struggle to keep everyone happy and in the pro

Shane Nestler from Tri Synergy also added, “We’re very pleased to be working with Matrix Games in bringing this unique strategy game to digital download. Now gamers looking to snag a copy of Democracy over the internet can use Matrix Games’ safe and reliable system.”

Democracy is an intelligent and sophisticated game that will entertain you, but could also teach you a thing or two about politics as well. You may think that politics is about sticking to your principles no matter what, but in Democracy you'll quickly see just how easy it is to "compromise" those principles to keep your seat in government and how hard it is to balance the conflicting priorities of your constituents.

Democracy starts with you in the role of President (or Prime Minister) of a modern country.  Choose from twelve real countries, ranging from the United States to Australia.  The object of the game is to stay in power as long as possible while pursuing policies that will turn your country into your definition of a utopia.

As the game progresses, you influence your constituent groups by putting new policies into place, changing existing policies and dealing with new and unexpected dilemmas.  There are dozens of different policy areas in several general categories, including Foreign Affairs, Public Services, Taxes, Transport, Welfare and so on.  Different voting groups will have very different and often conflicting views as to which policies are desirable.  If you make your voters mad enough, in some countries you may even face the threat of revolution or assassination, so watch your step!

Features of Democracy include:

• Plenty of never-before-seen events and dilemmas, some of which may seem similar to recent world events…
• Choose from twelve different real-world countries
• Manage each turn of government development including policy changes, population agenda, re-election and control of legislature, budget decisions, satisfaction of constituent groups
• Over 80 different policy changes, each with an emphasis slider you can create a limitless number of political combinations to push whatever agenda you wish

Can you keep your voters happy while keeping the budget balanced?  Will you be re-elected or viewed as a one term failure?  Play Democracy and find out!

A Digital Express Edition is a game which comes with an electronic PDF manual only and no printed manual option.  The boxed versions of a Digital Express Edition will consist of a shrink-wrapped color double DVD box and a color printed CD (or CDs) to install the game.  This new designation will start with some of the new releases in 2008 and be gradually applied to the existing catalog over the course of the year.  The first Digital Express Edition will be released later this week.

A Standard Edition is a game which comes with both a printed black and white manual and an electronic PDF manual.  The boxed version of a Standard Edition includes a shrink-wrapped color double DVD box, a black and white printed manual, and a color printed CD (or CDs) to install the game.  This designation will be rolled out later in the year to new releases and the existing catalog.

A Collector’s Edition is the same as a Standard Edition with the exception that the printed manual is in color rather than black and white.  This designation is rare and will be rolled out later in the year for new releases and one or two titles in the existing catalog.

Three different logos in color-coded bands across the top of the game box will make the edition of each game clear in the online store and on the physical copy of the product. Also, please remember these contents are only for the physical version of the game and will not affect the digital download, which remains as it has always been: a single downloadable installer file with a full color PDF manual.

Erik Rutins, Director of Product Development at Matrix Games, said “We’ve heard from a lot of customers who love our new printed manuals but wanted us to make it easier to understand what comes in each game package. We think these changes will go a long way to making it easy for customers to know exactly what to expect when they order a particular game from us.”

In addition to these changes, new Matrix Games products will now list in their Game Data section Display Resolution support for each game, the type of manual included with the physical product (Printed and/or PDF), and the number of pages in each manual.  These additional fields will show up in the online store, games pages and on the game box itself to help customers make educated decisions.

Matrix Games would like to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year! In the spirit of holiday cheer, Matrix Games will be running an abbreviated staff effective Friday, December 21st until Monday, January 7th, so some replies from Matrix Games may be delayed.

Need a stocking stuffer or a last minute gift? Despite the holiday staffing break, the Matrix Games online store is still working hard to fill orders in time for Christmas. And don’t forget we have a great holiday sale event going on right now. Selected Matrix Games products are now on sale at 25% off, but act fast because like our staffing break this sale will end January 7th.

And, once again, on behalf of everyone at Matrix Games: Have a blessed holiday!

There’s never been a better time to pick up a masterpiece of wargaming from Panther Games! 

Matrix Games and Panther Games (www.panthergames.com) are thrilled to announce a $10 discount for both Highway to the Reich and Conquest of the Aegean! Now Highway to the Reich will cost only $29.99 for a Digital Download, reduced from its original $39.99 download price. Similarly, Conquest of the Aegean will now only be $39.99 for a Digital Download, reduced from $49.99.

Act fast, however, because this sale will only last until the final moment of 2007. On December 31^st at midnight EST, the price of both games will rise to an additional $10 over their pre-sale price, making Highway to the Reich $49.99 and Conquest of the Aegean $59.99. So in short, there’s never been a better time to buy Highway to the Reich and Conquest of the Aegean!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, “Both of these exceptional wargames from Panther Games are hits with critics and gamers alike. This sale is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has not yet been wholly addicted to the Airborne Assault engine’s fantastic realism and innovative gameplay to come see what they’re missing.”

In Highway to the Reich you learn to command like a true General to achieve real objectives on a historical map all while trying to see through the fog of war. Highway to the Reich combines pausable continuous-time game play, the most advanced artificial intelligence of any wargame, a powerful and intuitive user interface, and a unique command system to create the one of the most realistic and enjoyable simulations of operational warfare. Use the realistic chain of command to issue orders to your intelligent AI-controlled subordinates or take total control of every unit yourself.  Lead Parachute Regiments in daring assaults to seize vital bridges, send mighty Armored Divisions into the attack and wield an entire Corps in a race against time. Reshape history in one of the many historical battles covering all major actions of the Market Garden operation or salvage victory from disaster in one of the hypothetical "what-if" encounters.

Conquest of the Aegean is the next generation of the award-winning and revolutionary Airborne Assault series and it takes brigade to corps-level warfare to a whole new level.  Realism and accuracy are the watchwords as this pausable continuous-time design allows you to command at any echelon, with smart AI subordinates and an incredibly challenging AI. Conquest of the Aegean takes you to the early years of World War II, to fight over the ancient battlefields of Greece, Crete and even Malta.  In the shadows of Mount Olympus in Greece, Allied forces struggle to halt the blitzkrieg German advance.  On Crete, beleaguered German paratroopers fight to hold Maleme airfield until reinforcements can arrive.  Malta, long a thorn in the side of the Axis, is finally tested against invasion in two hypothetical scenarios.

Click here to get more information on Highway to the Reich.

New Expansion for War in the Pacific with More Detail, More History, More Features!

Matrix Games and 2 by 3 Games (www.2by3games.com) are excited to announce a new expansion for War in the Pacific, the legendary epic wargame of the entire Pacific theater during World War II.  The Admiral’s Edition expansion will require ownership of the original War in the Pacific game.  Many additional man-years of development from a dedicated and experienced team including subject matter experts and experienced programmers has resulted in an improved War in the Pacific experience across the board.  The Admiral’s Edition expansion is currently scheduled for an early Summer, 2008 release.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, “War in the Pacific is a masterpiece of computer wargaming and we undertook this project with the utmost respect for the original design.  Since it was originally released in 2004, War in the Pacific has provided countless hours of enjoyment and an unmatched immersive wargaming experience.  At the same time, all that play has revealed some rough edges that needed smoothing and also given us many ideas in terms of how to build on the existing design to fulfill some of the wish lists players have posted.  War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition is the achievement of that goal and should give fans of War in the Pacific many more years of unparalleled gameplay.”

Joe Wilkerson, Project Lead for Admiral’s Edition, commented, “A team of over two dozen programmers, artists and researchers has worked on virtually every aspect of War in the Pacific for over a year now and reaching the point where our work is ready to be announced is very gratifying.  This has been a massive undertaking of which we are extremely proud and I am thankful to all who have given and continue to give their time to this project.  We look forward to introducing ourselves to the community over the coming weeks and months and sharing with you our vision for the Admiral’s Edition.  To the War in the Pacific community, who are familiar with some of our work on the 1.8x series of updates I can only say – you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”

Although the individual improvements are far too numerous to mention in this initial announcement, the highlights alone should grab the attention of any War in the Pacific fan.  Many more details will be released as War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition draws closer to release.

The Entire War in the Pacific on One Map! – If you thought the original map was something to behold, wait until you see the new one!   Completely redone to a 40 mile per hex scale (instead of the original 60 mile per hex scale) and with the original distance distortions and inaccuracies corrected, this is the most accurate and most stunning map of the theater ever created.  In addition, the smaller scale has allowed us to add a number of important bases that would not fit in the larger scale, but which played a key role in the strategy of various operations.  On top of that, Admiral’s Edition now has off-map movement through map edge boxes representing major bases across the world, allowing more realistic movement of assets and arrival of reinforcements and resources.

The War At Sea – A waypoint system has now been added for Task Force movement, with up to three waypoints possible.  These can also be used to define a patrol zone with loiter times.  Waypoints can also be used for automated convoys along with a “return same route” option, making setting up your supply routes easier than ever.  Task Force Movement is now handled on a hex by hex basis, with mid-ocean intercepts now possible!  Many additional ship classes have been added and the entire naval order of battle has been overhauled with new ships, new subs (including midget subs for the Japanese) and new devices. 

The entire upgrade system is now much more capable, allowing conversion of ships between classes as well as multiple upgrade levels (for example, a US Navy four stack destroyer can now convert to APD, AVD, DM or DMS, as the player wishes).  Ports have also been reworked to allow for realistic limits for ability to handle ships, cargo and repairs, with much more control given to the player on how repairs are managed (especially at shipyards). 

Shore bombardment, landing craft, major and minor ship damage, Engine vs. System damage, brand new ship art and improved task force and ship displays are just some of the many additional improvements!

The War in the Air – The air combat, pilot replacement and training systems of the original War in the Pacific have all been revisited and improved for the Admiral’s Edition.  CAP is now partly in the air and partly scrambled, based on your CAP percentage, radar, climb rate, HQs and other factors.  Fighters now have new more realistic air combat ratings, with maneuver adjusted based on altitude bands and top speed factored into relative maneuver calculations, to allow both styles of air combat to have their due.  The end result is a better simulation of the historical matchups and less of the “uber CAP” that could happen in the original release. 

On top of that, plane damage is now tracked across turns and each plane type is assigned a service rating which affects the difficulty of keeping that plane repaired, maintained and in the air.  In addition to ops losses, perpetually damaged planes can now become “write offs” with their parts scavenged to make other planes operational.  Operational losses overall are now at a higher, more realistic level for the Pacific theater.  Fog of war also now applies to the indicator for enemy planes at a base as well and air balance and bomber/escort assignment depends on what you actually know of the enemy’s air power. 

Pilots are now rated in a dozen different skill levels and can no longer gain the equivalent of combat experience by flying non-combat missions.  Combined with a much more realistic multi-pool pilot training and reserve system, this eliminates certain balance loopholes that could cause unrealistic training rates. 

Barrage balloons, blimps, over 500 airplane types, new aircraft art, more realistic coordination limits, configurable resize for squadrons and tracking of air attack vectors for ship flak are some of the many additional improvements!

The War on Land – From the original War in the Pacific’s eight terrain types, the Admiral’s Edition now has up to sixteen and transportation is now handled based on hex-sides rather than hexes, allowing for realistic land movement rates.  A new dynamic hex-side and hex zone of control system also ensures realistic control over directions of movement and retreat.  Land units now have several modes, rather than just a few – Combat, Movement, Strategic Movement, Reserve, Rest and Disorganized combine to give the player more choices to make about the stance and effectiveness of his land units.  A division in Reserve will be able to Pursue, while a Division in Combat will be able to fight much more effectively and a division in Strategic Movement will be able to use rail movement, for example. 

Tactical movement also now allows plotting and executing moves from any one hex to any adjacent hex – supply routes no longer need to be followed.  Improved fog of war, limitations on fort construction, forced withdrawals and disbands and overstacking rules for atolls and small islands are some of the additional improvements that bring the land combat aspect of the Admiral’s Edition to a new level!

The War at Home – Economy and Industry have also been improved to more accurately simulate the wartime economies, with the addition of Light Industry and Oil Refinery centers and the removal of fuel and supply production from Resource and Oil centers.  These changes allow for more realistic economies while keeping the game balance at a historical level.  Moving the arrival of some off-map resources to off-map bases, requiring them to be transported on map also removes some issues, such as with Karachi.  The end result is an economy that is not significantly more complex, but works more historically.

The Grand Campaign – All of these improvements will come wrapped up with a new full campaign scenario as well as five other scenarios, ranging in size from smaller to larger, many never before done for the War in the Pacific engine!  The new campaign and scenarios are based on new, thorough and painstaking research to place every starting historical land, naval and air unit where it was historically and to do the same for reinforcements and withdrawals, to maintain a historical balance of forces.  The new orders of battle, planes, ships and devices represent a leap forward in realism and historicity from War in the Pacific, which set the benchmark when it was first released.

The Editor – Finally, scenario and mod-makers will rejoice at the entirely new editor, built from the ground up for the Admiral’s Edition.  This editor significantly increases the number of slots available for both devices and locations, has text search, auto-refresh of units from changes TO&Es, display of art work for ships and planes, enables editor-defined LCU breakdowns and task force contents.  It also allows viewing of the contents of a given hex for the entire scenario being worked on (including reinforcements).  The editor also allows you to upgrade the complete TO&E of a unit at a specified date, which is used to good effect in the new scenarios and campaign to allow 2-5 TO&Es for a division, for example, rather than having to abstract those into one for the entire war.

All of these great new features and improvements are on the way, along with a host of minor fixes, while maintaining the same great gameplay and game balance that gamers have enjoyed for years in War in the Pacific.  Stay tuned for more information, screenshots and AARs as we move into 2008 and War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition gets closer to release. 

Clear your schedules now and come Summer 2008, join us for an exciting and feature-filled trip back to the Pacific!

The long-awaited Napoleonic strategy game is packed, loaded, and ready to fire!

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Australian Design Group (www.a-d-g.com.au) are thrilled to announce the release of the official computer adaptation of Australian Design Group's legendary grand strategy board game  of the Napoleonic Wars, Empires in Arms!

Take command of one of the many factions in early 19th century Europe! Empires in Arms is a grand strategy turn-based race to prove which nation is the greatest in Europe. In a bid for mastery over the continent, players can succeed where Napoleon failed or try to stop the military genius quicker than his historical enemies could!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Empires in Arms appeals to so many different types of gamers: board gamers, Napoleonic fans, turn-based afficionados, and grand strategists.  I’m confident that the anticipation and excitement that has been steadily building around this title from all these different groups will prove tobe well deserved when gamers finally get a chance to play this title.”

Marshall Ellis, Lead Developer of Empires in Arms, added “The wait is at long last over and I’m really excited to see the reactions of everyone who has been patiently waiting to finally play this great game. Thanks to all Empires in Arms fans who offered support and feedback over the course of the project and thanks to Matrix Games for making this all happen!”

The game moves in monthly turns where diplomacy and builds are conducted.  Within the monthly turns there are a variable number of impulses where corps and fleets move about. All movement is simultaneous with battles occurring at the end of the impulse. Battles are resolved by players both picking a strategy and fighting a series of rounds in an attempt to break the enemy. Make and break alliances, declare war, invade minor nations, propose peace terms, build armies of landwehr, regulars, guards, light cavalry, heavy cavalry and artillery. Many historical leaders from the period are included to command corps and fleets, from Admiral Nelson to Marshal Davout to the Pashas of the Ottoman Empires.

Diplomacy and economics will complement the sharp bayonets and deadly cannons of your direct military might when you take the role of any of the major powers in 19th century Europe!  As you conquer your weaker foes, use the money and resources from fallen nations to recruit new units and replenish your ranks.  France, Great Britain, Prussia, Turkey, Russia, Spain and Austria all stand ready with their full resources, generals, armies and fleets for you to take command.  Join the intricate and deadly contest of power that changed a continent and created a legend.

The slightest mistake could be the difference between the crown of Europe or exile to St. Helena. Step into history and find your destiny in Empires in Arms!

Game Features

• Official licensed adaptation of the classic Empires in Arms board game from Australian Design Group (ADG)
• Encompasses the important aspects of diplomacy and warfare during the Napoleonic Wars from 1805 to 1815
• Control any one of seven major powers of the period (France, Great Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, Spain or Turkey)
• Includes some enhanced rules and play options added over the years by Empires in Arms players
• Create alliances, declare war, and negotiate peace terms on the path to admiration or condemnation
• Use money and manpower received from home provinces and conquered lands to raise an army and navy capable of military dominance.
• Conquer, manipulate or ally with a host of minor countries in your quest to build an empire
• Save your unit setups for quick reuse in later games, import / export battles for miniature games, multiplayer hotseat games, solo games, PBEM games

A new hard-hitting gameplay video slams like a sack from the blind-side 

Matrix Games and Wintervalley Software (www.wintervalley.com) are excited to send out a new video showing off the revamped graphics and improved gameplay found in Maximum Football 2.0. This first 2.0 video illustrates some of the game’s statistical features in addition to some bone-crunching hits found on the Maximum Football 2.0 virtual gridiron!

Download the video below or check it out on Youtube!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Football fans everywhere will no doubt be pumped up and ready to burst off the line of scrimmage when they see this gameplay video. For the armchair coach or the fan of hard hits and exciting gameplay, Maximum Football 2.0 has got it all!”

Dave Winter of Wintervalley Software added “I feel this gameplay video really lets the improvements coming with the second iteration of Maximum Football shine. Maximum Football 2.0 presents sports fans with a great blend of the hardcore strategy and statistical analysis with the fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay found on game day.”

Maximum-Football 2.0 is the latest and greatest release from the acclaimed sports management video game studio, Wintervalley Software. Bringing a whole host of new features like full Xbox 360 controller support, full DirectX 9.0 utilization, and scores of other upgrades and improvements, Maximum-Football 2.0 delivers on gameplay and fun like a bullet pass through double coverage. Like its predecessor, Maximum-Football 2.0 allows players to experience the thrill of managing a team in any league!

Design and play in leagues where you pick the size and layout. Play against others in user created leagues. The sky is the limit to how far you can take Maximum-Football 2.0. Get down and dirty with the editor as you create new plays and playbooks, design your own uniforms and helmets, and even select nicknames to appear on jerseys.

Maximum-Football 2.0 is the football fans dream. Whether you are a head coach or an armchair quarterback, Maximum-Football 2.0 has the features for you.

Download the video here.

There’s nothing like a little wargaming to put everyone in the holiday spirit!

With a mighty “Ho! Ho! Ho!”, Matrix Games is spreading holiday joy by announcing their 2007 Holiday Sale Event! From midnight on the night of November 26^th through midnight on January 7^th, gamers around the globe will be able to purchase over a dozen popular titles available from Matrix Games at a special 25% holiday discount.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Ok, so this sale doesn’t involve me dressing in a Santa Claus outfit and handing out some of our best products to everyone at the local mall, but it’s pretty close! Our Game on Demand boxed copy is a perfect present for your favorite wargamer and is quite easy to gift wrap!”

Looking for an extra few stocking stuffers for the extended family?  Sports fans would be delighted to find PureSim Baseball 2007 or Maximum Football v2 wrapped and ready to play under their Christmas tree. Why not stay in touch with gamer friends and family through play by email gaming (PBEM)? Matrix Games offers a wide selection of titles that support PBEM as well as TCP/IP play which give players a convenient and easy way to connect through gaming with distant family and old friends.  Try games like Advanced Tactics: WWII, Battlefront or The Operational Art of War III to catch up with that uncle or buddy who lives halfway across the country while royally pummeling him with your Panzers at the same time!  It’s the best of both worlds, not to mention bragging rights for next year…

Get more information onany of these great Matrix Games titles from MatrixGames.com. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Ready, aim, fire! A new Empires in Arms AAR illustrating all out battle is now available!

Matrix Games and Australian Design Group (www.a-d-g.com.au) are excited to announce that they have released yet another after action report for the highly anticipated Napoleonic strategy title, Empires in Arms! This latest AAR illustrates the gameplay dynamics found when battling it out with a foe and is available here.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said "This latest AAR really gets into one of the most addicting and entertaining aspects of Empires in Arms, the heat of battle!'

Take command of one of the many factions in early 19th century Europe! Empires in Arms is a grand strategy turn-based race to prove which leader is the greatest in Europe. In their bid for mastery over the continent, players can finish what Napoleon could not or stop the military genius quicker than history did! Diplomacy and economics will be the sharp blade and ferocious cannon to aid military might as players charge across the continent any of the major powers in 18th century Europe!France, Great Britain, Prussia, Turkey, Russia, Spain and Austria all stand ready with their full resources and militaries for the player to take command and put to rest their enemies across the world’s most powerful continent. As the player conquers their weaker foes, they can use the money and resources from the fallen nations to further recruit new units and replenish their ranks.

Read the battle AAR here.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said "Things are heating up for Great Britain in this AAR. I'm really enjoying watching a skilled player utilize everything this great title has to offer. Between the excellent narrative and the informative videos, these AARs should be of interest to anyone who has taken up an interest in Empires in Arms."

Take command of one of the many factions in early 19th century Europe! Empires in Arms is a grand strategy turn-based race to prove which leader is the greatest in Europe. In their bid for mastery over the continent, players can finish what Napoleon could not or stop the military genius quicker than history did! Diplomacy and economics will be the sharp blade and ferocious cannon to aid military might as players charge across the continent any of the major powers in 18th century Europe!France, Great Britain, Prussia, Turkey, Russia, Spain and Austria all stand ready with their full resources and militaries for the player to take command and put to rest their enemies across the world’s most powerful continent. As the player conquers their weaker foes, they can use the money and resources from the fallen nations to further recruit new units and replenish their ranks.

Read part 2 of the AAR here.

The latest addition to the addicting naval simulator series has left port - with a special deal!

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Advanced Gaming Systems (www.advancedgaming.biz) are pleased to announce that the new enhanced and improved addition to Larry Bond’s Harpoon series, Harpoon – Commander’s Edition, is now available for purchase.

Matrix Games is also offering a special deal to naval warfare fans wanting the best of both worlds: Harpoon 3 – Advanced Naval Warfare’s unparalleled realism and accuracy and Harpoon – Commander’s Edition easier learning curve and added visual appeal.  Gamers who purchase in the same order the digital download of both Advanced Naval Warfare and Commander’s Edition will receive a $20 discount off the normal combined price.

Gamers who purchase in the same order the digital download of both Advanced Naval Warfare and Commander’s Edition now pay only $69.98 for both instead of the normal combined price of $89.98 when purchasing each title separately. A discount of $20.00!  As for the boxed copy of the game, gamers purchasing both titles in the same order will pay $89.98 for hard copies of both games (digital download also included), instead of the normal combined price of $109.98 when purchasing each title separately. Also a discount of $20!  These special launch deals may be available for a limited time, so take advantage while they last!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, “Naval warfare simulation fans will really enjoy Harpoon whether they’ve been playing Larry Bond’s famous tabletop system, the previous computer games or if they’re new to the series. The Advanced Gaming Systems team has worked wonders with Harpoon – Commander’s Edition in improving an already realistic and exciting game.”

Don Gilman of Advanced Gaming Systems added, “Harpoon – Commander’s Edition comes with plenty to offer Harpoon veterans and newcomers alike. This latest addition to Larry Bond’s Harpoon series boasts an improved AI engine, more scenarios, and revamped modeling! All in all, we’re quite proud of Harpoon – Commander’s Edition and think any naval warfare fan would have a blast battling it out with our game.”

Larry Bond’s Harpoon – Commander’s Edition is the latest addition to the longstanding naval warfare simulation series that has brought awards and accolades from naval strategy fans and military personnel alike.Like its predecessors, Harpoon – Commander’s Edition allows players to assume the role of a fleet commander, making the same type of decisions he has to make, using the same type and quality of information he might expect to get in wartime. This is naval warfare strategy and simulation at its very best – addicting and wholly realistic!

As players take to the seas and command a huge variety of ships in an equally as varied choice of theaters and historical conflicts, naval officers and naval strategy fans alike will revel the depth and richness of Larry Bond's Harpoon – Commander’s Edition. Experience realistic gameplay with all new features, art, and more! Choosing from an accurate and editable database of platforms, weapons, and sensors, players can fight one of 269 provided scenarios covering the height of the Cold War to Pirates in Malaysia, or use the provided editors to create their own.

To benefit from this great discount offer, head to the Matrix Games Merchandise Store and make a purchase of over $50. Then enter in this coupon code: FRFAM2007. Please note: This offer excludes Gift Certificates, bulk orders, taxes and shipping fees. Cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or coupons. Valid through November 27, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

Get a glimpse at the addicting strategic game play found in this highly anticipated Napoleonics title.

Matrix Games and Australian Design Group (www.a-d-g.com.au) are thrilled to announce that they have released a new after action report for the highly anticipated Napoleonic strategy title, Empires in Arms! This latest AAR details the interesting strategic situation presented while playing as Great Britain. The AAR comes complete with screenshots and some high resolution videos that show the gameplay unfolding in all its glory! Check out the AAR from this page.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said of the AAR "This AAR comes complete with some really informative and interesting videos. This sort of utilization of multimedia in getting the word out about our products is precisely the step we're looking to go in. I hope gamers enjoy this interesting AAR, it really does give a vivid impression of what's to come with the full game!"

Take command of one of the many factions in early 19th century Europe! Empires in Arms is a grand strategy turn-based race to prove which leader is the greatest in Europe. In their bid for mastery over the continent, players can finish what Napoleon could not or stop the military genius quicker than history did! Diplomacy and economics will be the sharp blade and ferocious cannon to aid military might as players charge across the continent any of the major powers in 18th century Europe! France, Great Britain, Prussia, Turkey, Russia, Spain and Austria all stand ready with their full resources and militaries for the player to take command and put to rest their enemies across the world’s most powerful continent. As the player conquers their weaker foes, they can use the money and resources from the fallen nations to further recruit new units and replenish their ranks.

Read the AAR here.

Hop into that Abrams and fire up the engine, the classic real time tactical series just went modern!

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) Strategy 3 Tactics (www.strategy3tactics.com) and CSO Simtek are thrilled to announce that the latest and greatest title in the legendary Close Combat series, Close Combat: Modern Tactics, is now available for purchase via the Matrix Games Online Store. Offering the  tactical real time intensity found in the original World War II Close Combat titles blended with modern weaponry and real-world as well as hypothetical conflicts, Close Combat – Modern Tactics is an exciting and innovative new addition to the Close Combat series that still holds the addicting appeal of its predecessors.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “The Close Combat series has always been among my favorite wargames, so the release of a modern take on this tried and tested gaming system is particularly exciting.”

Andrew Williams of CSO Simtek added “It’s great to finally see fans of the series on the civilian side get to take a crack at this new modern release. It’s been great working with Matrix Games as they’ve given us the support we need to make Modern Tactics cross the gap from a military training tool to a fun new consumer product!”

Close Combat: Modern Tactics combines classic top down real time tactical warfare with the excitement of multiplayer head to head gaming.  Developed from the US Marines training simulation, Close Combat Marines, you get to take command of all types of modern battlefield weaponry including Abrams tanks and Soviet-made RPGs as well as air, helicopter and artillery support. This is serious gaming at its best.

You take command of modern US forces or various opposition forces in one of 25 scenarios included with the release. Engage in combat with with up to 5 players per side and participate in intense head to head battles using Modern Era weaponry and equipment on gorgeous hand-drawn maps measuring from 1km square to giant 4km x 1km maps.  Fight on hypothetical battlefields ranging in style from backwoods America to the streets of Iraq and the former Soviet republics.  You face all the enemy can throw at you in a series of immersive, action-packed engagements that will test your tactical abilities! Air and artillery support are on-call but the final objective can only be secured by Close Combat.  You are in command!

Exciting features of Close Combat - Modern Tactics include:

• Based on Close Combat Marines, which is used as a USMC training simulation
• Gorgeous hand-drawn 1km square to 1x4km maps
• Comes with 25 Modern scenarios based on real-world and hypothetical conflicts
• Realistic soldier psychological profiles during combat
• Mount and Dismount specialized vehicles with infantry units
• Close air support and direct and indirect fires.
• Ability to protect your men in buildings, bunkers, and trenches.
• Includes specialized squads, weapons, soldier types, attack aircraft & artillery.
• Designed to be easily moddable to provide years of additional gaming excitement.
• Adjustable game speed scroll speed and sound volume.
• Multiple nationalities with varying capabilities available to both sides.
• .. and much more!

Two compilations of classic John Tiller games now available, and with a special deal too!

Matrix Games is thrilled to announce that two new compilations of John Tiller’s famous turn-based strategy games, Battleground Civil War and Battleground Napoleonic Wars, are now available for purchase! Matrix Games is also offering a special deal of $10 off the combined price of both titles for gamers who buy both Battleground Civil War and Battleground Napoleonic Wars in the same order!

Battleground Civil War includes all of John Tiller’s famous original Civil War titles in one fantastic compilation: Battleground Antietam, Battleground Bull Run, Battleground Chickamauga, Battleground Gettysburg, and Battleground Shiloh. Battleground Napoleonic Wars includes a similar arsenal of John Tiller’s talent with the complete set of his classic Napoleonic titles: Napoleon in Russia, Prelude to Waterloo, Waterloo, and an added bonus of Age of Sail: Naval Combat in the Napoleonic Age!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Anyone who remembers playing these classic titles back when they were first released will no doubt be excited to see them available again in an affordably priced and convenient compilation. With one quick order, gamers can have these collections of historical gaming goodness delivered right to their hard drive!”

Relive the splendor and excitement of John Tiller’s classic Civil War and Napoleonic games in these new compilations, which have been updated by John Tiller himself to work on all Windows operating systems from Windows 98 all the way up to and including Windows Vista.  These comprehensive collections offer long-lasting play with many variant historical and what-if scenarios as well as smaller related battles.

Take command of the mighty armies of these eras; enjoy the time-tested interface and turn-based game mechanics that made John Tiller’s original game designs famous. With the choice of 2D or 3D battlefield views, dozens of scenarios and more historical information then can be found in most public libraries, John Tiller’s Battleground compilations reintroduce gamers to some of the best 18^th and 19^th century wargames ever made!

Click here for more information on 'John Tiller's Battleground Napoleonic Wars'.

Grab the bayonet and fall in; it’s time to experience Napoleon in Italy!

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Hussar Games (www.huszargames.hu) are thrilled to announce that Napoleon in Italy is now available for purchase! Now gamers can relive the military genius of Napoleon over a huge year-long campaign or 7 short historical campaigns all in an intuitive mix of strategic and tactical turn-based action!

Step back to the age of Napoleon and follow in the earliest footsteps of this military genius! Napoleon in Italy is a hex-based strategy game that includes both the strategic level of movement and logistics combined with playable tactical battles.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “The next title out of the Hussar Games studio has the same fantastic gameplay and solid visual appeal that gamers have come to expect from their previous work in For Liberty!. The specific focus of Napoleon in Italy is a fantastic level of historical accuracy and detail in both battles and units while keeping the enjoyable gameplay that is a hallmark of the Hussar game designs.”

Bulcsú Várhegyi of Hussar Games added “Matrix Games has been a great help in publishing this first game in our Napoleonic series. Napoleon in Italy contains all of the gameplay and history found in For Liberty! and probably a bit more. We’re thrilled to see it released!”

Lead the young Napoleon's French Army on his first campaign against the Austrians and Piedmontese in Northern Italy or try to stop Napoleon’s dedicated army and tactical brilliance with the mighty allied army of Austria. Experience a great interface and addicting gameplay based on realistically modeled Napoleonic combat.

Units and armies have various attributes like morale, experience, unit cohesion and supply to reflect the realities of historical operational combat in the Napoleonic era.  Leaders are rated for Attack, Defense and Initiative as well as many special abilities designed to reflect the unique historical abilities of each commander.  A realistic unit replacement system and historical siege and tactical battle rules bring the ultimate in turn-based gameplay set at the end of the 18th century.

Achtung! Achtung! World War II turn-based excellence now deployed to the battlefield

Matrix Games and VR Designs (www.advancedtactics.org) are thrilled to announce that Advanced Tactics: World War II is now available for release! Now gamers can experience the addicting, versatile gameplay and powerful randomization features found in Advanced Tactics: World War II, which gives them total freedom to try any tactic or strategy to crush the enemy and includes infinite replayability.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Showcasing VR Designs’ game design talents, Advanced Tactics: World War II will give gamers a great list of scenarios from World War II as well as fictional conflicts to test their tactical mettle.  However, where I think the game really shines is in its incredible random scenario generation abilities, which offer gamers infinite tactical situations to keep them playing for hours and still coming back for more!”

Victor Reijkersz of VR Designs also added, “Working with Matrix Games has been great and I’m positively thrilled that Advanced Tactics: World War II is now available for purchase through the Matrix Games network. Advanced Tactics was a blast to develop and we’re ready to support and build a strong player community based on this release.”

Advanced Tactics is a versatile turn-based strategy system that gives gamers the chance to wage almost any battle in any time period. The first module in this series is Advanced Tactics: World War II, which allows gamers to hop into a Panzer and storm across Europe. Complete with a streamlined interface and an addicting style of gameplay, Advanced Tactics offers a unique and infinitely replayable experience for any strategy fan.  Depending on the scenario, you can decide what your towns should produce, which HQs receive reinforcements, how your chain of command is formed, what sort of troop and equipment mix you put in each unit, if you use air, land, or sea strategies or maybe even call in the paratroopers – the possibilities are endless! Almost any type of strategy or tactic can be used effectively in Advanced Tactics. 

To round out Advanced Tactics’ features, it also includes a very powerful scenario editor that allows gamers to recreate their favorite historical scenarios or simple fabricate their own fictional conflicts.  World War 2 buffs will enjoy Advanced Tactics’ numerous historical scenarios from the period like: Gothic Line, Afrika Korps, the Russian Front, Endsieg and two huge human vs. human full-theater scenarios on the Eastern Front and the Pacific War.  There are also fictional scenarios ranging from a Second American Civil War and a Kursk-like battle to perfectly balanced scenarios designed for PBEM match play.  Furthermore, for players with only the time to play and not create their own scenarios there is a powerful and easy-to-use random scenario generator that will keep gameplay fresh with minimum user input to create new missions and campaigns beyond those that come with the package.

Get more information on Advanced Tactics: World War II from its official Matrix Games webpage.  Also, check out the Advanced Tactics community page at www.advancedtactics.org.

Guts, brains, and firepower - Hornet Leader PC has kicked its tires and lit the fires and is now available for purchase!



Matrix Games and Dan Verssen Games (www.dvg.com) are thrilled to announce that Hornet Leader PC is now available for purchase! Now gamers can take to the skies and experience the tactical thrill of commanding some of the most elite aircraft in the world in historical/plausible missions with impressively realistic equipment and enemies.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Hornet Leader PC makes for a stunning game based on Dan Verssen’s talented game design and the great development skills of Derek DiBenedetto and Storm Cloud Creations.”

Dan Verssen of Dan Verssen Games added “It’s really gratifying to see a card game which has done so well in the past now take up a digital form and become available to the public. Matrix Games’ assistance helped this release to become one of my best product releases.”

Derek DiBenedetto of Storm Cloud Creations also added “The release of Hornet Leader PC is particularly exciting for me as I had a blast developing it alongside Dan Verssen and Matrix Games. It’s been great bringing this project together and creating something truly unique.”

In Hornet Leader PC, you command a squadron of the U.S. Navy’s elite F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighters! You select the pilots and arm the aircraft based on real-world mission briefings. Once you reach your objective, you evaluate threats, and do what needs to be done to destroy the target!

Each pilot has his own set of unique skills and abilities. With each mission, a pilot’s skills increase, but so does his fatigue level. You must decide how hard to push your men as one of the many decisions that go into every mission. You will fly high intensity missions over Iraq, Libya, and North Korea from 1991 to 2007. Your weapon selection for each campaign is updated to accurately match the weapons available for that era.

We’ll see you in the pilots’ briefing room!

Get more information on Hornet Leader PC from its official Matrix Games webpage.

Hut hut, hike! Maximum-Football 2.0 has been snapped to football fans everywhere!

Matrix Games and Wintervalley Software (www.wintervalley.com) are proud to announce that Maximum-Football 2.0 is now available from Matrix Games! Now anyone with a knack for putting the pigskin in the end zone can call the plays with an unprecedented level of detail! Maximum-Football 2.0 takes the immersive team management and addicting play-by-play action and brings the graphics, gameplay and interface to the next level!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Just as the football season begins to ramp up, Maximum-Football 2.0 will be delivering the armchair coach exactly what they need to call the game like they see it. Maximum-Football 2.0 brings a list of changes as thick as a professional playbook and newcomers to this great sports game will find it just a fun as the Maximum-Football veterans who awaited Maximum-Football 2.0 with bated breath.”

David Winter from Wintervalley Software, added, “Wintervalley Software is particularly proud of the progress we’ve made with Maximum-Football in its 2.0 release. Many of the more nuanced parts of the game have come around quite well and we feel that the AI and gameplay are coming together fantastically. We’re sure that once we make the handoff to gamers, they’ll take Maximum-Football 2.0 and run it straight into the end zone!”

Maximum-Football 2.0 is the latest and greatest release from the acclaimed sports management video game studio, Wintervalley Software. Bringing a whole host of new features like full Xbox 360 controller support, full DirectX 9.0 utilization, and scores of other upgrades and improvements, Maximum-Football 2.0 delivers on gameplay and fun like a bullet pass through double coverage. Like its predecessor, Maximum-Football 2.0 allows players to experience the thrill of managing a team in any league from pee-wee to all-pro. Design and play in leagues where you pick the size and layout. Play against others in user created leagues. There is no limit to how far you can take Maximum-Football 2.0. Get down and dirty with the editor as you create new plays and playbooks, design your own uniforms and helmets, and even select nicknames to appear on jerseys.

New and improved features found in Maximum-Football 2.0 include:

• One of the most advanced creation and editing tools for new plays and formations for offense, defense, and special teams.
• Play routes are created via drawing command points and assigning scripted commands to each point. No longer are you restricted to selecting from half dozen hard coded routes.
• The ability to create your own playbooks from scratch.
• Players can be created manually or automatically generated.
• An advanced and in-depth free agent draft system to keep the leagues alive with fresh talent.
• 16 individual player ratings over and above things like height, weight and age.
• Many brand new or improved player animations.
• Custom camera angles for replay viewing.
• Snow and Rain have new effects (the rain leaves little splashes on the turf).
• Game as a completely new lighting system.
• Now fully supports the Xbox 360 Controller
• New Depth Chart system. The Depth chart is now slot based to take advantage of the new player break down.
• Vastly improved pass and run blocking, defensive man-2-man coverage, and zone coverage
• A brand new almanac of past champions and defunct teams in the leagues screens.

Grab the bayonet and fall in; it’s time to experience Napoleon in Italy!

Matrix Games and Hussar Games (www.huszargames.hu) are thrilled to announce that they are hard at work on Napoleon in Italy! Hex-based strategy gaming set in the Napoleonic era will soon be forming up and swiftly marching towards gamers.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Napoleon in Italy is sure to satisfy the Napoleonics buffs among us who are looking for some great strategy gaming fun. Matrix Games is proud to be supporting Hussar Games in the release of the title and we think gamers will see why when they get a copy of this title on their hard drives.”

Várhegyi Bulcsú of Hussar Games added, “It’s been fantastic working with Matrix Games on another title. I absolutely second David’s enthusiasm for Napoleon in Italy and have no doubt that anyone who is excited by the announcement of this game will not be disappointed come release time.”

Step back to the age of Napoleon and travel in the footsteps of this military genius! Napoleon in Italy is a hex based strategy game that includes both the strategic level of movement and logistics combined with playable tactical battles.

Lead the young Napoleon's French Army on his first campaign against Austria in Northern Italy or try to stop Napoleon’s dedicated army and tactical brilliance with the mighty army of Austria. Experience a great interface and addicting gameplay based on realistically modeled Napoleonic combat.

Units and armies have various attributes like unit cohesion and a realistic unit replacement system to bring the ultimate in turn-based gameplay set during Napoleon’s rule. Napoleon in Italy includes 8 immersive campaigns which can be fought against a cunning AI or human opponent.

Get more information on Napoleon in Italy from its official Matrix Games webpage.

Guts, Brains, and Firepower – Matrix Games Will Be Bringing Fighter Aces Everywhere Some Tactical Air Sim Action

Matrix Games, Dan Verssen Games (www.dvg.com), and Storm Cloud Creations are excited to announce Hornet Leader PC! Coming soon, gamers can take to the skies and experience the tactical thrill of commanding some of the most elite aircraft in the world in historical/plausible missions with fantastically realistic equipment and enemies.

David Heath, Director of Operations and Matrix Games, said “We’re thrilled to be working with such a skilled team such as Dan Verssen and Derek DiBenedetto.  Hornet Leader PC has been a highly anticipated title for me since the moment we started talking to Dan and Derek about it. I’m confident gamers will share my excitement as more details become available.”

Dan Verssen of Dan Verssen Games also added “Working with Matrix Games thus far has been fantastic. Tactical air combat fans and air sim junkies alike will find Hornet Leader PC thoroughly enjoyable and we’re glad to be side-by-side with Matrix Games in bringing it to gamers across the world.”

Derek DiBenedetto of Storm Cloud Creations said “I have wanted to work with Matrix Games for some time. I’m very happy David and Dan asked me to be part of the team and even happier to be working on such a great project.”

In Hornet Leader PC, you command a squadron of the U.S. Navy’s elite F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighters! You select the pilots and arm the aircraft based on real-world mission briefings. Once you reach your objective, you evaluate threats, and do what needs to be done to destroy the targ