Transmission from the Pacific #1

Tora!, Tora!, Tora!

The Theater of War

The Pacific War encompassed the largest area of any episode of World War II. It was full of violent strikes, twists and turns, and the heroism of all the fighting soldiers. It was also a campaign where fleets clashed on one side, and on the other, jungle warfare requiring soldier action took place. Radio Commander Pacific ’41 takes us back to the struggle for islands in the Pacific from 1941 to 1945. The Pacific Theater featured vast distances, the need to capture individual islands, a fierce and often fanatical defense, the need for landings, the use of naval artillery, and more.

Player Role

The player takes on the immersive role of a commander during a conflict in which radio communication was crucial. Using only the radio voice communication, you must understand a situation and build the picture on your own, based solely on what your units are reporting. You don’t have a magic click moving tokens for you. You have to do it yourself. You don’t have automatic graphics and animations to make your work easier, as you might often see in other games. It’s just you, the map, and the radio. Use a radio to be a commander.

And based on the situational awareness you’ve built, you must communicate your intentions to your subordinate units, also via radio. You must independently make calculations, such as losses, the location of your own units, their situation, time to arrival, and ammunition levels. You must anticipate and react to enemy actions.

Create a battle plan, implement it, and act on changing enemy actions. Provide support to your units. All this is done exclusively via voice radio communication. Commands and reports are standardized, allowing for faster communication with your subordinates. You have a range of units at your disposal, from infantry to airplanes.

But the battle plan is in the commander’s head… in your head.

Wishlist the game on Steam and Slitherine.

Four intense missions and new deadly tactical challenges await in the second DLC

Publisher Kalypso Media and in-house developer Claymore Game Studios Today release “No Man Left Behind”, the second DLC for Commandos: Origins, available on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and PlayStation®4|5.

Commandos: Origins – No Man Left Behind Release Trailer

Set in the Auvergne region of occupied France, the DLC expands the main campaign with four new missions. Following the capture of the Green Beret during a failed operation, players take command of Thomas “the Sapper” Hancock, Francis T. “the Sniper” Woolridge, and Rene “the Spy” Duchamp to rescue their comrade.

Players navigate through hostile terrain – spanning night time forest operations and heavily guarded military structures scattered across the mountainous countryside. Beyond simple infiltration, objectives evolve: to sabotage the prototype of a new dangerous German superweapon, the Commandos must uncover crucial information and clues on the ground.

The introduction of the Radio Operator adds a fresh tactical challenge. Enemy communications can escalate situations instantly, forcing players to prioritize disruption over direct confrontation. Cutting signal chains is now essential to maintain control across enemy territory.

Betrayed by former allies to the west and besieged by rising powers to the east, the Byzantine Empire has been reduced to its Greek and Thracian heartlands. Centuries of intrigue and invasion have meant a steady decline in the fortunes of Constantinople. But, under your guidance, the heirs of the Caesars and stalwarts of the Orthodox faith can find their greatness once again. On 06 May 2026, you can determine the Fate of the Phoenix. Europa Universalis V: Fate of the Phoenix is the first immersion pack for Paradox Interactive’s best-selling historical grand strategy game about the late medieval and early modern era. Focused on the Byzantine Empire, Fate of the Phoenix adds more historical content to the heirs of Rome, including a new disaster and unique color that brings the challenges of the time to life as you write new histories of this fading giant.

Europa Universalis V: Fate of the Phoenix Story Trailer

Europa Universalis V: Fate of the Phoenix includes:

• Byzantine Bureaucracies: Unique content for the new Bureaucracy system designed for larger imperial powers. Choose to keep the old ways in hopes of restoring the empire or take the risk of discarding centuries of ambition to follow a more modest course.
• Latinitas vs Romanismos: A unique Societal Value for the empire, choosing between a reconciliation with the Latin powers of the west or entrenching Roman heritage.
• Fate of the Phoenix Disaster: Work to reverse the crumbling fortunes of the empire before it gets too late to stop the decline. Choose a clear path, expand quickly, and reform so you can stabilize the ship of state.
• More Orthodox Content: Interact with the Ecumenical Patriarchs, restore the Pentarchy to strengthen the Eastern Church, expand Orthodoxy to Rome and Mend the Schism.
• Hellenism: Revive belief in the old pagan gods, seeking their favor through the invocation of omens.
• Latin Culture: Embrace a total return to the old Roman roots, taking up the old ways.
• New Art: New portraits, illustrations, city models and unit models for the Eastern Mediterranean inspired by Byzantine history.
• New Flavor Content: New events, military units, character-related actions, subjects, and more!

Europa Universalis V: Fate of the Phoenix will be available on 06 May 2026 for the suggested retail price of $9.99/£8.49/€9.99. It is also available as a part of the Europa Universalis V: Premium Edition.

More information is available on the Europa Universalis V: Fate of the Phoenix webpage. You can wishlist the add-on via Steam.

Blue Dot Games are proud to announce that their 40v40 squad-based tactical first-person shooter ‘83 is now available in Steam Early Access for $29.99 / €28.99 / £24.99 with a launch week discount of 10%. Set in an alternate 1983 where the Cold War erupts into full-scale conflict, ‘83 delivers large-scale, team-driven combat inspired by classic tactical shooters, while introducing a modern take on accessibility and realism.

’83 – Early Access Launch Trailer

“Our vision for ‘83 has always been to deliver a large-scale tactical shooter that feels authentic to its Cold War setting, while remaining approachable for a wide range of players. From the weapons and uniforms to the pacing of combat, every detail is designed to ground the experience in realism without sacrificing playability. Launching into Early Access is a major milestone for us, as it allows players to step in, experience that vision firsthand, and help shape the game as it evolves,” said Tony Gillham, CEO at Blue Dot Games.

‘83 is available now in Steam Early Access, bringing players into large-scale Cold War combat with a strong focus on teamwork, coordination, and tactical decision-making.

Publisher Kalypso Media and Developer Kite Games are proud to announce the official launch of Sudden Strike 5, marking a triumphant return for the beloved real-time strategy franchise. Sudden Strike 5 sets a new benchmark for tactical WWII gameplay with greater complexity, larger battlefields, and more ways to achieve victory with sandbox gameplay.

The game is out now for PC, Xbox on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5 in Standard Edition (€49.99 / $49.99 / £44.99) and Deluxe Edition (€59.99 / $59.99 /£54.99) with a 10% launch discount available for the first 7 days on Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Kalypso Media Store.

Step into the commander’s seat, where every decision shapes the fight in the official Sudden Strike 5 launch trailer.

Sudden Strike 5 unleashes a slew of new features and quality-of-life upgrades over its predecessor, designed to give commanders more control and tactical choice. Players can construct bridges over rivers to open new routes to catch enemy forces by surprise, call-in reinforcements via sea or railroad, and coordinate large-scale maneuvers with improved visibility and streamlined unit management, allowing for the deployment of overwhelming force!

Take control of the battlefield in one of three major factions: the Western Allies, Soviet, or Axis forces, across an expansive 25-mission campaign. From the frozen landscapes of the Eastern Front to the harsh deserts of North Africa, each battlefield presents unique challenges demanding careful planning, adaptability, and tactical mastery.

Bandai Namco has released ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE | Strangereal Evolution Episode 2. Players can take a look at the previous title with Ace Combat 7 and how it differs from the new installment with Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, being made in Unreal Engine 5 to offer unprecedented visuals and fidelity.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve – Strangereal Evolution Episode 2

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is coming to PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam® in 2026. For more information, visit the games official website, or via Steam.

New Hearts of Iron IV Focus Pack Offers Fresh Challenge

The hungry eyes of autocratic neighbors have turned to a small Central European democracy. Not even 20 years old, the Republic of Czechoslovakia has uncertain alliances in this dangerous world. Can you resist the tides of history and survive the crisis of the late 1930s? In Peace for Our Time, a Focus Pack for Hearts of Iron IV, you will face a new test of your skills as the enemy is close and time is short.

Hearts of Iron IV: Peace For Our Time Official Release Trailer

Available now, Peace for Our Time is designed in collaboration with veteran modders Logan ‘Spicy Alfredo’ Calkins, Abbus Fung and Marijn ‘marijn211’ Vroegh. This pack includes new National Focus Trees and unique mechanics, inspired by the difficult situation of pre-war Czechoslovakia, as it faces external aggression, internal division, and an unpredictable diplomatic climate.

The Hearts of Iron IV: Peace for Our Time Focus Pack is available now on Steam for the suggested retail price of $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.99.

BlackMill Games, creators of the acclaimed WW1 Game Series, have announced that Gallipoli, the next major instalment in the series, will launch on 21 May. The game is inspired by the historic Gallipoli campaign and the legacy of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) during World War 1, featuring full crossplay on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for €29.99 / $29.99 / £24.99.

Watch the Gallipoli – Release Date Reveal Trailer HERE.

As teased in the trailer, players can experience the renowned beach landing in First Person, rowing from sea to shore in fragile boats under heavy fire. Jump from your rowboat onto the beaches to seek cover from enemy fire, and at a later stage fight their way across the hills to the front line trenches.

Set across the pivotal campaigns on the Ottoman Fronts of the First World War, Gallipoli delivers an authentic depiction of WW1 combat, with a focus on the Gallipoli campaign and the ANZACs. Relive the battles that unfolded from the Gallipoli Peninsula, including an authentic recreation of ANZAC Cove, to Lower Mesopotamia, taking up arms as soldiers of the British Empire or the Ottoman forces.

Players can also look forward to historically accurate details such as personal explosive devices made from ration tins, ‘slouch’-style hats for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and a recreation of the infamous beach landings, featuring the iconic (but dangerous) rowboats.

Jos Hoebe, founder of BlackMill Games spoke on the development and the significance of ANZAC day to their community, “Ahead of ANZAC Day this weekend, our new trailer aims to shine a light on ANZAC Cove, a battlefield we’ve carefully brought to life in-game. It’s a setting that carries real historical weight and we hope to encourage reflection on the events that took place there.”

Add Gallipoli to your wishlist now on Steam and Epic Games Store.

Broken Arrow values its community loyalty, engagement, and continuous feedback. To strengthen this mutual commitment, Slitherine and Steel Balalaika are opening the PTE to the public, giving everyone the opportunity to experience upcoming features early and contribute meaningful input on improvements that are not yet part of the live game. This approach allows us to collaborate more closely with players, using their insights to refine mechanics, balance gameplay, and guide future updates. Community feedback gathered through the PTE will play a direct role in shaping what comes next. On this branch, players will be able to test a wide range of gameplay improvements, balance adjustments and new systems designed to deepen strategy and dynamics before they are implemented into the game.

Such as:

• Game Mode Changes: A new Conquest mode has been introduced with multiple score thresholds (500, 1000, 1500). Points are gained or lost based on zone control, with a fixed tick rate per objective. Destruction points remain unchanged, and phase-based WP compensation has been removed.
• Income Changes: Income is now calculated non-linearly based on the number of deployed units, with a cap of 1500 pts. The system is designed to improve early-game dynamics, encourage smaller and lighter armies (including air playstyles) and the ability to extend an army.
• General Changes: A new anti-overkill system has been added. Infantry transport vehicles now carry supply crates as an ability that can resupply and heal infantry. Ground units have custom respawn timers visible in their stats. Damage for automatic weapons in the unit info panel is now displayed as damage per second. New map layouts have been introduced, and infantry now inherit stress from destroyed transports.
• Recon Units, Infantry, Vehicles, Support Units, Anti-Air, Helicopters, Aircraft and much more….

To access PTE go on the Steam Page at 5 P.M. CEST and click on the last news: players can find there clear instructions.

Legendary Pilots, the stylised flight simulator that blends accessible flying with career progression and light management systems, is available now on Steam.

With its distinctive pixelated retro look and inviting approach to aviation, Legendary Pilots offers a refreshing take on the genre, one where the focus is not on strict realism but on the experience of being a pilot. From your very first takeoff, you’ll begin building a career defined by smart decisions, steady growth, and the freedom to shape your own journey.

Legendary Pilots Launch Trailer

Fly regional routes, transport passengers, and earn your way toward new aircraft while managing the operational side of your growing aviation career. Whether you’re planning your next destination, maintaining your fleet, or climbing the ranks in a competitive airline ecosystem, every choice contributes to your progress.

Designed to be both relaxing and rewarding, Legendary Pilots captures the joy of flight in a rich, stylised world that evolves as you do, one route, one aircraft, and one opportunity at a time.

Legendary Pilots is available now on Steam.

Take your seat, start your engine, and build your legacy-one flight at a time.