Strategy and Wargaming

Matrix Games announced today the release of Update 3.00.01 for Campaign Series: Middle East 1948-1985. It brings a host of new features, enhancements, and fixes, ensuring an even deeper and more immersive tactical wargaming experience.

What is new?

IMPORTANT NOTE: This version requires uninstalling the previous version before installing the current one. Be sure to complete your ongoing games. Going forward, before installing any new updates, please ensure that all game modifications are disabled using the JSGME tool, if you had previously enabled any of them.

You can download the Remastered Update from the store page or by navigating to the File Downloads section under My Page and downloading it from there https://www.matrixgames.com/member/downloads/campaign-series-middle-east-1948-1985.

View the changelog HERE.

Campaign Series: Middle East 1948-1985 is a turn-based tactical wargame covering conflicts in the Middle East from 1948 to 1985. It portrays battles across a wide range of historical and hypothetical conflicts, from the First Arab-Israeli War to the Invasion of Lebanon in 1982, as well as border clashes, civil wars, and Cold War-era proxy battles.

Each scenario is played on historically accurate maps, created using period topographic data, set on a 250-meter hex-grid with seven view modes. Scenarios include meeting engagements, trench defenses, armored breakthroughs, battles of attrition, and mobile defenses. The game features platoon-level formations, with select squad-level units for detailed tactical engagements.

Independent game studio Relic Entertainment today announced the launch of Fire & Steel, a major Battlegroup DLC pack for Company of Heroes 3, available now for US $24.99. Alongside the DLC, the studio is also celebrating the release of the massive 2.0 Anniversary Update, marking a significant milestone for the acclaimed real-time strategy game.

Fire & Steel Battlegroup DLC:

Fire & Steel introduces four new Battlegroups, one for each army in Company of Heroes 3, designed to enhance multiplayer and co-op/skirmish vs AI gameplay. These Battlegroups offer powerful new units and abilities, allowing players to diversify their tactics and strategies.

These Battlegroups represent an evolution of the Commanders and Doctrines from previous Company of Heroes titles, delivering highly requested super-heavy tanks and fresh gameplay experiences.

2.0 Anniversary Update:

Coinciding with the Fire & Steel launch, the 2.0 Anniversary Update significantly enhances Company of Heroes 3. This update, marking the game’s second anniversary, builds upon a year of continuous improvements and player feedback.

Watch the 2.0 Anniversary Update Overview Video HERE.

Key features of the 2.0 update include:

In addition to the new changes in 2.0, here are some of the key features added over the last year.

Over the past year, Relic Entertainment has also added 13 new maps, numerous balance updates, AI improvements, and UI enhancements.

“Company of Heroes 3 has come a long way since launch. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished in improving the game through a number of great updates. I’m also excited about our plans to make the game even better going forward, and giving our loyal players even more to look forward to.” Said Justin Dowdeswell, CEO of Relic Entertainment.

Company of Heroes 3: Fire & Steel and the 2.0 Anniversary Update are available now on Steam.
Visit the game page on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677280/Company_of_Heroes_3/

And the Fire & Steel DLC:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3469800/Company_of_Heroes_3_Fire__Steel/

Fail Safe is the newest DLC for Command: Modern Operations. Set in 1965 – one of most fraught periods of the Cold War – Fail Safe features period accurate weapons and vehicles that will guarantee an authentic wargaming experience.

Guided missiles, early supersonic fighters like the F-104 Starfighter and MiG-19 Farmer, and naval vessels like the Soviet Sverdlov-class cruiser are just a small sample of the military platforms available in Fail Safe.

A 10% launch discount is up now on Steam and the Matrix store.

Watch the Command: Modern Operations – Fail Safe launch trailer HERE.

From an opening scramble to recover a downed aircraft, ASW activities off the coast of Newfoundland, and the final battles of World War 3 where atomic weapons are finally unleashed – 12 missions will run you through the gamut.

Fail Safe is the pinnacle of 1960′s Cold War air and sea wargaming. The closest you can get to seeing what would have happened if Western and Soviet naval and airpower had fought the war that truly would have ended all wars.

Matrix Games has released the Remastered free update for Campaign Series: Vietnam Version 2.00.01. It brings a host of new features, enhancements, and fixes, ensuring an even deeper and more immersive tactical wargaming experience.

What is new?

You can download the Remastered Update from the store page or by navigating to the File Downloads section under My Page and downloading it from there. View the changelog HERE.

Evil Twin Artworks is excited to announce the latest update for Victory At Sea Atlantic, bringing strategic land targets into the conflict alongside enhanced visuals for a more cinematic experience. This major addition allows players to strike key locations from both sea and air, while the visual improvements ensure battles look more dramatic than ever.

New Features in This Update:

This update reinforces Victory At Sea Atlantic’s commitment to delivering a dynamic, historically inspired naval warfare experience. Players now have even more options to shape the tide of war, while the cinematic enhancements make every battle feel more intense and immersive.

Victory At Sea Atlantic is available now on Steam, with the update rolling out today. Join the battle, command your fleet, and rewrite history!

The battle in Headquarters: World War II rages on, as Slitherine and developer Starni Games are proud to announce the release of the Ardennes DLC, bringing players to the snow-covered battlefields of one of the most pivotal engagements of World War II. This new expansion follows the success of the Market Garden DLC and introduces a wealth of new content, tactical challenges, and historical depth.

The Ardennes DLC plunges players into the brutal winter of 1944, where the German army launched a desperate counteroffensive in the hopes of turning the tide of war. At the heart of this battle was the siege of Bastogne, where American forces, surrounded and outnumbered, famously responded to a German surrender demand with a single word: “NUTS!”

Watch the Headquarters: World War II – Ardennes Gameplay trailer HERE.

The Ardennes DLC is a must-have for both veterans and newcomers to Headquarters: World War II, offering fresh strategic challenges and an immersive look at one of the war’s most dramatic battles.

Headquarters: World War II – Ardennes DLC is available now on Steam with a launch discount of 10%. Players must prepare to hold the line and defy the odds. The battle for the Ardennes begins today!

Slitherine Software has released brand new update for ICBM: Escalation. This latest patch introduces Steam Achievements, full Russian localization and a few bug fixes.

Jump in, put your strategies to the test, and let us know what you think. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of ICBM: Escalation.

EDIT: We’ve just released a hotfix to address a few last-minute bugs reported after the latest update.

View the changelog HERE.

ICBM: Escalation is a grand RTS game that plunges players into the high-stakes world of global warfare, where every decision could tip the balance between survival and annihilation. Command vast armies, develop cutting-edge technology, and wield the most devastating weapons ever created to ensure your faction’s supremacy. Whether by conventional forces or through nuclear firepower, you’ll need to conquer or obliterate your enemies to secure dominance in a volatile global arena.

To find out more about ICBM: Escalation, and to purchase, visit the games official webpage or via Steam.

Matrix Games has announced that the Steam version of Armored Brigade II will be out April 8th, 2025.

Today’s update brings you many new unit models – especially for the Finnish army. You can admire them in all their unique glory.

You can download update v1.583 HERE.

You can view the changelog HERE.

Matrix Games has announced Fail Safe, the next DLC for Command: Modern Operations.

Fail Safe is set in 1965 – during one of the most fraught and perilous periods of the Cold War. A Yak-27 has just crashed on the Svalbard Islands after a daring reconnaissance mission over Greenland. As Soviet and NATO forces race to the downed aircraft, a tense standoff is about to escalate into an all out shooting war.

Fail Safe will see you command both old and new platforms. F-86 Sabers and F-104 Starfighters will take on Mig-15′s and 21′s. Old ships like the HMS Victorious, a carrier veteran of World War II, will take on the newest ships of the 1960′s like the Soviet November-class submarines and Sverdlov-class cruisers.

Old naval guns serve next to the newest anti air and anti ship missiles – every ship and air-frame in service will be needed.

The 12 mission campaign will see World War 3 fought out from the Arctic circle and the Atlantic to the Aleutians and the Pacific. Nowhere is safe from the Atom Bomb.

Fail Safe will be out on the Matrix Store and Steam February 25th.

Graveyard of Empires Opens Host of New Alternate Histories

Imperial ambitions collide in the challenging lands of Central and South Asia. The British Empire is secure in the Raj and Iraq, but has long held designs on influencing oil rich Iran and unconquerable Afghanistan – also targets of an aggressive Soviet foreign policy from the north. Rewrite the history of a region caught between bowing to a larger alliance and homegrown dreams of national strength. Can you defy the odds and possibly resurrect the glories of a far distant past?

Choose the fate of a nation seeking a new destiny or ancient prestige in Graveyard of Empires, a new country pack for Hearts of Iron IV. Follow the historical path of Afghanistan, India, Iran or Iraq or explore dramatic alternate histories with the rebirth of old empires.

Hearts of Iron IV: Graveyard of Empires includes new content for:

Hearts of Iron IV: Graveyard of Empires also includes new art, with more leader portraits, infantry models and unit models.

Hearts of Iron IV: Graveyard of Empires will be available on March 04, 2025 for the suggested retail price of $14.99/ £12.79/ €14.99 and is also available as a part of the Hearts of Iron IV Expansion Pass.

Watch the Hearts of Iron IV: Graveyard of Empires Story Trailer HERE.

For more game information please visit the official Hearts of Iron IV website, or via the games Steam page.