There’s a ton to unpack this week: from the surprise acquisition of Battlefront by Matrix, new Tempest Rising PVP details, a new stealth game from the studio that made the excellent Blasphemous, the British Campaign for Ultimate General: American Revolution, and so much more.
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Slitherine Buys Battlefront and Combat Mission Franchise
The big one this week: It looks like the Battlefront franchise is getting dragged into modernity kicking and screaming after Battlefront, the studio behind the iconic series of wargames was bought by Slitherine. Despite being one of my favourite (if not, my favourite) wargaming franchises, Combat Mission has quite several clunky mechanics, performance issues, and the graphical fidelity only a parent could love.
Hopefully, the Battlefront studio being acquired by Slitherine means that the series will finally be able to move forward, into a new and much-deserved chapter. At least, that’s what Matrix and Slitherine hint at in a pronounced way “Slitherine’s acquisition of Battlefront signals an exciting new chapter for Combat Mission. With Slitherine’s resources and expertise, the franchise is poised to evolve, embracing cutting-edge technology and innovative gameplay mechanics to captivate a new generation of wargamers. This partnership aims to enhance the gaming experience while maintaining the core principles that have made Combat Mission a beloved series.”
All Battlefront staff, including its co-founders Stephen Grammont and Charles Moylan, will be absorbed within Slitherine to ensure continuity and expansion. Good on them. Looking forward to what they’ll do next.
Blasphemous Devs Announce The Stone of Madness
Blasphemous and its sequel, Blasphemous 2 are both unique and excellent Metroidvania games inspired by Spanish Christian tradition. Now, The Game Kitchen is taking that inspiration into the real-time strategy stealth genre with The Stone of Madness.
Set in an 18th-century Spanish Jesuit monastery, you’ll attempt to escape this madhouse and former inquisitorial prison. At your disposal, you’ll have five prisoners, each with their own skills and toolsets, but carrying their own personal burdens…
Avoid going mad, and despairing, and keep insanity at bay by making sure each one of your prisoner’s mental health is taken care of. The game’s set to come out sometime in 2025.
New Anno Game: Anno 117: Pax Romana
The excellent city-building series Anno is leaving the smoke-ridden streets of the Industrial Revolution for the alpine beauty of Italy with Anno 117: Pax Romana. As governor of your province, it’s your mission to grow and expand your rule. Will you do it with the power of your agricultural economy? By the cunning of your diplomacy? Or at the edge of your sword?
I’m excited for this.
RTS HQ Is An Interesting New Project
Al, from RTQ HQ, reached out to me a couple of days ago letting me know of his ambitious project: to turn his new platform RTS HQ into a platform for every real-time strategy player looking for news, help tips, and everything in between.
There’s also a cool Hub for forums and discussions, which is something I’m quite envious of.
If you can, and want, go over there and give RTS HQ a whirl! Who knows, you might even see us collaborate shortly!
Eastern Firefights In Firefight
Word-wizard at Tally-Ho Corner, Tim Stone has spotted another massive update in the wild, this time for the long-forgotten Firefight. For the unaware, Firefight is essentially a modernized version of the classic Close Combat series. Firefight quietly added over 70 Pacific Theatre scenarios, new infantry orders and formations.
Having last played it in 2018, two years after it was released, Firefight failed to impress me. But the developer’s dedication to its title and nearly a decade of constant and free updates means that it’s time to give Firefight a fighting chance to earn his spot amongst the best wargames to play in 2024.
If you want to give it a go, Firefight only costs 15 dollars.
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