Matrix Games and Strategic Studies Group Sign Publishing Deal
Matrix Games and Strategic Studies Group ( www.ssg.com.au ) are pleased to announce that the award-winning Decisive Battles series, which includes The Ardennes Offensive, Korsun Pocket and Across the Dnepr , will continue. The next title in the series will be named Battles In Normandy and will cover the Allied and German campaigns in Normandy from the landings to the breakout.
David Heath , Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, "We're delighted that Battles in Normandy will be the next installment in the Decisive Battles line. SSG has created in this series one of the best wargame designs to come along in quite a while and it is more than deserving of continued development and attention.”
Battles in Normandy is based on the design and engine that propelled Korsun Pocket to several outstanding reviews, including “Wargame of the Year 2003” by Computer Gaming World with the comments: “Korsun Pocket is arguably the best traditional hex-based wargame of all time. … Korsun Pocket manages to keep the historical accuracy and depth of play found in other wargames while presenting all of the charts and information in clear and easy to understand terms (the eight-step tutorial is nothing short of spectacular). For those reasons alone, Korsun Pocket is the runaway winner of wargame of the year -- and ranks among the best in the genre of all-time.” Needless to say, Battles in Normandy includes many improvements to that base engine, including an improved interface, a new AI system, support for additional resolutions and a host of new systems to handle every aspect of the historical Normandy campaign.
Gregor Whiley of Strategic Studies Group noted, “We have built a strong relationship with Matrix Games through our work on Korsun Pocket and Across the Dnepr , both of which have been warmly welcomed by wargamers around the world. We are very pleased to continue that relationship and the Decisive Battles series through Battles In Normandy .”
Battles In Normandy is scheduled for release in Summer 2004 and will be available via Matrix Games Digital Express product line.
Game Features:
- New game engine with improved user interface
- New AI system
- New user friendly game and map editor
- Multiple resolution support
- Special rules for Amphibious and Airborne operations
- Extensive Rollover Help function
- Carpet Bombing
- Naval Bombardment
- Mulberries (Artificial Harbors)
- Bridge building, minefield and strongpoint creation
- New supply rules
- New rules for anti-aircraft and anti-partisan operations
- New options for hidden units
- New rules for extended movement and refitting units
- Auto email and security functions for PBEM games
- Extensive Tournament and Handicapping options for PBEM games
- Evolved Units can change their characteristics mid-game
For more information, visit the main Matrix Games page at http://www.battlesinnormandy.com
ABOUT MATRIX GAMES
Matrix Games produces, markets and publishes historical wargames as well as other computer gaming products. Since 2002, Matrix Games has published several award-winning games, including Korsun Pocket, Highway to the Reich, Uncommon Valor and Eric Young's Squad Assault . Matrix Games is based in Woodbridge , New Jersey . For more information, visit the Matrix Games website at http://www.matrixgames.com/
ABOUT STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUP
Strategic Studies Group (SSG) was founded in Australia during the 1980s by Roger Keating and Ian Trout with the release of their first game, Reach for the Stars . Over the last twenty years and over fifty computer games, SSG has grown from a fledgling company to one of the driving forces in Computer Strategy in the world today. SSG is busy working on their next title in the Decisive Battles series, Battles in Normandy . For more information, visit the SSG website at http://www.ssg.com.au/
