Wargamer Weekly: Forever and a Day By Joe Robinson

It’s been another quiet week here at Wargamer HQ – the annual GamesCom convention in Cologne, Germany has the general videogames industry a bit distracted, much like with E3 in June. Still, the usual suspects have been ticking a long and we’ve got a couple of updates for you.

We’ve mixed things up a bit this week in terms of the website– another new contributor gave us an introduction to Tabletop Simulator, and it’s surprising status as a decent challenger to VASSAL. We reviewed a more abstract game that introduces people to the context of the American Civil War. Bill took a look at a new grand-strategy game out next week, and we also wanted to remind everyone what the best WW2 war games are.

Meanwhile, in the world of wargaming…

Matrix Games & Slitherine GOG Sale

Matrix & Slitherine are really doubling down on non-steam PC platforms at the moment. If it’s not a Fanatical bundle, the erstwhile wargames creator is making tracks with GOG.com as well. Their latest sale sees a range of titles discounted up to 90%.

All of the classic Close Combat titles that were released via the platform earlier this year are running a 15% discount, while Matrix’s newer incarnations are going for as high as 65% cheaper.

Field of Glory II is roughly a third off, with each of the three DLC’s released to date enjoying a modest 10% discount.

The entire Order of Battle collection is also enjoying discounts of up to 76%. GOG must not be able to handle free games, or otherwise Matrix opted to go with a different strategy – the base Order of Battle: World War II SKU – free on Steam – costs $19.99 on GOG (currently down to $4.79), but it includes the U.S. Pacific expansion with it (which you have to buy separately on Steam).

You can’t spell Order of Battle without Panzer Corps (you know what I mean), and various options are also available on the cheap. The base game can be bought for as little as $1.99, while the Grand Campaign DLC is going for $13.19.

Straying out side your classical wargame territory, the entire Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon range is on sale, as is Distant Worlds: Universe, Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach and all its' DLC and the rather excellent Battlestar Galactica Deadlock.

If any of those tickle your fancy – dig in!

JTS Release New Game

It’s not often we get a new JTS release – the legendary wargames studio has released a new entry in their Musket & Pike series, titled The Seven Years War. This new game highlights the European battles of this global war, featuring not only the battles of Frederick at places like Rossbach, Leuthen and Zorndorf, but also Ferdinand's battles such as Minden and Bergen.

It comes with the following scenarios and gameplay features:

78 standalone scenarios, 26 specifically scripted for play against the A/I.

3 campaigns.

A wide sampling of battles from small to large actions.

25 unique maps ranging in size from 4100 hexes to 32,000 hexes providing ample ground for scenario designers to create their own actions.

Phase or Turn-based play with 15 minute turns.

Three levels of 2D views of the battlefield.

Units include infantry, cavalry, artillery, leaders, and supply wagons.

Command, Fatigue, Supply, and Terrain rules all affect game play.

You can find out more, such as changes, more screenshots and how to purchase, on the official store page.

Is Command & Colors: Ancients Out Yet?

No, and as of the time of writing the release date has changed from ‘August 2017’ to ‘Coming Soon’, so god knows when it’ll actually turn up now.

That’s all for this week’s update, enjoy your weekends!