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Road to War #5

	Author: Sean Drummy Article Type: Buying Guide Publication Date: 12/6/2005 Related Categories: Business and Industry, Buyer's Guide

News from the Front

There have been plenty of updates since the last edition of Road to War so let’s get right down to it, soldier!

HPS Sims

Once again HPS is sticking to their policy of strict information control regarding the release or progress of any titles in the works. I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground but as of yet there’s nothing to report short of the tantalizingly vague comment I did receive stating they “are working on new titles in all of the current series, plus some new ones.”

Storm Eagle Studios

Like everyone else, we do know that Storm Eagle Studios is the newly-formed game development company from veteran Talonsoft honcho Jim Rose and developer Norm Koger.  Also like everyone else, we know that the studio is wrapping up work on a naval wargame entitled Distant Guns.  Finally, like everyone else, we know that the game's release isn't too far off, but we don't yet know when that will be.  Look for a preview in the near future from The Wargamer.

Shrapnel Games

Down Shrapnel’s neck of the woods, information is also shaping up to be a little scant as well. Their tactical level turn-based wargame, All American is still a longs ways out from anything tangible to look at. However, the PR folks over at Shrapnel assured me “there will be a very public announcement once something changes with its status.”

Shrapnel also had to give the dreaded “No comment” on the next Horse & Musket 2 title as well, although gamers have plenty to chew on with two titles already released this year: Prussia's Glory and Dragoon.  As stated in the last edition of Road to War, the next Horse & Musket 2 title would be announced shortly after Prussia's Glory was out the door. However, given the stage of development this turn-based hexagonal wargame is in, the developer just isn’t comfortable with releasing substantial details. Fair enough, I’ll keep my eye on this one and await word from Shrapnel when it comes.

The most substantial update I received from Shrapnel was about their naval strategy/sim Galley Battles, which was announced back in late August. Shrapnel was also gracious enough to provide me with some exclusive screenshots giving us a pretty good look at what to expect. As for development progress, it “continues along nicely, with the main designer implementing new features and the artist continues to polish the UI and other assorted graphics.”

Some exclusive shots of Galley Battles.

Matrix Games

There are plenty of juicy rumors emanating from Matrix’s neck of the woods these days, I’ll start with World in Flames, which is currently scheduled for Spring of 2006. The World in Flames developers are particularly excited about the graphical work they’ve been doing: “The graphics are being completely redone from the original code for this game, which was written in the mid to late 1990's. We are upgrading the hexagon size from 68 pixels by 76 pixels in 8 bit color to 136 by 152 in 24 bit color. In addition, the 'skins' for the windows/forms are being redone as well.” I also put in a request for some screenshots to show off their progress but unfortunately their work is still too preliminary for a substantial build to be made.

There’s also word from the inside that Star Chamber is very close to release, as we noted about a week ago. The game is just inches from the finish line, expect the release in a matter of days.

This next bit of information is purely speculation and rumor but I’ll share it anyway. Although Matrix is trying hard to keep this under the radar until things are official, I’ve heard word that the defunct strategy developer SSI and Matrix are possibly negotiating for rights over some of SSI’s old titles. For those of you unfamiliar with SSI’s brilliant work, these fine developers gave us the Steel Panthers turn-based strategy titles among many others. No specifics as to which games Matrix might acquire, and this information is purely gossip. More details next edition (hopefully).

Another rumor that’s been floating around is that Matrix is expanding their publishing auspices to handheld technology. I’ve heard a couple of rumors that a title called Blitzkrieg: War In Europe is expected to be announced for the Palm and Pocket PC. Nothing official yet, so stay tuned.

Matrix Games also recently confirmed that they have successfully concluded publishing negotiations with Panther Games and will be publishing Panther's strategy title Conquest of the Aegean. Rumor has it that we will see this title in stores before the year's end as a Matrix Games "stocking stuffer." Unfortunately, that little tidbit is all I have for that title right now.

Next there’s another unconfirmed rumor that that Matrix may be teaming up with both Breakaway games and Eagle Games to release titles for both of these developers. Since this, too, is unconfirmed the best I can do is keep chasing it until I have something more substantial. Unfortunately I also don’t have any specifics on the titles they may be working with but details should pop if this comes into being.