Press release..

[Ross Moorhouse]

Matrix Games and Panther Games Join Forces
Expanded Airborne Assault: Highway to the Reich In DevelopmentWoodbridge, NJ, March 31st, 2003 -

Matrix Games (http://www.matrixgames.com) and Panther Games (http://www.panthergames.com) are pleased to announce a new partnership aimed at producing outstanding new wargames based on the critically acclaimed Airborne Assault engine. In development currently is Airborne Assault: Highway to the Reich covering all three battles from operation Market Garden. This will include the battles for Arnhem (with the British 1st Abn Division, as covered in their first game Airborne Assault: Red Devils over Arnhem), Nijmegen (with the US 82nd Airborne Division) and Eindhoven (with the US 101st Abn Div). This will be the first in this series to be published through Matrix Games.


'Panther Games’ new "Airborne Assault: Highway to the Reich" will showcase one of the most outstanding yet relatively unknown wargames of the past few years,” said David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, "We’re excited to have a chance to work with the Panther Games team and to bring their revolutionary designs to wargamers around the world."

Dave O’Connor, President of Panther Games, stated, “Over the last year, Matrix Games has shown itself to be a leader in wargame development, distribution and publishing. Forging a relationship with the fast-growing Matrix Games team will help us to reach as large an audience as possible with our wargames without watering down our designs.”

The Airborne Assault: Highway to the Reich system features a pausable real-time movement and combat system with a very strong AI. This design allows the player to choose how much to delegate to subordinates and what to handle personally, without the usual concern involved with leaving formations in the computer’s hands. Realistic command delays and supply procedures are integrated with meticulous order of battle and equipment research to allow the player to experience combat and command challenges that are remarkably true to history.

Existing "Airborne Assault: Red Devils over Arnhem™" customers will be offered a special Trade-in deal. Details will be provided closer to release date.

ABOUT MATRIX GAMES
Matrix Games produces, markets and publishes historical wargames as well as other computer gaming products. We are based in Woodbridge, New Jersey. For more information, visit our website at http://www.matrixgames.com/

ABOUT PANTHER GAMES
Panther Games was formed in 1985, the year in which they published their first board wargame "Trial of Strength". Since then they have published two other board games ("Shanghai Trader" and "Warlords") and the computer wargames "Fire Brigade" and “Airborne Assault: Red Devils over Arnhem”. Fire Brigade won many awards including the Charles S Roberts award for Best 20th Century Computer Game in 1988 and the Apple Developer Award for Best Entertainment Package in 1989. For more information, visit the Panther Games website at http://www.panthergames.com/

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

Hmm I guess this is why the Airborne Assault demo is gone at Battlefront hehe.

I liked Airborne Assault in a few areas though, I guess I will have to add this forum to my watch list now.

[Black Cat]

Sorry if has been covered elsewhere but I can`t find it.

I bought AA early and have enjoyed it a great deal.

I`m unclear on what HtTR is....will it be three seperate and not linked " Scenarios" if you will, on three disks which means we buy 3 new games..?

Is it one Game, on one disk, with all three " Battles " represented on one disk ?

Are the battles linked ?

Since your using the old Board game title ( guess SSI doesn`t mind ) that I liked to play, when they fixed the rules at last, I assume it`s a linked set of Battles Game ?

I understand that you want to use the same " Airborne " AI engine, but I have to say also, I don`t see how you can refight the complete battle, in any Historic sense without incorporating 30 Corps fight up the road.....

[KNac007]

Is one game with different scenarios and map areas I suppose.

Dave said in other thread that they have added a good amount of new code, so is an enhanced version of AA. Maybe they have added the campaing mode they talked about in BF forums, I don't know is just speculation.

If it's the case maybe you will eb able to play linked battles in campaing mode, for example you fight over Einhoven and the attrition on the XXX Corps is present when you fight in Arhem or around it. And maybe do some strategical decisions (outside the battlefield, like where to move your troops etc).

A campaing mode would be nice to see.

[Arjuna]

Blackcat/ KNac007,

AA:HTTR will be a collection of scenarios based on a number of maps. It won't include a campaign module and scenarios won't be linked.

The maps so far, are the original Arnhem map, a 28 x 18km Nijmegen map, four smaller maps from the Nijmegen area, a huge 40 x 28km Eindhoven map and a number of smaller maps from the Eindhoven area.

There will be a Drive on Eindhoven scenario by 30th Corps. This commences at Alst, several kms after the initial breakout around Jo's bridge. 30th Corps troops play a significant role in the vast majority of the scenarios on the Eindhoven and Nijmegen maps. The new Estabs for 30th Corps and in particular the company level representation of the infantry battalions make for some delightful engagements. The new attack code is really showcased to its best with the combined arms teams of both 30th Corps and the German Panzer formations, especially the 107th Pz Bde.

We have begun testing a number of the Nijmegen scenarios which include three large scenarios - the Histroical Campaign, a Coup de Main Campaign, and the Mook Right Hook. The latter is a beaut "what if" scenario. It starts late in the evening of the second day. The Grave bridges have been blown and the Germans have intervened in force, pushing the 82nd off the Groesbeek heights. With only the Mook rail bridge still held, the battered 82nd Abn Div units must hold on until 30th Corps can cross at Mook and then drive on Nijmegen. Both sides get to attack and defend. There are lots of objectives to focus on and all in all it's the best wargaming experience I have ever had. You'll have to trust me on that until it's released and you can make your own mind up.

We also have a number of smaller scenarios from Nijmegen, including the Grave Grab ( 504th Para Regt + Gren Gds Gp v 107th Pz Bde + FJ + Inf ), Dutch Delay at Deest ( the Durch Princes Irene Bde v 2nd PG Regt ), the Mollenhoek Counter-Attack ( 505th Para Regt + Coldstream Gds Gp v FJ KGs Herman and Becker ) and the Devil's Hill ( 508th Para Regt + elem of 8th Arm Bde v 406th Inf Div ).

There is also a MG Template scenario provided to allow users to develop there own scenarios. This has a comprehensive force list with forces broken down to company level. Also included are some "what if" forces including the 2nd Pz Div and 1SS Pz Div for the Germans and the 50th Inf Div and 4th Arm Bde for the Brits.

That's all for now. I'll try and provide more details soon.

Dave

[Marc von Martial]

Also please note the update in the press release:

Existing "Airborne Assault: Red Devils over Arnhem™" customers will be offered a special Trade-in deal. Details will be provided closer to release date.