Matrix Games Forums

More news on release timing soon, but we're not far away.

Here are a few more, showing a couple of shots from the last scenario in the German campaign: "Fire Brigade" where the player's battle group has to relieve a beleaguered German company that is one among many trying to hold in the encircled Soviet forces, who are mounting desperate last ditch breakout attempts.

And the second...

Thought I might chip in with what is new in the editor suite...

First up is the new campaign editor. This allows you to design entire campaigns, including all linked scenarios, descriptions, graphics files and epilogues. There is even a view simulate option which allows you to see how your campaign description/graphic/epilogue will actually look (& play) in the game itself, all without leaving the editor.

The campaign and scenario editors are also linked so that it is easy to move between both (simply select a scenario from the campaign list and it will be opened in the scenario editor)

And now to the new scenario editor which is a massive improvement over the original editor released for PCOWS.

Major improvements (many minor improvements not listed)

. Unit placement map is now zoomable
. Units are now iconized according to their type and fully rotate to indicate their position
. 3D Terrain view (north fixed) in both rendered and wireframe (help designer visualise the battlefield)
. Fine tune unit placement in the game during the setup phase and then merge the updated positions into the editor
. Improved unit viewer with ability to see different unit camos and full stats
. Almost everything has a popup explaining its function / significance. For example you no longer need to read the manual to understand what "2^5" side armour means anymore (see screen shot)
. Colour coded terrain features now also have a popup describing them. Simply right click to see that mass of pink = "marsh"
. Order of battle (OOB) improvements, now sortable, experience colour coded, core/non core units indicated and unit points costs are continuously calculated and shown, another hand tool to help get the balance just right
. OOB report window shows more details including on which turns reinforcements are scheduled
. A full scenario report gives a complete statistical breakdown of each side to help with play balancing the scenario design
. Support for minefield editing
. Range bands for each selected unit's weapon system can be overlaid on the map, great for setting up ATG ambushes
. Improved support for various monitor resolutions (minimum res = 1024x768)
. Selecting the Platoon leader will now allow relative linked editing of all subordinates (eg moving, rotating). This helps to speed up unit placement
. Unit "precise" placement option (by right clicking on a map feature) allows exact unit placement (eg infantry in a foxhole, tank on road, etc)

WS never grabbed me but this is looking very good. Keep the screen shots coming please.

Kharkov is looking good. [8D]

If you own Winterstorm and have it installed, the new game will install updated Winterstorm scenarios that you can play with the updated Kharkov engine. Also, if you have Winterstorm, there will be an offer to get a substantial discount on purchasing Kharkov.

Backward compatibility and ability to apply the new features to Winterstorm sounds great. Players will get a twofer.

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone, here are a few more to pique your interest further. These are from the Rearguard scenario in the Soviet campaign. Here's an excerpt from the briefing for the Soviet side to set the mood:

"Your battered command is retreating eastwards in the face of relentless German pressure. Your victories are being lost as all around you, your comrades are forced back. You must hold the road which is vital for our retreat. Forces further west of us are retreating this way along it. Hold the road and defeat all German attempts to take control of it."

And a second one from Rearguard...

A third Rearguard shot...

And here's how part of the scenario looks in the editor...

I must admit I was a little underwhelmed with the initial version of the game, the additions to the scenario builder have really piqued my interest. I'm impressed and will be keeping an eye out for the expansion.

I am trying to generate some buzz in gamespot.com and soon in armchairgeneral.com

Looking good. 

Ok, here are a few more, we should have a new forum for Kharkov next week as well.

This is from a scenario called "Over Open Sights" from the Soviet campaign, where the spearhead of the 3rd Panzer Division slams into the artillery regiment of the 169th Rifle Division.

It's a tough spot for the Soviets, but the Germans also don't have an easy job once they get in the range of that line of artillery guns.

Hope you're enjoying these sneak peeks...

The action is underway...

A little smoke, a little fire...

Very nice eric.  I thought you quite and left for battlefront.com. 

your  comments on the screens will help alot of the newbies understand the mechanics of the game.

will infanty play a more important role in the expansion.