Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 4:22 pm**

Took a minute to go through my Steel Panthers bookmarks today ... it was a very sad moment ...
Matrix Games gave the original game away for free ... and I got it then ... and followed every iteration ...

When computers started to take over the "Avalon Hill" games generation, I always was concerned that games would become obsolete ... and you wouldn't be able to keep them playable in current generations. That fear appears to be becoming real.

I can still play Avalon Hills D-Day ... or Bismarck ... just as I did when I was a teenager ... but Steel Panthers seems to be fading away.

I sincerely hope the Steel Tigers iteration becomes a reality ... Steel Panthers has always been my favorite game.

I thank Matrix Games for a long and happy ride on this game ... and I hope my fears about computers and games does not prove to be true in this case ...

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 6:12 pm**

You can still play Steel Panthers, you just need to know where to look, where to dig, and what to tweak.

A little research will return rewards.

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:51 am**

rwenstrup wrote: Mon Jul 18, 2022 4:22 pm Took a minute to go through my Steel Panthers bookmarks today ... it was a very sad moment ...
Matrix Games gave the original game away for free ... and I got it then ... and followed every iteration ...

When computers started to take over the "Avalon Hill" games generation, I always was concerned that games would become obsolete ... and you wouldn't be able to keep them playable in current generations. That fear appears to be becoming real.

I can still play Avalon Hills D-Day ... or Bismarck ... just as I did when I was a teenager ... but Steel Panthers seems to be fading away.

I sincerely hope the Steel Tigers iteration becomes a reality ... Steel Panthers has always been my favorite game.

I thank Matrix Games for a long and happy ride on this game ... and I hope my fears about computers and games does not prove to be true in this case ...

It looks like Steel Tigers like two previous announced tactical wargames from Matrix is dead in the water.

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:54 pm**

I steel have my cds and rule books for all of it. But can't play it cuz no machine to run stuff that old. I do remember first cracking open the game. What fun. Steel Panthers is what got me online. Pbem.

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:35 pm**

You can buy a current version at Shrapnel Games. They are still upgrading that game. If you go that route definitely buy the enhanced version.

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:33 pm**

+1

I have paid for both Shrapnel version is the only Steel Panther game that has been updated, upgraded and enhanced for over 22 years. It also is the only Steel Panthers that works on modern O/S without any tricks or gimmicks, and its also the only version of Steel Panthers that is still supported.

Posted: **Wed Jul 20, 2022 4:54 pm**

wodin wrote: Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:51 am It looks like Steel Tigers like two previous announced tactical wargames from Matrix is dead in the water.

Steel Tigers is on hold, it's not dead. We may see more activity on that next year.

Posted: **Wed Jul 20, 2022 6:09 pm**

"While there's life there's hope."
"We're beating a dead horse."

I don't know which "Band Wagon" I"m jumping on.

Giacomo

Posted: **Fri Jul 22, 2022 10:24 am**

I still play Shrapnel's Steel Panthers WW2 and MBT... Still a great game! Check out Second Front it's a nice successor to the tactical WW2 game genre. It will be out soon!

Posted: **Fri Jul 22, 2022 5:54 pm**

rwenstrup wrote: Mon Jul 18, 2022 4:22 pm Matrix Games gave the original game away for free ... and I got it then ... and followed every iteration ...

Did not. Matrix Games has a Steel Panthers game available for free, but it is NOT the original. I know because I have played both games, original from 1996 or so. Steel Panthers - World at War is a derivative of Steel Panthers III: Brigade Command.

Posted: **Fri Jul 22, 2022 11:18 pm**

Kuokkanen,

You are mistaken. I was absolutely referring to the original Steel Panthers game.

The original Steel Panthers game was given away by Matrix Games when the site began ... I was not referring to Steel Panthers World at War ...

In any event ... it was a great move by Matrix Games as it built a lot of loyalty in a hurry.

Steel Panthers and the follow on games are my favorite wargame ... I hope Steel Tigers becomes a reality and carries forward the tradition!

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:49 am**

The main thing to understand is this:

Matrix's SP WAW was built upon the original SP III engine (which was the platoon level game of the original series).

Shrapnel's SP WW2 was built upon the original SP II engine (which was the modern warfare version).

Shrapnel's SP MBT was built from scratch but still based on the SP II engine.

Shrapnel's versions have are are the only versions that have been updated, upgraded and enhanced for the last 22 years.

In fact an interesting tidbit, there were several bugs in the game that went all the way back to the 1996 original code base that they have since fixed.

If your a SP enthusiast, hands down your best bet is to plop down the $39.95 (look for the discount sale which knocks $5 off) and get all the enhancements, bells and whistles and actually play the game on Windows 10 or 11 with no tricks, gimmicks or assistance software.

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 12:48 pm**

Yeah Shrapnel's versions well worth buying. Still stand up as one of the best turn based 2D tactical PC wargames out there.

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 3:07 pm**

Hmm Sprapnels SPMBT looks very tempting.

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 4:52 pm**

I've loved all the Steel Panther iterations ... the WinSPMBT version is excellent ...

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 8:01 pm**

Zovs wrote: Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:33 pm +1

I have paid for both Shrapnel version is the only Steel Panther game that has been updated, upgraded and enhanced for over 22 years. It also is the only Steel Panthers that works on modern O/S without any tricks or gimmicks, and its also the only version of Steel Panthers that is still supported.

Matrix SPWaW works just fine on modern systems.
No issues at all.

If I remember, y'all were trying to run the game through an emulator, on a Mac OS or something incredibly odd. You know that all bets are off when you try to pull that stunt with an old timey Windows game.
Use the correct OS, problems solved.
(Going by memory, If I got that part wrong, pls correct me)

In spite of allllllll the changes, and updates and corrections (plus dealing with the increasingly snarky owners of that site) the Camo game is still clunkier to play, like it was designed in the late 60's East Germany and the game-play still isn't half as good as SPWaW.
Ha ha ha, after all these years ....22 you say .... how come Recon units can't spot any better than regular units??? There's lots more deficiency's in that "new and constantly improved" game you promote.
Nawwww, that version is in the second tier.

HTH

cheers
Major Mess

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 10:37 pm**

i agree SPWAW is better ... but they're all good ... and SPMBT has a modern setting ...

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 10:57 pm**

Posted: **Sun Jul 24, 2022 11:23 am**

Major_Mess wrote: Sat Jul 23, 2022 8:01 pm
Nawwww, that version is in the second tier.

Belly buttons and opinions...everyone has one.

Posted: **Sun Jul 24, 2022 1:02 pm**

Major_Mess wrote: Sat Jul 23, 2022 8:01 pm
Zovs wrote: Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:33 pm +1

I have paid for both Shrapnel version is the only Steel Panther game that has been updated, upgraded and enhanced for over 22 years. It also is the only Steel Panthers that works on modern O/S without any tricks or gimmicks, and its also the only version of Steel Panthers that is still supported.
Matrix SPWaW works just fine on modern systems.
No issues at all.

If I remember, y'all were trying to run the game through an emulator, on a Mac OS or something incredibly odd. You know that all bets are off when you try to pull that stunt with an old timey Windows game.
Use the correct OS, problems solved.
(Going by memory, If I got that part wrong, pls correct me)

In spite of allllllll the changes, and updates and corrections (plus dealing with the increasingly snarky owners of that site) the Camo game is still clunkier to play, like it was designed in the late 60's East Germany and the game-play still isn't half as good as SPWaW.
Ha ha ha, after all these years ....22 you say .... how come Recon units can't spot any better than regular units??? There's lots more deficiency's in that "new and constantly improved" game you promote.
Nawwww, that version is in the second tier.

HTH

cheers
Major Mess

All are good games, but one thing about the shrapnel games was the ai pick lists for the random generated games/ campaigns. Far superior to WaW.

As you are aware, spww2 scouts do spot better , in general , than regular troops as they are coded as very small units and are usually of higher experience. They are not gifted with magic eyeballs

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