Panzer Corps : Slitherine ressuscite Panzer Général

Slitherine et Matrix annoncent un prochain wargame s’inscrivant directement dans la lignée du vénérable Panzer General sorti il y a une bonne quinzaine d’années maintenant, et ayant toujours été une référence en terme de gameplay pour un wargame. Au point qu’il y a quelques mois encore le lead designer de Civ 5 a ouvertement revendiqué s’en être inspiré.

Développé par the Lordz Studios, Panzer Corps proposera 26 scénarios sur 21 cartes couvrant l’essentiel des batailles sur le théâtre européen durant la 2nde Guerre Mondiale. Le jeu dénombrera 400 types d’unités, divisés en 19 classes avec chacune 20 paramètres pour identifier leurs caractéristiques. 17 types de terrain viendront pour leur part pimenter les combats. Les unités pourront gagner de l’expérience durant la campagne et être améliorée quand une nouvelle technologie est disponible. Voici deux premières captures d’écrans ainsi qu’une superbe illustration pour accompagner cette annonce. Pour plus d’informations, voyez cette page chez Matrix. Sortie prévue début 2011.

Les droits de Panzer General sont a priori détenus par Petroglyph, qui a d’ailleurs sorti il y a environ un an Panzer General Allied Assault, une petite adaptation sur consoles d’un jeu de plateau et dont nous avions parlé cet été.

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Epsom, December 2nd 2010,

In 1994 Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) released a title that would change the face of strategy gaming forever. Panzer General delivered an exceptionally easy to learn gameplay system and was such a captivating game that it became a benchmark for future designers for years to come.

In 2011 a project developed by The Lordz Games Studio and published by Slitherine, will see fans of the series rejoice for the release of Panzer Corps. Following in the footsteps of the popular SSI masterpiece and sharing with the General series the same level of engagement and strategic depth, Panzer Corps will keep an unmistakable « PG feeling » whilst improving and refining the gameplay and balance.

Iain McNeil, director of Development at Slitherine said: « With this game we are trying to bring the golden age of strategy gaming back to its roots. This game is Slitherine’s homage to one of the greatest strategy titles of all time and we are working hard to ensure we capture the flavor of that masterpiece, yet update it with features and a graphical style that will appeal to a modern strategy gamer ».

Panzer Corps will feature 26 scenarios on 21 unique maps, covering most major battles of the European Theatre of World War II and including a few hypothetical ‘what if’ scenarios based on your actions.

Tim van der Moer, Managing Director of the Lordz Games Studio said: « There are many World War II strategy games out there, but Panzer Corps will blow you away. We are putting all our efforts to make a memorable game, that can stand the test of time the way Panzer General did ».

The game is absolutely huge:

-   400 unit types, divided into 19 unit classes with 20 detailed parameters to identify units abilities, 17 terrain types affecting gameplay in various way. Panzer Corps will celebrate the glory days of strategy gaming with the aim of attracting new players to the genre;

-   Campaign: all 26 scenarios are combined into a large campaign tree with several entry points at various stages of the war. Depending on the outcome of each battle (decisive victory, marginal victory or defeat), the player will be faced with different challenges and a progress along different parts of the campaign tree;

-   Nations: all major and many minor nations represented: Germany, Italy, Poland, France, Great Britain, USA, USSR, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Albania, Romania, Greece and more.

-   Core units that travel with you throughout the campaign gaining experience and that can be upgraded as new weapon technologies become available.

About Slitherine Ltd. and Matrix Games Ltd.

Slitherine Ltd. and Matrix Games Ltd. are the world’s leading video games producers and publishers of historical and strategy titles. Since 2000, both brands have published literally hundreds of games with many award-winning titles in their portfolio spanning all digital and console platforms. Slitherine is also involved with book publishing, and board gaming and work with a wide array of key licensing partners such as HISTORY™, MILITARY HISTORY™, Horrible Histories™, Showtime, BBC, Osprey, Scholastic, Casemate Publishing and many others to deliver the best blend of historical accuracy in an exciting and entertaining way. The two companies merged in May 2010 and formed the world’s largest organization specializing in this niche but important market sector. Slitherine’s mission over the coming years is to lead the way in innovation and growth in this expanding industry sector.