Bonne nouvelle pour les amateurs de simulations tactiques et de batailles modernes, Matrix vient d’annoncer que Armored Brigade va bénéficier d’une nouvelle version, plus complète et plus détaillée. En effet le jeu était sorti en 2008 sous forme de freeware, il a ainsi pu accumuler un long temps de développement et une bonne expérience, ce qui devrait donc aboutir cette année à un wargame pointu et sympathique permettant de jouer en temps réel et à l’échelle tactique (escouade / section) des affrontements qui heureusement n’ont jamais eu lieu, ceux entre OTAN et Pacte de Varsovie à l’époque du rideau de fer.
Seul bémol dans cette annonce, malheureusement aucune image n’est pour l’instant disponible. En attendant mieux il faudra se contenter d’anciens screenshots diffusés l’année dernière, montrant ce qui doit être une version relativement récente du jeu et qui servira certainement de base à la nouvelle mouture. Pour vous faire une idée du moteur en action, voyez par exemple aussi cette ancienne vidéo sur ModDB, qui date donc elle aussi de la même période.
Pour quelques maigres informations supplémentaires sur Armored Brigade, qui pourrait selon Wikipédia arriver ce printemps ou imaginons vers cet été, voyez sur Twitter ou sur Facebook, puis cette fiche chez l’éditeur ou le nouveau site du studio.
Principales caractéristiques du jeu
Armored Brigade is a real-time tactical wargame, focusing on realism and playability. The game has drawn inspiration from classics such as Steel Panthers, Close Combat and Combat Mission.
- Real-time engine
- Time period: 1965-1991
- Factions: US, USSR, West and East Germany, UK, Finland and Poland
- Lowest level unit is a single team/vehicle
- Dynamic AI
- Huge maps, based on real terrain. The maximum battle size is about 15×15 kilometers
- Dynamic campaigns and a battle generator for unlimited replayability
- Neutral units
- Artillery with several munition types
- Close air support, air defences. Air-to-air engagements are possible
- Fortifications, obstacles and breaching
- Dynamic time of day and variable visibility, wind and ground conditions
- Night vision equipment, smoke generators, illumination flares
- Unit morale, training level and fatigue, command delay
- A database editor for the factions, units, weapons etc.
- 3D sound engine
- And much more…
Communiqué
ARMORED BRIGADE IS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED!
An exciting new title based on mechanized warfare during the Cold War
Epsom, 24/2/2017
Innovation in wargames is a hard thing to achieve. New ideas are rare and it’s even rarer to find new development studios willing to bring these ideas to life. Nevertheless, once in a while, someone comes along with an innovative concept, a different approach. Armored Brigade is one of these rare projects that are the best candidates to evolve an entire market.
“Wargaming is one of the longest running genres out there”, says Iain McNeil, Development Director of Matrix Games. “We have been in this market for so long that we know how hard it is to capture a new idea, a new concept and bring it to life. Armored Brigade is definitely a title that aims to keep itself true to the complexities of a traditional wargame, but also tries to enhance the experience with new gameplay ideas. We are very proud to be working with Veitikka Studios on this project and we are looking forwards to helping make this game the success it deserves to be”.
The game’s history goes all the way back to 2008, nearly ten years of design and development to make this the most realistic simulation of armored combat ever created.
It uses a real-time engine and focuses on maximizing the realism of mechanized warfare during a possible escalation of conflict between NATO and the WARSAW pact countries during the cold war.
« My original vision was to make a game that I wanted to play, and combine elements from wargames and simulations that have inspired me », says Juha Kellokoski, Designer and Studio Director. “Over the years I’ve received feedback and support from the community, and some of those talented individuals are now members of the development team. The game in its epic form would not have been possible without their efforts. I know that with Matrix Games we can maximize the potential Armored Brigade has and make it a classic of computer wargaming ».
Large maps, modelled upon real terrain make each battle a true test of wits. Weather and visibility all play a role and with several munition types, including air to air combat and artillery, no battle will be the same. Exciting and challenging tank warfare only adds to the level of realism.
There are a variety of different nationalities within the game including US, USSR, West and East Germany, UK, Finland and Poland. Everything is modelled to a high level of detail to achieve a truly original game.
To follow the development and help bring this exciting and ambitious project to life, players can contribute to the official forum on the Matrix Games website.
Un des inconvénients de cette « professionnalisation » étant que le freeware n’est plus directement disponible sur le site, dans l’attente de la nouvelle version commerciale, je mets un lien vers un dépôt ad hoc (bien connu des amateurs de jeux de stratégie) :
http://www.moddb.com/games/armored-brigade/downloads/armored-brigade-v0812b-public-beta
Bonsoir,
il semble difficile de trouver le freeware depuis quelques temps… auriez-vous un autre lien ?
Un jeu sympa, très inspiré initialement de Steel Panthers en effet pour les mécanismes basiques mais aussi, d’un autre jeu paru dans les années 90 en version shareware et freeware, le remarquable TacOps. Espérons que l’esprit qui prévalait à l’époque perdurera au travers de cette évolution vers le marché classique du wargame.