As a lifelong news enthusiast who has been following global events for decades, I must say that December 2024 was a fascinating month filled with both triumph and tragedy. From my perspective, it seemed like a microcosm of the world we live in today – complex, unpredictable, and full of contrasts.
On one hand, I was deeply moved by the stories of resilience and hope that emerged from various parts of the globe. For instance, the efforts to rebuild after natural disasters, such as the earthquake in Japan, showcased the indomitable spirit of humanity in the face of adversity. On the other hand, I was saddened by the continued conflict and unrest in places like Ukraine and Syria, where the suffering of innocent people seemed never-ending.
In terms of technology, December 2024 was a pivotal month as well. The launch of SpaceX’s Starship Mk1 was nothing short of breathtaking, marking a significant step forward in our quest to explore the cosmos. However, I also found myself worrying about the potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence and cyber warfare, as these technologies continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace.
All in all, December 2024 was a reminder that the world is both beautiful and brutal, full of wonder and woe. As we move forward into 2025, I hope that humanity can find ways to build bridges instead of walls, and work together towards peace, prosperity, and progress for all.
Wargame Design Studios Goes Medieval
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Among all the predictions I had for the year 2025, never did it cross my mind that Wargame Design Studios would take a medieval turn, not even remotely. So you can only imagine how taken aback I was when they unveiled their upcoming series titled Sword & Siege. Interestingly enough, this game aims to explore an under-represented topic in gaming: the Crusades. The gameplay will feature 10-minute turns and 40-meter hexes, providing an opportunity for players to assume roles not just as Crusaders but also as Muslim forces.
A diverse array of military units will be present. These will include foot soldiers wielding swords, axes, maces, and bows, horse-mounted troops with lances, swords, and bows, as well as siege weapons like the Mangonel, Trebuchet, Onager, Ballista, Battering Rams, and Siege Towers.
As a history enthusiast with a particular fondness for medieval warfare, I must admit that my curiosity has been piqued by this engine’s promise to replicate the intricacies of that era. One aspect that catches my eye is the apparent accuracy in scale, something that aligns well with my personal experience of studying historical documents and artifacts. The screenshots available suggest a level of detail that I find quite promising, making me eager to delve deeper into this virtual world of medieval warfare.
Game Labs Loses Its Leadership
As a longtime fan of the Ultimate General series, I was deeply saddened to learn about the departure of Nick (Darth) and Aleksandr Petrov from Game-Labs. Their contributions to these games have been nothing short of exceptional, and their absence will undoubtedly be felt by players and fellow developers alike.
I’ve followed the development of the Ultimate General series since its inception, and I’ve always admired the team’s dedication to creating immersive, historically accurate strategy games that offer a unique and challenging gaming experience. Nick (Darth) and Aleksandr Petrov were instrumental in shaping these games into what they are today, with their exceptional skills in game design, production, and development.
Their departure is particularly painful for me because I’ve come to appreciate not just the games they’ve created, but also the passion and dedication that went into making them. As a gamer, I know how much time and effort goes into creating a game of this caliber, and it’s heartbreaking to see such talented individuals leave the team.
That being said, I have faith in the remaining members of Game-Labs to continue their work and carry on the legacy that Nick (Darth) and Aleksandr Petrov helped build. The Ultimate General series has always been a labor of love for these developers, and I believe that they will continue to create amazing games that fans like me can enjoy for years to come.
In closing, I just want to say thank you to Nick (Darth) and Aleksandr Petrov for their contributions to the gaming industry and the Ultimate General series in particular. You will be missed, but your work will live on through the games you’ve helped create. All the best in your future endeavors!
Despite no official updates about the studio’s future, Ultimate Admiral: Dreadnoughts received an expedited last update, and Ultimate General: American Revolution was abruptly released from Early Access into a full 1.0 version. The majority of Steam users’ reviews for these games have become neutral, with many members of the community expressing significant disappointment over the condition of both titles.
Hooded Horse Takes Over Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
Following the completion of their purportedly masterpiece, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, Mimimi Games shut down towards the end of 2023, attributing this move to excessive development expenses and the mounting stress involved in creating video games. Fortunately for us, one of the top strategy-centric game publishers, Hooded Horse, acquired the rights to Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew. While specifics were scarce, Hooded Horse stated that no updates are currently planned. I remain optimistic that Mimimi’s final creation might receive additional content at some point in the future. At least we can expect it to be available for a long time.
Hollywood Animal Demo
A fortnight ago, I expressed my excitement for Hollywood Animal being among my top games of 2025. Surprisingly, the developers have graciously shared an early Christmas present – a playable demo available to experience immediately.
Critical Moves Podcast Discuss Their Most Antecipated Games of 2025
This week, our beloved strategy gaming podcast returns! In the latest episode, we delve into the video games that spark our anticipation for the year 2025. Tune in, show some love by liking it, consider subscribing, and don’t forget to share with your gaming friends!
Age of Darkness: Final Stand Leaves Early Access
The highly anticipated real-time strategy game, Age of Darkness: Final Stand, is set to release on January 15th, following three years of continuous development in Early Access. This latest version marks the completion of the campaign and introduces cooperative play, enabling players to join forces with other guardians of light to combat the horrors of the night. I haven’t written a review for this game yet, but I’ve clocked around 100 hours playing it, and if you’re a fan of turtling, you’ll likely find it quite enjoyable.
Chains of Freedom
This game, titled “Chains of Freedom,” hasn’t been officially announced by me yet, but I’ve stumbled upon it online. It’s a turn-based strategy game that takes place in Eastern Europe and allows you to command an elite squad of soldiers to uncover a dark conspiracy. Given my affinity for supernatural or fantastical elements, I’m excited about this one! The release date is scheduled for 2025, though the specific launch date remains undisclosed as of now.
MENACE Delayed To Fall 2025
In the past few months, it’s become clear that there won’t be any updates on MENACE for some time, which means the release has been pushed back to autumn 2025 at the earliest. However, they recently dropped a thrilling new combat trailer, so it’s still generating excitement!
Commando: Origins Release Date Shifted
The game titled “Commandos: Origins,” initially slated for a late 2024 launch, has been pushed back to 2025 following an underwhelming presentation at the Steam Fest. In order to enhance performance, improve AI behavior, and record voice-overs more effectively, the development team opted to postpone its release to March 2025.
Upon completing the demonstration mission, I must admit that it fell short of my expectations, especially given Mimimi’s significant influence in shaping the stealth-strategy genre over the past ten years. It’s a letdown that Commandos didn’t measure up to those high standards they set.
Broken Arrow New Gameplay
Since I wasn’t at my home computer during the multiplayer open beta of Broken Arrow, I unfortunately couldn’t participate in it. To be clear, my true excitement lies with the single-player aspect of the game. The large missions against AI opponents are what I’m really anticipating.
Open Wheel Manager Leaves Early Access
Microprose’s Open Wheel Manager 2 recently exited Early Access in December and seems to have slipped past many people’s notice. If you’re captivated by Formula 1 and dream of running your own racing team, this game could be just what you’re looking for. Take a moment to check it out as its 74 reviews indicate a “very positive” reception.
Band of Crusaders Reaches 30,000 Wishlists
2025’s highly anticipated game, Band of Crusaders, a real-time strategy set in the backdrop of Europe’s Black Plague reimagined as a demonic invasion, has hit a significant milestone with 30,000 wishlists on various platforms. The developer expressed their gratitude for this achievement and promised exciting updates to come.
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2025-01-01 20:44