Strategy and Wargaming News – 22nd August – Dawn of War IV, Drone Sector, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, Decision Point: Battlegroup Operational Simulator

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This week has been exceptionally busy, with events unfolding rapidly. I initially thought I could wrap up the news with just a few updates, but it soon ballooned into an extensive round-up! Gamescom took place, and Dawn of War IV is now a reality. To add to that, the Definitive Edition of Dawn of War I performed exceptionally well in sales. MicroProse unveiled two new games. Hell Let Loose has ventured in a fresh direction, and there’s a new World War I game on the horizon. A wargame is being developed by a former UK military member, and there’s even more to explore! So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and immerse yourself in this week’s Firaxis News!

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV Announced At Gamescom 2025

Contrary to persistent online chatter over the past few months, many fans of the series remained uncertain about a new Dawn of War game. However, the speculation was put to rest at Gamescom 2025 when it was confirmed – yes indeed! – Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is in development and set for release in 2026.

The new game adopts a traditional real-time strategy style similar to the original Dawn of War, featuring elements such as base construction, unit upgrades, and an extensive emphasis on solo play. In total, it will offer 70 single-player missions distributed across four distinct campaigns, each representing one faction. The factions included are the Space Marines, Necrons, Orks, and for the first time, the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Above, you’ll find a chaotic sneak peek! Take a look at my piece detailing all the essential information about Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition Launched To Widespread Acclaim And Incredible Sales Figures

Enthusiasts of Warhammer 40,000 and Dawn of War are ecstatic about the release of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition. This enhanced version of the game offers numerous upgrades: The texture quality, particularly on units and ground terrain, has been significantly boosted; 64-bit compatibility was implemented; the user interface was revamped for high-resolution screens; and enhancements to unit movement pathfinding were made. In my review, I rated it 7 out of 10. While all the updates are appreciated, the $30 price tag combined with no new content feels less impressive compared to recent Definitive Editions like Age of Mythology and Stronghold Crusader, which offer more additional content.

The game reportedly sold 150.000 copies on the first day alone.

MicroProse Announces Drone Sector

MicroProse continues to expand its collection of games with the addition of Drone Sector, a new title in their catalog of upcoming games. Billed as a “futuristic gunship game,” players take on the role of providing air support using various weapons and issuing commands to troops. Upon viewing the trailer, it appears that this game is more akin to a real-time strategy game with additional features. The trailer looks impressive, and if it includes a well-crafted campaign, I believe Drone Sector could offer a unique and enjoyable experience.

Historical First-Person Shooter Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Revealed

The game I greatly enjoy, called Hell Let Loose, which is a historical first-person shooter, has now evolved into a series and will be set in the lush jungles of Vietnam. Players will have the opportunity to commandeer either the US Armed Forces or the North Vietnamese Army across six expansive maps, and can choose from 19 distinct battle roles. A new feature for this series includes the addition of mortar squads, helicopters, and the ability for the NVA to construct tunnels and launch surprise attacks on US forces. However, as someone who isn’t particularly interested in the Vietnam War, this development doesn’t excite me much. Instead, I would prefer Team17 to delve into more recent conflicts such as the American-Iraq War or the Russo-Ukrainian War for future game settings.

Decision Point Is Being Made By A Former UK Military

Kudos to Tim Stone, who hails from Tally-Ho Corner, for picking up on this! Decision Point: Battlegroup Operational Simulator is a 2D strategic war game, following contemporary operational guidelines and NATO-aligned intent-driven tasks (AAP-6C). The central concept of Decision Point revolves around immersing players in the operational planning process of NATO, by employing doctrinal intents and monitoring as troops carry out their instructions, while simultaneously modifying the plan based on the enemy’s actions. Here is a list of its features:

1. A dynamic, ever-changing environment that replicates real-world battlefield scenarios
2. Realistic combat simulations with tactical depth, allowing players to issue and adjust orders in response to enemy movements
3. An intuitive interface that makes it easy for players to plan, execute, and adapt their strategies
4. Detailed after-action reports, providing insights into the outcome of each operation and areas for improvement
5. Scenario editor tools, enabling players to create and share their own custom battlefield situations
6. Multiplayer mode, allowing for friendly competition and collaboration with other players worldwide
7. Comprehensive tutorials and support resources, ensuring a smooth learning experience for newcomers to the genre.

  • NATO-standard intent-based orders , drawn from AAP-6C terminology and issued directly on the map, reflecting how real-world operations are planned and visualised.
  • AI-executed plans , where subordinate units autonomously carry out your intent in real time until a Decision Point occurs.
  • Decision Points , which pause the simulation when combat or disruption occurs, allowing you to reassess the situation and adapt your plan.
  • Terrain Built With Real World Data , where actual roads, rivers, forests, and urban areas influence movement and visibility as they would in the real locations being simulated.
  • Securing Main Supply Routes (MSRs) as a central operational objective, reflecting their status as a primary concern in modern military planning.
  • A full scenario editor , allowing the creation of single and multiplayer scenarios anywhere on the terrain.

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2025-08-24 16:00