Forge of Freedom Anniversary Extravaganza!
Major Update, New Video and Holiday Sale!
For Immediate Release
Staten Island, NY, December 4th, 2007 - Matrix Games ( www.matrixgames.com) and Western Civilization Software ( www.west-civ.com) are pleased to announce a special anniversary event for Forge of Freedom: The American Civil War 1861-1865. This event, coming one year after Forge of Freedom was initially released, includes another major free update with many improvements to the game, a new video to showcase Forge of Freedom as it is now after a year of post-release development and a 25% discount on new purchases of Forge of Freedom as part of the Matrix Games Holiday Sale.
Major New v1.10.10 Update!
Since the original release, the development team has been listening carefully to customer feedback and improving all areas of the game to improve historicity and gameplay. Several significant updates have been the result and this latest fine tunes the historical accuracy and game balance as close to perfection as is possible while also improving the already excellent strategic and tactical AI even further. The dozens of improvements range from better balance between camps, population and replacements to more realistic diplomatic percentages, two siege phases instead of one, improved scenario orders of battle and more realistic detailed battle frontage rules. Quick battle resolution was also carefully adjusted to bring into better balance the effects of forts and terrain.
In addition, we now have over 250 brief historical biographies included in the game for the many generals on both sides, thanks to the diligent work of many biographers. One of the improvements in the orders of battle includes the ability to now have generals start already assigned to their historical divisions right from the first turn of a scenario, minimizing first turn reorganization chores.
New Showcase Video!
A new 4+ minute high quality video released as part of this anniversary event walks gamers through the scope and detail of Forge of Freedom, showcasing the incredible ability of this game to re-create the American Civil War and everything that still fascinates us to this day about this terrible conflict where brother fought against brother. We encourage everyone who has not considered Forge of Freedom to give this video a look; you might be surprised just how much it has to offer!
Holiday Sale!
For the first time since it was released, as part of the Matrix Games Holiday Sale, Forge of Freedom is currently available direct from the Matrix Games Online Store at a 25% discount off the regular price through the entire holiday season. See the Matrix Games website for more details. The version now available for download is fully updated to the latest 1.10.10. There has never been a better time to try this grand strategy masterpiece.
David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said "Forge of Freedom is an outstanding game and is a remarkably realistic simulation of the American Civil War. Western Civilization Software has once again elevated this title to a new level. If you have an interest in the American Civil War, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try. The new video and sale should make that decision even easier!"
Eric Babe, Lead Developer at Western Civilization Software, stated, "We're very proud of how far Forge of Freedom has come since its original release one year ago. Virtually every aspect of the game has been improved in response to player feedback. We hope everyone enjoys the new upgraded Forge of Freedom as much as we enjoyed working on it."
More than seven-score years have passed since the start of this conflict that pitted state against state, brother against brother and broke the chains of slavery. Forge of Freedom gives you a chance to relive history from either side in a work of grand strategy.
As the leader of the Union or the Confederacy, you will be faced with historical decisions on the military, economic and diplomatic strategies to pursue. The diplomatic and economic systems have been streamlined and improved since Crown of Glory to be more user-friendly and also suited to the period. Rather than multiple minor nations, each state has its own Governor and they will make demands on you and shift their attitudes according to events. In addition, you will have to manage diplomacy with the European powers to try to sway them towards or against intervention. Over 1,000 historical generals are included along with an option to know their abilities ahead of time or have to find out the hard way, as happened historically. Railroads, rivers and cities all play important roles, as do elections which occur at both state and national levels. Every effort has been made to bring you as thorough a simulation of the American Civil War as is possible, from 1861 to 1865, from the skirmishes and raids in the West to the pitched battles in the East and the Naval blockade.
Game Features:
The American Civil War, 1861-1865 Grand Strategy combined with Detailed Tactical Battles Highly customizable gameplay via dozens of in-game options Military, Diplomatic and Economic Decisions Research Logistics, Tactics, Weaponry and other areas Quick, Instant or Detailed Resolution of Battles Detailed Combat supports Historical Leaders, Unit Morale, Diverse Unit Types, Command and Control, Weather, Smoke, Reinforcements, and more! Streamlined Economics include Money, Labor, Horses, Iron, Guns and Railroads Naval and Land Combat, including Sieges, Raiders, Partisans, Plundering, Interceptions, Fleet Combat, Port Attacks and Blockades National Will and a historical Victory Point system Computer Opponent plays either side Diplomacy with Britain, France and Europe for trade and possible military intervention Weather, Logistics, Fog of War Play against the AI, via PBEM, LAN or hotseat Standard Campaign from 1861-1865 as well three other historical scenarios with starting dates from July, 1861 to November, 1861, each balanced for a different play style.For more information, check the main Matrix Games page at www.matrixgames.com and the Western Civilization Software website at www.west-civ.com.
The v1.10.10 Update is a Comprehensive Update which can be applied to all previous versions of Forge of Freedom. It can be downloaded from the Matrix Games Latest Downloads section at http://www.matrixgames.com/games/latestfiles.asp
ABOUT MATRIX GAMES
Matrix Games produces, markets and publishes historical wargames as well as other computer gaming products. Since 2000, Matrix Games has published over three dozen titles and several award-winning games, including War in the Pacific, Conquest of the Aegean, Gary Grigsby's World At War: A World Divided, Crown of Glory, Battles In Normandy, Harpoon 3 Advanced Naval Warfare, Starshatter: The Gathering Storm and The Operational Art of War III. Matrix Games is based in Staten Island, New York. For more information, visit the Matrix Games website at www.matrixgames.com.
Box Shots:
http://www.matrixgames.com/images/box3d/170x220/FOF_Box_170x220.jpg
http://www.matrixgames.com/images/box3d/100x100/FOF_Box_100x100.jpg
Update File:
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/ForgeofFreedom/Forge%20of%20Freedom-UpdateDR-v11010.zip
Intro Video:
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/ForgeofFreedom/FOF_Intro_Tutorial.zip
Screenshots:
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/ForgeofFreedom/FOFUpdate1.jpg
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/ForgeofFreedom/FOFUpdate2.jpg
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/ForgeofFreedom/FOFUpdate3.jpg
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/ForgeofFreedom/FOFUpdate4.jpg
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/ForgeofFreedom/FOFUpdate5.jpg