David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “A little over a year ago, we decided that it was time for us to try our hand at the 3D tactical scale. We’ve worked hard together with the excellent team at Koios Works to bring this project to fruition on a relatively short development schedule. We are very excited about the results. Panzer Command is the first of a series and are already working on the continuation of the series through the development of expansions that will take gamers to the West Front and elsewhere!”

Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm is a 3D simultaneous turn based strategy game where you command either the Soviet or German forces during the desperate attempt to reach the encircled German 6th Army at Stalingrad. Each side has detailed 3D units of the historical vehicles and squads, from Panzer IIIs and T-34s to PanzerGrenadiers, Artillery and Air Strikes. Two campaigns (one German, one Soviet) tie the scenarios together, allowing core units to progress from battle to battle, gaining experience, medals and special abilities. A point system allows players to “purchase” additional units for each mission in the campaign as well as replace losses, forcing decisions on management of resources.

The design for Operation Winter Storm lets first time users sit down and start playing, while allowing hard-core gamers to enjoy the realism and historical accuracy. All campaign battles can also be fought as individual scenarios and two separate skirmish scenarios are included for maximum replayability. The AI can control either side in each battle and a full Play-by-Email system allows for head to head play.

Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm is also the first 3D tactical WWII game where the unit and weapon data as well as the unit art is stored in easily accessible formats to enable mod support and customized scenarios and campaigns post-release.

Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm will be released on June 29th, 2006 at the Origins convention and the Matrix Games Online Store.