Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and 2by3 Games (www.2by3games.com) are proud to announce the release of the v1.030 update for Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States. The v1.030 update focuses primarily on gameplay changes that improve historical realism in addition to bug fixes and improvements to computer-controlled production.

Specifically, historical realism is enhanced through adjustments to how the battle for Kentucky unfolds, changes to artillery and ironclad production, and tweaks to Union fleet positions at the outset of the war to restrict some early Gulf invasion strategies. Furthermore, the update brings a slight change in political point calculation to encourage more action in the Eastern theater by awarding extra points to Union players for attacking towards Richmond. Conversely, Confederate players will be awarded more political points for battle victories in Northern territories to encourage Confederate aggressiveness.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “This update improves on the near-perfect blend of historical accuracy and challenging gameplay in War Between the States to further enhance an already outstanding system. The changes coming with the v1.030 release don’t try to options away from players but provide incentives for the most historically plausible strategies.”

Taking gamers back to the start of the American Civil War, Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States allows players to experience the trials and tribulations of the role of commander-in-chief for either side. Historically accurate, detailed and finely balanced for realistic gameplay, War Between the States is also easy to play and does not take months to finish.

Promote and cultivate talented young colonels or brigadiers to build Corps and Army commanders that will help you fight and manage the war effort from battles to training of recruits with the utmost efficiency and success. An innovative multi-faceted rank promotion system allows leaders to gain in abilities and power based on their successes, while also simulating the historical progression of leaders during the war. Each decision you make must be weighed carefully, as promoting and demoting leaders, entering neutral states, raising troops and many other actions cost you the political capital that will determine your ability to achieve victory.