The Interview
The Wargamer (WG): Matrix has just added the Close Combat series of games to its lineup. The Close Combat games are classic wargames and they join the ranks of other classics, including Steel Panthers, the Talonsoft lineup, and Carriers at War. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that the Matrix team is going back to the Land that Time Forgot to rescue old classic wargames. What’s up with that?

David Heath (DH): Matrix Games is just that… a matrix of gamers who enjoy all types of games. When you get together with you buddies and talk about gaming it reminds you all the great times you had. Let’s face it: the SSI and Talonsoft game lines and the Close Combat series have not been available and/or updated over the last few years not because they had passed their prime but because of some corporate issues. I thank God that Joel Billings, Chris Mate, John Davidson, and Roger Arias have giving me a chance to work with the community to keep these great games alive and moving forward. I know a few people have suggested that we are just rehashing old games; to those people I say we are doing what we love. From the community response so far it looks like most gamers agree. These games have a lot of life left in them and with a little effort these games can be improved for the veteran and made challenging for the new wargamer as well.

WG: Can you tell us exactly what games are included in this deal?

DH: The license includes Close Combat 1 through 5 and give us the option to make updates and enhancements to the Close Combat games.

WG: Matrix has the rights to create more games under the Close Combat name? I realize this news just broke, but can you give us a hint about what we might see in Close Combat 6?

DH: The first game out will be Close Combat – Cross of Iron. Close Combat – Cross of Iron will have very historical units and will focus on the Eastern Front.

WG: As with some of the other classic games you’ve worked on, Close Combat games generally work in Windows but can experience compatibility issues with some drivers. Since the games were released gamers have had a long time to identify areas for improvement, such as AI aggressiveness, path finding, vehicle spotting, and the UI of the editors. Aside from making these games fully compatible in the latest OS, is it fair to say that you’ll be addressing these issues?

DH: Yes, that is where Shaun Wallace and CSO SimTek come in. Shaun and I have worked together in the past and the results have always been great. Nobody knows Close Combat better then Shaun. The CSO SimTek team has done a great job updating and improving the games. I can’t go into more details now but you can expect a lot of new features that the Close Combat community has not seen yet.

WG: That leads to my next question: what would you say to a gamer who has some (or all) games of the old series? How different will these be from the original and why do you think gamers should buy the new versions?

DH: Well this is not the same Close Combat you played years ago but it will feel like a close old friend. The unit data has been all reworked and updated. Close Combat – Cross of Iron will include both infantry and armored units not originally in the Close Combat series. We also want to expand the Close Combat community with our Close Combat Battle HQ. This is a multiplayer matching system. You will also find new maps to fight on. We are not really saying much about this now but I give you a hint and say gamers may discover something about the campaign system. I will probably get in trouble for just saying that.

WG: Will you involve the original developers in any of the redesign? Why or why not?

DH: In this case no we have no plans to include anyone from the original design team. The main reason is most of the original team are off on new projects and won’t be available some time now. We feel CSO Simtek are much better prepared to handle this at this point. CSO Simtek has been working with the Marines for years improving their version of the game. CSO SimTek has been working with this code for over a year now and their current improvements more than show me that they can handle this project.

WG: There were a total of five Close Combat games, but some have proven more popular than others. How does Matrix plan on releasing them, individually, or as a bundle? If they’re sold individually will they be released all at once, in chronological order, or in order of popularity? Why?

DH: We have not officially decided but plan on releasing two bundle packs. Close Combat Battle Pack Volume 1 which will have Close Combat II (A Bridge Too Far) and Close Combat IV (Battle of the Bulge). Volume 2 will have Close Combat II (Russian Front) and Close Combat V (Normandy). These games will be available via digital download and our Game On Demand service.