L is for “Less of a sphere, more of a potato”. The Tacview sequel currently under development will be able to do a lot of things its predecessor can’t. For example, because it models the Earth as an oblate spheroid not a perfect sphere, and features a new telemetry engine, its calculations and visualisations will be more accurate. More efficient code and a modernised rendering engine, means vehicle textures, lighting, and details will be possible, along with multiple 3D views. Improved data exporters for sims such as DCS could even mean structures such as buildings and bridges appear in replays.

M is for Marvellous modability

One of the aspects of the splendid Crash Dive 2 I didn’t cover in my praise-packed review, is the game’s extraordinary customisability. Of the hundreds of sims I own, this one is, without question, the most malleable, and the easiest to modify. To give you a few examples of the hundreds of different things that can be effortlessly altered via the game’s integral mod menu, I’ve put together a quick collage:

N is for Not a great choice of title

Unsurprisingly, a few inattentive purchasers of TSW5 add-on Thomas & Friends Visit the West Somerset Railway expected the whimsical £20 DLC to include a recreation of Britain’s longest standard gauge heritage railway. With a maximum speed of 25 mph, said route is one of TSW5’s slowest, but that low limit combined with simple trackwork and signalling means there’s plenty of time to take in West Country scenery nicely remastered in late 2023.

O is for Over the Alps with Hannibal

If you’ve a problem with perfectly square pachyderms, minimalistic Second Punic War battle sim, Carthage: Bellum Punicum, may not be for you. Steam page references to couriered orders, “meticulously crafted battlemaps”, and “highly competent” opponents, suggest Mindebyte’s debut should appeal to roughly the same set of wargamers as Strategos.

P is for Personnel problems behind DLC delays

This fascinating interview with Cliffs of Dover revivers Team Fusion sheds light on why Fortresses and Focke Wulfs: Dieppe (original ETA: late 2024) has yet to arrive. Not only has the studio lost personnel to wealthier projects, earlier this year it was knocked sideways by the tragic death of a key member of staff.