Polish studio Play of Battle has pulled the curtain back on Systemic War, a modern-era grand strategy game that blends real-time tactics with political, economic, and diplomatic systems. The debut trailer went live today alongside the game’s Steam page, with a free demo set to drop during Steam Next Fest from October 13–20. The full release is planned for 2026.
At its core, Systemic War asks players to guide nations through both battlefield encounters and global maneuvering. On the military side, more than 150 unit types can be deployed across 25 maps modeled on real-world conflict zones. These include US airborne brigades, Turkish mechanized troops, tanks, IFVs, drones, and electronic warfare units. Commanders themselves gain experience over time, unlocking new abilities after each engagement.
Beyond the frontlines, the game leans heavily into grand strategy. Players will be tasked with navigating the political and economic dimensions of nation management, balancing trade, inflation, infrastructure, and investment. The game’s macroeconomic model allows for different paths: becoming an export powerhouse, focusing on heavy industry, or carving out a role as a technological leader.
Research and development form another major layer. Advancements can enhance logistics, production, or combat performance, with the added option to license technology from other nations. Each choice feeds into a systemic web of consequences, reinforcing the game’s title.
Diplomacy stands as the second core pillar. Negotiating, building alliances, and applying pressure are all part of the toolkit. Players can influence outcomes through media, information control, and psychological tactics, while deciding whether to prevent escalation—or push rivals into open war.
Scenarios will draw from both modern history and alternate timelines, giving players opportunities to reshape global events through interactive decisions.
Systemic War is due to launch in 2026, but strategy fans can get their first hands-on experience when the demo goes live during Steam Next Fest from October 13–20. More details are available on the official site at playofbattle.com, and the developers encourage players to wishlist the game now on Steam.
