Deep in the bowels of E3 2005’s Kentia Hall, one of the most prolific computer-strategy-game companies working today was talking up five of their new games that range from the ultra-realistic to the more action oriented. And while the release dates range from July of 2005 to an unspecified time in 2007, it is a sure bet that strategy fans will be eagerly watching these titles. Mario Kroll, CDV’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations and former founder of the respected Wargamer.com Web site, was on hand to run down the company’s E3 lineup.

On the ultra-realistic side of the equation is Blitzkrieg II, the sequel to the acclaimed real-time-strategy game Blitzkrieg. Players will take to the battlefields of World War II as the Soviet Union, Germany or the United States commanding all manner of forces through historically-inspired battles. Kroll says there will be over 90 missions and greater than 200 unit types: more than 60 unique infantry types alone. The 3D battlefields will include action in Northern Africa, Europe, the Eastern Front and the Pacific theaters of operations. New for the second title in the series is the direct control of air and naval units. The build I saw featured some beautiful terrain to fight over and destroy. The game will also sport a full-featured campaign editor for players to create their own campaigns. Developed by Nival, Blitzkrieg II is set to invade store shelves in September of this year.

For the Civil War buff looking for an authentic real-time strategy experience, CDV will release American Conquest: Divided Nation in August 2005. Set in the colorful and often-romanticized era when the nation split and brother took up arms against brother, American Conquest: Divided Nation will give the gamer the opportunity to relive the events leading up to the war, the Civil War itself, and the events that immediately followed this tragic chapter in American history. Playing as characters as diverse as an army general to a leader of the Texas independence movement, the gamer will experience the bloodiest era of United States history.

On the more action-RTS side of things, CDV will be offering Codename: Panzers, Phase Two. Codename: Panzers, Phase Two has players fighting in the often overlooked battlefields surrounding the Mediterranian Sea: specifically North Africa, Mediterranean battles and the Balkans region. The player will take on the role of Axis aggressors, Allied soldiers and Yugoslavian resistance fighters to play out the campaigns. Where Blitzkrieg II strives for the greatest authenticity, Kroll describes the style of Phase Two as more the “John Woo” version of World War II. I assume that means the player won’t be too badly mauled if they decide to go into a situation with guns blazing and not the most thought-out plan in place. Kroll promises that fans of the original Codename: Panzers will find everything loved from the first game and more. Phase Two also offers improved 3D graphics, AI and a first-rate story mode that includes voices by recognized actors like Peter Weller from the Robocop movies and Buckaroo Banzai. Codename: Panzers, Phase Two should hit stores in July.

Ever wonder what would have happened if Hitler had been assassinated early in World War II and more sane minds had assumed the reins of the Nazi war machine? War Front: Turning Point dares to ask that question and allows the player to play out the resulting scenario. Developed by Digital Reality, War Front: Turning Point throws out the old history book and delves deeply into an alternate timeline where a madman’s whim didn’t irrevocably doom Germany to lose the war. Such events as the aborted invasion of Great Britain and the early funding, development and proper deployment of German wonder weapons are all explored. Not due out until the first half of 2006, War Front: Turning Point is currently in an early stage of development, but its unique alternate-timeline premise promises to make this game one that strategy fans can’t help but want to explore.

Just announced by CDV is War Leaders: Clash of Nations, a game that Kroll describes as a cross between an action RTS like Codename: Panzers and a turn-based strategy game like Civilization. Players assume the roles of historical commanders in an attempt to lead their countries to victory in World War II using diplomatic, economic and military means. The game will feature a full technology-tree system that will require players to research various branches to obtain certain technologies to insure victory. Kroll claims that the player can play at whatever level they feel most comfortable: either micromanaging every aspect of the game or allowing the AI advisors to handle whatever aspect of the war the player does not feel inclined to get his hands too deeply into. But whatever the player wants to do, a little patience will be required. War Leaders: Clash of Nations is not scheduled to see release until sometime in 2007.