Only you can lead your nation to victory! Polish development studio Play of Battle is excited to showcase the first gameplay-driven trailer for their upcoming grand strategy RTS game, Systemic War, ahead of its first playable demo this October Next Fest.
The Steam Next Fest demo marks the first opportunity for players worldwide to step into the battlefield in Systemic War ahead of its planned 2026 release! The demo throws players into an alternate 2022, where Kyiv has fallen under the weight of a massive invasion, and Poland becomes the next target of expansion. Maneuver through hybrid warfare and lead your forces to victory during a full-scale invasion. Focus on defense in-depth to protect your homeland, or adopt a more aggressive posture and pursue active defense; the choice is yours.
“Our approach to war and peace is truly unique. Conflict in Systemic War doesn’t flip between peace and war—it evolves through diplomatic escalation and de-escalation, with real consequences for your allies’ willingness to support you. While this is still an early demo, we believe we’ve already captured the depth and complexity that Grand Strategy fans are looking for.” — Jarosław Kotowski, Vice President & Game Director, Play of Battle S.A.
Systemic War is a grand strategy game built on a living infrastructure model where real rail and road networks connect the world. Lead your country in all DIME (Diplomacy, Information, Military, Economy) domains — and take direct command in pivotal battles that faithfully recreate real-world locations, such as the Suwałki Gap or the Battle of Warsaw.
The co-creator of Systemic War, acclaimed geopolitical expert Dr. Jacek Bartosiak, ensured that the geopolitical aspects are fleshed out and realistic. From conquering on the battlefield to navigating complex diplomatic relations and shaping monetary policy, you’ll mold every aspect of your nation and lead your people to victory.
Key Features in full version:
Complex RTS Battles Meet Grand-Strategy War: Engage in dynamic RTS battles on a global scale where every decision matters.
Choose your Country, Command your Troops: Choose to ally yourself with any country in the world and guide it from 2008 through 2025, managing everything on the geopolitical spectrum from supply lines to diplomatic struggles. However at launch, six nations will feature unique, dedicated content: the United States, China, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and Turkey.
Clash in Real World Locations: Duke it out in over 25 handcrafted focal points from around the globe located in flashpoints (Central and Eastern Europe, The Middle East, Korean Peninsula, Asia and the Pacific inc. Taiwan or Guam), complete with their distinctive architecture and landmarks. Maneuver your units through authentic layouts of cities, roads, and bridges.
Monitor Currency, Make Bank: Balance a dynamic macroeconomic system by securing supply lines and monitoring fluctuating currency exchange rates using the modern IS-LM-BP economic model. Will you turn your nation into an export powerhouse, invest abroad, or buy social prosperity on credit?
Experiment, Deploy, Conquer: Command over 150 different units, lead the charge across diverse battlefields. Test the effectiveness of various unit compositions — from open terrain to dense urban environments.
Develop Groundbreaking Technology: Form and cultivate specialized research teams that can help you make informed decisions, such as how to upgrade weapon systems most effectively. The key choice lies in balancing your own technology — enabling domestic production against reliance on imports and diplomatic dependencies.
