Close Combat: Invasion: Normandy

Close Combat: Invasion: Normandy is a 2000 computer wargame developed by Atomic Games and published by Mattel Interactive for Windows. It is the fifth game in the Close Combat series. A remake, Close Combat: The Longest Day was released in 2009.[1]

Close Combat: Invasion: Normandy
Developer(s)Atomic Games
Publisher(s)Mattel Interactive
SeriesClose Combat
Platform(s)Windows
ReleaseOctober 2000
Genre(s)Computer wargame

Gameplay

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Close Combat: Invasion: Normandy is a computer wargame with real-time gameplay, which focuses on military conflict in World War II.

Development

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Atomic Games began working on Close Combat: Invasion: Normandy in early 2000, following the release of the fourth Close Combat title, Close Combat: Battle of the Bulge. The previous game had been made for Mindscape's Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) label, and Invasion: Normandy began under that publisher.[2] However, Mindscape had since been sold to Mattel when that company bought The Learning Company, Mindscape's parent, for $3.5 billion in 1999.[3][4][5] As a result, Close Combat V was published by Mattel Interactive,[6] a financially unstable company. Computer Games Magazine's Robert Mayer noted in September 2000 that "the future of [Close Combat] is up in the air—Mattel Interactive is perennially on the trading block, and Atomic ... has lost some key staff members in recent months".[2]

Late in September, Mattel sold The Learning Company at a bargain price to The Gores Group. A spokesman for the new managers announced that they expected to make it "profitable within six months."[3] Invasion: Normandy was released in October 2000.[7]

Reception

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According to Metacritic, Close Combat: Invasion: Normandy received "generally favorable reviews" from critics.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Close Combat: The Longest Day Now Available". IGN. Ziff Davis. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b Udell, Scott (February 21, 2000). "Close Combat V in the works". Computer Games Magazine. Archived from the original on April 6, 2005.
  3. ^ a b Asher, Mark (January 2001). "News & Notes; Mattel Dumps Games Division". Computer Gaming World. No. 198. p. 44.
  4. ^ Staff (March 6, 1998). "Pearson loses Mindscape". CNN Money. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005.
  5. ^ Zabalaoui, Keith (September 1999). "A Note From the President; Computer Games for the New Millennia!". Atomic Games. Archived from the original on June 11, 2000.
  6. ^ Mayer, Robert (September 18, 2000). "Close Combat Invasion: Normandy". Computer Games Magazine. Archived from the original on April 6, 2005.
  7. ^ "GameSpace; Close Combat: Invasion Normandy". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 10, 2001.
  8. ^ Geryk, Bruce (December 5, 2000). "Reviews; Close Combat: Invasion Normandy". Computer Gaming World. Archived from the original on April 14, 2001.
  9. ^ "Close Combat: Invasion Normandy - PC Review - Gamecenter - CNET.com". www.gamecenter.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2000. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Close Combat: Invasion Normandy (pc: 2000): Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 26, 2007.
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