War gaming underwent a massive change when real-time strategy games arrived in the early 1990's and for a while it looked like the classic turn-based war game was a thing of the past. Then a few years back, war game developer SSI released a title that really revolutionized and revitalized the turn-based game. That game, Panzer General, was very reminiscent of the traditional board games but without the inherent problems that keep those types of games from being especially accessible – for example the computer kept track of the often-confusing system of line of sight as well as support and defensive fire. There had been board game style simulations for the PC but usually they relied on the same complexities of their cardboard counterparts, just without the pieces to set up.

Panzer General made war gaming fun but the game did have a few problems, most notably the lack of scale with units and terrain. This and other minor flaws were addressed with the two sequels, Panzer General 2 and Panzer General 3D: Assault, the latter addressing the flat graphics of this style of war gaming.

Once again there has been a considerable absence of turn-based war games and even long-time developers/publishers Talonsoft and Microprose, SSI's two main competitors in the market place for military simulations, showed little in the way of traditional large scale titles at this year's E3. Traditional fans that might have considered breaking out their worn out copies of Panzer Leader again can take heart that SSI will be releasing yet another addition to the series with Panzer General III: Scorched Earth.

Where Panzer General 3D: Assault attempted to recreate the Second World War from both the Western and Russian Fronts as either the German or Allied/Soviet forces, in Scorched Earth players are left with the primary objectives of capturing Moscow as the Germans, or Berlin as the Soviets. Considering that the 1941-1945 war between the two nations was among the most hard fought ever, it is fitting that gamers will have the chance to replay the entire conflict, including the decisive battles of Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk as well as the sieges of Leningrad and Berlin. The game's name also comes from the policy employed by both sides of leaving nothing for the attacker (often involving burning crops) when retreating.