I wonder

It's not the only game series whose first game is mission (e.g. Settlers). Panzer General (1) had DOS and Windows versions. Maybe the publisher is worried buyers expect the Windows version (which doesn't run anymore on Windows 64-bit versions).

Would also buy the game if it got published here.

hi i just found out last week panzer general is now opensource and is called open general you can also add packages from PG II -as well as panzer general forever where you can play original panzer general,allied general and also the british campagn of panzer general find here the links as i mentionned totally free and open source.ps as i am ver new here i hope it is not prohibited to post these links here.

open general

http://luis-guzman.com/OpenGeneral.html

panzer general forever

http://panzergeneraldownload.com/panzer-general-forever.html

Open General isn't the same thing; and is missing atmospherics of the original like combat videos and audio briefings. That was part of what made the original so special; without that it's just a crappier looking Panzer General 2.

Licensing fee's. Money period. Game titles and "content" are licensed for 5, 10, etc years a time and since PG has been licensed so many times it commands a hefty fee. In addition, the diff between the PG coding and those following were radically different.

SSI coded AG and then ported PG contents to that engine. And continued with the series so that why following games (except AG) are so popular. The AG/PG combo is also high value. There are also most likely contesting ownership rights, etc. which make it a risk.

SNEG companies, etc. Only have limited capitol and need to balance that vs the risk of game-success-failure vs the possibility that after investing in re-working, debugging, on newer OS's they will slapped with a cease-and-desist order by the courts whether valid or not. Funds my man. Usually can be fought and a compromise made but again funds vs eventual profit (or even just making spent monies back).

Annnnddd... Just like Hollywood. Rights are sold for a time block so occasionally those go stale and the games become available again. Likely what is happening now with PeoG and SG.

its disapointing its not released with with brieffing dialogue etc in all its glory , grey suits spoiling gamers fun again i guess