Reflection AI
A level 3 opponent that records your openings and habits, predicts your next moves and moves to cut them off. After about ten matches it knows you well, so you have to keep changing how you play.
Desktop Edition
General WinterDesktop Edition
The full desktop version of our free hex-strategy game. Build your own battlefields, fight an AI that learns how you play, and switch to Modern rules with painted armies, fog of war and battle effects.
About the game
What you're getting into
General Winter is turn-based strategy on a frozen hex board: think chess, but with infantry, cavalry, artillery and a General's flag you have to protect. Spend 15 Resource Points deploying your army, read the terrain, swing around the enemy line instead of hitting it head-on, and capture their flag before they take yours.
The browser version stays free. The Desktop Edition is for players who want more of it: a map maker, a third AI that studies your habits, a second rule set, saved games you can keep, fullscreen, and a proper desktop build that runs outside the browser.
What's included
What the Desktop Edition adds
Map Maker
Paint grass, snow, water, hills and mountains onto the board and save as many custom maps as you like. They show up in single player and as the host's pick in multiplayer.
Modern rule set
Painted Napoleonic unit sprites, smoke, explosions and flag-capture effects, plus a shared pool of 4 moves per turn you can split across your army.
Fog of War
Hide the enemy's back rows until you push a scout deep enough to reveal them for the rest of the match.
Save files
Save any battle to its own file and load it later with the map, AI level, rules and every unit's kills intact.
Desktop polish
Fullscreen, pan and zoom, a default zoom setting, mouse sensitivity and a sabre cursor.
Online 1v1
Host with a 6-character room code and play a friend. No port forwarding needed.
AI personalities & new eras
On the roadmap: AI generals with their own style and dialogue, and unit sets from other centuries.
Editions
Browser version or Desktop Edition?
| BrowserFree · play in your browser | Desktop$4.99 · GodWinds site | |
|---|---|---|
| Hex battles, deployment, veterans & flanking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Official maps (Winter Pass, Divided Lands) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online 1v1 multiplayer | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI opponents | Random, Tactical | Random, Tactical, Reflection |
| Map Maker & custom maps | — | ✓ |
| Modern rule set, sprites & battle effects | — | ✓ |
| Fog of War | — | ✓ |
| Saved games | One slot in this browser | Unlimited save files |
| Runs | Any modern browser | Windows 10/11 PC |
Delivery
How install & activation work
- Check out with PayPal, Pay Later, Venmo, or a card. Your key and download link arrive by email within 24 hours.
- Download General Winter Desktop Edition and unzip it anywhere you like.
- Run General Winter and enter your product key when it asks. It activates on that PC.
The game confirms your key with the GodWinds server each time it starts, so it needs an internet connection at launch.
Questions
FAQ
Do I still get to play the free version?
Yes. The browser version stays free for everyone. The Desktop Edition is a separate, bigger build.
How many PCs can I use it on?
A key activates on one PC and Windows user. If you get a new computer, contact support and we will move it.
Do I need to be online?
Only when you launch it. The game checks your key at startup; battles themselves are offline unless you play multiplayer.
Is it a Steam key?
No. It is a direct download from GodWinds with a GodWinds product key.
What if I lose my key?
Use Reacquire lost key on this page (we email a code to the address you bought with), or sign in and press Show product key. If that fails, open a Purchase ticket with your order number or PayPal receipt.
Take the war off the browser.
General Winter — Desktop Edition · $4.99 USD