Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts Goes Gold For PC announces completion of development on the World War II RTS expansion. The game has carried a fall release window since it was announced (story), but the announcement does not yet narrow that down:

THQ Inc. today announced Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, developed by award-winning Real-Time Strategy (RTS) developer Relic Entertainment, has reached the gold master stage of development and is now entering manufacturing. Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is the next installment in one of the highest-rated RTS franchises of all time, building on the success of the original Company of Heroes with two new armies and vastly enhanced multiplayer options. Developed for Windows PC, the game is expected to begin shipping to retail outlets in North America later this month. "Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts delivers the most cinematic and intense RTS experience available on any platform," said Kevin Kraff, director of global brand management, THQ. "Relic Entertainment's reputation is legendary among strategy gamers and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts blasts away all previous benchmarks for brutally dynamic battlefield action."

"Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is a massive game, featuring two new campaigns with more campaign content than the original, significant enhancements to our proprietary Essence engine, and two totally unique new armies for multiplayer action," said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "We've consistently redefined the standard for excellence in the RTS genre over the last five years, and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts represents another leap forward in technology and strategic gameplay."

Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is the next chapter in the critically acclaimed Company of Heroes franchise. Players take command of the German Panzer Elite as they struggle against the might of the Allied forces, or lead the British 2nd Army in the vicious battle for Caen, France. Internally developed by Relic Entertainment, this standalone title does not require the original Company of Heroes to play, features two unique armies with full length campaigns, new multiplayer options when combined with the original Company of Heroes, Microsoft DirectX 10 support, mission persistence, improved vehicle and soldier AI, enhanced physics and a dynamic weather system. Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is fully compatible with the original Company of Heroes, allowing players to wage war with four unique armies.