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Headquarters: World War II
Asid:
Dev log #5 - Units in Headquarters: World War II
Thu, 13 April 2023
Hello!
It is Oleksandr from Starni Games with the new Dev log entry. Today, I will tell you about the different unit types you can deploy in Headquarters: World War II. I will also explain how we designed various units and balanced their parameters taking into account all the real-life data.
How do we choose which units to have in Headquarters: World War II?
There are several things we kept in mind when making a list of units that are available in the game. First of all, the events of the game cover Operation Overlord (6 June – 30 August 1944), so we have to look for the models that were more or less widely used on the European front during that period. Secondly, we look at how well they fit together and what role every unit could fulfill.
It is quite complicated, because many units that would have been very useful become available later during the war and so on.
How do we set the parameters for each unit?
First and foremost, we do in-depth research of all the real data on unit parameters - which is often not as easy a task as it could seem at first glance. That is because many sources of information provide different data on the same parameters, and some parameters are very hard to find. So, in-depth research is required to make sense of all the different and often contradictory sources.
Doing the correct research and its educated interpretation is only the beginning though. We cannot just throw all the historical data into the game and make it work. We have to choose which parameters the in-game units will have and how real-life parameters translate into the in-game values. That is very tricky since we want the game to be both historical and balanced, while most units were not truly balanced historically.
This is where it becomes more art than science, but we follow one simple rule at all times: if A is better than B in real life, then A is better than B in the game. So, if a gun has a better armour penetration historically, it will have a higher AP attack value in the game. If unit A had better frontal armour in real life than unit B - it will have a higher front armour value in the game, and so on.
A couple of examples to see why estimating real-life parameters is hard: you can easily look up the data on armour thickness, but there is also the armoring angle that plays a crucial role. Additionally, there could be different materials and casting used at different times/models. So, in the end, it is really hard to take all of that into account.
Another example would be the guns, which have two key parameters used to determine their armour penetration capabilities - the caliber (76mm) and the barrel length in calibers (L40). That is not the end though, as you have to check the armour penetration values from the real tests at different distances using different types of ammo, and so on. That is the only way to see how guns truly compare to each other.
What types of units do we have in the game?
All units are split into categories (or classes), and since life is complicated we ended up having a lot of them. So, here is how we grouped the units:
Infantry:
Regular
Scout
Paratrooper
Elite
Sniper
Flamethrower
Machine gun
Anti-tank unit
Mortar
Towed guns:
Towed AT gun
Towed AA gun
Towed Artillery
Vehicles:
Armored car
Light tank
Medium tank
Heavy tank
Assault gun
Self-propelled AT gun
Self-propelled AA gun
Self-propelled Artillery
Armored Personnel Carriers
Trucks
What countries do we have in the game?
Currently, we have three major factions playable in both campaign and multiplayer - US, UK, and Germany. Additionally, we have smaller unit lineups for Polish and Canadian troops, which occasionally appear in the campaigns.
Where can I see the full list of units?
I will share with you all the unit models currently in the game in the next Dev logs where we will have a closer look at how different countries compare in terms of units in various categories. The next one will be dedicated to tank units across all nations. So, please, stay tuned.
See you next time!
Asid:
Headquarters: World War II - Dev log #6 - Tanks
Mon, 29 May 2023
Hello!
It is Oleksandr from Starni Games with the new Dev log entry. Some of you have been asking about the list of available units in the game - and today we will discuss the topic that is exciting for many - tanks in Headquarters: World War II. I will present to you all models we plan to have at launch and we will discuss what are the strengths and weaknesses of each playable country. If you would like to know more - please follow the link below to access the full Dev log article.
What tanks are available?
Headquarters: World War II will be focusing on the Normandy landings, so the list of available units is limited to what was operated during that time. Some units appear closer to the end of single-player campaigns, or even available only in multiplayer as they arrived a bit late for the historical operations featured in the game.
So, here is the list of available tank units and their preview:
Light tanks:
M3 Stuart (US, UK)
Medium tanks:
Cromwell (UK)
Sherman M4A1 (US, UK)
Sherman Rhino (US, UK)
Sherman M4A1 76(W) (US)
Sherman Firefly (UK)
Sherman M4A1 Flamethrower (US)
Panzer IIIE (GER)*
Panzer IIIN (GER)*
Panzer IVH (GER)
Panzer III Fl (Flamethrower) (GER)
*way outdated by 1944, various Panzer III models still fought in Normandy historically, although in small numbers. It may seem a bit far-fetched historically, but it would also be not fully accurate if the German troops were to field only Tigers and Panthers, so we had to include some older tank models as well.
Heavy tanks:
Churchill Mk VII (UK)
Churchill Crocodile (Flamethrower) (UK)
Sherman M4A3E2(76)W (Jumbo) (US)
Panther (GER)
Tiger (GER)
Tiger II (Koenigstiger) (GER)
What is the right camo for the tank? It is your choice.
We have heard a lot of questions about the authenticity of the camo of the German units. In many screenshots, you could see the German units in grey camo which had been used in 1939-1943 but was outdated by the time of the Normandy landings. We use it as a default camo, but there is a powerful customization tool in the game that allows you to customize every unit’s camo and special signs as you think would be most appropriate.
We know that camo is an important part of WW2 history. However, it changed depending on the time and war theater. That is why we have one default camo that makes it easy to differentiate between countries - olive color for the US, sand color for the UK, and grey color for Germany. The camo that is right for each operation can be easily set by every player to make sure it is correct and give the right feel about what is happening on screen.
Our goal was to create a flexible tool that allows the creation of various scenarios and set-ups including battles in different periods of WWII and on different fronts, allowing you to use the correct camo for every situation and not just keep it Normandy-specific.
I will share more information about the customization of units in one of the future Dev log entries.
What are the key differences between countries in terms of tanks?
If we speak about the summer of 1944, German troops had the strongest armor if we compare individual vehicles. That is reflected in the game and German troops may seem imbalanced at first glance. However, the difference is not too steep and the right tactics are much more important than certain vehicles being better. German troops are also more expensive in multiplayer, so losing them is much more impactful. You could use less armored, but mobile AT vehicles to outmaneuver German armor and destroy powerful but less numerous enemies.
The British troops can fight tank battles quite effectively, thanks to the Sherman Firefly tanks, which have guns comparable with the best German tanks, but much weaker armor. Still, if combined with the right tactics they can be quite fearsome on the battlefield. Other fascinating vehicles are Churchill tanks - which have very strong armor but might lack the firepower to punch through the best enemy tanks. Still, they may be very hard for the enemy to take down.
The US troops struggle to win tank battles face-to-face with the best German tanks (Sherman M4A1 vs Tiger), so they have to be smart about it. US troops have good mobile AT capabilities (which we will touch on in the next Dev log in more detail) allowing them to flank and destroy the German armor with powerful guns that have little protection but are cheaper than the German tanks they could destroy. Another way to do it would be to use more advanced Sherman modifications, such as Sherman Jumbo with a 76 mm gun, which arrived too late for the campaign but can be used in multiplayer games. It combines powerful armor with quite a decent gun.
Right now we are happy with how tank combat works, but to truly understand how the game balance works you will have to take all types of units into consideration, especially Infantry which could be very lethal to vehicles in ambushes and close-quarters combat.
I know you would probably want to know much more about the game - so ask me any questions you have and I will do my best to answer these questions on forums, or in the next Dev logs.
Next time I will tell you more about one of the ways to deal with the enemy armor, namely AT guns and Recon vehicles, so please, stay tuned.
See you next time!
Asid:
Headquarters: World War II - Dev log #7 - Tank killers
Mon, July 31, 2023
It is Oleksandr from Starni Games with the new Dev log entry. Last time we discussed tanks, so now I want to tell about things that are capable of stopping the enemy tanks in Headquarters: World War II. Today we will be having an in-depth look at such units as the Anti-tank guns, Anti-Aircraft guns, and Recon vehicles.
What anti-tank weapons are available?
Headquarters: World War II will be focusing on the Normandy landings, so the list of available units is limited to what was operated during that time. The key tank killers in the game (apart from other tanks) are AT guns and AA guns, while Recon cars could be useful to scout the enemy armor in advance.
It is worth noting that Infantry could also be very deadly against tanks, especially in difficult terrain, but we would discuss that in the next Dev log, where we will have an in-depth look at all Infantry units.
So, here is the list of available anti-tank units and their preview:
Towed Anti-tank guns:
50 mm Pak. 38 (GER)
75 mm Pak. 40 (GER)
88 mm Pak. 43 (GER)
57 mm Ordnance QF 6-pounder (UK)
57 mm Gun M1 (US)
76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder (UK)
Self-propelled Anti-tank guns:
Jagdpanzer 38 - Hetzer (GER)
Jagdpanther (GER)
17pdr SP M10 "Achilles" (UK)
M10 tank destroyer (US)
M18 Hellcat (US)
Towed Anti-aircraft guns:
88 mm Flak (GER)
QF 3.7-inch AA gun (UK)
90 mm gun M2
Self-propelled Anti-aircraft guns:
Sd.Kfz. 7/1 (GER)
Crusader III AA Mk.I (UK)
M16 MGMC
Recon vechicles:
Type 82 Kübelwagen (GER)
Sd.Kfz. 234 2 - Puma (GER)
Willys MB (US, UK)
Daimler Armoured Car Mk II (UK)
M8 Greyhound (US)
How are the anti-tank guns implemented in the game?
The smaller caliber towed guns can move a small distance without a truck, while bigger guns have to be moved via transport vehicles. This makes Self-propelled guns much more mobile and versatile tools, able to move fast and maneuver to the best firing position and destroy enemy tanks. While towed guns are good for stationary positions and ambushes, they are quite very vulnerable but pack a solid punch.
How effective are the AA guns versus tanks?
While self-propelled AA units listed above are not very effective and can penetrate only lightly armored targets, the towed large caliber AA guns can be very effective against enemy armor, same as large caliber AT guns. They can be used for setting up ambushes and dealing with the heavily armored units of the enemy.
What do recon cars have to do with anti-tank warfare?
While not technically anti-tank weapons, light cars, such as Type 82 Kübelwagen or Willys MB are good means to spot the enemy armored units before they locate your troops and prepare an ambush. You can also quickly retreat, covering yourself with smoke grenades, if spotted by the enemy armor, cutting the enemy’s line of fire. At the same time, more advanced recon vehicles, such as Sd.Kfz. 234 2 - Puma, Daimler Armoured Car Mk II, or M8 Greyhound could be used to outflank and destroy enemy armor, attacking them from the rear, as they have pretty decent AT guns, that can be quite effective if you manage to sneak up on the enemy armor from the rear.
I know you would probably want to know much more about the game - so ask me any questions you have and I will do my best to answer these questions on forums, or in the next Dev logs.
Next time I will tell you more about numerous types of Infantry units in Headquarters: World War II, including the anti-tank squads, so please, stay tuned.
See you next time!
Asid:
Dev log #8 - Infantry units in Headquarters: World War II
Tue, 3 October 2023
Hello!
It is Oleksandr from Starni Games with the new Dev log entry. This time around I will tell you about the various Infantry units in Headquarters: World War II. This includes regular infantry, scouts, snipers, assault units, and heavy weapons squads, such as anti-tank units, mortar crews, and machine gunners. The infantry played a crucial role in all World War II battles, and it is no different in Headquarters.
First of all, let us have a quick look at all countries' lineups and then discuss all the unit types in detail.
British Infantry
US Infantry
German Infantry
Now let us have a closer look at each class. We will use the units of different countries as illustrations, but every country has all of the classes.
Riflemen
The regular units that comprise the backbone of the WWII armies - brave soldiers with their time-tested rifles risking their lives capturing the enemy positions or holding the line against the enemy advance. They are an all-round unit with good mobility, capable of attacking armored units only in close combat.
Scouts
Scouts have better spotting capabilities, have special skills that help them locate enemy units, and are better at not giving away their position. The downside is the lack of any way to deal with the enemy armor. So, one of your options when meeting the enemy armored unit is to throw smoke grenades to cover your retreat and quickly change position, leaving the enemy troops clueless as to where your scouts have gone.
Assault Infantry
Elite Infantry units have better storming capabilities and higher morale, which makes them better at withstanding the enemy bombardment. You can use them to assault the enemy fortified positions in close combat, or even make an ambush for the enemy armor. It is a very versatile and capable unit on the battlefield.
Flamethrower team
Flamethrower units have a very short range of attack, but they cannot miss and they deal high damage even to enemies inside fortifications, making them ideal units for storming the heavily fortified enemy positions. The drawback is that they could become an easy target for the enemy troops while they try to get close to the enemy.
Paratroopers
In many ways similar to the regular Riflemen, paratroopers are better at hiding their location, allowing them to operate more freely in the enemy's rear or flanking him.
Snipers
The most fragile and the most deadly Infantry unit on the battlefield - snipers are the masters of camouflage and sneaky movement. They can attack the enemy from a solid range, but they also need to have a clear line of sight to their target. This means dense city districts could complicate the targeting for the sniper, but at the same time, they provide him with lots of hiding places and great cover.
Machine gunners
The Infantry unit with the most firepower (except flamethrowers ;) ) and a solid range of attack. The downside is limited mobility. This makes Machine gunners the ideal unit for holding fortified positions and stopping unarmoured enemy attacks. Machine guns are capable of damaging lightly armored units, but they are obviously ineffective against any half-decent armoring.
Mortar teams
Last but certainly not least come the Mortar teams. The mortar team is the only infantry unit capable of indirect fire which makes it a very powerful and versatile asset. You can use this capability to harass the enemy units disabling their overwatch or lowering their morale before storming their positions with other units. Mortars are quite powerful against the unarmored targets, but have very limited capabilities against the enemy armor. Additionally, they are not capable of overwatch and cannot attack the adjacent tiles. So, you have to keep them at a safe distance from the advanced enemy units.
Anti-tank teams
The hand-held rocket launchers are devastating anti-tank weapons at closer range. Combine that with the high mobility and low profile of the Infantry squads, and you will see why city or forest terrain was extremely deadly for the armored units. This is exactly what happens in Headquarters: World War II as well. Anti-tank teams have a short range of attack, but if you can ambush the enemy from a forest or a building - that does not matter, and the enemy tank has very slim chances of living through that encounter. While regular AT guns can keep the enemy tanks at bay from afar, Anti-tank Infantry can certainly hold their ground in close-range fights.
This wraps up a series of Dev logs dedicated to various units available in Headquarters: World War II, but it is not the last Dev log you see. Next time we will touch on an entirely different topic that I hope you will find very interesting.
Also, I would like to take this chance to thank all the closed Beta 1 players - we have gotten lots of useful feedback that we are now working on. We plan to run the closed Beta 2 soon with more features available to players, so please keep an eye on the upcoming announcements to make sure you do not miss it.
See you next time!
Asid:
Most common queries and some helpful answers - part I
Thu, 12 October 2023
Your most burning questions about the game—answered
The setting of Headquarters: World War II is one where strategy, history, and comradery all come together. For every eager commander and inquisitive recruit, we've gathered your most pressing queries and delved deeply into the inner workings of the game to provide you the answers you've been looking for.
[list=1]
[*] Does Headquarters take inspiration from the Battle Academy series? What are the main differences between the two?
Many of the old-school Slitherine community members are calling the game a Battle Academy sequel, and they are not too far from the truth. Headquarters: World War II has definitely been inspired by the Battle Academy series. Yet, it is not a direct sequel. We think the best way to easily describe it would be a “Battle Academy spin-off”. The key idea behind the Headquarters: World War II game is to keep the overall gameplay experience quite similar to the old Battle Academy titles, but also try new things. We want to make sure that the game would have enough complexity and depth for grognards, but at the same time have a lighter touch and be more attractive to the new players. It has a bigger emphasis on a fast-paced turn-based strategy experience and management of your units throughout the campaign. We want you to feel like you have dragged these troops, your band of brothers, through hell and back to achieve victory... and you stand tall at the end of a grueling campaign!
[*] Is it an easy game to learn?
We have designed the game with the 'easy to learn, hard to master' approach in mind, offering a rewarding learning curve for players. - meaning that you can start playing quite easily, but as you play you will keep noticing new mechanics and things to learn about the game that would make you a better tactician as you progress through the game. This means you can start playing single-player without much trouble (still, playing a short tutorial is highly recommended), but you will have to learn the game for some time before you can start beating more experienced players in multiplayer modes. It would not take too long to learn the game, but it could take a while to master it, which is an exciting experience in itself - devising new unit setups, finding new synergies between units, and devising new surprise tactics for multiplayer - it is all really fun.
[*] Why the name Headquarters? How does it relate to the game mechanics?
We wanted to highlight the importance of tactics and planning in the game, hence the name Headquarters. Although, you should not think of it as a Commander-in-Chief HQ, but rather as a Field HQ of a small military unit. As a commanding officer, you will be tasked with tactical objectives such as capturing a small village, crossing a river, holding defensive positions on a hill, etc. So, you will have to cope with the tactical level objectives with a small force, progressing from one engagement with the enemy to another. In terms of game mechanics, we have HQ skills that allow you to call for artillery support, air reconnaissance, naval bombardment, and so on. Another example would be the Officer skills mechanic that represents special tactical advantages your officer can learn and teach to your troops between battles. Last but not least, in skirmish and multiplayer modes you start at an HQ location where new units can be deployed. You can then try to beat other players, or even capture their HQs.
[*] What should I expect from the game?
You can expect a reasonable tactical challenge with in-depth combat mechanics, various types of units, beautiful and realistic graphics with a destructible environment, narrative-driven gameplay in 3 campaigns, and very flexible skirmish/multiplayer setups that allow you to play the game in a number of different ways. The game is set during the Normandy landings, so everything happens in France during the summer of 1944 with 3 playable factions: the UK, US, and Germany. Apart from campaigns, you could play skirmish and multiplayer with up to 4 players both Live and PBEM, and even participate in PBEM tournaments. And the most important thing - you can expect lots of fun time playing the game! In addition to all these features, there's also a powerful Editor tool that lets you create your own custom scenarios.
[/list]
Thanks for joining us with this first part. We're excited to let you know that a follow-up article will delve more deeply into game mechanics. Our community is driven by your thoughts and inquiries, so if you have anything further to ask or share, please do so, we’ll try to answer in the next article.
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