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Armored Brigade II
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - Announcement
Tue, September 12, 2023
It has been some time since Armored Brigade wrote the book on combined arms warfare. Now, it has returned to open a new chapter...with Armored Brigade II.
Set against the tense backdrop of the Cold War, “Armored Brigade II” offers a plethora of enhancements and innovative features in comparison to its predecessor. The game shifts from a 2D to a more immersive 3D environment. Furthermore, it introduces a refined waypoint editor system, major improvements to the spotting sharing system, enhanced infantry mechanics, expanded fire and air support options, and many more novelties.
Asid:
Diary #1: Evolving the Battlefield – Embracing 3D
Mon, October 2, 2023
Greetings Commanders!
By now, most of you have seen our announcement trailer above for the Armored Brigade sequel. And yes, you have seen it right – our beloved battlefield has evolved from 2D into 3D. This change is a monumental shift for the game and we are elated by the positive responses received so far and the overwhelming excitement from fans. In this first diary, we aim to provide an in-depth look at this major transformation, delve into our motivations, and most importantly, reassure some of our long-standing fans about certain core gameplay elements.
Why the Transition to 3D?
We have been attentively listening to community feedback, and we recognized the need to improve terrain interpretation and offer a more immersive battlefield experience. The idea notably sprouted in January 2021 as we were refining the ISO view. This concept gradually morphed into a full 3D perspective, which made us ponder: why not render everything on a single screen? We wanted to push the boundaries of what was possible, and this felt like the next logical step.
We did not make the decision to transition from 2D to 3D lightly. It necessitated a steep learning curve for our team. We had to adapt quickly, upskilling and expanding where necessary to meet these demands. The introduction of 3D also posed the risk of diverting focus from gameplay to graphics. Striking the right balance, where enhanced visuals did not overshadow core gameplay, was a paramount concern. There was also a genuine concern about how our dedicated 2D fans would react to this new direction, and ensuring the transition felt natural and value-added for them was crucial.
By adopting 3D, we can now offer depth and spatial awareness that 2D simply cannot match, and a visual detail that breathes new life into every skirmish. This modification paves the way for enhanced tactical perspectives, from discerning line-of-sight over undulating terrains to better assessing the influence of the landscape on vehicle movement. This shift could potentially appeal to a broader audience, and feedback so far seems to confirm this. While Triple-A games excel in photorealistic graphics, Armored Brigade carves its own unique niche by focusing on gameplay and feature depth instead of competing on visual realism.
The new engine still vividly brings to life the intensity of warfare, portraying combat in a gritty and graphic manner that immerses players like never before. Every explosion, bullet tracer, and tank duel is rendered with a raw realism that underscores the unforgiving nature of modern conflict.
Still True to its Roots
For those who loved the top-down perspective of the original, worry not! While the 3D graphics will offer new perspectives and possibilities, Armored Brigade II is designed to be played top-down as well. We understand that many of our players prefer this view for its strategic advantages, and we have ensured that it is optimized and as functional as ever. The top-down view will continue to provide that clear, concise battlefield oversight that many of you, and us included, have come to love. The shift to 3D simply allows for an additional layer of immersion and choice for players who wish to dive deeper into the tactical visuals. This move to 3D is not a departure but an evolution, taking the best from our roots and building upon it.
Ease of Transition
One of our top priorities has been ensuring that the transition from 2D to 3D feels smooth and that massive maps and huge battles can be maintained. Whether you are a seasoned Armored Brigade veteran or a new recruit to the series, we aim for an intuitive and seamless gameplay experience. We have invested heavily in optimization to ensure that, regardless of whether you have a high-end gaming rig or a more modest setup, the game runs smoothly. By deliberately maintaining a stylized design and low model complexity, we've had another clear intention in mind: ensuring modding remains accessible and robust.
Modders have always been a crucial part of the Armored Brigade community. Their creativity and dedication have expanded the game's horizons, introducing new factions, eras and theaters. By maintaining a simplified design, yet aesthetically pleasing 3D models, we aim to provide modders with a canvas that is easy to adapt and build upon. Uncommon in game development, especially amidst such a dramatic shift, we have prioritized maximum backward compatibility. Old content can be quickly integrated into the new game, even if it initially appears with placeholder models.
This is just the beginning, Commanders. The transition to 3D is more than a visual overhaul: it is an evolution of the Armored Brigade legacy. While embracing the new, we hold onto the core that has made this game special for so many. As we continue to polish and refine, we are excited to take you along on this journey. Stay tuned for more dev diaries, and as always, lead with strategy and foresight.
Until next time, keep those tanks rolling!
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - Dev Diary #2: Enhanced Communications & New Company Formations
Mon Nov 13, 2023
Greetings Commanders!
In this installment of our development diary, we commence with a succinct reference to a significant event from the past, predating the Cold War period.
In the annals of military history, few incidents cast as stark a light on the importance of communication as the British Light Brigade's suicidal charge during the Crimean War in October 1854. This bloody episode, marked by Captain Lewis Nolan’s ambiguous transmission of Lord Raglan’s ill-conceived orders and observed in disbelief by stunned allies and foes alike, serves as a poignant reminder of how the essence of warfare hinges on seamless information exchange. As we have always upheld the importance of this concept, reflected in our simulation of command order delay, we now push the envelope further with advanced spotting information sharing mechanism. This diary will explore the intricacies of this enhanced information exchange and spotting between units, as well as introduce redefined company structures, internally known as 'parent formations,' offering unprecedented flexibility in tactical planning.
In the original game, once a hostile contact was identified, it became globally known; however, a friendly unit still needed to scan in that direction to engage it. Nevertheless, this often led to fairly rapid target engagement times by distant units, an aspect we believed could be further improved. In addressing this, we looked into integrating a system that mimics real-world military communication procedures. The chain of command represents the path that orders and reports take between HQs and their subordinate units. Normally, orders travel "down the chain", that is, from higher HQ’s to a lower subordinate unit (depicted as the order delay), while reports (such as CONTACT or SPOTREPs) travel both up and down the chain (sharing spotting information).
A key challenge was ensuring the spotting mechanism itself remained undisrupted. This intricate setup necessitated meticulous implementation to ensure that the enhancements implemented did not inadvertently undermine the existing effectiveness or lead to gameplay issues for players. The system operates like a tree structure hierarchy, where communication across different branches is funneled through the nearest common node, except in cases where the units are in close physical proximity.
To illustrate this with a practical example: suppose an individual tank has spotted a hostile contact. Tank commander will report this at the platoon level, which will then be relayed by the platoon commander up the chain to the company headquarters. Here, the information spreads on two levels: upwards to other headquarters within the communication network, and downwards to other platoons or sections. This feature allows units to share critical battlefield intelligence more realistically, elevating the strategic depth of gameplay.
Similar to how a wildfire ignites and spreads rapidly, so does information in our simulation. While initial contact reports are swiftly shared at the local level, wider dissemination to units in different positions, like those on another flank or support units in the rear, takes more time, unless these units independently detect the enemy. With radio communication offering instant connectivity, the importance of physical distance between units is lessened, except in cases where direct voice or hand gestures are used. Additionally, the level of training is crucial; well-trained personnel are more likely to communicate clearly and precisely, and handle stress and panic more effectively.
Which brings us to the second revolutionary novelty: redefined company structures. Companies are no longer single, bulky entities comprising a certain number of individual vehicles or units. Instead, they now possess a proper structure consisting of sub-formations; for example, a company might include an organic HQ section and a certain number of platoons. The benefit is twofold: players can issue a command to the whole company to ease the management of larger battles, or they can micromanage individual sub-formations. By integrating this concept, Armored Brigade facilitates a more dynamic and responsive tactical experience for the player. This enhancement additionally enables a more precise recreation of historical military structures, such as reconnaissance or weapons support companies.
This new parent company structure is closely intertwined with information sharing, as sub-formations maintain a fixed connection with their default HQ. This HQ can be eliminated and, where possible, replaced by an acting leader, albeit with certain penalties. This development marks a significant leap in our commitment to providing a realistic and strategically rich warfare simulation. Designed with modularity in mind, the new system lays the groundwork for easily incorporating future features, including expanded communication methods and electronic warfare capabilities.
We will share more details about these exciting developments in our future updates.
Until then, commanders, roll out the tanks!
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - Dev Diary #3: Infantry Improvements
Mon, 15 January 2024
Greetings, Commanders! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season!
In modern warfare, the tank is often hailed as the 'king of the battlefield,' symbolising the ultimate instrument for achieving and maintaining land dominance. However, it often meets its match in the form of a humble infantryman, patiently waiting in his foxhole. Infantry play an enduring and versatile role, often outsmarting more mechanised units in complex terrain. This tactical finesse and adaptability earn them the title of 'queen of the battlefield', effectively complementing the sheer power of armoured fighting vehicles. In recognition of this pivotal role, we have decided to significantly enhance the representation and features of infantry in Armored Brigade II, a well-deserved upgrade that acknowledges their crucial impact on the battlefield.
Finnish Jäger infantry squad fighting the Soviets in the woods
The first, and aesthetically most noticeable change, is the dynamic visual portrayal of infantry units. The previously used tightly packed 2D infantry sheets have been replaced by groups of individual soldiers. The decision to use sleek, stylised models was deliberate and serves a twofold purpose: firstly, to align with the overall style of the graphics, and secondly, to facilitate modding and enhance performance, as there can be hundreds of pixeltruppen on the screen at any given time. While this change is primarily cosmetic, as the underlying abstract squad logic remains intact, it significantly enhances player immersion. Soldiers will now appear more lifelike and distinct on the battlefield, moving and interacting in a manner that more accurately reflects real-world infantry tactics and behaviours. Most notably, they respond adaptively to their surroundings and given commands: leisurely walking, running or adopting an alert combat pace, firing and manoeuvring, and even crawling or dashing when under fire. These updates offer a subtler, yet more authentic, depiction of battlefield scenarios.
GDR Grenztruppen patrolling
However, the changes extend beyond the superficial. Given that infantry excels in close-quarters combat, riflemen are more effectively employed for manoeuvring rather than engaging targets at long range. This combat dynamic is not one-dimensional: for instance, static infantry, in particular, are not easily spotted and eliminated from great distances. To improve this aspect, we have introduced a few new mechanisms, with 'neutralisation' being the foremost. Unlike the existing pinned down and seeking cover state, this means that an infantry unit under fire must be re-spotted under specific conditions, especially when subjected to concentrated fire at range. However, this does not negate the proximity spotting rules; if an enemy unit is close enough, these rules still enable the detection of the neutralised unit. This interaction with layered engagement distances fundamentally transforms how infantry is approached in the game. It makes engagements more nuanced and reflective of actual combat situations, ensuring that each engagement is not just a contest of firepower but a thoughtful exercise.
When advancing, however, the challenge for the infantry lies in getting close to the enemy. The primary mission of infantrymen is to close in on the enemy, aiming to either destroy or capture them. However, accomplishing this is easier said than done, as the assault is possibly the most challenging task an infantryman will face. In this phase, he must leave any protective cover behind, expose himself to hostile fire, and advance directly against the (often stoutly) defended position. By using covering fire and movement, the attackers may be able to get close enough to engage in hand-to-hand combat. At this stage, they could fix bayonets, throw grenades, and use small arms at close range to eliminate any remaining active defenders. And we tried to emulate that through close combat mechanics, where, under determined criteria such as suppression, morale, and visibility, an infantry squad may attempt to resolve the engagement by going face to face with the enemy.
A pillbox view of firing at advancing infantry
Long-standing players of Armored Brigade will likely recognize the cumulative benefits that these changes bring, particularly when combined with information sharing and some other improvements we have not yet disclosed. This might not come as a surprise, considering your past insights have been vital in shaping these improvements, and we are grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm. While we believe these adjustments massively improve the tactical experience, we continue to rely on your feedback to guide further refinements. Undoubtedly, both leg and the newly introduced motorised infantry will greatly benefit from the extra care given to their tactical capabilities and interactions within the game. However, this is just the beginning, as there is still much work to be done.
US mech infantry section firing an M47 Dragon ATGM to destroy a T-80BV equipped with a mine plow
Stay tuned for more insights and updates in the next development diary. Until then, commanders, roll out the tanks!
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - Store Page Live
Tue, 23 January 2024
Hi everybody,
The store pages of Armored Brigade II, on our Site and Steam are finally live.
All the upcoming news and activities for the game will be posted there.
Wishlist now, great news is coming soon.
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