Order of Battle: Panzerkrieg – Breaking the silence
Two months ago we announced the new Order of Battle DLC, Panzerkrieg.
They have been two months of hard work for the Artistocrats, but we’re glad to say that the DLC is shaping up nicely. We are VERY close to the goal now.
Recreating the crucial years of 1942 and 1943 on the eastern front is a massive undertaking, as is evolving the gameplay mechanics and the units roster to better represent the type of warfare waged in the huge battlefields of Russia.
As you might imagine, the Panzer is king (or should I say konig?) in Panzerkrieg. The new campaign starts in January 1942. By the end of 1941 the German rapid advance has been halted at Moscow and Leningrad by the valour of the Red Army and another implacable enemy: Russian winter.
This terrible war of attrition continues in January 1942, starting with the “Rhzev Meat Grinder” and the Demyansk Pocket. But the German staff knows that the Russian winter won’t last forever. Come the spring they will be able to launch a renewed offensive. The goal? To reach for the throat of the bear and strangle it. How? By striking at the Caucasus and the rich oil deposits of Baku.
What is new?
With over 40 new units to expand the German and Russian rosters, as well as other countries in the Axis, the primary focus was put on expanding the list of available units.
We will be focusing on some of the new units in a later developer diary, but for now let’s just say that mechanized warfare will dominate the battlefield. Imagine steel behemoths rolling on muddy fields, powerful airplanes bringing death from above and Stalinorgel guns unleashing destruction.
The developers really wanted to properly represent Russian terrain in Panzerkrieg, and the importance of it in a maneuvering war. They have completely revamped the movement value for different types of terrains (including paved and dirt roads) for different types of units (feet, wheels, tracks…).
The new terrain rules, coupled with new ways to affect encircled or cut-off units as well as all the new units themselves will make you face new situations and force you to adapt your strategy.
There is also one important change that we need to mention: artillery will now disorder after consecutive turns of fire due to guns overheating. Even guns need to take a break once in a while!
The Specialization System
Before we say anything of the new specializations, let’s repeat one thing: there’s a full carry-over system linking Blitzkrieg (the previous DLC) to Panzerkrieg (as well as future yet unannounced DLCs!), making it in all effects a megacampaign. Not only you will carry-over your forces, but your Commanders and your Specializations as well!
The new specializations reflect the challenges and initiatives of the German command, as well as new ways to interpret tank warfare. Some examples…
Organisation Todt, named after its founder Fritz Todt, this engineering group will be deployed on the frontline and assist you in repairing and constructing defenses and infrastucture.
You can also choose to expand the Waffen SS: it’s a controversial subject, but they were part of the campaign and we wanted to represent them. You can now expand the organisation and add more divisions by recruiting from a larger population pool.
You can choose to make use of Synthetic Fuel Plants or you can go for the Panzerfibel specialization and reform your tank manuals. By choosing the Goliath Mine specialization you can increase the destructive potential of your engineers. Or maybe you’d like to focus on the Pakfront: grouping several AT guns under a single officer, the guns can all fire at once against selective targets, maximizing the element of surprise and minimizing the chance for return fire. Interesting, right? You can also choose to adopt the Panzerkeil tank formation, allowing you to gain defensive bonuses in certain conditions.
Let’s conclude this entry for today by revealing something which will make lots of people happy here, no doubt: the Artistocrats are also working on a Campaign editor!
That is the subject for another day, though. We have more things to show and tell you, and we’ll be back soon, very soon. It’s a promise! Stay tuned.
December 1941. Russian winter takes its toll and the German offensive is halted at Moscow and Leningrad. But the Wehrmacht high command knows that the winter is not going to last forever, and they are already making plans for a huge, renewed offensive in 1942. Long Panzer columns will be the armored spearhead of what is going to be the biggest offensive in history. It is the Panzerkrieg!
Order of Battle: Panzerkrieg is the upcoming DLC for the Order of Battle series. Lead the Wehrmacht in its effort to bring the Soviet Union to heel and unleash your panzers on the rolling plains of Russia. With a huge number of new units and specializations, the new campaign focuses on the strategies and tactics employed in the battles of 1942 and 1943 on the eastern front. If you want to succeed you’ll have to master the art of mechanized warfare!
Panzerkrieg is flawlessly integrated with the previous DLC, Blitzkrieg. If you own both you’ll be able to play them in succession for a mega-campaign focusing on the eastern front, and exporting your army from one campaign to the other. You don’t have to own Blitzkrieg in order to play and enjoy Panzerkrieg, but we wanted to give players the opportunity to experience WW2 on the eastern front in its entirety, from start to end!
Order of Battle: Panzerkrieg is about to enter its Beta, so feel free to sign up and give us a hand with bug chasing!
Last but not least: we’ll be playing Order of Battle live on Twitch later today at 5 pm CEST, so join us and stay with us!
And remember to stay tuned: we’ll be telling and showing more of Panzerkrieg as we get closer to release.
Today we are going to announce a whole week of Order of Battle’s sales!
From today, 15th of September, to September 21st, most of the expansions for Order of Battle: World War II are going to be available at lower price, so be sure to check them out!
Don’t forget that Order of Battle: World War II’s base game is free to play, so if you have never played it you should definitely give it a try!
Also, to celebrate this event we are going to have a Live Stream on Order of Battle today!
Follow us on out Twitch Channel and come hang out with us at 11 AM EDT / 4 PM BST / 5 PM CEST!
Last but (absolutely) not least, we're about to announce some juicy new content for the game, something I'm sure that Order of Battle fans will really like. Stay tuned! More info soon!
Order of Battle - Version 4.1.7
Hello everyone,
Big news for all the Order of Battle fans! Today is the update day!
We’ve now reached version 4.1.7, that brings a lot of fixes to some well-known problems.
Here’s the list of changes for patch 4.1.7:
• Quit India fixed: Ghandi will now always be positioned somewhere on the main peninsula
• Missing French text added for Burma campaign
• Waffen SS unit carry-over in Blitzkrieg campaign fixed
• Missing custom campaigns button fixed
• Yugoslavia scenario (Blitzkrieg) fixed
• Gurkhas have the "guerrilla" trait
• British QF 40mm Bofors costs fixed
• Bug fixed that could cause framerate drop after several turns into a scenario
• Kriegsmarine and Burma DLC bonus units unlocking fixed
• New PBEM++ account registration fixed
That’s it! We hope you keep playing and having fun with our game!
Order of Battle: Burma Road Live Stream on Twitch TODAY!
Hello everyone!
Today we are going to have a Order of Battle: Burma Road live stream on our Twitch channel, 11AM EDT, 4PM BST, 5PM CEST! Hang out with us and come have some fun!
https://www.twitch.tv/slitherinegroup
Order of Battle: Burma Road is OUT!
The anticipated new chapter of the Order of Battle series is here: Burma Road is out!
Lead the British forces and their allies in the desperate defence of south Asia against the invading Japanese army. Fight across an unexplored theater and defend the gate to India.
Terrain is a double edged sword, it will hinder and endanger both your troops and those of your enemy. Turn this to your advantage: only by mastering the intricacies of jungle warfare will you manage to overcome your opponent. Make use of expert jungle fighters and train your army to adapt to the theater.
Execute deep infiltration attacks into enemy territory, striking unexpectedly and disrupting the Japanese supply lines! Make them pay for any progress until they have bled enough that they can be beaten back.
https://youtu.be/JO_1ertV6JM
Burma Road adds a vast number of new units (over 70!) to an already huge roster. With new planes, artillery, infantry and several new factions, specializations and commanders and a campaign 13 scenarios long, Burma Road is a must have for any Order of Battle fan.
It is accompanied by a big update which brings the game to v.4.1.1. Make sure to read the changelog! Among all new content being added to the game, some Burma Road units and commanders will be made available in other campaigns.
Last but not least: don’t miss Burma Road live on Twitch at 5 pm CEST!
Order of Battle - Burma Road Preview Live Stream on Twitch!
We will be showing Order of Battle - Burma Road for the first time on Twitch!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/626790/Order_of_Battle_Burma_Road/
Come say hello and enjoy the live stream with us the 11th of August, 11.00AM EDT / 4.00PM BST / 5.00PM CEST!
twitch.tv/slitherinegroup
Burma Road - Trailer & Release date!
A new trailer for Order of Battle: Burma Road has just been released, showing many of the new features and additions coming with this new expansion pack, ranging from units to scenarios and specializations. You will have to adapt to a new unfamiliar terrain if you want to prevail!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOVHV7_IYPU
Order of Battle: Burma Road will be released on Steam on the 17th of August!
Hi all and welcome to another Developer Diary for the upcoming DLC of Order of Battle, Burma Road!
Today we’ll talk and show some of the new units and specializations coming with the expansion.
Special Services
The SAS (Special Air Service) and SBS (Special Boat Service) commandos are designed for sneak attacks and sabotage operations behind enemy lines. The SAS can be transported by armed Chevrolet trucks, only detectable by adjacent enemy ground units. They can also be airdropped and can move easily through all terrain types. The SBS commandos on the other hand can travel through shallow water by canoes, disembark without penalties and cross rivers unobstructed.
Gurkhas and Chindits
Like the commandos above, the Chindits are established for sabotage and harassment. Unlike commandos they require access to supply sources to remain efficient, but this is compensated by their higher combat strength against enemy infantry and armoured units.
Gurkha units on the other hand are regular infantry units composed from Nepalese soldiers. They are known as some of the most skilled - and most feared - warriors in the world however, and thus provide a unique elite infantry type to the British army.
Hobart's Funnies
The vehicles designed by Major General Percy Hobart are designed for very specific tasks: The Churchill Crocodile tank mounts a flamethrower for rooting out enemy infantry units, the Churchill AVRE mortar launcher excels at destroying enemy entrenchments and the Sherman Crab carries a device to clear landmines ahead of its path. Finally, this specialization allows normal Churchill tanks to create pontoon bridges, for easier movement across rivers.
Artillery
The Commonwealth forces will have a wide range of artillery guns at their disposal. In general, bigger - and longer - barrels means higher range and firepower, but each weapon has its own advantages and disadvantages:
The light, short-barreled 4.5 inch howitzer for example can be moved through mountains and difficult terrain, but has a short range and limited firepower.
Heavy guns such as the 7.2 inch Mark 6 excel at destroying enemy fortifications and providing counter battery fire, but their heavy weight causes efficiency loss when pulled through the dense jungles of Burma.
Motorized guns on the other hand have a clear advantage in mobility and can keep up with fast moving armoured vehicles, but their cost in command points and resources limits their widespread use.
Lend Lease Act
A diplomatic agreement with the United States allows the British and Commonwealth forces to acquire American tanks such as the Stuart light tank and the Sherman medium tank series. Later in the war the British can also deploy Sherman Firefly tanks, which combine the reliable US vehicle with a powerful 17 pounder anti-tank gun.
Mine Sweeping
Besides the Sherman Crab mentioned earlier in this preview, the British have access to the Metal Detector specialization. This device allow engineers to move around freely on the battlefield and reveal hidden landmines without taking any damage. In addition, the mines can then be cleared quickly within the same turn.
Military Police
During the unique Quit India scenario in the new campaign, players will have access to unique Military Police units to quell the Indian uprise. These don't pack a lot of firepower, but their shock value is useful in dispersing protesters and rioters. After all, the objective in this mission is to avoid unnecessary casualties among civilians!
Bomber Stream
The British are specialized in heavy strategic bombers and this is further reflected in the "Bomber Stream" specialization. This gives unique defensive bonuses to their bombers when adjacent to other strategic bombers, both against enemy fighter attacks and flak fire from naval and land-based AA guns.
Order of Battle: Road to Burma AAR - Quit India Movement!
Historical Situation: On August 8th, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi stirred up his a civil disobedience movement with a call to Do or Die, launching mass protests demanding an immediate and orderly withdrawal of Britain from India. As the protests turned violent, and with Britain embroiled in the middle of the war, the response to the uprising is swift and ruthless. The resulting arrests of over 100,000 people, including all the leaders of the Quit India movement, solidified British control over India until the war's end.
Preamble: When I was originally researching the Burma/India theatre of World War II, I came across this fascinating historical event. I knew right away I wanted such a unique piece of history to be a part of this DLC. Of course such events are fraught with controversy, but like the Warsaw Uprising of Panzer Corps Grand Campaign 1944 East, I was confident I could make a historically accurate scenario that did not devolve into mindless civilian slaughter. Thankfully for me, the historical British response to the Quit India uprising was coloured by mass arrests and not mass killings, but this also created its own problems. How to craft such an usual scenario in a game that typically revolves around killing every enemy unit on sight? Thanks to the powerful Order of Battle script and trigger systems, some unique new units and with the help of The Artistocrats, we were able to come up with something very special.
