Zulu Response cover
Zulu Response screenshot
Genre: Simulator, Strategy, Indie

Zulu Response

Update 0.971 Available

We've just made available to download the latest patch v0.971

Key changes include the Command Dial for ordering your AI, enhanced blood effects and new movement and attack options for the Zulu player's AI.

The full list of changes:

  • adjust fear system so its more of a shiver and for a shorter period
  • fix an issue with players AI and movement after the attack status has been set to On Command and Zulu are within close proximity
  • Fix an issue where a players AI were not being credited with a kill in some circumstances
  • Lighten character selection images
  • History text added non transparent background
  • Enhanced hold breath and updated default key to leftshift. Recoil and shot spread for the pistol and rifle are now scaled to movement speed + aim + breath
  • British AI to remain in boundary of walls preventing a player from healing the soldier if he has an impaled spear (intended for update but may slip to the following patch)
  • From the command wheel the zulu can move to a rally point and remain still or you can select a charge mode where they will move about (similar to now) except they will move in a wider area
  • The ranged attack which can be ordered from the command wheel for the Zulu where you can set a target area and they will send a volley of spears to the location
  • Fixes for blood and spear collisions
  • New 1st person animations

Update 0.96 Available

The latest update is now available.

Noticeable changes include the telescope for all players, the pistol can now be swapped for a fully reloaded one and in Single player at Rorkes Drift you can choose to double the amount of British and Zulu attackers via pre game setting.

The full list of changes:

  • Players that have the revolver in their inventory we be able to go to the store and swap their pistol for a fully loaded revolver
  • All players will have access to a telescope
  • Rorkes Survival Zulu in singleplayer restarts itself if requested not a different map
  • Rorkes Survival Zulu in singleplayer, the 2nd zulu character selected will show the selection reticules under the warriors
  • Training updated for some missing audio files and added an extra line on weapons for clarity
  • New gamestart config entry that affects the Rorkes Survival single player (British) game. In the Extra Settings you can now increase (max double) the amount of British AI (not under player control). Any increase will proportionally increase the number of attacking Zulu.
  • The player depending on speed of run and angle of hit but if he bumps into another soldier/warrior or vice versa he currently grunts and slows (no health loss). The hit animation has been softened (no red) and a different audio will play to make it clearer they were bumped into
  • updated 1st person animations
  • command voice when ordering AI to move
  • additional sounds in between wave attacks so it does not stay as quiet
  • Maps have a cleaner look instead of the raggedy look which was harder to read
  • Fix request for spears from Zulu player's AI which resulted in loss of inventory
  • Exiting game no longer asks to confirm

Patch 0.951 Available

There's a new update available for download.

The update includes changes to:


  • Change to the AI selection with replacement of cursor to use the cross hair (centre screen if no cross hair used in game or end of weapon if weapon aimed)
  • Player can select/deselect individual AI by looking at them (or aim weapon) and pressing Use key (reticule updates to indicate status). Press (default Use key) whilst looking at a squad soldier/warrior will select/deselect
  • No need to toggle Marker flag to turn on
  • Press middlemouse or to set AI rally point marker flag
  • Fix issue with AI not always selecting
  • AI images in menu turn bright green (not dark) when selected as per training
  • Add new AI reticule (a player's AI has an image underneath that identifies AI to player, indicates whether selected or not and shows health). This can be turned on/off at game startup.
  • Increased FOV for aimed weapon
  • Update to Training for changes
  • Doctor at Rorkes Drift restores health quicker
  • Player slows when health gets low
  • Player will see blood splatter (slowly disappears) and red tinge when health gets low
  • British AI will not try and shoot through the store building at Rorkes Drift


Update 0.941 Available

There's a new update available for download.

The update includes changes to:


  • Fix hidden select/return buttons on character selection on certain monitor resolutions
  • Realign character selection
  • Fix key assignment for chat
  • Enable through config ability to change currently mapped Function keys
  • In training fix for incorrect soldier selection comment and menu image
  • Fix name alignment on scoreboard at Rorkes Defence
  • adjust aspect ratio when full screen selected on some resolution sizes
  • Add player shadow
  • Adjusted font on history text
  • Removed incorrect use of F4 key for texture
  • Adjusted smoke to aid rendering on certain systems
  • Reset config files to default values (if you want to retain Single Player game progress backup UDKTWConfig6 and UDKTWConfig8 prior to applying update in game install folder UDKGame\Config)
  • Remove server from server list after host leaves game

Commanding your AI

With EA fast approaching we've released a video showing some of the basic movements and commands available for ordering the British AI under your command.

The AI for both Zulu and British will help you succeed and achieve your objectives in game.

The British AI can be :

  • commanded as a group or individually
  • ordered to move to any location you choose
  • arranged in various formations of standing and crouched soldiers
  • swap soldier positions
  • fight and actively seek targets independently or follow your instructions and discharge weapons only on your orders


Watch the video

Early Access Availability

Folks I can now say the game will be available for Early Access purchase for $14.99 on Wednesday October 12, 2016.

The Early Access version will include maps from Rorkes Drift for both single player and network games plus those based on the story of Prince Mbilini.

We will release other maps through EA after applying any updates/feedback based on changes to the Rorkes/Mbilini games.

These include gameplay based on stories from the battles at Isandlwana, Fugitives Drift, Hlobane and Intombe river.

Upgrades and Rewards Explained

We've just released a video on Youtube that explains many of the upgrades and rewards available for the Rorkes Drift maps.

Watch it now

British Upgrades and Rewards



Many earned through the battle skills of the AI you command :

  • Medic - Upgrade player to Medic
  • Engineer - Upgrade your AI and they can repair wall breaches
  • Morale - Restore soldier morale
  • Sword - Gain a sword after excellence in battle
  • Horse Attack - Additional sword and riding skills whilst on horse (not available at Rorkes Drift)
  • Reserves - Receive extra reserves for battle skill
  • Trade In medals awarded for extra reserves or upgrade AI to crack shots


Zulu Upgrades and Rewards



Most upgrades become available as your warriors fight in battle :

  • Chant - If performed close to the British may lower British morale and reward you with additional reserves
  • Frenzy - Warriors run faster have more health and are more aggressive
  • Flaming Torches - Upgrade your AI or call in new warriors who can burn down buildings
  • Cattle Rewards - Trade in cattle for extra reserves

Development Update

After a gentle reminder I agree that an update on development might be a bit over due.

Currently wed are doing alot of testing and we seem to be in a cycle of testing and fixing issues discovered.

However we have also been adjusting a number of the in game features:

  • amended in game upgrades/rewards such as healing soldiers as a medic, enabling your soldiers to repair wall breaches at Rorkes Drift (they carry a shovel instead of a gun until the upgrade timer expires) and use of flaming torches for the Zulu.
  • New animations for the horse and adjusted kill abilities

The newest additions to the game include:

  • The Mbilini map was only going to be for network games however you can now play that in SP as well
  • The Zulu can now pickup thrown spears, there were some unexpected challenges which impacted development but they have been resolved. A Zulu player can now replenish his stock of spears from warriors he commands or from the ground.


The aim now is to focus on testing, mainly for network games so we can aim to release on Early Access before the end of September (no promises hence why the store hasn't been updated with a date), there are challenges but we are getting there.

Latest Video Trailer

We're pleased to announce we have a new video trailer for the game which can be seen on the store page or here through Youtube

Sorry about the delay for this trailer but development has been hectic, some of the things that have been occupying our time include horse attacks by the rider:

  • sword stab and lunge forward on right to attack an enemy forward of the player on the saddle
  • slash an enemy with sword on right side and slightly behind player on the saddle
  • run over enemy with horse, success depends on combination of horse speed, angle and force of hit on enemy
  • slash an enemy with sword on left side and slightly behind player on the saddle (requires in game XP)
  • rear up a horse to kill an enemy in front whilst at walking speed (requires in game XP)


Early Access Release Date


Yes I know I'll get asked in comments about the release date for Early Access so before you ask; I intend to release for EA at the end of the northern Summer if testing goes well. We want the game to be playable so you get to enjoy it. I'd like to commit to a date but would rather have slippage (yes I know it has already has) then release something too early with unplayable issues.

Giddy Up ... Horses for British Player

Since the last update the pace certainly hasn't slackened, as we've now added horses to the game for the British player.

Charge the enemy with sword at the ready ....

The horse will be available on most maps (not Rorkes Drift) for single player, co-op and multiplayer.

[B]Configure Pre-Game
Like most things we create for the game you'll be able to adjust settings that impact the horse and the game.

[B]Further Development
Development for the horse has not completed, there's still quite a bit more to do but we thought as it is such an exciting piece of development we'd let you know as soon as practical.

There are some larger images posted on the store page that feature the horse ...