Panzer Corps 2 News

[h2]Panzer Corps 2: Elite[/h2]


Achtung, Panzer Generals!

We have a surprise announcement to share with you today. Not content to remain resting on our laurels over the recently released dynamic Cyrenaica campaign, Panzer Corps 2 is powering forward with yet another new campaign. Since Panzer Corps 2 is still going strong more than 5 years after our initial launch, we’re looking to add some truly Elite content to our line up of awesome campaigns!

To herald this new campaign, we’ve picked none other than the venerated 7th Panzer Division, perhaps better known as Rommel’s Ghost Division.



[h2]A Potential New Beginning[/h2]
There’s a few goals we’re aiming to achieve with Panzer Corps 2’s Elite campaigns, and since this is our first reveal, we wanted to lay them out for our community right off the bat.

The very first thing we want to say is that Panzer Corps 2 is going to join in the fight against increasing inflation, and therefore we’re working towards actually reducing the price of this campaign compared to the standard Panzer Corps 2 DLC price! Panzer Corps 2 wouldn’t be so active with new content and new updates after all this time without our amazing community, and the last thing we want to do is to just hike prices on our loyal community of awesome gamers.

Secondly, we’re aiming to use the Elite campaigns as a vehicle to more rapidly deploy more playable nations into Panzer Corps 2’s campaigns. Now some players of you might be asking why would we start with a German Division in this case, but we’ve got ‘Panzer’ baked directly into our game title and we really want to lean on our strengths for as strong an opening as possible.

Something else we’re going be to experimenting with is longer gameplay timelines. We haven’t seen a campaign cover all of the technology and unit advancement that comes from a 1939-1945 journey since the stock Panzer Corps 2 campaign, and this focus on the achievements of a single division through the course of the war will finally bring that aspect back.

So while we certainly have our plans, in this particular case we’re actually very curious to hear from the community on which WWII faction you are most interested in seeing as a potential new campaign. Is it time for a Japanese campaign in the spotlight, or perhaps you are itching to take the fight to the Axis in a Soviet campaign? Let us know in the comment section!

[h2]The First Elite Division[/h2]

In all of our research of the enormous amount of Axis and Allied divisions that fought during World War II, one absolutely stood out above the rest in so many ways. From the length of their service stretching all the way from September of 1939 to April of 1945 to some of their extraordinary accomplishments such as the drive to the Channel coast, their feats endure through time in real military analyses of their exploits, in our history books, in inspiring stories we tell, and even in the games we play.

To the Germans, they were designated as the Elite 7th Panzer Division.
To their enemies, they were known as the Ghost Division!

We’ll reveal a lot more information about this new campaign in the days ahead, but for now you can check out this link for some more details and screenshots:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3714230/Panzer_Corps_2_Elite__Ghost_Division/

[h2]Upcoming Panzer Corps Day[/h2]

Did you know that 2024’s Panzer Corps Day was a success way beyond our expectations? On that day, our active population of thousands of players were joined by a surge of over 100,000 viewers watching various Panzer Corps 2 Streams!

Our only regret then was that we didn’t have enough on offer to showcase to so many eyes focused on our game, and so we’re really looking to remedy that this year on July 11th.

In fact, Elite - Ghost Division was originally supposed to come out for Panzer Corps Day, but we put respect on their name and emulated their swiftness with the speed of our development to the point that we’re actually aiming for Ghost Division to launch in May, just this month!

But that also means we’ve got even more, and potentially even bigger, reveals still saved in store to make this year’s Panzer Corps Day celebration way more massive. Stay tuned for an upcoming Elite: Ghost Division Dev Diary and release date announcement, and get ready for a potential multitude of goodies later this year on July 11th Panzer Corps Day!

Panzer Corps 2: Frontlines - Cyrenaica is finally available. This expansion immerses players in the North African Campaign, focusing on the strategic battles for Cyrenaica during Operation E and Operation Compass.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

To celebrate the launch, the DLC is available at a 10% discount for two weeks.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Players can experience two distinct campaigns, leading both Italian and British forces through historically significant scenarios. Each mission is playable from both perspectives, offering diverse strategic opportunities.

The DLC introduces new units, including the Italian Moto Guzzi TriAlce motorcycle and British Gloster Gladiator biplane, enhancing tactical gameplay. Players must navigate harsh desert conditions, manage supplies, and adapt to dynamic weather challenges like sandstorms.

Innovative mechanics, such as diminishing core slots and hero-based gameplay featuring historical generals, add depth to the strategic experience. Decisions made in one scenario influence subsequent missions, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning.

Additionally, the Panzer Corps 2 saga is discounted by up to 50% for a limited time. Don't miss out and check out our Complete and Frontlines bundles:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/18363/Panzer_Corps_2__Complete_Edition/

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/51307/Panzer_Corps_2__Frontlines/

The wait is almost over. Frontlines: Cyrenaica, the upcoming DLC for Panzer Corps 2 launches next week on Tuesday, March 11th. Get ready to dive into new battles, expanded content, and exciting strategic challenges.

Yesterday, we showcased Cyrenaica for the very first time on our official Twitch channel. Richard Yorke played the first two missions using GB forces, giving viewers a thrilling first look at the gameplay. If you missed the live stream, don't worry, you can re-watch the entire showcase here: TWITCH

In addition, The Historical Gamer has released an exclusive gameplay video featuring the first mission using the Italian forces. Check it out here:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Stay tuned, another video is coming very soon on his channel.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Good morning Generals!

We love the smell of coffee and cigarettes in the morning (yes, that’s our usual breakfast) and here we are with the third and final dev diary, ready to go balls to the walls!

First things first — mark your calendars. Panzer Corps 2: Frontlines - Cyrenaica DLC launches on March 11th. Stay tuned and don't miss it.

So, no more chatter—or as we say in Italian, "bando alle ciance"—let’s jump straight into the major features we’ve introduced in this DLC.

Side note: This diary will tend to be more technical.

[h2]MAJOR FEATURES[/h2]
First of all, let’s take a look at the features that apply to both campaigns.

New weather condition
We’re in the desert, and what’s worse than something unpleasant, tedious, and unavoidable like sand? A storm of sand.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce a new weather condition: the Sandstorm.
Gameplay-wise, it will do what a sandstorm does: be a pain in the... ahem... reducing visibility, slowing down unit movement, and preventing airplanes from flying.
Of course, it will also come with brand-new and beautiful VFX, with the usual two weather effects options: subtle and strong.

New gameplay dynamics/Custom Objectives
We’ve also managed to introduce new types of gameplay dynamics, such as intercepting enemy units, escaping, and finding lost units, alongside the already familiar ones like deploying mines, protecting or destroying units, and much more. In short, we’ve included a variety of missions that make the gameplay dynamic and never repetitive.
But let’s dive a little bit deeper on the new ones: escape, intercept and find lost units.

Escape
In this type of mission, you’ll need to move specific auxiliary units to designated escape hexes.

Once they reach one of the designated hexes, they will disappear, and a message will update you on the current Objective status. Protecting those units is a key factor to complete the mission.

Intercept
On the other hand, you’ll need to intercept some units that are trying to escape or reach specific hexes.

Their behaviour remains the same as the escape: the unit disappears, and the current Objective status updates. They can be very deceitful.

Find lost units
Last but not least, as we mentioned in the previous dev diary, you’ll need to locate some lost units in the desert.

In both campaigns, you’ll need to find them before the enemy does, or… well, let’s just say it could get worse.

Adaptive AI
What we mean by adaptive AI is that it dynamically adjusts its behavior based on your performance and the evolving situation in the game. For instance, if you're performing exceptionally well and overpowering your opponents, the AI may escalate its response by calling for reinforcements, or switching to more aggressive tactics to regain control of the situation.

Conversely, if the AI finds itself in a losing position, it might prioritize defensive strategies, such as taking cover, retreating to a more secure location, or regrouping with allies to form a stronger front. This type of AI doesn’t just react passively but actively tries to adapt to your style of play, challenging you in new and unpredictable ways.

Integrated Image System
Thanks to the addition of this system in Fall of Poland, we are excited to include the image system in our DLC as well!



We are happy to use it since it enhances the immersion and conveys the events in a more visual and compelling way.

[h2]ITALIAN CAMPAIGN - UNIQUE FEATURES[/h2]
Now let’s land on the Italian perspective and see what are the unique features that characterize this campaign.


New Mechanic: Core Slot Reduction
This is the first time this type of mechanic is used in Panzer Corps 2.
We aim to reflect the struggles of the Italian army and replicate their massive losses. As a result, during the Italian campaign, starting from the Operation Compass (scenario 5), the number of Core Slots will be reduced from one scenario to the next.

Don’t panic! We know you may feel like General Graziani in this portrait, but by completing secondary objectives, you’ll be able to gain bonus Core Slots. Additionally, some hero traits, like Zero-Slot, will help you compensate for these losses.

Hero-Based Gameplay
Since these operations involved many Italian generals, we designed the gameplay, objectives, and rewards based on actual figures who fought or were prominent in these operations, included as Heroes. Therefore, in the Italian campaign, Heroes are a key feature that allow you to create synergy in your army by exploiting their traits, while also helping to manage enemy units. Finally, to stay as historically accurate as possible, the hero traits are primarily based on the characteristics and actions they performed on the battlefield.

For example, General Annibale 'Electric Whiskers' Bergonzoli was partly known, after recognising that the situation in Bardia was hopeless and that it would fall into enemy hands, for having traveled on foot through the desert, retreating toward Tobruk with a few thousand soldiers with him.
As a result, the traits we assigned to him reflect these actions, with Fast Retreat and Phased Movement.


Another example is Enrico Pitassi Mannella, an artillery specialist known among his colleagues as the ‘King of Artillerymen’.
Consequently, the traits we assigned to him are Lethal Attack and Expert Support.

To summarize, in the Italian campaign, you will find many Heroes who will be useful for managing different dynamics, with each one specializing in specific areas, as reflected by their traits.

Retreat and destroy
A general dynamic of the Italian campaign is what we called Retreat and Destroy.

Throughout the Italian campaign, the general feeling will be to retreat toward friendly lines and… destroy. Destroy? While retreating? Well, yes. On some occasions, there were back-and-forth battles where you will be tasked with destroying some enemy units, but also missions that require you to destroy your own supplies, with one of the most notable being the scuttling of the San Giorgio, which we’ve included as a special type of mission.

New bonus mission
As mentioned in the previous Dev Diary, we’ve added a mission specifically for the Italian campaign, that replicates the dynamic of the ship San Giorgio.

Just to refresh your memory, during the attack on Tobruk, the San Giorgio was surrounded by British ships and remained stationary in the port of Tobruk. In order to prevent the resources from falling into British hands, the decision was made to scuttle it.

Therefore, we replicated this dynamic, abstracting it and dividing it into two steps: we assigned a specific truck to collect the materials needed to scuttle the ship—namely explosives—and then deliver them to the area around the ship in the port to sink it.

And then…Kaboom!


[h2]BRITISH CAMPAIGN - UNIQUE FEATURES[/h2]
Landing on the opposite side, let’s see what characterizes the British campaign.


Coordinate multiple factions
To be accurate, instead of talking about the British faction, it is more correct to talk about the British Commonwealth and its colonies and allies, which includes a vast array of nations supporting them. During this period and in the area of conflict we are covering, we can find some of them: Free France (allied), British India (colony), and Australian divisions (part of the Commonwealth).


For this reason, you'll encounter these factions in some scenarios, allowing you to purchase their units as support and include them in your army.

Scenario Consequences
Consequences will stem from your actions in the current scenario and/or the next one, depending on whether or not you completed the Bonus Objectives.

For example, in this case, defeating the unit led by the hero Enrico Pitassi Mannella not only grants a prestige reward but also causes the morale of the other Italian artillery to drop, lowering their strength, reflecting the chaos and sense of disorientation caused by the lack of leadership—as if they didn’t already lack it…

Completing some Bonus Objectives will not only reward you instantly, but also influence future scenarios, creating tactical and strategic advantages. Sometimes, even failing an Objective could have consequences.

Protect and destroy
A general dynamic of the British campaign is what we called Protect and Destroy.
Throughout the British campaign, in addition to the more common objectives related to cities, there will be objectives focused on protecting your units in the early stages of the campaign, gradually shifting more toward the offensive phase, where you'll focus on destroying enemies, as well as supply dumps, ships, minefields, and anything else that might hinder your progress toward your goal. All for a greater good, of course.


Additionally, on a couple of occasions, you'll be tasked through Bonus Objectives to defeat or destroy some Italian Hero units. Sometimes they’ll try to fight you, and sometimes they’ll prefer to escape.

So, unlike the Italian campaign, which is much more focused on defense and retreat, the British campaign is much more centered around invasion, which we've reflected through more attack-focused objectives.

As they say, the best defense is a good offense, right?

[h2]CONCLUSION[/h2]
Thanks again for joining us for this third and last Developer Diary on the latest upcoming Panzer Corps 2 DLC Frontlines - Cyrenaica.
You now have what it takes to enter the fray and guide your army to victory… or almost!

Are you ready to bite the bullet, Generals?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Good morning Colonels.

We are back and we hope you packed your bag because today we will land in the desert environment, exploring a little bit deeper what happened in Operation E and Operation Compass with an overview on the peculiar historical events, and how we managed to include them in this campaign.

[h2]ENVIRONMENT[/h2]
Let’s start talking about the desert environment: a place where resources are scarce, and sand is your best friend or your worst enemy—mostly because you find it even in places you wouldn’t want to.

We wanted to capture that feeling, and we shaped the terrain to let you make the most of it: dunes provide high ground, escarpments offer cover and vantage points for ranged units, and the map features a good mix of open desert and narrow passages.

Of course, this can be a double-edged sword. Moving across the map isn’t always easy, especially for heavily armored units. It’s all about balance: you have to maximize what you have based on the terrain and never, ever push your army into an area where it will move too slowly and become an easy target for the enemy.

Let’s get practical
In the first Italian map (Sollum), the Regio Esercito is tasked with launching a swift attack to capture the city of Sollum, currently under British control.

The terrain features a vast stretch of dunes, partially enclosed by escarpments in the central and southern parts of the map, while a minor road runs east to west, cutting across the battlefield.

This time, the Italian commander has several options—and they’re outlined directly by the briefing officer himself, General Mario Berti.

One approach is to use the central road, which allows for rapid movement but is guarded by a British outpost and is likely patrolled by additional enemy units. So, what to do? The obvious answer: cut through the open desert and try to surprise the enemy by attacking from an unexpected direction! But it’s not that simple…

Moving through open desert is slow and treacherous, and the player risks losing momentum, stretching their forces too thin, and becoming an easy target for enemy recon units and tactical bombers.

All in all, as Berti himself suggests, a coordinated attack from multiple fronts might be the key to solving this puzzle. But, as always, success depends on multiple factors—many of which are in the player’s hands: what units are in the core army, which traits have been assigned to the commander, and which heroes are available…

In the end, there’s no single “correct” solution—only strategies that align with your playstyle and the resources at your disposal. But whatever approach you choose, it all comes down to a careful analysis of the terrain.

Realism
To maintain historical accuracy, we aimed to stay as true as possible to the real terrain layout, as well as the distances and proportions between key locations. We did our research and based our scenarios on both historical maps and Google Earth to ensure maximum accuracy. That said, this is still a game, so we took a few creative liberties here and there—but only when they enhanced the gameplay.

Additionally, to reinforce immersion, we kept the original place names as they were used by each faction. For example, in this context, Tobruk is referred to as "Tobruch" by the Italians.

Not only sand
We are in North Africa, it’s all desert and sand! Well, not quite.

In fact, along the Cyrenaica there are the so-called “Green Mountains”, that gave us the opportunity to explore variety and create a couple of scenarios where the mountains play a big role. Narrow passages, strategic placements, ambushes and encirclements are the main characteristics of these scenarios. With the British faction you will have to try to penetrate the holdout defense of the Italians, whilst in the opposite case, you’ll have to manage the British rush while covering and retreating when needed.
In both cases, these scenarios offer a different approach to the environment, and, as always, you will have to understand and exploit it to not be doomed.


Additionally, the closer we get to the Green Mountains, the more rivers we encounter. Therefore, we wanted to include them in a few maps, giving them an important role as obstacles to be overcome.

All in all, we can consider the desert environment as a third faction. Making it your ally is up to you!

[h2]HISTORICAL EVENTS[/h2]
For the ones who like history—but also for the ones who don’t like it—you are in the right paragraph. We want to give you an overview of the historical events that inspired us to create some missions and situations in this DLC of Panzer Corps 2.

Operation E and Operation Compass - A rapid overview

Operation E was Italy’s attempt to invade Egypt from Libya in September 1940. Led by Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, the Italian forces advanced about 100 kilometers into Egyptian territory but halted at Sidi Barrani, lacking supplies and strategic coordination. This slow and hesitant advance left them in a vulnerable defensive position.

Operation Compass was the British response, launched in December 1940 under General Richard O’Connor. Despite being outnumbered, British and Commonwealth forces executed a swift and well-coordinated counterattack. They routed the Italians, pushing them back over 800 kilometers, capturing key positions like Bardia and Tobruk, and taking over 130,000 prisoners.

This victory marked a turning point in the North African campaign and exposed the weaknesses of the Italian military in the region.

Peculiar events and historical facts
Throughout these operations, we encountered some peculiar events, which we incorporated as missions within the gameplay. Here are a few of them:

Where are my units?
Starting from one that made us smile a little bit: the lost Italian units in the desert.

When the Italian invasion of Egypt began in September 1940, the Maletti Group, [Raggruppamento Maletti, Major-General Pietro Maletti], lacking experience of desert conditions, got lost leaving Sidi Omar, disappeared and had to be found by Italian reconnaissance.
So we wanted to include this particular episode as a bonus objective in the first map, in both campaigns.

Exploiting the momentum
The Italian plan was to attack Marsa Matruh, but scarce resources forced Marshal Graziani to halt the invasion.
The British were prepared for the Italian advance, but when it did not materialize, they decided to launch a counterattack.
Wavell ordered a limited operation to reconquer Egypt.

Operation Compass, for administrative reasons, was originally planned as a five-day raid but consideration was given to continuing the operation to exploit success, pushing forward into Libya.


On 28 November, Wavell said:
“I do not entertain extravagant hopes of this operation but I do wish to make certain that if a big opportunity occurs we are prepared morally, mentally and administratively to use it to the fullest.”

They truly were, and they seized the opportunity.

Wait, are they attacking us? But I’m still in my pajamas!
During the British advance on Nibeiwa, the Italian air reconnaissance spotted British vehicle movements in the area, but Maletti, who was in command of the Nibeiwa camp at the time, was apparently not informed.

Under cover of the noise from the British artillery bombardment on the east side of Nibeiwa, British tanks and lorries drove around the west side of the camp, misleading the Italians.

The Italian tank crews had no time to react before their tanks were knocked out. The British tanks broke down the walls and drove into the camp, where the Italians had just breakfasted; Maletti held the ground armed only with a machine-gun in his hands and died in battle still in his pajamas.

If we can’t have it, neither can you.
Another episode that highlights how poorly the Italians were prepared and disorganized: the sinking of the San Giorgio ship.
This episode stands as a symbol of the challenges faced by the Italian forces during the campaign.
The San Giorgio, a heavily armed cruiser stationed in Tobruk, was considered a valuable asset for coastal defense.

However, due to a lack of coordination, proper planning, and efficient execution, as well as being encircled by British ships, the Italians were forced to scuttle the San Giorgio to prevent its resources from falling into British hands.

The sinking not only reflected the broader logistical and operational shortcomings of the Italian military but also demoralized the forces stationed in the area, further complicating their already precarious position in the war.

Visual Addition
To enhance immersion, provide an overview of events between maps, and give more context on army movements, we have added visual elements between certain scenarios.

These additions will help you understand the geographical positions and support the narrative layer.

[h2]CONCLUSION[/h2]
Thanks for joining us again in this second Dev Diary. Now that you know what you will face and you have your bags packed, we are ready to go balls to the wall!
See you in the third and final Dev Diary.

At ease, Colonels.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/