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Dev Diary #5: Battle-Ready Urban Jungle

Hey there, Tank Commanders!

Get ready to storm the virtual streets of history in Sherman Commander! Our team has dedicated many hours, pouring sweat and blood into recreating authentic city architecture straight from the World War II era. This ain't no ordinary cityscape – we've gone the extra mile to make it historically accurate.


When it comes to developing historical games, it is crucial for the environment to accurately depict the reality of the time period, including its architecture, of course. That's why we delved into historical archives, unearthing footage of cities such as Aachen during World War II, carefully examining the photos and paying attention to everything that was characteristic of the time period. And not only was it worth it because we learned a lot about the architecture of that era, but we were also able to incorporate tons of small details into Sherman Commander.


That being said, we decided not to compromise to make the streets look real. It's not a matter of simply recreating the architecture. The devil is in the details. One remarkable example is our recreation of advertising signs that added character to those cities instead of being mere distractions like they are today. We couldn't simply overlook them. Instead, we invested efforts in capturing their essence.


We couldn't forget about the advertising poles that can still be found on many streets today.


And we also didn't forget about the roads, which are largely covered with the characteristic cobblestone of that time period…


And of course, we have the pigeon lofts, too!


That's not all! These constructions and other obstacles, like street lamps or wooden wagons, are not indestructible, and are also a great hideout for the enemy! You’ll never know if they are hiding inside a building, waiting for the right moment to rain fire from the windows. Fortunately, you've got the power to take those structures down, just like you would be in real life. It's going to be quite a battlefield. We will definitely come back to the subject of destroying the environment and enemies, cause there’s a lot more to tell.

[previewyoutube]https://youtu.be/geysHo_PERI[/previewyoutube]
So, gear up and get ready to face the urban jungle like never before. Dive into the gritty streets of history, as we bring the WWII city streets to life in Sherman Commander!

All best,
Sherman Team
https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1451050/Sherman_Commander/

Dev Diary #4: Exploring German Uniforms



Greetings, tank commanders!

If you've been following our blog, you may remember our previous post on creating realistic soldier character models. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, we highly recommend giving it a look - LINK.

In our quest for historical accuracy and immersive gameplay, the Sherman Commander team leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the authentic portrayal of German uniforms. Today, we delve deeper into the intricate details that bring these uniforms to life, capturing the essence of World War II.



When comparing German and American soldiers, one notable distinction lies in the diversity of their uniforms. German battledress exhibits a rich variety of styles and colors, presenting a unique challenge and an enjoyable creative endeavor for our team.

Both garrison units (wearing standardized issue uniforms) and frontline and elite troops (with a mixture of different uniform elements) contribute to this diversity. This variety allows us to create a historically accurate visual representation of German soldiers, combining elements from different units that fought in different theaters of operation.



As mentioned in our previous post, our custom shader system takes uniform customization to the next level. For example, by adjustments in hues and saturations, we can infuse each uniform with its own distinct character. This is particularly true when it comes to German soldiers, as the diversity of their uniforms is often greater than that of other forces, such as the Americans. The varying conditions they faced on the battlefield, from fighting in the scorching sun to the muddy and rainy environments, left a lasting impact on the color palette of their uniforms. This unique aspect adds another layer of authenticity to our portrayal of German soldiers in Sherman Commander.



To capture the diversity of facial features among our character models, we have developed a series of base head designs, onto which we apply various textures. This ingenious technique allows us to create a wide array of unique faces, capturing the distinctiveness of German soldiers. From different facial structures to varying hair colors and styles, our soldiers embody the diversity found within the German military.



Sherman Commander features a variety of German military units, including the panzergrenadiers, tank crews, as well as the remnants of the Wehrmacht, elite Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers), and a mix of various SS units. These diverse forces represent the different facets of the German military during World War II, each bringing their unique skills and experiences to the battlefield. The uniforms worn by these soldiers epitomize the historical accuracy we strive for, representing the appropriate uniform for their respective units.

Drawing upon original references, such as color swatches for uniforms, caps, or trousers, we ensure our designs align with the historical accuracy of World War II-era German uniform. It is important to note that while we aim to represent German uniforms faithfully, we have consciously chosen not to depict SS insignia, recognizing the sensitivity surrounding such symbols.



As we progress in the development of Sherman Commander, we are excited to share more insights and behind-the-scenes details about the creation of Sherman Commander. Stay tuned to our blog for future updates!

Sherman Team
https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1451050/Sherman_Commander/

Dev Diary #3 - Creating Realistic Soldier Character Models



In Sherman Commander, we take every detail of our game seriously, so occasionally we’ll be veering from tanks in our blog posts. But hey, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, especially on the character creation front. One of the key aspects we are working on is the diversity of faces. We believe that representation matters, so we have prepared a wide range of facial features and skin tones for the soldiers representing the United States. We want our soldiers to reflect the real-world diversity of the military.



In addition to diverse faces, custom shaders will play a vital role in creating realistic models. These shaders allow us to achieve natural lighting, shading, and material properties that enhance the visual fidelity of our soldiers. From realistic fabric textures to metal reflections and skin subsurface scattering, our custom shaders will add that extra touch of realism to our characters.


Now, about those uniform sets and accessories. We have designed different sets of uniforms and accessories for our soldiers to ensure authenticity and attention to detail. While players won't be able to customize the appearance of their soldiers in-game, our team of talented programmers and artists have worked tirelessly to create a wide variety of combinations.

We have also created different head meshes to add further diversity and uniqueness to our soldier characters.


Creating realistic models is a meticulous process that requires a keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy. We believe that these realistic characters will enhance the overall appeal of our game.

We hope you enjoyed the above glimpse into our development process. We will do our best to keep you updated on our progress as we continue to strive for authenticity in every aspect of our game. Please stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Sherman Team
https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1451050/Sherman_Commander/

Dev Diary #2 - Tank and more...

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Tank commanders!


[h2]Another Sherman Commander battlefield report. [/h2]
Work on the realistic reconstruction of vehicle models is still ongoing. This time we want to present German armored vehicles:

[h2]Panzer IIIJ[/h2]


[h2]StuG III[/h2]


[h2]Panther A[/h2]


Our goal is to recreate, in an as realistic way as possible, the combat conditions that commanders of Sherman tanks had to face.

We have implemented a 24-hour cycle and a dynamic change of lighting, which affects the range of observation and recognition of the battlefield.



The ability to destroy any object that is within the Sherman's armament range is one of the most important elements in the game.

Some passages are blocked by high walls or fences. There’s nothing that can stop you from destroying them and opening the way for infantry units:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

The number of shells in the tank is limited and not every target requires a cannon.
We can use the HMG mounted in the hull or the turret to destroy infantry units and smaller obstacles:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Thank you for your unwavering support - we are eager to share our continued growth and achievements with you!

Iron Wolf Studio - Sherman Team
https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1451050/Sherman_Commander/

Dev Diary #1 - The work is on!

Tank commanders!


Work on Sherman Commander is still going on and armored vehicles are one of the most important elements.

We’re preparing realistic tank models and vehicles, and taking care of the mapping of original constructions.

Here, take a look at a tank which you will be able to command:





Is there anything better than commanding a single tank? Well… Maybe leading an entire platoon on them?! In Sherman Commander you will be able to do that by giving orders to other tanks in your platoon!



Of course, there will be many other US Army vehicles besides Sherman Tanks!



In addition to the visual side of the vehicles, we are dealing with mapping of their physics. There will be three types of tanks - light, medium, and heavy! Their sizes and weight impact combat and field operations. We want to simulate it as good as possible.

At the same time, we are also working on objects from which the mission areas will be created. Destructibility tests for buildings are underway:



If you want to know who you will have to face in battle... Check out the first and very formidable opponent:



Thank you and stay tuned for more materials from Sherman Commander!

Take care!
Sherman Team
https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1451050/Sherman_Commander/