Sherman Commander News

Hey tankers!

It's time to show you some of the real deal! So far, you've had the chance to learn a bit about infantry (Creating Realistic Soldier Character Models), see the streets of Aachen (Battle-Ready Urban Jungle), or the open fields of Normandy (Exploring the Open Fields of Normandy) where epic battles will take place. Today, let's talk about the heart and soul of any tank game: the vehicles, or how they move, to be precise! But, let's remember that everything you see is still a work in progress.

As you probably already know, Sherman Commander will feature many vehicles from the World War II era, including, of course, the titular Sherman (M4A3E8). On the battlefield, you'll also encounter units such as the American Sherman M4A3, M10 Wolverine, M8 Greyhound, M3 Halftrack, Willys Jeep, and from the German side - PzKpfw IV Ausf. G, Panzer V Panther, Panzer VI Tiger, Panzer III J, Panzer III M, Panzer II C, StugIII G, Sdkfz 251, Kubelwagen, and Opel Blitz.

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Each vehicle naturally has different parameters, affecting its speed, maneuverability, or the ability to overcome obstacles. Certainly, how a vehicle behaves on a given terrain will be also influenced by whether the vehicle has wheels, tracks, or both. 🙂

We'd also like to draw your attention to how vehicles behave when overcoming obstacles, specifically the work of wheels and tracks. They react to every unevenness encountered, adding realism to the visual side of the game and making overcoming them just look cool!

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Let's go back to the obstacles for a moment, as we'll encounter them quite often, and they'll often have strategic applications and a clear impact on the course of battle. While most vehicles will be able to handle bomb craters or small hills, then again, hedges, walls, or larger elevations will only be passable by tracked vehicles.

We'll be coming back to both vehicles and obstacles in future posts. Let us know in the comments how you like what we've shown you so far!

All best,
Sherman Team
🔗 https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio
🗨️ https://discord.gg/qcDF2ZZ

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

Hey, Tank Commanders!

In our previous peek, we delved into the urban chaos of Aachen. Now, let's venture into the challenging landscapes of Normandy. It's not just pretty scenery, it's where strategic warfare takes center stage.



Normandy, rich in history, is a place where Allied forces faced a maze of obstacles, both natural and man-made. From hills and tree lines, through rivers and ponds, all the way to fences, stone walls and the famous hedgerows which posed some of the most serious tactical challenges for the attackers in this phase of the war. Not only did these barriers limit visibility, but also channeled the attackers into killing zones, where German defenders were dug in, with concealed anti-tank guns trained on the most probable vectors of approach. Overcoming these challenges often required innovation, such as tank-mounted "salad forks", allowing tanks to break through the hedgerows and open new pathways for the infantry.



Thick forests may impede movement, offering opportunities for ambushes. Destructible fences and walls allow for creating new pathways, and capturing crucial bridges and fords will often be key to victory. While small bridges accommodate only infantry, larger ones will allow tanks to cross, thus becoming pivotal points that demand careful consideration. Rivers, though beautiful, might prove insurmountable obstacles, potentially altering the course of the battle.



Normandy's rural charm unfolds with scattered villages, rustic houses, and barns dotting the picturesque countryside. As peaceful as it might seem, the environment is a maze of death traps, illustrating the scope of predicament that the Allies faced during the Normandy breakout. In this challenging theater of operations, only commanders with a keen eye and tactical acumen will gain the upper hand over the enemy.



So, gear up, Commanders, as we embark on a journey where the fields of Normandy become the battlegrounds of strategic brilliance.

All best,
Sherman Team
🔗 https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio
🗨️ https://discord.gg/qcDF2ZZ


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

Hey, Tank Commanders!

We're back on the battlefield again, and it's not necessarily the last time we talk about locations and environments. Recently, we've been working intensively on the scenery for the battles, and we want to share the progress with you. If you missed our previous post regarding environment, no worries, you can find it here and read later.

In the immersive world of Sherman Commander, the battlegrounds are as diverse as the challenges they present. From dense urban environments to more open fields, players find themselves navigating a variety of terrains, each demanding a unique strategic approach. This diversity requires players to adapt their tactics dynamically, keeping them on their toes and ensuring no two battles are alike.



As the commander, one must consider every inch of the battlefield, utilizing cover provided by urban structures, employing flanking maneuvers in open fields, and strategically positioning units to gain the upper hand.



The significance of barricades cannot be overstated. These makeshift barriers not only influence the flow of battle but also serve as crucial elements for both offense and defense. Smart commanders will leverage barricades to their advantage.



One of the standout features is the dynamic destructibility of the environment, including barricades, of course. As the battle rages on, structures crumble, leaving behind ruins that serve as a testament to the intensity of the conflict. This not only adds a layer of realism but also introduces a dynamic element to the battlefield, forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly.



Day and night cycles further intensify the experience. The transition from daylight to darkness not only impacts visibility but also alters the overall atmosphere. Night battles bring an added layer of tension, emphasizing the importance of reconnaissance and awareness.



In Sherman Commander, every battlefield tells a story, and every engagement becomes a chapter in the larger narrative. As we delve into the intricacies of various combat scenarios, we invite players to join us in this journey, where adaptability is key, challenges are diverse, and victory is the sweet reward of tactical prowess.

As this is the last post of the year, the entire Iron Wolf Studio team wishes you all the best in 2024, many great games, and, of course, good health! ːsteamhappyː

All best,
Sherman Team
🔗 https://linktr.ee/ironwolfstudio
🗨️ https://discord.gg/qcDF2ZZ

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

Welcome back, Tank Commanders!

Today, we're pulling back the curtain to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible world of motion capture… or mocap for short.

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Mocap is the technique of capturing real-world movements and translating them into lifelike animations for our game. It's like magic, bringing our characters to life with stunning realism. These mocap sessions are a crucial part of Sherman Commander's development, ensuring that every enemy seen on screen won't move like a robot.

To achieve this, we decked out the most athletic among us, the seasoned veteran of countless paintball skirmishes - Bartek, the CEO of Iron Wolf Studio, in a one-of-a-kind suit, and... we had him run, roll, and do many other things, until he finally got tired. Feast your eyes on the outcomes below!

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And that's all for today. Stay tuned for more updates!

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


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

Hey, Tank Commanders!

Let's kick things off at square one, shall we? This is where we outline the main premise behind Sherman Commander, as it seems that many folks are still in the dark about what our game is going to be. So, consider this your SC101, as we're about to shed some light on what the game actually is about.


In the virtual realm we're crafting, you're not just a player; you're a Sherman tank commander, cast into the heart of the intense battles of 1944, right after the Normandy landings. Now, here's the catch: Sherman Commander is not your run-of-the-mill war game. It's a dynamic blend of real-time armored command and tactical warfare.

Your Role as a Commander
In Sherman Commander, you take charge of a Sherman tank, the M4A3E8(76), and issue commands to your crew plus four additional Sherman tanks (M4A3(75)W), as well as infantry squads. You'll also have the power to request off-map support and deploy additional units.

As the commander of your tank, you'll take charge of your crew and communicate with them exactly as a real commander would on the battlefield. It is nowhere near the simplified approach where you operate the whole tank. Instead, this time you are the titular COMMANDER, and thus you order the driver, the gunner, the loader, and the bow gunner so that they can perform their tasks as a well-coordinated fighting unit. It is a steadier, more realistic take on armored warfare where everything happens a little more slowly and more in accordance with how a crew composed of five human beings would work together.

On top of that, you will have contact with various allied units over the radio, including your platoon’s tanks, as well as multiple infantry squads, allowing you to make pivotal decisions across the battlefield. This fusion of command styles is crucial as you guide your forces through historically significant locations like the battlefields of France and Germany in 1944.

And this is the crux of it all: the mixture of genres and command styles. On the one hand, you'll experience the action firsthand from within the bowels of the Sherman tank itself. You'll govern the tank by peering through periscopes and the open hatch while barking orders at your crew members. On the other hand, you will coordinate your tank platoon, the nearby infantry units, AND off-map support in order to make the most of the combined arms entrusted to you. It is like merging a historical milsim with a tactical RTS to deliver ultimate immersion and unprecedented control over the battlespace.

Leading Your Troops
Therefore, Sherman Commander presents an exciting mix of simulation and real-time command on the tactical level. Your battleground spans two interconnected domains: the Sherman Tank’s commander’s cupola and the Tactical 2D Map.


You'll oversee up to 15 infantry squads alongside your five-tank platoon (composed of your tank plus four remaining ones). On the 2D Map, you'll build your strategies and coordinate an assault on enemy positions. This entails positioning units, issuing directives, and summoning off-map support.

Therefore, as you can see, our goal is to create something more than a mere simulator. We are aiming for total immersion in a dynamic, thriving battlefield where what happens inside the metal beast is just one side of the coin, and the evolving situation in the theater of war is another.

Stay tuned for more! In the next updates we'll deliver more details on game modes, mechanics and all the good stuff making Sherman Commander worth waiting for.

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


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