Broken Arrow News

A few days ago we had a live Q&A on Discord, with Felix, Creative Director of Steel Balalaika.

Winners of the Open Beta Multiplayer Challenge had the chance to talk and ask questions. We are posting a short recap of what was revealed.

• When is the game going to be released?
  We are still working on the game to make sure that it is a polished experience and it meets everyone's expectations. As such, the game is currently slated to release in the second half of 2024.
  
• Will there be another beta?
  Almost certainly. Stay tuned so that you don't miss it!
  
• What about support to modding tools?
  The game is built in Unity and its files are in pretty standard formats. It shouldn't be hard for anyone with the right experience to create mods for the game.
  
• Will there be more factions added?
  Yes. None have been confirmed yet, as we are currently focusing on the base game, but we have lots of plans and ideas for future expansions and playable factions.
  
• Will there be VOIP?
  No, VOIP is currently not planned.
  
• What will the matchmaking balancing be done with?
  Broken Arrow will use the Glicko 2 system for the ranking.
  
• Is there a lot of elevation in maps?
  The game is set in the Baltics which isn't a very mountainous region, but some maps have more elevation than others with some hills and short mountains. We will focus on mountains and make them shine in the gameplay when we move on to other regions in future pieces of content.
  
• Will you add maps with a lot of open terrain?
  Not really - open spaces makes your units very vulnerable and lead to a very static gameplay. It's part of the level design of Broken Arrow to have a high density of buildings and cover on the maps.
  
• What are the five specs for Russia and USA?
  Still top secret.
  
• Will there be a standard lobby system?
  There will be two systems: standard match compatible with automatic matchmaking and custom match where the host can customize the lobby.
  
• Will you be able to mix nations once more nations are added?
  At the moment it's only one nation per team in standard match and the host decides for custom matches. We might change that when a new nation is added but it's not decided yet.
  
• What are the team's thoughts towards scoring systems (earning points while capping)
  A ticket system presures the losing team to sacrifice their reinforcements needlessly to try to stop the bleeding, resulting in their long term defeat.
  The system presented during the beta has the advantage to give time to the losing team to recover from a bad start and turn the tide. The disadvantage of this system being that inexperienced players don't feel the incentive to be aggressive and lose because of that.
  We are working on a game mode that would keep the advantages of the current system while mitigating its downsides.
  
• Were there some units which you thought were either underperforming or overperforming
  Planes with smart bombs were overperforming during the beta. We have already taken action to rebalance that.
  
• Will you make it easier for infantry to counter vehicles?
  Yes but not by a lot. Don't expect a few soldiers to stop a column of tanks. It is important not to make infantry too good against vehicles or you end up with a very static gameplay with artillery as your only tool to push forward. Infantry vs infantry combat was also very slow, we have increased a bit the damage they inflict to each other.
  
• What's the intended use of drones?
  It's aerial reconnaissance. You can cover a lot of ground with a single unit which is useful to check if there are no units infiltrating your rear lines. They are easy targets for long range missiles but you can use them as bait in combination with a SEAD plane/helicopter. We have also added low flying drones which are much more survivable close to the frontline.
  
• What game modes will there be in the game?
  There will be a single game mode for standard matches to keep a single pool of players and make the automatic matchmaker as efficient as possible. But it will be possible to create or download user made game modes created with the scenario editor and play them in multiplayer.
  
• Will there be a handicap if someone leaves?
  Losing a teammate is already a handicap. We're rather looking to compensate this handicap to maintain a match as fair as possible.
  First off both teams retain the same amount of income, just split among fewer players. Secondly, increase the availability in the deck leads to problems of roundings. So it's better to proportinally increase the speed at which units come back to the deck for the remaining players.
  
• What kind of post-launch support will there be?
  It will be a combination of new DLCs, adding new factions, maps and campaigns, with free updates consisting of new quality of life features and improvements.
  
• Will there be spectator mode?
  Yes.
  
• Will there be a replay mode?
  Yes, but possibly after launch. It is a complex feature and we're not sure to have enough time to finish it before the release. This is the type of improvement which would be part of free updates.
  
• Will it be possible to airdrop infantry transports like the BMD?
  Yes. Maybe we will limit the ablity only if you also buy the infantry with it.
  
• How many people in development team?
  Around 15, plus people like translator, voice actors etc. which are outsourced and all the staff of Slitherine helping us.
  
• What was the most rewarding or fun thing you had to do while working on the game?
  Felix replied that the aspect he likes the most is that it is an incredibly varied job. You never get bored and you end up doing so many different tasks.
  

During the Open Beta we ran a Multiplayer Challenge and we awarded a special prize to the top ranked players in certain categories.

The prize was the possibility of interviewing the developers on a special Live Q&A session on Discord. We're now approaching the date, so mark it on your calendars: it will take place on April 4 at 6 pm CET on our Discord channel.

You can join the Broken Arrow discord channel here.

Even though only the winners of the Multiplayer Challenge will be able to directly intervene and speak to the devs in the voice channel, everyone is welcome to join and comment in the chat. We'll also make sure to publish a summary of what was revealed during the Q&A session.

It will also be an occasion for us to give you an update on development and to let you know what the team has been working on.

We launched the multiplayer beta on January 31st and the outcome has been quite overwhelming.

Almost 250.000 people have decided to opt in the beta so far and we've had many thousands of active concurrent players every day. These are great numbers and they make everyone in the team extremely happy.

On the downside, it also meant that the servers had a somewhat rough start as they weren't ready yet to accomodate such a large number.

We would like to apologize once again for the first few days in which the servers' stability was rather bad and not everyone was able to join or play. Unfortunately such is the nature of game development, and betas serve the purpose of breaking things sometimes. This experience helps us with ensuring that once we launch the game everyone will have a completely smooth experience.

At any rate, we've decided to move the end date for the Beta.

We're going to allow everyone to play for the whole weekend at the end of this week, and instead of closing it on February 16 we'll close it on February 19.

You've been waiting patiently, but the Multiplayer Open Beta is now here.

Get ready to engage in exciting 5v5 online matches, starting today and until February 16.

It is an Open Beta, meaning that everyone will be accepted automatically and immediately. It also means you are able to stream the game, make videos of it and upload them, talk about it with your friends. Simply put, there will be no NDA restrictions.

It is a multiplayer beta only and it contains no single-player content whatsoever. The game at launch will contain single-player scenarios and single-player campaigns, but the purpose of this playtest phase is to test online play.

The beta build currently contains 6 multiplayer maps playable in 5vs5 with only 4 out of the ten specializations the game will contain at launch, for the two playable factions, USA and Russia. If you want more information on what the open beta contains, please refer to this post.

[h3]How to download and install[/h3]

The Open Beta is only available through Steam. In order to download it, head to the steam page of Broken Arrow.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1604270/Broken_Arrow/

You will need to click on the green button which says REQUEST ACCESS. You will be given access automatically and "Broken Arrow Playtest" will appear in your Steam Library.

Then, all you need to do is to click Install and the download will start.

Please note that you might be required to close and relaunch Steam in order for the download to begin.

[h3]Multiplayer challenge[/h3]

We have decided to challenge the community with a contest: during those 16 days players will have the chance to climb two unique leaderboards: K/D ratio and Win/Loss ratio.

At the end of the open beta we’ll know who the winners and top players among the community are. We will also reward the most active player for the duration of the beta.

Victory will be rewarded with the possibility of taking part in a special live round table with the developers: those who manage to get in the first five positions of each leaderboard will get the chance to take part in this live event with Steel Balalaika and they will be able to talk with the developers, offering them feedback and opinions and asking whatever they want about the game. We’ll make sure to update you daily on Discord on who is leading each leaderboard.

[h3]Struggling with the basics?[/h3]

If you're struggling with learning how to play, don't worry. The game at launch will feature ways for new players to be gradually introduced to gameplay mechanics and they will be able to learn the ropes, but for now please refer to this short guide.

It serves as a useful guide to get started and learn the basics. Should you still have trouble please join our discord channel: Broken Arrow has a big and helpful community and plenty of experienced players willing to lend a hand and teach newcomers.

Have fun!

As you all know the Multiplayer Open Beta for Broken Arrow will begin tomorrow, on January 31.

It will contain four playable specializations (two per faction, USA and Russia) on six multiplayer maps. They will be playable on multiplayer only in 5v5 mode.

As a reminder, the game at launch will contain a plethora of single-player content including a lot more specializations (five per faction for a total of ten) and single-player campaigns, but the scope of this Open Beta is testing the multiplayer only.

We’ve prepared a post to showcase the contents of the Multiplayer Open Beta: both the four playable specializations as well as the six available maps. We hope you enjoy it.

SPECIALIZATIONS DESCRIPTION

Armored Brigade (USA)
The armored brigade gives you access to the heaviest and most powerful ground vehicles of the US army. This fire power comes at the cost of poor mobility and the total absence of air units.
The latest M1A2 SEP v3 is unmatched in tank vs Tank engagement and can be equipped with additional reactive armor and Trophy active protection system to intercept incoming missiles.
M109 Paladin and M270 MLRS open the way for your armored pushes followed by Bradley fighting vehicles carrying small mechanized infantry groups to hold the terrain.
Cavalry scouts equipped with Javelin top attack missiles secure the flanks and prepare a nasty surprise for any enemy vehicle rushed in response to your assault.



Marines Expeditionary Unit (USA)
The United States Marine Corps is a jack of all trades giving you access to a balanced amount of equipment.
The Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) provide a mobile platform for multiple weapon systems: LAV-25 with a bushmaster autocannon, LAV-M with a 82mm mortar, LAV-AD with stinger anti air missiles and a GAU-12 25mm gatling gun, LAV-L transporting small quantities of logistics.
The AAVP-7 have enough room to transport large 13 men strong Marine squads or multiple support squads. They also provide decent firepower with a M2 Browning and a Mk19 grenade launcher.
The M1A1 FEP with its High Explosive Multi-Purpose round is more effective than other Abrams tanks to deal with infantry.
HIMARS can fire up to 6 rockets with unitary or cluster warheads as well as ATACMS and PrSM ballistic missiles.
Cobras, Vipers, Stallions, Ospreys and Venom helicopters provide anything you need in the helicopter department but you have a limited amount of points in the deck for helicopters so you need to make choices.
Harriers, Hornets and F-35 provide good choices of loadouts for airstrikes and air superiority while KC-130J can airdrop troops from low altitude.



Guard Tank Brigade (Russia)
The elite guard tank brigade is equipped with the heaviest and most modern ground vehicles but no helicopters or planes.
Everything is heavy in this specialization from the T-90M Razvedchik in the recon tab to the T-15 Barbaris in the infantry tab: a troop transport based on the chassis of the T-14 Armata tank equipped with a 30mm or 57mm autocannon.
Many vehicles can be equipped with active protection systems (APS) that can intercept incoming rockets and missiles.
The support category provides some of the best anti-aircraft systems available like the M3 Buk and the Pantsir-S1, but also deadly artillery systems like the TOS-1 Buratino or its upgrade the TOS-1A Solntsepek that can unleash a deadly volley of 220mm thermobaric rockets.



VDV Brigade (Russia)
The Russian airborne forces can parachute troops and vehicles to rapidly strike from any direction with light mechanized support.
The small 5 men strong VDV squads are highly specialized and rely on their BMD armored transport to hold their ground against sometimes more than twice larger enemy squads.
Use aircraft equipped with anti-radiation missiles to take control of the skies, drones to identify weaknesses, and Tu-160 heavy bombers to strike groupings.
When enemy tanks start showing up it’s time to call helicopters like the Mi-28N or the Ka-52 and hunt down any vehicle wandering too far away from the air defense.



MAPS DESCRIPTIONS
Baltiysk
The seaport town of Baltiysk is the gateway to Kaliningrad Bay, home to Russia's Baltic fleet. Blocking this passage would trap the Baltic fleet.
This narrow strip of land surrounded by water will be the stage for a merciless battle where flanking possibilities on the ground are limited. But commanders feeling too safe could forget to secure their rear and be surprised by a helicopter assault coming from the sea.



Chernyakhovsk
This city located in the middle of Kaliningrad’s oblast at the confluence of the Instruch and Angrapa rivers is home to an airbase and a missile brigade equipped with nuclear capable Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
The battle will take place at night in the city itself as well as the industrial outskirts and the military bases. This large battlefield with many objectives will force the commanders to make good use of their recon to identify where it is safe to leave the front line empty in order to concentrate their forces for an assault.



Frontiers
The E67 highway is the only ground axis between Poland and the Baltic states with bridges strong enough to support the passage of 70 tons’ tanks. Holding this axis would be absolutely vital to carry reinforcements to the Baltic states in case of invasion.
Each army starts at one end of the highway and the objectives are located along the trench of the highway, leading to a terrifying head-on confrontation. But the hardest-headed commanders are not necessarily the ones who prevail. If the large areas of farmland and forest on each side of the highway are left unchecked, you can bypass the enemy and cut their reinforcements.



Parnu
The coastal city of Parnu in Estonia with its airport, harbor and large beaches would become a very important entry point for supplies and equipment in case of conflict.
The battle will take place in the middle of the city itself, caught between the sea and a large swamp with a river zigzagging in the middle. Taking control of the central bridge will allow you to rapidly move troops from one bank to the other to put the enemy team off balance. Otherwise you must rely on the swampy fords to do so.



Ignalina Power Plant
The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant located in Lithuania less than 2km from the border with Belarus supplies the entire country with electricity which makes this place a very valuable yet vulnerable asset.
The battle will rage in the swampy area surrounding the power plant, including the nearby city of Visaginas with its classic Soviet architecture, the power plant itself and the industrial area located in between.
(note: the powerplant was decommissioned in 2009 in real life but stayed active in Broken Arrow’s lore.)



Central village
The small town of Lazdijai in Lithuania is situated at the key crossroad between national road 135, the second biggest road linking Vilnius to Poland, and national road 134, the shortest axis linking Belarus and Kaliningrad.
The objectives for this battle are all located at key locations inside and around the town but many little farms, groves and fields separated by dense hedgerows surround it and can be used to outflank the enemy. Commanders committing too much into the town could end up surrounded there with their supply line severed.