Headquarters: World War II News

It’s been one year since the release of Headquarters: World War II, and to celebrate this milestone, we are excited to launch the Anniversary Update, packed with new content, improvements, and bug fixes.

New Content

• A new music track “Hero” has been added to the playlist, free for everyone.
  
• Six beloved campaign maps have been converted for use in Skirmish and Multiplayer modes, offering even more ways to enjoy tactical battles:
  
  • Allied Invasion
    
  • The Retreat to Caen
    
  • Operation Aubery
    
  • The Battle for Hill 112
    
  • The Falaise Pocket: The Trap
    
  • The Falaise Pocket: The Breakout
    

Improvements

Significant upgrades to the camera system and settings have been made:

• A Field of View (FOV) slider is now available in the Video Settings menu (previously limited to Photo Mode only)
  
• The Free Camera Mode has been reworked for easier access and smoother transitions:
  
  • Now you no longer need to hold the Middle Mouse Button (MMB or Mouse Wheel) to stay in Free Camera Mode. You can enter the Free Camera Mode by pressing the MMB, and then exit the Free Camera Mode by either pressing the MMB again, or by scrolling the Mouse wheel.
    
  • Now, when you are in the Free Camera mode, you can see a notification “Free Camera ON” below the End Turn button.
    
  • Now, when you exit the Free Camera mode, the camera moves smoothly to its Regular Camera angle (instead of an instant jump). So, you can now better understand what is going on.
    
  • Free Camera Mode is now available on all Zoom levels of the Regular Camera. (Before it was unavailable at the 4 highest Zoom levels)
    

Fixes:

• Fixed a common crash caused by eliminating a demoralized (fleeing) unit.
  
• Resolved an issue in the Ardennes DLC (Map 8 of the German campaign) where incorrect text and voice lines were triggered after a loss.
  

A huge thank you to our amazing community for your continued support over the past year!

NEW UPDATE - v1.02.02 - FIXES

Hi Commanders - there is a new update released. This includes some fixes for minor issues introduced with the last Ardennes DLC update. it also includes an additional Skirmish AI tweak.
Please check out the changelog here, and please, keep you eyes peeled for some exciting news regarding a new update next month. Information will drop soon.

Changelog v1.02.02 – 20th March 2025
Fixes:
• AI no longer prioritizes purchasing certain units in Skirmish/MP (eg. tanks with flamethrowers).
• Fixed problem with some obstacles (objects between tiles - walls, fences, etc) not showing a proper visual animation of destruction sometimes.
• Fixed issue with the End of Campaign screen in Ardennes DLC showing your score for each map as X/600, while the maximum score is 400. It is now shown correctly as X/400.
• Minor localization fixes for Ardennes DLC
• Removed a skill from all units which was mistakenly added into the game due to database error and was missing icon and localization. It was not affecting gameplay.

See you on the battlefield.

Thank you for playing Headquarters: World War II! We are always looking for ways to improve your
gaming experience.

New content:
• Added Ardennes DLC German campaign
• Added Ardennes DLC USA campaign
• Added DLC units
o German units: Jagdpanzer IV, Panzerwerfer 42, Wirbelwind
o USA units: M36 Jackson, M24 Chaffee, 76 mm gun M5, M26 Pershing, T26Е1 Super
Pershing
o UK units: Comet, M24 Chaffee, Sherman Firefly Tulip, Centurion
• Added winter camouflage options for unit customization
• Added winter environment in the DLC campaigns. (Including new terrain types - Mud, Deep snow,
and Ice)

New feature:
• Mortar infantry, towed artillery, and self-propelled artillery units have gained a new active ability,
and now have a new button on Action’s panel - “Smoke Shell”. So, now you can deploy Smoke
screen not only via HQ skill, but also with Artillery and Mortar units. (Artillery covers a 3x3 area
and has 5 turns cooldown, while Mortars cover a 1x1 area and have 3 turns cooldown).

Fixes:
• Fixed a crash that could happen during the Dive bomber attack.
• Fixed the DLC units' availability in Multiplayer games. Before, the availability of DLC units was
determined by the player creating the multiplayer game - if the player had DLC - all players in that
game would have DLC units, including the game creator if he later switched off the DLC. Now, the
DLC units availability depends on every player individually and DLC units can be switched on/off
in the middle of a multiplayer game - if they are switched off (DLC disabled on Steam, for
example), then the player keeps existing units, but cannot acquire new DLC unis until the DLC is
enabled again.
• Fixed a multiplayer crash that could happen at the end of a match against AI.
• Fixed a UI issue - unit information would remain displayed after the unit had been deselected.
• Fixed the crew size of Sd.Kfz. 251/2. It was 4, instead of 3. Now it is 3, the same as all similar
APCs.
• Fixed bug that led to bunkers bonuses to Cover and Defence deteriorating if they have been
shelled extensively. It worked similarly to buildings deterioration, despite no visual indications.
Now, they provide the same defensive bonuses regardless of the damage they sustain.

Balance changes:
• Reduced the AP Attack for APCs with machine guns from 15 to 4, Now, it is the same as the
Machine gun infantry unit in terms of AP Attack, but has less HE Attack. (As the Infantry unit has 2
MGs and can better position and aim those.
• The move points cost of moving through a Sand terrain has been changed. For Wheeled units
increased from 1 to 2, and for Off-Road units increased from 1 to 1.5.
• The Flamethrower unit’s HE attack was increased from 80 to 90.
• The Panzer III(Fl) - German flamethrower tank - now has a longer Attack range (Increased from 3
to 4).
• Big changes in unit costs for most units. The general idea was to bring down the cost of most
vehicles and tanks while keeping high costs for artillery and mortar units. The goal is to allow
more active usage of tanks and other vehicles in multiplayer and skirmish games while making
artillery and mortar units more expensive and less cost-efficient.

The cost was reduced for the following unit classes:
o Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) - a 33% decrease
o Armored Car - a 50% decrease
o Assault Gun - a 60% decrease
o Flamethrower Infantry - a 25% decrease
o Light Tank - a 50% decrease
o Medium Tank - a 50% decrease
o Heavy Tank - a 50% decrease
o Machine Gun Infantry - a 20% decrease
o Anti-tank Infantry - a 20% decrease
o Self-Propelled Anti-Air - a 50% decrease
o Self-Propelled Anti-Tank - a 60% decrease

The cost was increased for the following unit classes:
o Mortar Infantry - more than 20% increase*
o Towed Artillery - more than 15% increase*
o Self-Propelled Artillery - slight increase*
*part of the cost increase is attributed to these units now having a new ability - Smoke Shell

The battle continues and it's time to return to the battlefield of Headquarters: World War II with our second DLC, Ardennes, bringing new campaigns, units, and challenges set in the legendary Battle of the Bulge.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
This DLC includes:

• Two story-driven campaigns – Play as both the US and German forces across 16 intense missions
  
• New units and tactics – 12 additional models, including the M26 Pershing, Jagdpanzer IV, and Sherman Firefly Tulip
  
• Expanded strategic depth – New weather and terrain effects, winter camouflage, and unique historical heroes
  
• Iconic battles – Relive key moments like the Siege of Bastogne, the St. Vith Assault, and the Push for Celles
  

Don’t miss out the opportunity to grab your copy with a discount launch here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3295310/Headquarters_World_War_II__Ardennes/

Check the bundle:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/39686/Headquarters_WWII_Complete/

With the Normandy landings and Operation Market Garden behind you, it’s time to face one of the toughest winter offensives of World War II.

[h2]To celebrate the release join our two tournaments[/h2]

To celebrate the release of Ardennes DLC, we are excited to announce two new tournaments for Headquarters: World War II, one classic league tournament and one KO tournament.

Spring Offensive - League tournament
Do not miss the chance to sign-up to the Autumn Offensive Tournament which will feature 3 multiplayer maps:

1. Three Hills
   
2. Military Base
   
3. Marshland Clash
   

You can sign-up here.

The tournament follows Swiss Tournament rules: you can find the full list of rules here.
The first round will commence on Monday, 3rd March 2025. No further entries can be accepted after the tournament has begun.

The tournament will last 3 rounds, 20 days each. Games are paired, so each matchup will be played both ways. All you need to do is sign up, then the system will pair you with opponents and create your PBEM games. You will be notified by mail of when the tournament is starting and when it will be time to play your turns.

Spring Knock out challenge - KO tournament
Do not miss the chance to sign-up to the Knock out challenge Tournament which will feature 5 multiplayer maps:
Countryside - GER/US - 2500/25
Royal Chateau - UK/US - 2500/255
Riverside Battle - US/GER - 2500/25
Military Base - UK/GER - 2500/25

You can sign-up here.

The first round will commence on Monday, 3rd March 2025. No further entries can be accepted after the tournament has begun.

The tournament will last 4 rounds, 15 days each. Winners of each round will move to the next round, losers will not.