Master of Command News

Prussian Campaign | BETA Playthrough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEbMglbO9e4

Catch a recent live stream with our lead designer, Griffin M. Johnson, as he dives into a Prussian campaign playthrough in Master of Command.

Master Of Command is a strategy game of crunchy musketry and Total War-style battles that tells the story of an army, not an empire

Armchair History Interactive would like to you know that their upcoming strategy game Master Of Command is full of smart, unforgiving systems. I know that because they emailed RPS saying that our "strategy features often spotlight smart, unforgiving systems".

I imagine several other outlets also received this exact email but this didn't stop me thinking "you know what - they're right! I am strategy-clever and tactics-tough! And what better way to show that than by covering this game, completely of my own volition and with no outside influence from cleverly worded PR emails playing on my sense of strategy-knower's pride. That'll show those fatcats down at the community historical strategy club treasury committee. Who's "making too many explosiony noises during this serious reenactment of the Somme" now, eh?

Truthfully though, I probably would have covered this without the email. It looks suitably grand, and I really dig the idea of a strategy where the management isn't about empires, but the personal journey of your army on campaign. Plus, you get to play uniform dress-up. Here's a trailer.

New 18th-century grand strategy game Master of Command brings the Seven Years' War to Steam. It lets you direct more than 150 historical units across large-scale, tactical battles and a real-time campaign. Built by indie studio Armchair History Interactive, this upstart challenger is set to launch in 2025, and if you're looking for something to scratch the historical strategy itch while we await Europa Universalis 5, Master of Command might be just the thing for your wishlist.

Read the rest of the story...

Dev Log #9: New 3D Battles & Renowned Units | Master of Command

Dev Log #9: 3D Battles & Renowned Regiments

[p]
Don’t forget to wishlist Master of Command on Steam—your support makes the difference!

Hey everyone, this is the ninth development log for Master of Command. We only planned on making ten of these, so this series is nearly complete. Let us know anything else you’d like to see in the final log next time—after Dev Log #10, we’ll begin posting trailers and raw gameplay leading up to launch.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h2]1. New 3D Camera & Map Overhaul[/h2][p]
We’ve officially shifted from an orthographic view to a dynamic 3D-style camera.
- You can now rotate the camera up and down for a more immersive battlefield perspective.
- All maps have been redrawn: old 2D assets were replaced to ensure accurate 1:1 scaling (4 km wide × 3 km tall).
- Farms, roads, and terrain now feel grounded—paired with the 3D camera, you’ll experience battles as if you’re on the field.

[/p][p][/p][h2]2. Sound Design Progress[/h2][p]
Our sound team is halfway through implementing audio:
[/p]

[p]Marching footsteps and drumbeats
[/p]
[p]Musket and cannon fire (with shot-skipping effects on ground impact)
[/p]
[p]Dynamic music changes based on your equipped musicians
[/p]

[p]Next on the agenda: vocal shouts and battlefield ambience.

[/p][h2]3. Redesigned Main Menu[/h2][p]
The new main menu showcases core gameplay elements:
[/p]

[p]A soldier enjoying tobacco rations
[/p]
[p]Stitching of custom regimental flags
[/p]
[p]Artisans polishing cannons
[/p]
[p]A cavalryman and his dachshund mascot
[/p]
[p]A Death’s Head Hussar—hinting at unlockable famed regiments
[/p]

[p]
[/p][h2]4. Renowned Historical Regiments[/h2][p]
Each nation now offers 10 unlockable “renowned” units, rewarded through meta-progression promotions. Promotions persist across playthroughs and unlock based on your campaign successes.

Prussia’s 10 renowned units include:
[/p]

[p]Itzenplitz Musketeers
[/p]
[p]Prinz von Preussen Musketeers (rose-faced uniform)
[/p]
[p]Le Noble Jaegers
[/p]
[p]Aweyde Feldjaegers
[/p]
[p]Heinrich von Preußen Fusiliers (bold yellow)
[/p]
[p]Winterfeldt Grenadiers
[/p]
[p]Grenadier Guards (“Potsdam Giants”)
[/p]
[p]Death’s Head Hussars
[/p]
[p]Bayreuth Dragoons
[/p]
[p]Pennavaire Life Carabiniers
[/p]

[p][/p][p]
Britain’s 10 renowned units include:
[/p]

[p]Schaumburg-Lippe Artillery
[/p]
[p]Campbell’s Highlanders (tartan kilts)
[/p]
[p]Legion Britannique Musketeers
[/p]
[p]Royal Welch Fusiliers
[/p]
[p]Hanoverian Foot Guards
[/p]
[p]Coldstream Guards (navy trousers)
[/p]
[p]Von Roth Hussars
[/p]
[p]Bueckeburg Carabiniers
[/p]
[p]1st Dragoon Guards
[/p]
[p]Royal Horse Guards (“The Blues”)
[/p]

[p][/p][p]
Russia’s 10 renowned units include:
[/p]

[p]Pskovskiy Musketeers
[/p]
[p]Kievsky Musketeers
[/p]
[p]Moeller-Sakomelsky Jaegers
[/p]
[p]Preobrazhenskiy Life Guards
[/p]
[p]Chuguev Cossacks
[/p]
[p]Serbski Hussars
[/p]
[p]Prince Cuirassiers
[/p]
[p]Tverskoy Dragoons
[/p]
[p]Muennich Cuirassiers
[/p]
[p]Shuvalov Howitzers
[/p]

[p][/p][p]
Austria’s 10 renowned units include:
[/p]

[p]Deutschmeister Fusiliers
[/p]
[p]Esterhazy Fusiliers
[/p]
[p]De Ligne Fusiliers
[/p]
[p]Otocaner Grenzers
[/p]
[p]Seriman Grenadiers
[/p]
[p]Green Loudon Grenadiers
[/p]
[p]Kaiser Franz Hussars
[/p]
[p]Erzherzog Joseph Dragoons
[/p]
[p]Alt-Modena Cuirassiers
[/p]
[p]Perkopp Artillery
[/p]

[p][/p][p]
France’s 10 renowned units include:
[/p]

[p]Diesbach Fusiliers
[/p]
[p]Royal Scots Fusiliers
[/p]
[p]Royal Swedish Fusiliers
[/p]
[p]Grenadiers of France
[/p]
[p]Garde Française (French Guard)
[/p]
[p]Swiss Guard
[/p]
[p]Musketeers of the Garde
[/p]
[p]Royal Allemand-Cavalry
[/p]
[p]Grenadiers à Cheval
[/p]
[p]5th Royal Artillery
[/p]

[p]
That covers all 50 renowned regiments showcased on our new 3D battlefields. We can’t wait to share them in action!

[/p][h2]5. What’s Next?[/h2][p]
We’ve got one final development log coming—let us know what highlights you want to see in our final showcase. To get involved, test maps, and share feedback, join us on Discord. And please, don’t forget to wishlist Master of Command on Steam!

— The Master of Command Team
[/p]

Dev Log #8: Overhauled Campaign | Master of Command

Dev Log #8: Choosing Your Army

Don’t forget to wishlist Master of Command on Steam—your support makes all the difference!

Hi Commanders, and welcome to our eighth development log. This time we’re excited to share progress on five major areas: seasonal map variants, unit-scale and formation enhancements, historical tutorial battles, new camera controls, and the overhauled procedural campaign system.
[h2]1. Seasonal Map Variants Complete[/h2]

Dual Seasons: Every region now features both summer and winter artwork, fully implemented across our existing map roster.
Ongoing Map Production: Our art team is rolling out two new maps per week through launch—each hand-crafted to reflect authentic 18th-century terrain.
Seasonal Effects (TBD): We’re exploring fatigue and movement modifiers tied to weather, plus bespoke post-processing profiles for future rain and cloud systems.

[h2]2. Ultra-Scale Unit & Formation Improvements[/h2]

Colonel’s Colors: Every regiment now carries a visible flag with the colonel's color.
Automatic Rank Splitting: In Ultra Scale mode, formations auto-break into ranks of three—simulating two battalions side by side for better readability.
Normal Scale Option: Prefer a single-battalion look? Switch back to Normal Scale for classic formations.
Platoon-Based Columns: Across all scales, columns now travel by platoon—an authentic touch that enhances both visuals and historical accuracy.

[h2]3. Historical Tutorial Battles[/h2]

Frederick’s Early Campaigns: We’re crafting three tutorial scenarios—Chotusitz, Hohenfriedberg, and Soor—to introduce core mechanics through Frederick the Great’s rise.
Storyboards & Cutscenes: Illustrated storyboards are complete for the first two battles, with Soor in progress. All cutscenes (voiced and animated) are on track for delivery within a month.

[h2]4. Enhanced Camera Controls[/h2]

Although we retain a 2D isometric view, you can now press C or V to tilt the camera—adding depth when inspecting troops or surveying the battlefield.

[h2]5. Overhauled Procedural Campaign System[/h2]

[h3]Faction & Army Selection[/h3]

Five Nations × Three Armies: 15 unique army compositions—each nation provides distinctive Stratagems (e.g., Prussia’s Junker Aristocracy).
Unlock Progression: Begin with one army per nation and unlock the next by completing campaigns in order.

[h3]Region Missions[/h3]

Randomized Regions & Objectives: Each campaign selects four regions. Three initial regions grant mission types (Protect, Invade, Reinforce, Occupy), with side-objectives offering rewards such as historical units or new Stratagems.
Expanded World Map: Campaign maps now span from Scotland to Hungary, reinforcing the game’s procedural nature.

[h3]Mission Board Interface[/h3]

Regions act as hubs—capture all four (in increasing difficulty) to complete your campaign in this glorified mission board setup.
[h3]Army Camp Screen[/h3]

Unique Starting Loadouts: Every army composition has bespoke equipment and commander traits. For example, the Prussian Cantonists start with recruits, a musketeer company, ramrods for rapid reloads, and morale-boosting pocket bibles.
Redrawn Emblems: All flag icons have been fully redrawn—but remain fully customizable in camp and in battle.

[h3]Exploration & Encounters[/h3]

Dynamic Settlement Visits: Towns and villages now boast overhauled art and randomized conditions.
Role-Playing Events: Encounter events tie into your chosen Stratagems, offering unique dialogue options and rewards.

[h3]Boss Battles & Progression[/h3]

Field Army Showdowns: Each region culminates in a “boss” field army. Avoid it and it grows stronger over time—defeat it to advance (and see the seasonal map update).
Scaling Battlefields: Battle sizes expand based on troop numbers, ensuring each fight feels appropriately epic.
Endgame & Beyond: Win a full campaign to unlock new armies and historical regiments. We’re also planning an Ironman Mode for those craving a true roguelike challenge!

That’s a wrap on Dev Log #8. We’d love to know if you’d like deep-dive overviews of each nation’s armies in future updates. To get involved—test maps, share feedback, or view early previews—join us on Discord, and don’t forget to wishlist Master of Command on Steam!