Maestro's Cold War 2 News

[p]Play as France![/p][p]In no other DLC you will be able to:[/p][p][/p][p]Invent your very own Internet — overpriced services but gloriously ugly:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Change your government twelve times a year — because stability is overrated:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Set things on fire during festive outbursts — revolution is the French way:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Go full bling-bling for your official portraits — style above all:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Marvel at atomic mushrooms blossoming over paradisiac Saharan or Oceanian landscapes:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Ride your camel through the Empire — and dazzle the locals with your colonial chic:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]France awaits you — come for the glory, stay for the baguette![/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]What's new in the game in September?[/p][p][/p][p]Base game:[/p][p]-Steam deck most common issues have been fixed
-You asked for it, now you have it! Infinite save slots feature has been added[/p][p]-I have added a Robot-made German localization: expect a 7/10 Quality.[/p][p][/p][p]The East is Red:[/p][p]-A new action has been added: Panda diplomacy. It becomes available in 1957, and gives you a free increase in relationship with the country of your choice. (not exactly free, it will cost you a Giant Panda)[/p][p]-4 new geostrategical advantages have been added to China, they all extend the country's sphere of influence, so the players can feel less cornered in mid game.[/p][p][/p][p]Grandeur et Illusions:[/p][p]The France DLC will also extend the game’s timeline to cover the years 1945–1949.[/p][p]It comes with more content than the other DLCs — and please forgive me for that. It’s not really my fault… I’m French.[/p][p]I can now confirm the DLC release date: September 29th.[/p][p]You can already wishlist it here:
[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p]

[p]I have the pleasure to announce one of the largest rework of Cold War 2: [/p][p]the introduction of the National Policies system![/p][p][/p][h3]National Policies[/h3][p]You can now define the policy of your Power in three domains: Diplomacy, Society, and Economy.[/p][p]These policies grant you bonuses, impact your budget, and influence your superpower’s economic development.[/p][p]And yes—at last—you can now increase your budget through the right policy choices.[/p][p]Many new events have been added to reflect the long-term effects of these policies, and you’ll be pleased to know that it is now possible to avoid the USSR’s historical downfall.[/p][p]You will soon discover that this is a living system, and sticking to the same policies for the entire grand campaign is probably not a great idea. You will need to think strategically and adapt your policy combinations over time to make the most of them.[/p][p][/p][h3]China Reworked[/h3][p]The Chinese gameplay has been heavily reworked. China now benefits from both a National Policy system and a Geostrategic Advantages system.
(In China’s case, these “advantages” are often more ideological victories than true geostrategic gains.)[/p][p]I hope this rework will make China’s gameplay richer and offer more variety.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]New Steam Successes[/h3][p]I added 6 more successes, mostly related to the new national policies system.[/p][p][/p][h3]Automatic military and economic aids[/h3][p]You asked for it, you have it! It is now possible to define an aid as automatic and you won't need to redo the same action each turn.[/p][p][/p][h3]Game options[/h3][p]Two new game options have been added, to add alternate victory conditions.[/p][p][/p][h3]Actions balance[/h3][p]Oppositions creation and Protests organization have been reworked.[/p][p]They should succeed more often.[/p][p][/p][h3]What's next?[/h3][p]I am back at work on the France 1945-1989 DLC.[/p][p]Expect it for the end of September.[/p][p][/p][p]Have fun![/p][p]And don’t hesitate to share your feedback below—this is a major change to the system, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts.[/p]

[p]Here is the follow up update of the last Geostrategical update:[/p][p][/p][h3]Features You Requested — Now in the Game:[/h3]

• [p]You can now hide the action report that pops up at the beginning of each turn. (You can still access it anytime by clicking the globe icon next to the telex panel.)[/p]
• [p]You can now keep the game and music running while switching screens — for example, when using Alt+Tab. (This can be enabled in the options menu.)[/p]
• [p]The “+” key for zooming no longer tries to center on the mouse cursor — it now simply zooms in to the maximum level.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Music[/h3]

• [p]The main theme should now loop properly. (Let me know if it doesn't!)[/p]
• [p]When playing as China, you'll now hear a different soundtrack — the OST from Rise of the White Sun, which fits Cold War 2 perfectly.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Features you did not requested that made it into the game anyway:[/h3]

• [p]A new map view is now available to monitor the global oil economy.[/p]

[h3]Additional content[/h3][p]As you liked the Geostrategical update, I added some more:[/p][p]-Oil economy domination[/p][p]-Control of the Turkish straits[/p][p]-USSR besieged [/p][p][/p][h3]Bugs fixed & Balance adjustments[/h3]

• [p]The game should no longer crash when inspecting an action’s code via the middle mouse button.[/p]
• [p]In chessboard mode, the power ratio formula for Europe has been adjusted.[/p]
• [p]The AI on difficulty levels above “Normal” now takes the European power balance even more seriously.[/p]

[h3][/h3][hr][/hr][p]I hope you enjoy this small but cool update![/p][p]These days, I’m mostly focusing on content for the upcoming France DLC.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Have fun![/p][p][/p][p]Maestro Cinetik[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]Hello![/p][p]This update introduces a major improvement to game mechanics and overall balance.[/p][p]I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed working on it![/p][p][/p][h2]Geostrategical advantages[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This new feature, currently available for the USA and the USSR, introduces a list of geo-strategical advantages that can be unlocked by meeting specific conditions.[/p][p]Most of these provide an instant "kaboom!" effect, along with lasting bonuses as long as the conditions remain fulfilled.[/p][p]Here are two examples to help you understand how the system works:[/p][p][/p][h3]EUROPE IS FRIGHTENED! (AGAIN AND STILL)[/h3][p][/p][p]Conditions:[/p][p]This advantage for the USSR unlocks whenever the Armed forces ratio in Europe is 5vs1 or more in favor of the Soviet Union, and the Defcon is inferior to 4.[/p][p]To calculate that power ration, it is considered that USSR has 300 "army points" in Europe.[/p][p]Needless to say that the US player now can no more ignore Europe and has a real incentive to maintain large forces there.[/p][p][/p][p]Event Text:[/p][p]In Europe, the disparity between Soviet Red Army forces and those of Western Europe and the USA is striking.[/p][p]All Western general staffs are forced to admit that the Red Army could potentially reach Paris or London within weeks.[/p][p]Widespread and conspicuous Soviet troop maneuvers have only intensified these fears. [/p][p]Of course, the USA has the bomb—but would it really risk annihilation for a European country? [/p][p]The nuclear umbrella offers some reassurance, yet many European nations are now loudly demanding a stronger US military presence. In the face of weak US commitment on the ground, some countries are leaning toward a fearful neutrality.[/p][p][/p][p]Effects:[/p][p]-->The Soviet sphere of influence expands to include Austria, Greece, and Sweden[/p][p]--> Austria, Greece, and Sweden leave the US sphere of influence[/p][p]--> All US-aligned countries in Europe lose 3 Stability[/p][p]--> Pacifist unrest in the USA increases by 5\\[/p][p]As long as the conditions remain:[/p][p]--> The Soviet player gains a bonus to diplomatic actions in all European countries.[/p][p]--> The Soviet player gains a bonus to creating opposition movements in Europe.[/p][p][/p][p]Another exemple:[/p][p][/p][h3]BREACH IN THE NORTHERN SHIELD[/h3][p][/p][p]Conditions: [/p][p]As USSR, having 2 of 3 of these countries in your bloc: Iceland, Norway, United Kingdom[/p][p][/p][p]Event Text:[/p][p]The United States once maintained firm control over the so-called GIUK Gap (Greenland–Iceland–United Kingdom), a vital strategic corridor for naval operations in the North Atlantic.[/p][p]Now, Soviet submarines roam the area freely, without fear of interception.[/p][p]Not only is the Soviet nuclear threat now dangerously close to the U.S. East Coast, but the entire sea-based supply line between Europe and America is at risk![/p][p]As public awareness of this vulnerability grows, pacifist movements experience a resurgence.[/p][p][/p][p]Effects:[/p][p]--> Pacifism increases by 2 in the U.S.[/p][p]--> Stability decreases by 2 in all European countries aligned with the U.S.[/p][p]As long as the conditions are met:[/p][p]--> The U.S. begins any nuclear standoff with the USSR with reduced Nerves.[/p][p][/p][h3]WHAT ELSE?[/h3][p]There are many new events like these in the game. You can view their list from any superpower window.[/p][p]The first feedback from playtesters has been very positive, so this system will be expanded. More types of advantages will be added soon.[/p][p]I believe this refreshes the Cold War 2 experience and makes the game significantly more engaging.[/p][p]All these geo-strategical advantages are powerful enough to challenge the status quo.[/p][p][/p][h3]WHAT' NEXT?[/h3][p]Three main priorities for this summer:[/p]

1. [p]France DLC – Work begins on the France DLC, which will also add the years 1945–1949 to the game.[/p]
2. [p]Geo-Strategical System Expansion – Unless the feedback says otherwise, I plan to further balance and expand the new geo-strategical system.[/p]
3. [p]Gloomy USSR Mod – This community-driven feature (mostly @Gloomy, so the name) will be expanded, translated, and proofread. If you’re unfamiliar with it: it’s a reimagined USSR path with additional content. I have made it accessible up to 1954, so you can have a look at it (but keep in mind it is still a work in progress)[/p]

[p][/p][p]I hope this patch gives you a clearer idea of the direction the game is heading.[/p][p]I will need your feedback and thoughts, so do not hesitate to comment this news.[/p][p][/p][p]Have Fun![/p][p][/p][p]Maestro Cinetik[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --[/p][p]PS: I don't know if you are into Warlord China, but the first paid DLC for Rise of the White Sun will be out this summer. (August the 11th)[/p][p]You can wishlist it here: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]