Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront News

Community members! We are currently working on the next update for Call to Arms - Gates of Hell. This update will bring features and content to all players, like the 2 community updates (and 5 game updates) that came before it. As its name already suggests, it will add a number of things that were requested by the community. Curious? Keep reading!

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So what do we add? We get requests for every development category from our community; in fact, there are so many it’s impossible to fulfill all of them. Some requests might not fit our design choices; for instance, requests for prototypes or designs that never appeared on the WW2 battlefield in real life. Then again, that still leaves plenty of options! Let’s have a look at the community suggestions we selected.

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[h2]Optimization[/h2]
We have been working on optimizing the game. We have addressed a bug that created frame drops. Additionally, our lead programmer has been optimizing the mesh group technology which will improve the overall performance.
The results are extremely promising, improvements during testing show significantly fewer frames dropped during camera movement.

We also Improved performance on minimum and low settings and optimized US humanskins and vehicle 3d models to reduce VRAM usage and added LODs.

https://youtu.be/iI73L__8j2g

[h2]New PvE game mode[/h2]
We are very happy to present a new PvE game mode: "Last Stand".
In this exciting new gamemode, you will be defending against multiple AI waves. This is an excellent battleground for new players to have fun with the game in its most comfortable environment: Defending against enemy bot attacks in a controlled manner.

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It's also an excellent opportunity to get your friends to play the game together. As with the other multiplayer game modes, you will be able to change war period, doctrine and other settings. This is one of the two game modes we want to introduce this year.

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[h2]New human models[/h2]
As we discussed in Developer blog 143, the new German and US models will also contribute to more optimization for the game, despite the higher graphical fidelity. For example, one of the optimizations (currently WiP) is for U.S. humanskins. These will have divisional patches as part of their meshes instead of being separate textures. This will reduce memory consumption.

We have engineered the human models to work as best as possible with the current game engine architecture, like mating a hand into its glove. The new German models also use the fully modular approach we pioneered with the US models.
This means that modders can make their own combinations and customization of human models without any knowledge of 3D modeling!

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[h2]New tutorial missions[/h2]
We're completely re-doing our tutorials. As our game grows, it attracts more and more people from outside of the GEM-engine ecosystem, and their comments remind us that the learning curve is steep in any GEM2 game. We are working hard to reduce the learning curve, and we expect that novice players will have way less trouble to settle in and have an overall better experience with these new tutorial missions.

Until now, the tutorial was one long mission. We have decided it was too long, and we’ve broken it down into several smaller missions where the players learn specific parts of the game.
As a result, players will be able to come back and re- visit specific missions for specific gameplay aspects without the need to re- do the entire tutorial.

The new tutorials are also more user friendly. For the first time, they will feature tool-tips and explanation video pop-ups, which will make things much easier to understand.
As a very nice spinoff, modders will also be able to take advantage of the new in-game video popup technology for their own creations.

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[h2]Sound Overhaul Part 2[/h2]
We're really excited to present to you the second part of our critically acclaimed sound overhaul. In Community Update 3 you will be able to hear all the new tank gun and explosion sounds, which will make the game into an even more immersive and cinematic journey. Our sound designer, known in the community as HangEmHigh, summarizes the overhaul as follows;

"Sound Overhaul 2 aims to bring explosive and cannon sound layers up to the same standard as small arms set with Sound Overhaul 1. This means that the total amount of sound variation for these items has increased exponentially, in an effort to both convey a sense of 3d space and keep the soundscape as interesting and dynamic as possible.

Each variation now consists of 3-4 unique sound layers which play with each cannon shot or explosion, like small arms fire; these fade into one another over distance to convey a sense of depth. The sounds themselves have been designed to be realistic and impactful, while also being unique enough from one another so that, with time, players may be able to discern weapons and explosions of different types and sizes, even at distance. Sound Overhaul 2 aims to bring a lot more intensity to the combat experience and I look forward to our players experiencing it, I think it will have been well worth the wait". -HangEmHigh

We have also introduced a new feature to the engine. When a rocket or artillery shell flies by, you will be able to hear the whizz. Previously, we had a separate whistle sound to play with mortars, but now the sound is fully linked to the projectiles. This is particularly immersive in third person.

https://youtu.be/NeTLzd_3Vh4

https://youtu.be/CA6IYtfKAe8

As you can see, a sound overhaul isn’t something you can put together on a sunday afternoon. We are very happy with the new sound design, and you’ll probably agree when you get to hear it yourself, as soon as Community Update 3 is live.

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We are still in the middle of development; it’s too early to determine the exact release date for Community Update 3 right now. However, it will probably be done and tested mid-spring.
We will also run an open beta for CU3 before release. We will keep you posted of course, stay tuned!

• Community update 3 is the 8th big free update for our game
  
• Our game manual is linked on the store page, and HERE
• A new version of the manual is in the works as well

Did your suggestion make it into the update? Let us know in the comments!
That’s it for this blog. Thanks for stopping by, and see you on the battlefield!

Strategy lovers! The fastest growing RTS community is calling you through a historically high discount on everything in our WW2 bundle. If immersion is something you seek, this is the perfect moment to dive into Gates of Hell. Our weekend deal offer has ended, but the sale continues!

Considering the large number of players that still have Gates of Hell on their wishlist, we continue the sale, which will now end on Thursday, January 18th! The discount remains at an all- time high for the duration.

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/26447/Call_to_Arms__WW2/

So, if you'd like to try something else for a change (like first person view for your tank, and 3rd person view for infantry), or if you like it realistic, or simply because you have a passion for history; this is the moment. Don't miss out!

Community members! Our first blog of 2024 is about human models, or “humanskins”, in Call to Arms - Gates of Hell.
Our in-house skin artist (no, not a tattoo artist) is working on some new material.
Read all about what it takes and what you can expect from him in the next community update.
Also, be aware that we are on sale right now. Even Liberation comes at a discount, and the bundle has a record-high discount too! Click below:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/26447/Call_to_Arms__WW2/

[h2]Update[/h2]
The next community update for Call to Arms-Gates of Hell will feature a full rework of the German faction’s models to the same, if not better, standard as the U.S. models which will also be receiving an improvement to their RAM and VRAM usage.

Creating 3d characters and their equipment is a long and arduous process that requires a lot of attention to detail in very specific areas.
Since the release of Gates of Hell: Ostfront, the human models have steadily improved. This goes for models, methods, and optimization strategies.

The Liberation DLC showcased that our new methods work for the GEM engine for 3D characters, and we plan to apply it to all other factions gradually. Germany is the first target, as it is the most diverse and complex faction in terms of the number of different, unique models for their uniforms. Other nations are to follow; mind you, this will take us a long time to complete.

This marks the start of our campaign to bring the human models for all factions to the same quality level. Let’s take a look at some of the new material:



Seen here is just a taste of the deep customization the Germans (and in future updates, Soviet/Finnish) troops will have. The sheer amount of variants for every uniform is extremely vast and modular. Not only that, the RAM and VRAM consumption for these models will be under half of the current models.



Very little detail has been left un-modeled as even the straps of which gear attaches to the belt are given enough fidelity to see how they work and keep items of equipment attached to the rig.



Pictured as well is something done extensively with the USA (and now German) gear selections; gradual wear and opening of certain pouches which for whatever the soldier’s reasons have been undone. Small details like these can help add to a varying degree of looks that either modders, or our mission scripters wish to utilize.



Headwear for the Germans will be expanded as well; we will be adding more variations and detail, based on all of the different functions they had.
Not pictured here are the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine uniforms which were unique to their factions within the German military. Rest assured they shall be covered and as such are currently in development.
All in all, will these be good additions? Let us know in the comments!

[h2]Planning[/h2]
Besides human models, there will be more in the next community update. Release has yet to be scheduled; we’ll tell you more about it in future blogs.
In the meantime, as we have mentioned before, work on the next DLC has already started. We’re not ready to announce it yet, but we will tell you as soon as possible.
So far, we are full speed ahead to fulfill our plans for 2024 and 2025. Stay tuned!

[h2]Did you know?[/h2]

• All 3d models that have to do with humans (specifically uniforms) are usually categorized as ‘humanskins’. This is not a standard name for the industry, we inherited it with the engine.
  
• The same artist who produces the “humanskins” is also working on new human animations!
  
• In GoH, the US was the first faction to be designed from the ground up to have completely modular uniforms, from their gear to their different clothing items.

Community members! We have some exciting news for you: we are running a weekend deal, which is an excellent opportunity for everyone to become aware of the game and try their hand at Call to Arms - Gates of Hell.
Even Liberation comes at a discount for the first time, and the bundle has a record-high discount too! Click below:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/26447/Call_to_Arms__WW2/

[h2]Our plans for 2024[/h2]
The year 2024 is definitely off to a good start for us, as we have been selected by Steam to be on the front page promo this weekend. To find ourselves on the storefront of Steam with the weekend deal is just awesome! Since Liberation was a success, we have a lot of plans to bring even more to the game this year. We will bring you up to speed on the first results of our work in the next devblog.

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In a nutshell, our plans for 2024 are to improve the game in all aspects, so the entire community benefits. We will be adding one or two new game modes in 2024, and we have begun working on the next faction. We are not ready to reveal the next DLC yet, but this is another very exciting project that will add a new layer to the experience for sure. So stay tuned for more, and don’t forget to tell your friends:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/26447/Call_to_Arms__WW2/

[h2]Did you know?[/h2]

• This year will see the 80th anniversary for a lot of decisive ww2 battles; Operation Bagration, D-Day, Market Garden and then some
  
• If you’re new to Gates of Hell, please check our tutorial videos on YouTube
• We will update you on a special kind of development in our devblog, which will be published this weekend