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Dev Blog - The Plan for the Pacific

What a year, recruits!

As we move closer to the release of the Pacific, we wanted to update you on the current plan for its release. We’ve had to pivot a bit, but you’ll still be able to storm the beaches of Iwo Jima before the year ends.

The Iwo Jima map is complete; however, it requires much more extensive testing before our major release. With winter holidays right around the corner, we decided to use this period of time for public playtesting rather than releasing the map too early in an unoptimised state. This way, you’ll still be able to check out Iwo Jima before the end of the year and assist with the map development. The amount of work that has gone into this map is staggering, and we want to give it proper justice.

So, with all that being said, here’s the current plan for the Iwo Jima release:

[h2]Phase 1 - Prepping for the Pacific[/h2]

An update will be released this week. It will include a lot of Pacific content, such as the new weapons, vehicles, new faction uniforms, etc., but it will not include the Iwo Jima map. You’ll be able to check out this new content on the Arnhem Range, shooting range, and now our brand new subway Museum, which we showed off during our last livestream.



This update will also include general bug fixes and new admin tools to help with server administration. Changelog coming soon.

[h2]Phase 2 - Public Playtests for Iwo Jima[/h2]

Public playtesting for Iwo Jima will start Dec 15th to 16th. This will be done on the Squad 44 - Public Testing app. If you own Squad 44 and do not see this app in your Steam library, click on “View” at the top left and then on “Hidden Games”. You should now be able to download the Squad 44 - Public Testing app. This will be where all public playtests will happen.



There are also discussions about another playtest before the end of December, but this still needs to be confirmed. Once I have more information, I will make an announcement!

[h2]Phase 3 - Iwo Jima gets released to Squad 44[/h2]

Once the map has been tested extensively and deemed to be in a good place performance-wise, it will be released to the main Squad 44 app, likely in early 2025. Please join us if you’re available during the public playtests, as data from these tests will help us immensely. Even if you’re AFK during the test, sitting on the server allows us to get important information about server load, so please come along if you’re available!



Thank you so much for all your support this year. We plan to continue to be open and transparent with you as we develop Squad 44 going forward. With your support, we can ensure that SQ44 takes its place as the best WW2 tactical FPS out there in 2025.

And for those who missed it, here’s the trailer for the Pacific Front!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Nominate Squad 44 for the Steam Awards

With the Steam Autumn Sale kicking off today, nominations for the 2024 Steam Awards are now underway. We hope you'll consider nominating Squad 44 for the Labor of Love Award.

Squad 44 has truly been a labor of love.


From the people who have developed Squad 44 over the years, to the players who have been with us since the very beginning, Squad 44 is a game that just won’t quit. With the upcoming release of the Pacific Chapter, we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Over the past year, we announced our plans with the release of the 6-month roadmap, setting the framework for the changes and improvements the team was ready to take on.

In the middle of the year, we released the Reign of Steel update, our largest update to date. This update included massive vehicle updates, with around 40 new vehicles joining the Squad 44 arsenal. We also introduced a brand new gamemode, Frontline, which has been receiving great feedback from the community.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
As the year moved forward, we updated our roadmap and officially announced that we’re introducing the Pacific as the newest theatre for Squad 44 , with the first update coming before the end of this year. So much hard work and dedication has gone into the making of the first map, Iwo Jima, and we can’t wait to get this update into your hands.

We wouldn’t be here without the incredible support from this community, and for that, we are truly grateful. Being nominated for the Labor of Love Award would mean so much to us, so please consider choosing Squad 44 for this year's Steam Awards.

If you haven't already, you can pick up Squad 44 for 50% off until the end of the Steam Autumn Sale. We'll see you on the Pacific Front, soon enough!

[h2]Offworld out.[/h2]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/736220/Squad_44/

Save 50% off of Squad 44

[h2]Ready up, Recruits! [/h2]

Squad 44 will be on sale during Steam Autumn Sale for 50% OFF! This offer lasts from November 27th until the Autumn Sale ends on December 4th, so grab a discounted copy for you or your friends during this limited time!

Watch the latest live stream showcasing our upcoming Pacific Update here. Now is a great time to pick up the game at a discounted price!

[h2]Offworld out.[/h2]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/736220/Squad_44/

HOTFIX - Changelog V1.4.2

Hey folks! We have a small hotfix coming your way! Check out the full changelog below:

[h2]Changelog - Hotfix 30 October 2024[/h2]
Bugfixes
  • Multiple optimization changes to improve game stability and performance:
  • Disabled multiple unused vehicle overlaps
  • Fixed that ragdoll was still active after the dead player doesn't move at all anymore
  • Fixed that animations still play while the client can't see them
  • Improved some animations tick
  • Improved that some wires is always ticking for players while doing nothing
  • Fixed a server crashing bug
  • And some other small things
  • Fix of a possible client/server crash with the external tank seats
  • Fix that the game is not fully closing/shutdown after exit
  • Possible fix for the GeForce NOW problem
  • Possible fix that tanks disable Spawn tents
  • Fixed that the cap status info UI shows wrong flag or neutral flag on first cap
  • Possible first fix for problems with the key settings menu
  • Fixed some buildings you can shot through
  • Add a fail state to remove redzones before switching maps, to avoid a wrong redzone on next map
  • Removed internal browser in main menu that created some problems (wrong mouse positions and cursor, etc.)
Level design
  • Fixed on Colmar to have a damage zone in the middle of the map
  • Fixed wrong underwater FX on Utah
  • Fixed false underwater damages on Utah
  • Fixed false underwater damages on Stonne
  • Fixed false underwater damages on Doorwerth
Newly added
  • Add a new system to show the cap status directly on minimap
  • Updated Colmar minimap
  • Updated Foy minimap
  • Updated Hagenau minimap

Starship Troopers: Extermination Is Out Now!

Recruits!

We wanted to share some news from the other side of Offworld that you may not be familiar with — our friends on the Starship Troopers: Extermination team are excited to announce that their 16-player co-op FPS has now left Early Access! In addition to launching 1.0 today, it’s also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Starship Troopers: Extermination features 16 player co-op matches, multiple classes, an arsenal of weapons and abilities, and the Carnage system — a tech advancement developed right here at Offworld. As you take out bug after bug, their corpses will pile up, so much so that living enemies can use them as bridges into your base!

If you’re a fan of the films, want to take the fight to the Bugs, or enjoy base-building and teamwork, check out Starship Troopers: Extermination!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1268750/Starship_Troopers_Extermination/