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2.0 UPDATE - The Pacific Front: Iwo Jima

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Folks,

It’s finally here. Today, on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, is the first update for the Pacific Front. Let’s go over the first Pacific Front update and the first new map, Iwo Jima!

What’s New


[h2]The Pacific Front - Iwo Jima[/h2]

This update brings the battle to the island of Iwo Jima, with the Imperial Japanese Army defending its territory against the invading United States Forces. The in-game map size is a faithful recreation of the southern half of the island, in a 1:1 scale, including Mt Suribachi’s height of 169m above sea level.



In addition to battling across the expansive topography, there is also an extensive tunnel network through Mt. Suribachi, which opens up more intense close-combat and strategic scenarios.



It was our goal to make this the most faithful representation of Iwo Jima in a game created to date, and utilized countless maps, photos and aerial images to ensure this.

[h2]New Factions - 5th Marine Division and the Imperial Japanese Army[/h2]



The USMC and IJA are the two playable factions available on the Iwo Jima map. A lot of work has been done to ensure that representations are authentic, with unique weapons, utilities, and animations.



The USMC come prepared with unique weapons, including the Winchester M1912 Shotgun and the M2-2 Flamethrower.



They also have new vehicles, including marine-modified Shermans, and LVT Amphibious Vehicles.



The IJA have a wide variety of weapons at their disposal, including the Type 38 and Type 99 Arisaka and the Type 95 Shin-Gunto sword.

Armour is limited, with vehicles such as the Ha-Go and Chi-Ha tanks, but the IJA have a large number of anti-tank weapons, including the Lunge Mine, for balance.



Check out the full changelog below for complete update details:

[h2]Changelog - Update 2.0 [/h2]

Please clear the cache before entering a server!

Level Design
  • Added Iwo Jima Map
    • 3x Seeding Layers
    • 2x Frontline layers
    • 6x Offensive Layers
  • Updated Hangar to show more AT weapons on display
  • Added new MSP/Inf Logi/Cdr car spawners on Best, Carentan,
  • Added seeding layers to Grave, Hagenau, Heelsum, Oosterbeek, Maleme, Rethymno
Gamemodes
  • Added extra Satchel Charge explosives to attacking Rifleman class on all Frontline layers
Weapons
  • Added attachable bayonet to RSC 1917 Semi-automatic Rifle
  • Added correctly modelled Berthier M1916 Carbine bayonet
  • Added M2-2 Flamethrower (USMC)
  • Added Type 97 81mm deployable mortar (Japanese)
  • Added WW1-era M1918 BAR, set fire rate to 500rpm, and includes a semi-automatic firing mode.
  • Added No68 AT Rifle Grenade (ANZAC Grenadier)
  • Improved bolting and reload animations for the K98k, G98 and K88 rifles and increased bolting speed slightly
  • Refined zeroing of K98k
  • Removed +1 round for K98k scoped variant
  • Increased reload speed slightly for the Berthier M1916 Carbine
  • Increased reload speed slightly for the M1928 Thompson SMG with Drum Magazine
  • Increased stabbing speed on carbine and SMG bayonets by 30%
  • Raised stabbing angle on Lee Enfields, RSC and Lebel bayonets so that they don’t stab downwards when charging
  • Added ADS depth of field for Mannlicher 1903 Rifle
  • Improved bolting animations for the Enfield 1917 Rifle
  • Improved bolting animations for the Berthier M1907/15 Rifle
  • Improved animations for the Reichs Revolver and M1911
  • Modified Reichs Revolver firing animation so it behaves like a single-action revolver
  • Improved base grip poses for the Enfield Mk2 pistol and Mle1873 Revolver
  • Re-added pistol to German 1940 MG08/15 Machine Gunner kit
  • Fixed MP40 bolt snapping into different positions when firing
  • Refined textures of the Mle. 1873 Revolver so it’s less shiny
  • Refined textures of the Berthier M1907/15
  • Replaced C96 pistol with its Beyond the Wire counterpart and increased recoil slightly
  • Removed ADS blur on Type 14 Nambu and Luger pistols
  • Fixed missing explosion impact effects to German AT rifle grenades on some surfaces
  • Increased interactable area for M2 .50 cal AA emplacement
  • Updated firing audio for buildable 4-inch mortar to be a much more powerful sound
  • Tweaked foley on the M1 Carbine reloads
  • Added a ping-ring sound on bolting/tactical reloading for K98k, G98, Lee Enfields, P14s and Springfields
  • Allowed AT rocket launchers to be fired when prone (but not reloadable when prone)
  • Reduced raw damage output on AT Rifle Grenades, placing a larger emphasis on hitting components vs just the hull to be effective
Vehicles
  • Added new Type 95 Kurogane Car, transport and command car variants (Japanese)
  • Shortened M4A3E2 Jumbo reload time to 5 seconds from 7.8
  • Refined AEC Armoured Car armour values to real-world values
  • Engine audio tweaks for the King Tiger, Tiger, Jagdtiger, R35, B1 Bis, Somua, Jagdpanzer IV, Nashorn, Panzer 38t, Panzer II, Panzer III, Panzer III Aust. F, Sdkfz 222, Sdkfz 232, Sdkfz 234, Stummel, Puma, Daimler, AEC, Tetrarch, Challenger, Cromwell, Valentine, Comet, Matilda, Sherman M4A2, Sherman M4A3, Sherman Firefly, M10 Wolverine, M18 Hellcat, M24 Pershing, Stuart, M8 Greyhound tanks
  • Adjusted engine starting and stopping times of tanks to better match their audio cues
  • Increased top speed of the Jagdpanzer IV L48 from 30 kph to 40 kph; L70 variant to 35 kph
  • Set all light vehicles (Cars, Trucks etc) to use a smaller attenuation engine sound radius compared to tanks
  • Updated Shell audio cue with added foley
  • Increased 128mm/120mm AP rounds hull damage to 1750 from 500
  • Increased 128mm HIGr39C HEAT rounds hull damage to 1750 from 1000
  • Slightly increased damage of PzGr43 128mm APCBC and PzGr39 APC rounds
  • Resized Sherman M4A3 fuel tanks to fit under the armour collision mesh
  • Added fuel tank weak spots to M20 Armoured Car
  • Increased M18 Hellcat health to 1500 from 1000
  • Increased health values of armoured half-tracks to be more survivable against AT weapons.
  • Refined Comet, Churchill MkVII, Cromwell MkIV, M10 Achilles and AEC Mk.III cannon collision meshes to be actually armoured and protected (no longer vulnerable to machine gun fire)
Game Mechanics
  • Set range focus time to 25 seconds with approx 10 seconds to refill
  • Set stamina to 10% on revive
  • Interact time set to one second for every emplaced weapon
  • Refined compass range information (500m: 100m steps)
  • Increased sound attenuation on bayonet charge shouting to 80m from 50m
Bug Fixes
  • Fixed crashes related to cached objects, sound decompression
  • Fixed Panzer 3 turret materials miss-match
  • Fixed spelling of “Mannlicher” on some Greek roles
  • Fixed Greek Faction Logistics weapon radial
  • Fixed German Fallschirmjäger Grenadier kit missing actual grenade launcher
  • Possible fix for random gunshot sounds on certain maps
  • Possible fix for invisible rally points
  • Fixed Greek mortar playing pistol firing sound with no attenuation
  • Fixed Axis light tank track sounds being louder than its engine
  • Fixed hand clipping on K98k reloads
  • Fixed lunge mine not allowing for charging
  • Fixed an admin tooltip error showing players in wrong teams
  • Fixed in-game help showing always an enemy objective on frontline layers
  • Fixed in-game help replication bug
  • Fixed Arnhem vehicle spawners
  • Fixed SM_HedgeA LOD
  • Fixed broken foliage imposters
  • Updated Crete map foliage imposters
  • Fixed floating flames on German truck objective wrecks
  • Fixed Bunker E objective spawning at 180 degrees wrong rotation
  • Fixed missing and misconfigured weather and global wind systems on some maps
  • Fixed incorrect headgear spawning for dead soldiers
  • Fixed 101st Winter Faction all using the same player mesh
  • Fixed French Colmar factions
  • Fixed Springfield sniper having double sling loops
  • Fixed French sapper missing repair wrench
  • Fixed wrong winter vehicles on Colmar
  • Fixed 3p player mesh animation on revive (players should hear footsteps again after being revived)
  • Fixed floating right hand on BAR sprinting animation
  • Fixed G43 left hand when sprinting
  • Fixed Hotchkiss tank and Citroen car missing from hangar
  • Fixed Stonne player spawns
  • Fixed SME offset forward logistics truck
  • Fixed Dinant player spawning on rooftops
  • Possible fix for upgraded deployables not replacing original
  • Possible fix for flags showing neutral on compass
  • Fixed Hagenau Of2 underground ammo crate
  • Possible fix for the walking dead bug
  • Possible fix for server client desync on vehicles
  • Fixed saturation slider bug
  • Fixed AT guns not rearming all ammo
Optimisation
  • Reduced hard references from 5.3GB to 3.7GB
  • Smoke grenade material optimisation
  • Non WP smoke grenade cloud optimisations
  • Optimised collision volume for rally points
  • Optimised collision volumes for Frontline bunker objectives
  • Optimised collisions for emplacements
  • Optimised collisions for a number of map furniture items and foliage
  • Optimised map markers to tick only when visible
  • Refined LOD distances of several meshes
  • Large number of optimisations involving the addition of LODs to assets that didn’t previously have LODs
  • Updated and optimised HLODs
Other
  • Updated Main Menu splash screens
  • Added community tutorial videos section to main menu
  • Added Iwo Jima trailer as the start-up movie
  • Reduce game size by removing unused old squad files
  • Set in-game help to be on as default (may be turned off in settings)
  • Updated in-game event help
  • Updated DLSS to 3.7
  • Updated FSR
  • Upscaled Main Menu with FSR
  • Disabled FSR on by default in-game
  • Updated Ansel and Reflex plugins
  • Updated NIS
  • Removed Recruit role from section loadout options
  • Added loading screen for local play levels
  • Moved kill messages to use chat instead of toast to allow content creators ability to hide
  • Streamer mode now hides text chat on UI
  • Added burning/screaming VOs
  • Added two-shot Flamethrower tank detonation mechanic
  • Updated Game Credits
  • Added seeding game mode to MapRotation.cfg
  • Fixed several spelling errors across the game
  • Added text to server browser refresh button
  • Updated Main Menu dev announcement
Known Bugs
  • WP Smoke grenades lacking correct VFX (hotfix to follow as priority)
  • Commander call in artillery inconsistent (hotfix to follow as priority)

Iwo Jima Public Playtest - January 29th

We’ll be hosting a public playtest for our upcoming Iwo Jima map starting Jan 29th 2025, 19:00 UTC, for 24 hours!

The playtest will be held on the “Squad 44 - Public Testing” app, which is different from the main game. If you cannot locate it in your library, go to the top of Steam, click on “View”, and then “Hidden Games”.





We hope to have several servers up during this time, but if servers are full, please still join the queues, as this helps us with server stress testing.

Cheers, folks! See you on Iwo Jima!

Happy Holidays, Recruits!



LISTEN UP RECRUITS!


For our last transmission of the year, we at Offworld wanted to thank you for being the best community we could ask for. This year has truly been incredible and we are excited to show what we have planned for next year!

But for now, eat well, spend time with loved ones, and we will see back in the studio, January 6th!

[h2]HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!![/h2]

Pick up Squad 44 during the Steam Winter Sale for 60% off until January 2, 2025:

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

Save 60% off of Squad 44

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

Squad 44 will be on sale during Steam Autumn Sale for 60% OFF! This offer lasts from December 19th until the Winter Sale ends on January 2nd, 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 v1.5.2

Hey folks, here's a quick hotfix for you! This fix addresses the short ADS time, colour grading and other fixes; please read the full changelog for complete information!

Cheers!

[h2]Changelog[/h2]

[h3]Please clear the cache before entering a server![/h3]

Level Design
  • Fixed Best seeding has way too dark light layer
  • Fixed Carentan seeding loads frontline
  • Fixed Foy offensive forward supplies are empty
  • Fixed subway range RP says it can be time extended
  • Optimised Arnhem/Subway range targets
  • Fixed Subway Range targets not respawning after being destroyed.
Weapons
  • Increased damage effectiveness of the Lunge Mine, it should do more catastrophic damage to the vehicle and it's components.
  • Fixed Lunge Mine not killing the user when hitting a target from certain angles.
  • Fixed crashing local play bug with Lunge mine
  • Fixed texture error on the M1912 Shotgun, Type 1 TB Smoke Grenade and Type 100 Late war variant.
  • Updated textures on the Type 4 Ceramic Grenade and Kaenbin Petrol Bomb.
  • Fixed Type 97 Fragmentation round on the Knee Mortar not dealing damage
  • Added a hissing sound to the Type 97 frag grenade when thrown.
  • Updated animations on the Shin Gunto sword.
  • Fixed Greek Knife growing huge on equip and unequip
  • Added sparks and blood impacts for the bayonet and knife thrusting.
  • Fixed Sten Mk V bayonet dealing no damage
  • Fixed FG42 Bayonet dealing no damage.
  • Added Pattern 1907 bayonet as a melee weapon for the ANZACs
  • Attached a bayonet to the Type 100 Grenade Launchers.
  • Added more unique foley for the bayonet and knives.
  • Lowered volume of the Bayonet charge screaming voices.
  • Fixed sight alignment on higher zero settings on the Arisaka Type 44 Carbine.
  • Set K98k to use the animations from the K98AZ
  • Added +1 in the Chamber for the G41, K98 and K98 Scoped
  • Added Berthier M1907/15 as a rifleman option for the French 1940
  • Replaced Lebel with the older Berthier M1907/15 rifle on the French 1940 recruit kit
  • Toned down ping noise from the Knee Mortar firing sound
  • Added shovels to German Machine Gunners
  • Added knives to German, US and UK Machine Gunners, removed 1911 sidearms from BAR Gunners
  • Set type 11, Type 96, Type 99 LMGs, MP40 and STG44 to not have overlapping burst fire audio on single shots while on Auto fire mode
Vehicles
  • Reduced cost of M3 AT Gun and Type 1 AT guns to 500 from 800
  • Reduced cost of MG42 Bunker to 250 to keep it in line with the other MG bunkers.
  • Fixed Type 92 HMG Heavy Bunker variant not being enterable
  • Cleaned up damage settings on the Type 10, Type 88 and Type 96 world emplacements so that they can be destroyed in the same way standard deployables can be destroyed
  • Added unique cannon firing audio for 37mm, 40mm, 90mm and 128mm cannon ammunition.
  • Fixed British Sherman V tank playing American voice overs.
  • Added more unique engine sounds for Tractor, Sturer Emil, Panzer 38t (and derived vehicles), B1 Bis, Jagdtiger, King - Tiger, Nashorn, Matilda, Vickers MkVI, Valentine, Type 94 Truck, Tetrarch, Pershing, M10 Tank Destroyer, LVTs, Ha - Go, Chiha, Challenger, Jagdpanzer IV, Comet, Sdkfz 222 and AEC Armoured Car.
  • Added new mechanical foley for reloading and switching ammo on tank guns.
  • Fixed wreck meshes on the LVTs.
  • Fixed Puma driver not being able to be killed when the driver hatch is open.
  • Attempted fix for weak tank coaxial MGs
  • Fixed Chi Ha Kai Late War variant crashing on commander seat
  • Fixed French Infantry Logi passenger seat clipping through the back of the vehicle
Game Mechanics
  • Fixed melee hitting targets behind the first victim.
  • Updated focus time when ADSing + added focus bar
  • Fixed players screaming multiple times at the same time, forcing the audio to overlap.
  • Fixed teleportation bug when using the bipod on the small pontoon assets in Operation Market Garden maps.
  • Fixed Admin Cam stuck in Manage menu
  • Fixed spelling mistake on kit change crate from "Armys" to "Armies"
  • Disabled dead soldier outline visible after leaving admin cam
  • Tweaked naming of some roles to be more historically accurate
  • Potential fix for colour grading slider resetting to 0.5 at times
  • Tessellation distance slider set to (15-50), default set to 15
  • Lowered camera shake on turret/emplaced MGs
  • Enabled new player tooltip system
Known Bugs:
  • Some tooltips are too high, like on the movable AT-Guns
  • Some tooltips show "Press F to enter" on deployables not yet fully built
  • Tooltip missing on Regroup Call
  • MP40 sound cue plays a little bit too fast
  • 1940 Wehrmacht mg08 kit missing a pistol
  • 1944 FJ Grenadier missing grenade rifle
  • K98k firing pin is not animated
  • STG44 sometimes has double shell cases ejecting