If you own any of the cosmetic DLC for Isonzo, you’ll know that those DLC were big packs containing a uniform for every class in the game, for two factions. For Gallipoli, we’re approaching it differently!
The fact that supply lines on the Ottoman Fronts weren’t the most reliable meant many soldiers had to make do with the equipment available to them, instead of fighting in complete standardized uniforms. This however allows us to not only change how we approach customisation without breaking immersion, but cosmetic DLC as well. Instead of large packs containing six class-exclusive uniforms for two factions, for Gallipoli we’re releasing smaller packs each containing two uniforms for one faction.
This new setup should be quite beneficial to you. The equipment you get is more flexible; it can freely be mixed and matched across classes within a subfaction, with the exception of Officer uniforms being exclusive to the Officer class. Additionally, each pack will be cheaper, and combined with the more granular approach, you can be a lot more selective with which uniforms you get!
As always, getting any of these DLC is entirely optional. To enjoy all gameplay-affecting content Gallipoli has and will ever get, you’ll only need the base game. These DLC are extras to support us through growing development costs while allowing us to keep the price of Gallipoli itself at €30!
Now that you know the new setup, let’s take a look at the cosmetic DLC Packs available on launch.
Sunburnt
‘Sunburnt’ is inspired by the soldiers of the British empire who experienced the war near the Sinai desert. In February 1915, the Ottomans staged a daring raid on the Suez Canal that was defeated by the British defenders. In 1917, the men of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force crossed the Sinai to attack Ottoman forces in Palestine.
In comparison to the rain and mud associated with the Western Front, the soldiers fighting in the Middle East experienced very different conditions. The ‘Sunburnt’ pack introduces new clothing (or indeed lack of!) as options for British soldiers, based upon these experiences. An officer shirt with rolled sleeves and headwear with neck covers are included. Players also now have the option to go into battle with a bare-chest, if you really want to attempt a proper tan!
Conscript
‘Conscript’ is inspired by the soldiers who were brought into the Ottoman Empire’s armed forces in order to cope with the requirements of fighting on multiple fronts during the war. The Ottoman Empire was vast and included many different races and emerging nationalities. In order to fight in Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and the Caucasus, the Ottomans needed to make use of all the manpower they had available.
In order to deal with the war’s demands, the Ottomans conscripted thousands of Arab men to fight in their army. This new DLC introduces new options based on these conscripts. For officers, there is a stylish officer's Ghutra with Agal and an officer's tunic representing the rank of Kaymakam (Lieutenant Colonel). Along with new uniform options for regular soldiers, a Keffiyeh headdress with a simple Agal is also included for the infantry.
Light Horse
‘Light Horse’ is inspired by the iconic Australian Light Horse, who served in Gallipoli and the Middle East. As mounted infantry, the Light Horse provided invaluable service across multiple theatres against the Ottoman Empire. They are perhaps most famous for their doomed attacks across the Nek in August 1915 at Gallipoli.
The Light horse’s uniform had many distinctive elements that reflected their role as soldiers who served both on horseback and on foot. We have reproduced them in this pack. These include the famous slouch hat with emu feathers and the new Light Horse uniform and webbing designed for the cavalry. We’ve also included the famous ‘greyback’ undershirt to ensure you look your best before battle.
Ordered to Die
‘Ordered to Die’ is inspired by one of the decisive moments of the Gallipoli campaign. As British, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers landed on the beaches of Gallipoli on 25th April 1915, the Ottoman defenders faced the most serious threat to the Empire for the entire war. With reinforcements not yet arriving to bolster their numbers, the situation looked dire. Near Anzac Cove Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal (later Ataturk) gave his most famous command to his soldiers: ‘I don’t order you to attack, I order you to die. By the time we are dead, other units and commanders will have come up to take our place’. The determination of these Ottoman soldiers ensured that the landings failed.
This pack is inspired by the Ottoman forces who resisted the Gallipoli landings in 1915. It provides new uniforms for Ottoman soldiers and officers to wear, whether defending the beaches of Gallipoli or fighting on the battlefields of Mesopotamia and beyond. It includes a Staff Officer's uniform, as well as an alternate version of the kalpak with the grey outer lining and red top. For regular soldiers, a fez with a tassel is now available as headgear, along with a short pocketless tunic variant and standard trousers in darker colours.
These four packs make up the first season of DLC, which we call the First Expedition! You can get them on August 20 with the release of Gallipoli.
Additionally, the Second Expedition of DLC will kick of with the release as well. This season’s DLC will gradually be released alongside free content updates to the game. The first of these is Besieged, available on August 20!
Besieged
‘Besieged’ reflects the experiences of the soldiers who were trapped in Kut. Following their defeat at Ctesiphon in Mesopotamia, the 6th (Poona) Division of the Indian Army, commanded by General Townshend retreated to Kut where, from 7th December 1915, they were besieged by the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans launched multiple attacks to take the town but, whilst the defences held the soldiers within began to starve. Eventually Townshend surrendered his forces on 29th April and the survivors were taken prisoner.
New uniforms and customisation options are included here for both Indian and British soldiers, inspired by the defenders of Kut. The new items reflect the experience of a prolonged siege, with equipment - such as empty ammo pouches - indicative of dwindling supplies. Many of the defenders were Indians and a worn variant of the Punjabi Musulman turban, an open version of the Indian Kurta (tunic), and bare feet are included to represent their experiences.
The other packs included in the Second Expedition will be revealed as they release.
We hope you like the look of those! Now that uniforms have been split into multiple parts, we’re really curious too see what kind of combinations you’ll come up with. The release of Gallipoli is only 3 weeks away now, so be sure you have the game wishlisted to be notified of when it goes live! Even in this final stretch, it still really helps us out.