Hello Recruits!
The Offensive Game Mode is getting a refresh!
(This is a summary of a chat we had on Discord - feel free to join!)
(There will also be an updated roadmap coming soon - stay tuned)
The Current State of Offensive
When reviewing Offensive, there are a few points that we want to address with a rework:
- The Layer System: Maps have multiple Offensive layers, but only Layer 01 is generally played, resulting in matches with the same capture points each time. The large number of layers for each map also makes it difficult to implement changes (as well as takes up extra disk space).
- Repetitiveness: Due to the predictability of matches, Attackers are familiar with each point, leading to a meta of pre-capturing points before they become active. This can result in "snowball" matches, where defenders often struggle to keep up and lose multiple points in quick succession.
- Lack of Frontline: The pre-capping meta leads to attackers constantly flanking and setting up behind the active defence point, eroding the concept of a clear frontline.
What’s New with Offensive?
Here’s the plan to address those pain points:
Randomizing the Capture Points
- Instead of fixed layers, only one Offensive layer is needed.
- Attackers will only know the first objective, and will only learn the next point after the previous point has been captured. Defenders will know the entire sequence of capture points at the start of the match.
- The sequence of points is random each time, allowing for more replayability
Cooldown and Defender Protection
- After Attackers capture a point, there will be a two-minute grace period where Attackers will be told to “regroup and prepare for the next assault” before the next point goes live.
- During this time, Defenders get a fixed spawn on the next point, giving them a chance to regroup and prepare for the Attackers
- If an Attacker tries to find and correctly guesses the next point during the two-minute cooldown, they (and their vehicles) will get a UI warning and take damage over time until they leave the area to prevent pre-capping.
Red Zone Changes
- Only the active capture point will have a flag red zone.
- Main base red zones will dynamically adjust: Attacker red zone will grow and Defender red zone will shrink as points are captured, maintaining a safe area for both mains and a "corridor" in between where both teams can engage.
Staging Phase
- Before the match, Attackers are stuck at main base waiting until Staging ends
- Defenders are free to move out of their main base during Staging to set up defenses on the first point
Other Changes
- Rally/Radio Limits: The spawn tent limit will be slightly decreased, but the radio limit will stay the same, allowing more defensive building positions without necessarily having extra spawn points.
- Replacement of Old Layers: Random Offensive will fully replace the old, fixed offensive layers, with 5 randomized Capture Points per match
Offensive Re-work Public Playtest - NEW DATE/TIME
Interested in playing this new version of Offensive? Join us for a Public Playtest on December 10th @ 12 PM PT (8 PM GMT) on the Squad 44 Public Testing App!
How to Join:
- Download the Squad 44 Public Testing App (this is available to you if you own Squad 44 - if you can’t see it, in Steam under “View” at the top, select “Hidden Games”
- Hop on at the scheduled testing time! Servers will not be available beforehand.