Hello all!
We hope you are well. As you noticed, last week we didn’t publish a DevBlog. This might happen more often in the future, but make no mistake, the Eugen team is very hard at work on all things related to Steel Division 2.
As we are deep in the designing and developing phase on various projects, it is at times better to keep a lid on work-in-progress and wait until we actually have something to show. Like today!
Let’s give a brief update on what’s cooking in the Steel Division 2 kitchen.
Nemesis: Siege of Dunkirk
Our next Nemesis DLC, the Siege of Dunkirk mini-expansion, is ever advancing. We are currently working on the 3D models to be featured, specifically the Allied French infantry deployable as FFO troops. This stands for Forces Françaises de l’Ouest (Western French Forces) which were attached to the Czechoslovakian CIABG battlegroup.
These French squads were almost entirely made up of former FFI maquisards (French partisans) only recently turned into regular soldiers. Nevertheless, these French combatants provided the Allies with almost 65.000 men in September and October 1944, rising to 85.000 soldiers in early 1945.
This influx of manpower was used to block or besiege the various German “fortresses” remaining on the French Atlantic Coast. While the Axis aimed to prevent the use of important harbors, they failed to fix thousands of regular Allied troops with these holdouts. Instead, the Allies deployed reserves, second-line, or improvised forces such as the FFO to great effect, while the veteran armies kept on their drive to Berlin.
The FFO, under French control, were at the complete back of the queue in terms of equipment and supplies. A dire situation compounded by a devastated and still partially occupied country with a provisional government just starting to function. Within this context, the FFO were left in a state of neglect for most of the war. Only through Système D (the soldiers’ own resourcefulness) or with the support of local British, Commonwealth, or American units, could the French stay in the fight. The common joke was that the FFO actually meant Forces Françaises Oubliées with “oubliées” meaning “forgotten.”
Steel Division 2 League’s Season 9
In other news, Steel Division 2 League is back! Our valued community member Protosszocker is at it again, with the League’s 9th Season to kick off on Sunday the 31st of October. Sign-up will close on Tuesday the 25th of October.
No matter the skill level or experience, the Steel Division 2 League is the perfect place for players to enter online competitive Steel Division 2. Higher up the rank ladder, the question remains if our reigning champion Gonz can grab his 6th League title or if someone will step up and finally claim the crown themselves. Regardless of the outcome, either join as a competitor or tune in to watch the League unfold.
More info about Steel Division 2 League can be found here.
Please note that the tournament is not organized by Eugen. We support it by sharing the message and putting Eugen’s stamp of approval for guaranteed fun - but that’s it!
Bidding you au revoir!
Before we leave you, a small update on the upcoming major expansion Steel Division 2: Blood Feud in Transylvania. The new Oarba map, a 2vs2 battlefield, is nearing completion. All victory conditions (Capture the Flag and Destruction) and deployment modes (Meeting Engagement, Closer Combat, and Breakthrough) have been completed. The AI behavior on these maps still needs to be set and tweaked, but we are getting closer!
That’s it. Join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be found on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield, commander!