Update 1.0.8.2 - Combined Content and Polish Update

Update 1.0.8.2 is here with a host of improvements and content additions, big and small! On the UI/immersion side, we are very keen to hear your feedback on our first pass at turn resolution and C2 visualization improvements. On the content side, we have a ton of additions to German and Soviet forces in 1941, namely a the addition of 2 full new OBs: Heeresgruppe Nord, and its Soviet adversary the Northwestern Front, as well as an update to the "standard" German 1941 OB. All in all, lots of fun new explosive toys to throw around, and general interface improvements.

Immersive Turn Resolution and Dynamic Command Hierarchies:

Update 1.0.8.2 brings an experimental pass at improving the visualization of turn results and better visualizing command/control hierarchies. We are particularly interested in player feedback on both systems.

Improving Turn Resolution/Replays:

We have several improvements that affect both turn resolution, and the replay system:

1. Hexes now highlight after combats/barrages/air attacks, and keep a running tally of total casualties, per side, in that hex during the turn.

2. Enemy units now display directional movement arrows when they attempt to move/attack into one of your units, or your Zone of Control.

3. Turn replays include a modified version of both above changes that reflect what happened in each impulse, so you can better analyze what happened as the turn unfolded in retrospective.

In our internal testing we have found: 1) works incredibly well, and makes it MUCH easier to visualize what is actually happening as a turn unfolds. 2) Is a helpful addition. 3) Is a good pilot, but it only scratches the surface of what we could potentially do with replays, since replays do not have to worry about moving quickly, unlike turn resolution itself.

Regarding point 2, we initially experimented with displaying both side’s movement lines and color coding them, but this caused contested frontlines to descend into unreadable tangles of movement lines as both sides attempt march attacks through each other. Internally, we have discussed the idea of adding a series quick filter system to the turn replay system to let the player decide what interaction lines (movement, artillery, etc.), per side, they want to see and leave it to player discretion. But we have not yet prototyped that concept.

Visualizing Command Hierarchies

One of the biggest challenges in any large-scale CAOS scenario is identifying what units are relevant to each other at a glance. Who shares the same command hierarchies and thus, what units can benefit from integrity bonuses together? To help tackle this challenge, selecting any friendly unit will now highlight subordinate units with blue frames, and superior units/sister units (those that share the same higher command), with green frames. This change allows you to visualize connections between entire blocks of units extremely rapidly. For instance, select a Corps HQ and see every single unit descended from it highlighted at once, from division commands all the way down to individual companies detached from some distant subordinate. This mechanic only shows the current, unbroken, chain of command. If an intermediate unit/HQ somewhere along the chain is destroyed, then its subordinates will no longer be highlighted by their former higher command as they are no longer eligible for integrity combat bonuses.

Heeresgruppe Nord and the Northwestern Front

Heeresgruppe Nord and the Soviet Northwestern Front in their late June/early July organizations have been added as playable OBs in any game mode. These are both Army Group level OBs, composed of 3 armies each, so we cannot fit a full discussion of either OB into