HD Link

Hello everybody! Thanks for solving our little challenge from the last dev blog! Today's topic regards the map ‘Dolgelin’, which we want to show you and talk about! This week’s devblog comes courtesy of the project’s level design lead.


The Battle of the Seelow Heights was one of the last offensives against the Third Reich before the capture of Berlin. The major battle, also known as the battle of the Oder, marked the end of the German eastern front. Amidst the center of the Soviet main attack lies stranded the village of Dolgelin, which was an important spot to reach the ridge of the Seelow Heights, a well prepared defensive position, which provided perfect cover for German troops to hold the frontline in the north of the area. In April 1945, the Soviets reached the road towards Dolgelin, and the Germans were hence commanded to blockade it at all costs.


HD Link


HD Link

Field Marshal Zhukov prepared a cunning tactic when attacking the Seelow Heights. Before dawn, a staggering array of searchlights would be switched on towards the germans. This was to clear the way for the Soviet infantry and also aimed to demoralise and scare the Germans. However, they were quickly switched off since they did not complete the roles they were intended to, instead outlining the silhouettes of the soviet infantry to the German trenches.

The road towards Dolgelin included two anti tank ditches, right and left of the road, as first defending line. The high and soft ground next to the street made it hard for Soviet tanks to outflank the dangerous position. They were forced to drive on the main pathways, which was making them easy targets for the Germans.


HD Link



With heavy casualties on both sides, the Soviets were able to breach the small sector, advancing into the little village, which was additionally strengthened with tank traps. In April 16, 1945, six Kingtigers belonging to the heavy SS Panzerabteilung 502 were used to defend the second defensive line at the crossroads (railway transition) at the village of Dolgelin. Soon enough they fought against 20 T-34s of the 1st Guards' Armored Brigade, which they were able to defeat. When it got dark, the heavy tanks were forced to retreat, because they lacked the immediate protection of their own infantry, and the cost of having lost such valuable tanks were too high to run the risk.


HD Link

The Germans, as it happened often in late war, used the special landscape (in this example the Seelow Heights) in their favor. The elevated ground was excellent for heavy anti-tank guns positions and to keep the overview over the battlefield, which leaded to big advantages within the fights.


HD Link


HD Link


In its area of attack, the Soviet 1st armored army deployed with about 600 tanks and self-propelled vehicles between the Seelow Heights line and Sachsendorf area (ca. 10 km). From a statistical point of view, this would mean that there was a soviet tank rolling each 10m along the front. The unit strength relation (men) of the whole Battle of Seelow was about 10:1.


HD Link

What are your impressions about the Dolgelin area? What points were most interesting for you? Is there something additionally that you like to know? Please share your ideas and discuss below in the comments.

Last but not least, we hope you had some excellent time during christmas and we wish you a great start to 2018, which will be the year so many of you are waiting for!

HD Link

Hello everybody! Thanks for solving our little challenge from the last dev blog! Today's topic regards the map ‘Dolgelin’, which we want to show you and talk about! This week’s devblog comes courtesy of the project’s level design lead.


The Battle of the Seelow Heights was one of the last offensives against the Third Reich before the capture of Berlin. The major battle, also known as the battle of the Oder, marked the end of the German eastern front. Amidst the center of the Soviet main attack lies stranded the village of Dolgelin, which was an important spot to reach the ridge of the Seelow Heights, a well prepared defensive position, which provided perfect cover for German troops to hold the frontline in the north of the area. In April 1945, the Soviets reached the road towards Dolgelin, and the Germans were hence commanded to blockade it at all costs.


HD Link


HD Link

Field Marshal Zhukov prepared a cunning tactic when attacking the Seelow Heights. Before dawn, a staggering array of searchlights would be switched on towards the germans. This was to clear the way for the Soviet infantry and also aimed to demoralise and scare the Germans. However, they were quickly switched off since they did not complete the roles they were intended to, instead outlining the silhouettes of the soviet infantry to the German trenches.

The road towards Dolgelin included two anti tank ditches, right and left of the road, as first defending line. The high and soft ground next to the street made it hard for Soviet tanks to outflank the dangerous position. They were forced to drive on the main pathways, which was making them easy targets for the Germans.


HD Link



With heavy casualties on both sides, the Soviets were able to breach the small sector, advancing into the little village, which was additionally strengthened with tank traps. In April 16, 1945, six Kingtigers belonging to the heavy SS Panzerabteilung 502 were used to defend the second defensive line at the crossroads (railway transition) at the village of Dolgelin. Soon enough they fought against 20 T-34s of the 1st Guards' Armored Brigade, which they were able to defeat. When it got dark, the heavy tanks were forced to retreat, because they lacked the immediate protection of their own infantry, and the cost of having lost such valuable tanks were too high to run the risk.


HD Link

The Germans, as it happened often in late war, used the special landscape (in this example the Seelow Heights) in their favor. The elevated ground was excellent for heavy anti-tank guns positions and to keep the overview over the battlefield, which leaded to big advantages within the fights.


HD Link


HD Link


In its area of attack, the Soviet 1st armored army deployed with about 600 tanks and self-propelled vehicles between the Seelow Heights line and Sachsendorf area (ca. 10 km). From a statistical point of view, this would mean that there was a soviet tank rolling each 10m along the front. The unit strength relation (men) of the whole Battle of Seelow was about 10:1.


HD Link

What are your impressions about the Dolgelin area? What points were most interesting for you? Is there something additionally that you like to know? Please share your ideas and discuss below in the comments.

Last but not least, we hope you had some excellent time during christmas and we wish you a great start to 2018, which will be the year so many of you are waiting for!

HD Link

Today, we have a short dev blog as we have been extremely busy in our personal lives and developing Gates of Hell.

This week, our modeling team finished the Sturmhaubitze 42 Ausf. G and handed it off to the game designers who fully imported it into the GEM engine. Check one more vehicle as 100% complete.



https://youtu.be/RxzuGP-FIpc

This StuH in the video is located near Dolgelin (battle of seelow), one of the last defence points that russians had to break before capturing Berlin. You may be able to guess where he is on google maps. Quick hint: There is a hill beside a tank trap line which this StuH used to wait for the enemy. Good luck on finding the place! Share your ideas in the comments. If you found it, we will present the full map with more interest spots to see!

"Dolgelin in Google Maps"


The SU-76 has been modelled and is in the texturing process, and the KV-1 is also coming soon!

HD Link

Today, we have a short dev blog as we have been extremely busy in our personal lives and developing Gates of Hell.

This week, our modeling team finished the Sturmhaubitze 42 Ausf. G and handed it off to the game designers who fully imported it into the GEM engine. Check one more vehicle as 100% complete.



https://youtu.be/RxzuGP-FIpc

This StuH in the video is located near Dolgelin (battle of seelow), one of the last defence points that russians had to break before capturing Berlin. You may be able to guess where he is on google maps. Quick hint: There is a hill beside a tank trap line which this StuH used to wait for the enemy. Good luck on finding the place! Share your ideas in the comments. If you found it, we will present the full map with more interest spots to see!

"Dolgelin in Google Maps"


The SU-76 has been modelled and is in the texturing process, and the KV-1 is also coming soon!

HD Link

Some time ago we showed you a model, which as you correctly guessed, is the french Panhard 178 adopted into the Wehrmacht as the Sd.kfz. 204 (f)

The (f) designation refers to a french-adapted vehicle in service. This letter seen amongst many German vehicle designations represents the country of origin.


Why did we design this vehicle? Well, for three main reasons:

1. It's faster than most other armoured cars and has a very interesting gun, which makes it a unique addition.
   
   
2. It can be converted to a railroad patrol car with the rail-track wheels observed in the renders, this is again something unique that we can use in many singleplayer scenarios.
   
   
3. We plan to add the French Army in the far future, so with little effort this will quickly be adapted to the french unit roster just as well, and pay honour to their former owners. With this same principle you can expect more US/British/etc lend lease vehicles coming in the release!

HD Link


HD Link

HD Link

Some time ago we showed you a model, which as you correctly guessed, is the french Panhard 178 adopted into the Wehrmacht as the Sd.kfz. 204 (f)

The (f) designation refers to a french-adapted vehicle in service. This letter seen amongst many German vehicle designations represents the country of origin.


Why did we design this vehicle? Well, for three main reasons:

1. It's faster than most other armoured cars and has a very interesting gun, which makes it a unique addition.
   
   
2. It can be converted to a railroad patrol car with the rail-track wheels observed in the renders, this is again something unique that we can use in many singleplayer scenarios.
   
   
3. We plan to add the French Army in the far future, so with little effort this will quickly be adapted to the french unit roster just as well, and pay honour to their former owners. With this same principle you can expect more US/British/etc lend lease vehicles coming in the release!

HD Link


HD Link

Developer Blog #62


Sit back and enjoy this week’s devblog.


Many months took place as we fine tuned and rolled up our final human models. A thorough research was made, along with dedicated community historians which agreed to help us, to try and find accurate references to make the best results. The models have been progressively made since November 2016. We’d like to now share with you the experiments that have been made with coats, now that we are moving onto the winter weather. Coats are especially difficult to animate, but we can overcome this problem with effort and fine tuning. The hardest part is to convey the folds and cloth appearance correctly, in such a way that the model still looks convincing when crouched or physically deformed from its initial position. Our artists made sculptures to study the forms and be able to make more realistic models. You may have seen some of the first iteration of finished models in the screens from previous weeks’ blogs, more refined ones will follow soon.

Now for some historical notes about the renders. The first soldier is a German officer with M36/40 greatcoat - look at the pistol holster on his belt. The second is a German SS squad leader with a late M42 greatcoat (look at the enlarged collar) with M38 camo blouse. In other words this variant would be seen on spring and autumn seasons of the Late War. The third is also squad leader with MP-40 pouches and a holster with a self-made winter camo cover. In fact, the germans had problems with winter camouflage and had to adapt their uniforms for the winter landscapes during the Early War, for this purpose they often covered themselves with white cloth sheets.


HD Link


HD Link


HD Link








HD Link


HD Link


HD Link


The last screenshot shown above is merely an experiment. We’re planning to invest time in making proper mountain warfare. This brings a whole set of challenges. Cliffs and rock formations are in the works, and careful evaluation to give soldiers the ability to climb them. Rock-climbing ropes to ascend and descend rock faces too steep to trespass otherwise.

In the Caucasus in 1942 there were particularly interesting battles that involved mountain fights at altitudes above 4000m. The experienced and unbroken soviet defence against the might of german elite mountain troops -- mules and kettenkrads for transporting equipment -- deployable dismountable guns for mountain warfare -- soviet light fighter-bombers blowing up rocky cliffs to create a stone avalanche over german convoys -- tedious corridor fights along foggy mountain routes -- soviet petroleum pools lit on fire as a reckless obstacle for the german advance!!

Now this is something quite interesting and definitely not seen before in similar games, and a staggering yet true piece of history. Yep - it’s on us to bring it to you guys.

And do you know what’s a cool thing about making fights along the Caucasus, Kuban, and Crimea? Yes, American and British lend-lease tanks! Tanks are always a sweet spot, are they not?



Did you know?
While the British found the Matilda II a much more useful tank than the Valentine, the Soviets thought the opposite (especially about the Valentine Mk. IX armed with a 57mm gun) when they received lend-lease tanks. The Matilda’s narrow tracks did not really help it’s mobility in the eastern front. The Matilda’s heavy armour and mobility tied with heavy tank brigades, along with the KV-1.

Developer Blog #62


Sit back and enjoy this week’s devblog.


Many months took place as we fine tuned and rolled up our final human models. A thorough research was made, along with dedicated community historians which agreed to help us, to try and find accurate references to make the best results. The models have been progressively made since November 2016. We’d like to now share with you the experiments that have been made with coats, now that we are moving onto the winter weather. Coats are especially difficult to animate, but we can overcome this problem with effort and fine tuning. The hardest part is to convey the folds and cloth appearance correctly, in such a way that the model still looks convincing when crouched or physically deformed from its initial position. Our artists made sculptures to study the forms and be able to make more realistic models. You may have seen some of the first iteration of finished models in the screens from previous weeks’ blogs, more refined ones will follow soon.

Now for some historical notes about the renders. The first soldier is a German officer with M36/40 greatcoat - look at the pistol holster on his belt. The second is a German SS squad leader with a late M42 greatcoat (look at the enlarged collar) with M38 camo blouse. In other words this variant would be seen on spring and autumn seasons of the Late War. The third is also squad leader with MP-40 pouches and a holster with a self-made winter camo cover. In fact, the germans had problems with winter camouflage and had to adapt their uniforms for the winter landscapes during the Early War, for this purpose they often covered themselves with white cloth sheets.


HD Link


HD Link


HD Link








HD Link


HD Link


HD Link


The last screenshot shown above is merely an experiment. We’re planning to invest time in making proper mountain warfare. This brings a whole set of challenges. Cliffs and rock formations are in the works, and careful evaluation to give soldiers the ability to climb them. Rock-climbing ropes to ascend and descend rock faces too steep to trespass otherwise.

In the Caucasus in 1942 there were particularly interesting battles that involved mountain fights at altitudes above 4000m. The experienced and unbroken soviet defence against the might of german elite mountain troops -- mules and kettenkrads for transporting equipment -- deployable dismountable guns for mountain warfare -- soviet light fighter-bombers blowing up rocky cliffs to create a stone avalanche over german convoys -- tedious corridor fights along foggy mountain routes -- soviet petroleum pools lit on fire as a reckless obstacle for the german advance!!

Now this is something quite interesting and definitely not seen before in similar games, and a staggering yet true piece of history. Yep - it’s on us to bring it to you guys.

And do you know what’s a cool thing about making fights along the Caucasus, Kuban, and Crimea? Yes, American and British lend-lease tanks! Tanks are always a sweet spot, are they not?



Did you know?
While the British found the Matilda II a much more useful tank than the Valentine, the Soviets thought the opposite (especially about the Valentine Mk. IX armed with a 57mm gun) when they received lend-lease tanks. The Matilda’s narrow tracks did not really help it’s mobility in the eastern front. The Matilda’s heavy armour and mobility tied with heavy tank brigades, along with the KV-1.

No new Dev Blog this week, but we did not want to leave you empty handed.

Here are a couple screenshots of the latest addtion to Gates of Hell: The BF-109 F4. More paint schemes to come soon!


HD Link

A new Dev Blog will be coming next week, and every second week after that.

Enjoy!

No new Dev Blog this week, but we did not want to leave you empty handed.

Here are a couple screenshots of the latest addtion to Gates of Hell: The BF-109 F4. More paint schemes to come soon!


HD Link

A new Dev Blog will be coming next week, and every second week after that.

Enjoy!