As the winter draws closer, we’re happy to say it’s time for Frontline News once again. Yesterday saw the exciting announcement that Tannenberg will be launching on November 16th, and also revealed the new 64 player Maneuver game mode - check out the FAQ for more info, and expect a more detailed preview of the Maneuver mode soon.

Today though, we’ll be talking about weather variants for maps and focusing on the Russian Cossack squad. Enjoy!


A fearsome adversary in close quarters.

New Squad: Russian Cossacks
The Cossacks are here! In Tannenberg they serve as the Russian assault squad, with a focus on close combat and taking ground. Although trenches are a rarer sight on the Eastern Front this doesn’t mean that melee weapons and grenades are less valuable. Of course a straight charge across an open field into machine guns isn’t going to end well no matter how sharp your sword is, but the maps in Tannenberg also feature thick forests, buildings and ruins. This is where the Cossack Shaska can give you the edge against opponents with bayonets or entrenching tools. Alternatively, a well placed grenade can take them out from a safer distance.

Before they get in that close, the Cossacks have several primary weapon options, but the most common will be the Dragoon variant of the Mosin-Nagant M1891 rifle. Longer than the carbine version but shorter than the infantry rifle, the Dragoon variant would serve as the base for the later M1891/30 rifle which was the standard issue rifle from 1930 to 1945. Most of the Dragoon rifles would be retooled into M1891/30s.


The Dragoon variant of the Mosin-Nagant used by the Cossacks.

The Shashka, and other weapons
The Cossacks aren’t the only troops in Tannenberg to carry a blade - the image below also shows off the Austrian M61 Sabre (available in one of the loadouts for the K.u.K officer), the Russian M81, and the Shaska itself.


All elegant weapons, but it’s the soldier wielding it who really makes the difference.

Weather conditions may vary
One of the graphical improvements in Tannenberg is a wider range of more atmospheric weather conditions, from summer sunshine to winter snows. The weather won’t change during the playtime of a match, but the range of possibilities will provide variation and some subtle gameplay challenges - spotting enemy soldiers in dark forest undergrowth will be more challenging when there is fog hanging in the air and clouds overhead, while a blanket of snow will make targets stand out more than usual as they cross open fields. As with Verdun, the range of weather options for a map will be appropriate considering the conditions seen during historical battles in the area.


Don’t just take our word for it, see for yourself how much difference the weather makes!

Westie’s Youtube
If you’re looking for a summary of everything we’ve revealed so far, Youtuber Westie did a nice video on Tannenberg where he discusses the preview content we’ve released so far. You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNTS2OPrkyY
That’s it for this edition of Frontline News, but we’re already looking forward to seeing your reactions to the next preview. Stay tuned!

As the winter draws closer, we’re happy to say it’s time for Frontline News once again. Yesterday saw the exciting announcement that Tannenberg will be launching on November 16th, and also revealed the new 64 player Maneuver game mode - check out the FAQ for more info, and expect a more detailed preview of the Maneuver mode soon.

Today though, we’ll be talking about weather variants for maps and focusing on the Russian Cossack squad. Enjoy!


A fearsome adversary in close quarters.

New Squad: Russian Cossacks
The Cossacks are here! In Tannenberg they serve as the Russian assault squad, with a focus on close combat and taking ground. Although trenches are a rarer sight on the Eastern Front this doesn’t mean that melee weapons and grenades are less valuable. Of course a straight charge across an open field into machine guns isn’t going to end well no matter how sharp your sword is, but the maps in Tannenberg also feature thick forests, buildings and ruins. This is where the Cossack Shaska can give you the edge against opponents with bayonets or entrenching tools. Alternatively, a well placed grenade can take them out from a safer distance.

Before they get in that close, the Cossacks have several primary weapon options, but the most common will be the Dragoon variant of the Mosin-Nagant M1891 rifle. Longer than the carbine version but shorter than the infantry rifle, the Dragoon variant would serve as the base for the later M1891/30 rifle which was the standard issue rifle from 1930 to 1945. Most of the Dragoon rifles would be retooled into M1891/30s.


The Dragoon variant of the Mosin-Nagant used by the Cossacks.

The Shashka, and other weapons
The Cossacks aren’t the only troops in Tannenberg to carry a blade - the image below also shows off the Austrian M61 Sabre (available in one of the loadouts for the K.u.K officer), the Russian M81, and the Shaska itself.


All elegant weapons, but it’s the soldier wielding it who really makes the difference.

Weather conditions may vary
One of the graphical improvements in Tannenberg is a wider range of more atmospheric weather conditions, from summer sunshine to winter snows. The weather won’t change during the playtime of a match, but the range of possibilities will provide variation and some subtle gameplay challenges - spotting enemy soldiers in dark forest undergrowth will be more challenging when there is fog hanging in the air and clouds overhead, while a blanket of snow will make targets stand out more than usual as they cross open fields. As with Verdun, the range of weather options for a map will be appropriate considering the conditions seen during historical battles in the area.


Don’t just take our word for it, see for yourself how much difference the weather makes!

Westie’s Youtube
If you’re looking for a summary of everything we’ve revealed so far, Youtuber Westie did a nice video on Tannenberg where he discusses the preview content we’ve released so far. You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNTS2OPrkyY
That’s it for this edition of Frontline News, but we’re already looking forward to seeing your reactions to the next preview. Stay tuned!

Prepare yourselves for a winter offensive! Tannenberg is going to be released November 16 on Steam Early Access.

Watch the announcement trailer:
https://youtu.be/zL7cEuh4nF8

This will be your chance to experience Tannenberg’s new Maneuver game mode, which sees up to 64 players engage in an unpredictable battle to outflank and encircle enemy positions. Bigger maps, more players and multiple objectives create deep and engaging matches where the tide of battle can turn quickly thanks to smart infiltrations, tenacious defenses, and the occasional last-ditch assault!

Tannenberg is expected to be in Early Access from November 16 until sometime in Q1 2018, and the focus will be on polishing and balance. The price will be $17.99, with a discount for Verdun owners.

Until then, watch this space for more previews and informative Frontline News posts! You can expect a more detailed post on the mechanics of the Maneuver game mode quite soon. If you have other questions, check out the FAQ.

Grab your shashka, wrap up warm, and get ready for battle on November 16!

Prepare yourselves for a winter offensive! Tannenberg is going to be released November 16 on Steam Early Access.

Watch the announcement trailer:
https://youtu.be/zL7cEuh4nF8

This will be your chance to experience Tannenberg’s new Maneuver game mode, which sees up to 64 players engage in an unpredictable battle to outflank and encircle enemy positions. Bigger maps, more players and multiple objectives create deep and engaging matches where the tide of battle can turn quickly thanks to smart infiltrations, tenacious defenses, and the occasional last-ditch assault!

Tannenberg is expected to be in Early Access from November 16 until sometime in Q1 2018, and the focus will be on polishing and balance. The price will be $17.99, with a discount for Verdun owners.

Until then, watch this space for more previews and informative Frontline News posts! You can expect a more detailed post on the mechanics of the Maneuver game mode quite soon. If you have other questions, check out the FAQ.

Grab your shashka, wrap up warm, and get ready for battle on November 16!

Though not as dominant as on the Western Front, there are some trenches

We have a new edition of Frontline News for you, to keep you warm during your first encounters with the cold and harsh Eastern Front. This time we are looking more closely at another new map, located in Poland, so read on!

New Map: Poland
We have more up our sleeves when it comes to the new maps that Tannenberg will introduce to the 1914-1918 WW1 Game Series. But for now we are focusing on the third map reveal, joining the ranks of East Prussia and Galicia. Poland will offer a harsh and gritty setting, with its open landscape, scorched earth and burned villages. It is set in the central Polish plain, an area of vast flatland around Warsaw, the capital of Russian Poland.


Another nice set piece, but you won’t be taking to the skies obviously

The Stage Is Set
The 64 player map features a rural farming hamlet set around a crossroads. The scenario depicts an overextended Russian Army, in the north-east corner, applying the principle of scorched earth. In the south-west corner, 400 meters down the road, we find the German Army stationed around an abandoned farmhouse. In this map you'll find destroyed buildings, war-battered chimneys in piles of rubble, an improvised Russian airstrip with Morane-Saulnier airplanes, Russo-Balt armored cars and much more!


Finding your way through the fog using burning houses isn’t the best of times

Poland features a range of different combat locations, such as intense building-to-building fighting in entrenched and fortified wooden dwellings, creeping tactical gun fights along hedges and firewood stacks or long distance engagements over ploughed fields and fenced meadows. The wooden buildings are a first in the 1914-1918 WW1 Game Series.


The wooden houses look safe, but don’t forget there is bullet penetration now!

Eye For Detail
Much attention to detail was put in researching the different styles of fences, haystacks, wells and unadorned interiors. These cultural features really sell the feel of an early 20th century impoverished Polish village, while also providing abundant cover and movement options to keep the map fun! We hope you are ready for the fight in this barren and flat landscape. All the characteristics of the terrain and environment will require new strategies and insights, so you will need to bring your A game to be victorious.


Always, always, ALWAYS... bring your gasmask

Thanks for reading and keep a close eye on all our channels. We have more previews coming up this month!

Though not as dominant as on the Western Front, there are some trenches

We have a new edition of Frontline News for you, to keep you warm during your first encounters with the cold and harsh Eastern Front. This time we are looking more closely at another new map, located in Poland, so read on!

New Map: Poland
We have more up our sleeves when it comes to the new maps that Tannenberg will introduce to the 1914-1918 WW1 Game Series. But for now we are focusing on the third map reveal, joining the ranks of East Prussia and Galicia. Poland will offer a harsh and gritty setting, with its open landscape, scorched earth and burned villages. It is set in the central Polish plain, an area of vast flatland around Warsaw, the capital of Russian Poland.


Another nice set piece, but you won’t be taking to the skies obviously

The Stage Is Set
The 64 player map features a rural farming hamlet set around a crossroads. The scenario depicts an overextended Russian Army, in the north-east corner, applying the principle of scorched earth. In the south-west corner, 400 meters down the road, we find the German Army stationed around an abandoned farmhouse. In this map you'll find destroyed buildings, war-battered chimneys in piles of rubble, an improvised Russian airstrip with Morane-Saulnier airplanes, Russo-Balt armored cars and much more!


Finding your way through the fog using burning houses isn’t the best of times

Poland features a range of different combat locations, such as intense building-to-building fighting in entrenched and fortified wooden dwellings, creeping tactical gun fights along hedges and firewood stacks or long distance engagements over ploughed fields and fenced meadows. The wooden buildings are a first in the 1914-1918 WW1 Game Series.


The wooden houses look safe, but don’t forget there is bullet penetration now!

Eye For Detail
Much attention to detail was put in researching the different styles of fences, haystacks, wells and unadorned interiors. These cultural features really sell the feel of an early 20th century impoverished Polish village, while also providing abundant cover and movement options to keep the map fun! We hope you are ready for the fight in this barren and flat landscape. All the characteristics of the terrain and environment will require new strategies and insights, so you will need to bring your A game to be victorious.


Always, always, ALWAYS... bring your gasmask

Thanks for reading and keep a close eye on all our channels. We have more previews coming up this month!

In the wrong place, at the wrong time

Welcome back to your (usually) bi-weekly dose of news from the front. This edition of Frontline News starts with some additional info on the Galicia map, which we have previewed in the recent weeks. We want to provide you with some backstory of the map, giving some weight to the region’s history. By popular demand we also have a more technical reveal for you, showing off the bullet penetration mechanic we are working on! To round things up we have a link for you, allowing you to register for Tannenberg alpha playtesting.


Nothing like a morning charge over a frozen field

Galicia, A Map With A Variety Of Challenges
The map Galicia is set in the historic and geographic region of Galicia, which includes parts of present day southern Poland and western Ukraine. It lies to the north and east of the Carpathian mountains. The map features cultivated land, and wild forests on sloping hills and rock faces. A small rural village with a monastery is set in stark contrast to a destroyed forest and improvised revetments. In the north east corner the K.u.K. troops have set up an improvised HQ. From here, following the adjacent meandering creek, lies a rigged railway with the Austro-Hungarian armored train pinned down between the woods and a large cliff. Uphill we find outflanked Russian field artillery, which leads us to an overrun Russian encampment. Arriving over the crest of the hill - in the south west corner - we meet The Tsarist troops at a deserted farmhouse.

Galicia offers the most variety of challenges in the line up of maps. The steep terrain promises interesting situations, and the dense disorienting forest provides the potential setting for a deadly ambush. There are revetments and trenches to navigate with saber drawn, and open fields to lead your squad through. We pay a lot of attention to detail in the maps. A lot of work has gone into new props that bring the history of this unique conflict to life. Keep an eye out for anything ranging from artillery carts and signal lights to tents, outhouses and boats. Another eye catcher here is of course the massive armored train, a prominent stationary set piece in Galicia. These ‘hero assets’ create an amazing atmosphere in the maps!


The stationary armored train in all its glory (the smoke effect is still being worked on)

New Gunplay Mechanic: Bullet Penetration
Our Eastern expansion will introduce new maps - such as the recently shown region of Galicia - in which you’ll no longer be confined to the muddy trenches. Instead combat is moved to vast open plains, dense forests, abandoned villages and destroyed churches. To facilitate this new dynamic gameplay we are also introducing new gunplay mechanics. One of these new mechanics that we’re is including Bullet Penetration.


Duck and cover, works like a charm

When bullets hit soft objects, like wood, dirt or flesh, they will penetrate the object and continue to do damage beyond the initial impact. As you can imagine, this change has quite a substantial impact on the 1914-1918 WW1 Game Series’ ecosystem. It adds another layer of strategy to the game and we feel it also adds to the realism of the gunfights.

Tannenberg Alpha Testing
To close things off we wanted to share a link with you, giving you the option to sign up for Tannenberg Alpha testing.This is a traditional test phase though, not just some PR stunt in disguise, or chance for you to play the game for free. We’re hard at work perfecting the game so we need testers who are willing to take an active role in testing and hunting for potential bugs, in order to make Tannenberg the game we all want it to be.

Signing up doesn’t guarantee an invite but if you’re interested we hope you’ll take the time to register.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIlKCIbNkW7fjrDv2eRWnbtCjP03hF5KEP7vk6XNMfmwXtIw/viewform

Thanks for reading and till the next Frontline News!

In the wrong place, at the wrong time

Welcome back to your (usually) bi-weekly dose of news from the front. This edition of Frontline News starts with some additional info on the Galicia map, which we have previewed in the recent weeks. We want to provide you with some backstory of the map, giving some weight to the region’s history. By popular demand we also have a more technical reveal for you, showing off the bullet penetration mechanic we are working on! To round things up we have a link for you, allowing you to register for Tannenberg alpha playtesting.


Nothing like a morning charge over a frozen field

Galicia, A Map With A Variety Of Challenges
The map Galicia is set in the historic and geographic region of Galicia, which includes parts of present day southern Poland and western Ukraine. It lies to the north and east of the Carpathian mountains. The map features cultivated land, and wild forests on sloping hills and rock faces. A small rural village with a monastery is set in stark contrast to a destroyed forest and improvised revetments. In the north east corner the K.u.K. troops have set up an improvised HQ. From here, following the adjacent meandering creek, lies a rigged railway with the Austro-Hungarian armored train pinned down between the woods and a large cliff. Uphill we find outflanked Russian field artillery, which leads us to an overrun Russian encampment. Arriving over the crest of the hill - in the south west corner - we meet The Tsarist troops at a deserted farmhouse.

Galicia offers the most variety of challenges in the line up of maps. The steep terrain promises interesting situations, and the dense disorienting forest provides the potential setting for a deadly ambush. There are revetments and trenches to navigate with saber drawn, and open fields to lead your squad through. We pay a lot of attention to detail in the maps. A lot of work has gone into new props that bring the history of this unique conflict to life. Keep an eye out for anything ranging from artillery carts and signal lights to tents, outhouses and boats. Another eye catcher here is of course the massive armored train, a prominent stationary set piece in Galicia. These ‘hero assets’ create an amazing atmosphere in the maps!


The stationary armored train in all its glory (the smoke effect is still being worked on)

New Gunplay Mechanic: Bullet Penetration
Our Eastern expansion will introduce new maps - such as the recently shown region of Galicia - in which you’ll no longer be confined to the muddy trenches. Instead combat is moved to vast open plains, dense forests, abandoned villages and destroyed churches. To facilitate this new dynamic gameplay we are also introducing new gunplay mechanics. One of these new mechanics that we’re is including Bullet Penetration.


Duck and cover, works like a charm

When bullets hit soft objects, like wood, dirt or flesh, they will penetrate the object and continue to do damage beyond the initial impact. As you can imagine, this change has quite a substantial impact on the 1914-1918 WW1 Game Series’ ecosystem. It adds another layer of strategy to the game and we feel it also adds to the realism of the gunfights.

Tannenberg Alpha Testing
To close things off we wanted to share a link with you, giving you the option to sign up for Tannenberg Alpha testing.This is a traditional test phase though, not just some PR stunt in disguise, or chance for you to play the game for free. We’re hard at work perfecting the game so we need testers who are willing to take an active role in testing and hunting for potential bugs, in order to make Tannenberg the game we all want it to be.

Signing up doesn’t guarantee an invite but if you’re interested we hope you’ll take the time to register.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIlKCIbNkW7fjrDv2eRWnbtCjP03hF5KEP7vk6XNMfmwXtIw/viewform

Thanks for reading and till the next Frontline News!

For this latest edition of Frontline News we wanted to give the stage to our recently revealed Austro-Hungarian soldier, and showcase some of the details of his equipment and weaponry we’ve been working on.


Early war officer and squad in Pike-Grey (Hechtgrau)

As is always the case during our development of both Verdun and Tannenberg, we greatly value realism. Not only when it comes to gameplay, but also in visual details of any size. Maps, characters, or gear, we want it all to look authentic. This also holds true in regards to the recently revealed K.u.K. Trooper. And now that our Austro-Hungarian cat is out of the bag, so to speak, we wanted to highlight some of the realistic weapons and gear we have fitted him with.


Late-war squad in Field-Grey (Feldgrau)

Some troopers are wearing the Austrian M1917 helmet. This was a domestically made update to the well-known German M16 helmet, of which the Austro-Hungarian forces initially received 500.000 units. At the end of the war, another 500.000 local versions were added, which differed in colour, chinstrap, and placement of rivets.



Late-war KUK squad Equipment

The M1910 Entrenching tool’s main difference to its predecessor is the pointed tip. By the end of 1915 this model ruled them all, and replaced all previous models in the field. It was so sturdy, some were even reissued to the Wehrmacht in WWII. All shovels came with a carrier and were traditionally carried on the left hip, often strapped together with a bayonet (appropriately called the ‘German manner’). The most commonly encountered bayonet is the M1895 Mannlicher rifle version, which originally came with a black painted scabbard. Some scabbards were repainted however at a later stage of the war.



Close up of in-game backpack

The unofficially named M1888/15 canteen came from different manufacturers, which was only reflected in name and date stamps. When it comes to weapons, Many Steyr-Mannlicher rifles saw use. But as shown by our recent Facebook poll, the M95 is amongst the most popular.


In-game first-person view of inserting an en-bloc clip in the m95

So there you have it. The K.u.K. Trooper in all his glory. What do you think? No, seriously, what do you think? We are always looking for constructive feedback. Everything we have shown so far is work in progress, so we genuinely value your feedback if you feel a certain model could be improved. Thanks and we hope you enjoyed this edition of Frontline News!

And if you can’t get enough of the Steyr-Mannlicher rifles, check out the video’s from C&Rsenal, who helped us with getting the in-game audio sounding as realistic as possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xeeE1E9Wwk
History of the M95

For this latest edition of Frontline News we wanted to give the stage to our recently revealed Austro-Hungarian soldier, and showcase some of the details of his equipment and weaponry we’ve been working on.


Early war officer and squad in Pike-Grey (Hechtgrau)

As is always the case during our development of both Verdun and Tannenberg, we greatly value realism. Not only when it comes to gameplay, but also in visual details of any size. Maps, characters, or gear, we want it all to look authentic. This also holds true in regards to the recently revealed K.u.K. Trooper. And now that our Austro-Hungarian cat is out of the bag, so to speak, we wanted to highlight some of the realistic weapons and gear we have fitted him with.


Late-war squad in Field-Grey (Feldgrau)

Some troopers are wearing the Austrian M1917 helmet. This was a domestically made update to the well-known German M16 helmet, of which the Austro-Hungarian forces initially received 500.000 units. At the end of the war, another 500.000 local versions were added, which differed in colour, chinstrap, and placement of rivets.



Late-war KUK squad Equipment

The M1910 Entrenching tool’s main difference to its predecessor is the pointed tip. By the end of 1915 this model ruled them all, and replaced all previous models in the field. It was so sturdy, some were even reissued to the Wehrmacht in WWII. All shovels came with a carrier and were traditionally carried on the left hip, often strapped together with a bayonet (appropriately called the ‘German manner’). The most commonly encountered bayonet is the M1895 Mannlicher rifle version, which originally came with a black painted scabbard. Some scabbards were repainted however at a later stage of the war.



Close up of in-game backpack

The unofficially named M1888/15 canteen came from different manufacturers, which was only reflected in name and date stamps. When it comes to weapons, Many Steyr-Mannlicher rifles saw use. But as shown by our recent Facebook poll, the M95 is amongst the most popular.


In-game first-person view of inserting an en-bloc clip in the m95

So there you have it. The K.u.K. Trooper in all his glory. What do you think? No, seriously, what do you think? We are always looking for constructive feedback. Everything we have shown so far is work in progress, so we genuinely value your feedback if you feel a certain model could be improved. Thanks and we hope you enjoyed this edition of Frontline News!

And if you can’t get enough of the Steyr-Mannlicher rifles, check out the video’s from C&Rsenal, who helped us with getting the in-game audio sounding as realistic as possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xeeE1E9Wwk
History of the M95