Recruits!

A new foe has appeared… something we don’t know how to explain, but it's far more menacing than the war we are in. Some information we received comes from the Japanese Forces, and we don’t take you for a fool, so we have disclosed this to all active American troops as there may be a bigger fight ahead for us.



Amid the fierce battle for Iwo Jima, an event occurred that defied all logic and understanding. From the sea to the west, a colossal creature emerged. They call it a “Kaiju”, unlike anything known to man.

The beast stood over 100 meters tall, its body dark and jagged like cooling lava. Its eyes glowed like embers, and each step shook the island. It did not distinguish between Japanese or American forces. It attacked everything in its path.


Both sides opened fire. Battleship artillery, tank shells, and explosive charges had no effect. The kaiju retaliated with a blue-white breath of searing energy, instantly melting steel and incinerating men. Naval ships destroyed within seconds. Bunkers collapsed. Entire platoons vanished in flame.

After rampaging across the battlefield, the creature returned to the sea, leaving only charred ruins and silence in its wake.



“Iwo Jima was already hell. Then something worse came from the sea.

It rose from the waves, a mountain of black stone, eyes burning like nothing I've ever seen. Our ships fired first. Nothing. We threw the entire arsenal at it. Nothing.

Then it roared, and then came the shrieking blue fire. Ships melted. Men turned to ash. It stomped onto shore, crushing everything like we were ants.

I ran. I don’t know why it didn’t get me. Maybe it never even noticed. Maybe I was just lucky, or maybe just maybe it showed mercy.”


Due to the overwhelming losses in men, ships, and supplies caused by this so-called kaiju, all planned deployments have been canceled until further notice.

However, we’re not letting your talents go to waste. We need every sharp mind strategizing and working together to figure out how to deal with this “Leviathan of the Pacific.” Head over to the Squad 44 Community Discord to discuss with your fellow recruits and help us formulate a strategy.

It has been a while since the Pacific Front was released. We're still hard at work, but we are back with a new roadmap to give you all a glimpse of what is to come for Squad 44. With that Katz of Mercury Arts has some more insights on our roadmap. So, let us dive right into it!

Please note: All this information is work-in-progress and subject to change, and we plan to release another roadmap later this year to keep you updated on changes.


“Current Operations” are changes that will be included in the next update (or have already happened!).

While we are delighted with the player base's reception of the release of Iwo Jima and the Japanese and USMC factions, we want to continue polishing this content.

As such, optimization and bug fixing are our main focus in the short term, with work also ongoing to refine existing game mechanics. This includes optimization and a new UI for the flamethrower, further work on the mini-map, refinements for the frontline game mode, and various fixes for vehicle/tank performances!


“In Concept” are changes that are currently being actively developed for future updates coming to Squad 44!

Having upgraded DLSS, NIS, and FSR to the latest versions accepted by the game engine in our previous patch, we have been working hard to upgrade the game’s Easy Anti-Cheat software to the latest version accepted by the game engine. This upgrade, along with some work done behind the scenes by our coders, will now allow users the ability to play the game on the Linux operating system.

With this change opening the game to Linux users, we are also looking to build on the in-game help system we previously released, with a future tutorial and further accessibility options, to provide new players with a greater onboarding experience without compromising gameplay for our veterans.

Work also continues at pace on the second Pacific map, Guadalcanal. This map will again present players with the unique experience provided by a truly historically accurate battlefield on a one-to-one scale, with Marines pushed to the limit defending Henderson Field against waves of Japanese attacks. Players will also need to keep an eye out for flamethrower tanks coming to the game, with the “Ronson” Sherman ready to turn up the heat on Iwo Jima.


“Future Operations“ are plans for the far future, highly subject to change, and could take longer than 6 months to implement.

We make no apologies for keeping quiet on this one, but what we can say is that alongside a third Pacific map, you can expect to find new game mechanics and new game modes coming to the game, offering players an ever greater immersive and rewarding experience on the battlefield.

Whether you are of a competitive nature or a re-enactor type, we have much more coming for you to look forward to throughout 2025!

Update v2.1 is now available for download. This update brings support for Linux Systems, an Updated EAC and various optimizations and fixes.

Before deploying, be sure to clear your cache before joining a server for a smooth operation. Stay sharp out there!

• Implemented Linux Support.
  
• Updated Easy Anti Cheat.
  
• Optimized performance of our gore system.

• Additional Flamethrower Optimizations.
  
• Flamethrower UI update.
  
• Enabled certain light mortars to deploy on surfaces when standing or crouched.
  
• Fixed Japanese Commander mortar call-in name.
  
• Fixed grenades not destroying rallies.
  
• Fixed weapon sway affected by FPS.
  
• Removed satchels from frontline riflemen.

• Fixed an issue that would cause vehicles and passengers to be invincible.
  
• Fixed AP tank rounds spalling at 90 degrees angle to the slope.
  
• Fixed AP-HE phasing through vehicles.
  
• Fixed tank MGs and rockets unable to rearm from repair cranes.
  
• Fixed tanks shooting between reloads.
  
• Fixed infinite autocannon ammunition.
  
• Tweaked Ha-Go handling.
  
• Fixed Ha-Go driver hatch.
  
• Fixed Ha-Go MG gunner exiting under tank.
  
• Fixed missing material on Ha-Go Late.
  
• Fixed Chi-Ha Kai Late driver viewport.
  
• Fixed US Cdr car spawner on Best.

• Updates to the Minimap System.
  
• Optimized minimap widgets
  
• Amended Tunnel FX on Iwo Jima

• Fixed USMC soldier hearing heartbeat after death.
  
• Fixed a crash caused by the Soundnode connector.
  
• Fixed a crash during local play.
  
• Fixed a crash caused by ragdoll.
  
• Fixed a crash that would occur during sound decompression.
  
• Fixed a crash related to “Attempt Suppression”.
  
• Fixed a crash related to “Invalid Index Access”.
  
• Fixed a crash related to “Promoted to Leader”.
  
• Fixed a crash related to “Demote Cdr” .
  
• Fixed a crash related to “Access Violation”.

• British WP grenades can explode in players hands when thrown while running forward.
  
• Stuttering on new player connection.
  
• Keybinds not working properly.
  
• The New Map currently has the same keybind as the minimap.

From now until March 20th, save big on all our games during the Steam Spring Sale. Save up to 60% off on all Offworld games. Read more about each game below, and we'll see you on the battlefield soldiers!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/393380/Squad/
Squad is a tactical FPS that provides authentic combat experiences through teamwork, communication, and realistic combat. It bridges the gap between arcade shooter and military realism with 100-player battles, combined-arms warfare, and base building.

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Team up and join the frontline in Squad 44, the most authentic tactical WW2 shooter. Experience ruthless realism with an immense arsenal of faithfully recreated weapons and vehicles across massive WW2 battlefields.

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Starship Troopers: Extermination is a 16-player co-op FPS that puts you on the far-off frontlines of an all-out battle against the Bugs! Squad up, grab your rifle, and do your part as an elite Deep Space Vanguard Trooper to take back planets from the Arachnid threat!

Squad 44 will be on sale during Steam Spring Sale for 50% OFF! This offer lasts starts March 13th - 10 AM PT (GMT-7) and will be running until March 20th - 10 AM PT (GMT-7)!

Step into the boots of a frontline soldier on Iwo Jima as we just recently released the Pacific Front Update. Whether storming the beaches, holding the line in war-torn cities, or engaging in fierce tank battles, every bullet, every struggle, and every sacrifice counts.


Do you have what it takes to turn the tide of war? Rally your squad, coordinate your attacks, and fight for victory in immersive multiplayer combat.

Looking for reinforcements or battle-hardened allies? Join the Squad 44 Community Discord and march alongside fellow soldiers as you take the fight to the enemy!

Iwo Jima awaits. Will you answer the call?

───

https://store.steampowered.com/app/736220/Squad_44/

Update v2.0.1 is now available for download. This hotfix brings adjustments and fixes to Iwo Jima, smoke grenade effects, Commander call-in assets, and more.

Before deploying, be sure to clear your cache before joining a server for a smooth operation. Stay sharp out there!

We're actively investigating the following issues below. These fixes require more testing before they are released. We plan to include these fixes alongside our EAC upgrade in Update 2.1.

• Optimization of dismembered limbs causing low FPS in the tunnels of Iwo Jima.
  
• Fixing a SoundNode crash on Iwo Jima.

• Possible fix for invalid index crash in vehicle resupply calls.
  
• Possible fix for keybinds missing in different languages.
  
• Fixed HLODs
  
• Optimized and set Light Max Draw Distance to 15,000.
  
• Optimized all Grenade explosions.
  
• Optimized M2 Flamethrower.
  
• Hard references clean-up.
  
• Removed Shadow Casting from oil lamps.
  
• Fixed DLSS crash when FSR is enabled.
  
• Fixed scrollable scoreboard

• Updated several rock collisions on Iwo Jima.
  
• Updated tunnel collisions on Iwo Jima.
  
• Amended Iwo Jima Frontline 2 objective placement.
  
• Amended flags on Iwo Jima airfield to be faction alternating depending on layer.

• Fixed LVT-4 passengers and gunners being resistant to small arms fire.
  
• MG vision port was added to Japanese Chi-Ha tanks.
  
• Fixed PzGr. 40 20mm APCR to use correct penetration and bounce curves.
  
• Fixed wheel FX for Shermans, Ha-Go, and Chi-Ha tanks.
  
• Fixed M26 Pershing side skirt armour.
  
• Fixed repair tool not affecting tracked vehicles.
  
• Possible fix for tank engine disabled sound playing across map.

• Fixed all White Phosphorus smoke grenade effects.
  
• Fixed and optimized Commander Call-in assets (Navy Smoke and HE Artillery).
  
• Fixed Type 44 Kijū Carbine bayonet pose on item change.
  
• Fixed mortar ranging.

• Riflemen can no longer reload their own satchel charges on Frontline.
  
• Corrected Frontline faction recruit roles.
  
• Adjusted Frontline ticket counts.

Folks,

It’s finally here. Today, on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, is the first update for the Pacific Front. Let’s go over the first Pacific Front update and the first new map, Iwo Jima!



This update brings the battle to the island of Iwo Jima, with the Imperial Japanese Army defending its territory against the invading United States Forces. The in-game map size is a faithful recreation of the southern half of the island, in a 1:1 scale, including Mt Suribachi’s height of 169m above sea level.



In addition to battling across the expansive topography, there is also an extensive tunnel network through Mt. Suribachi, which opens up more intense close-combat and strategic scenarios.




It was our goal to make this the most faithful representation of Iwo Jima in a game created to date, and utilized countless maps, photos and aerial images to ensure this.




The USMC and IJA are the two playable factions available on the Iwo Jima map. A lot of work has been done to ensure that representations are authentic, with unique weapons, utilities, and animations.




The USMC come prepared with unique weapons, including the Winchester M1912 Shotgun and the M2-2 Flamethrower.



They also have new vehicles, including marine-modified Shermans, and LVT Amphibious Vehicles.



The IJA have a wide variety of weapons at their disposal, including the Type 38 and Type 99 Arisaka and the Type 95 Shin-Gunto sword.

Armour is limited, with vehicles such as the Ha-Go and Chi-Ha tanks, but the IJA have a large number of anti-tank weapons, including the Lunge Mine, for balance.




Check out the full changelog below for complete update details:


Please clear the cache before entering a server!

Level Design

• Added Iwo Jima Map
  
  • 3x Seeding Layers
    
  • 2x Frontline layers
    
  • 6x Offensive Layers
• Updated Hangar to show more AT weapons on display
  
• Added new MSP/Inf Logi/Cdr car spawners on Best, Carentan,
  
• Added seeding layers to Grave, Hagenau, Heelsum, Oosterbeek, Maleme, Rethymno

Gamemodes

• Added extra Satchel Charge explosives to attacking Rifleman class on all Frontline layers

Weapons

• Added attachable bayonet to RSC 1917 Semi-automatic Rifle
  
• Added correctly modelled Berthier M1916 Carbine bayonet
  
• Added M2-2 Flamethrower (USMC)
  
• Added Type 97 81mm deployable mortar (Japanese)
  
• Added WW1-era M1918 BAR, set fire rate to 500rpm, and includes a semi-automatic firing mode.
  
• Added No68 AT Rifle Grenade (ANZAC Grenadier)
  
• Improved bolting and reload animations for the K98k, G98 and K88 rifles and increased bolting speed slightly
  
• Refined zeroing of K98k
  
• Removed +1 round for K98k scoped variant
  
• Increased reload speed slightly for the Berthier M1916 Carbine
  
• Increased reload speed slightly for the M1928 Thompson SMG with Drum Magazine
  
• Increased stabbing speed on carbine and SMG bayonets by 30%
  
• Raised stabbing angle on Lee Enfields, RSC and Lebel bayonets so that they don’t stab downwards when charging
  
• Added ADS depth of field for Mannlicher 1903 Rifle
  
• Improved bolting animations for the Enfield 1917 Rifle
  
• Improved bolting animations for the Berthier M1907/15 Rifle
  
• Improved animations for the Reichs Revolver and M1911
  
• Modified Reichs Revolver firing animation so it behaves like a single-action revolver
  
• Improved base grip poses for the Enfield Mk2 pistol and Mle1873 Revolver
  
• Re-added pistol to German 1940 MG08/15 Machine Gunner kit
  
• Fixed MP40 bolt snapping into different positions when firing
  
• Refined textures of the Mle. 1873 Revolver so it’s less shiny
  
• Refined textures of the Berthier M1907/15
  
• Replaced C96 pistol with its Beyond the Wire counterpart and increased recoil slightly
  
• Removed ADS blur on Type 14 Nambu and Luger pistols
  
• Fixed missing explosion impact effects to German AT rifle grenades on some surfaces
  
• Increased interactable area for M2 .50 cal AA emplacement
  
• Updated firing audio for buildable 4-inch mortar to be a much more powerful sound
  
• Tweaked foley on the M1 Carbine reloads
  
• Added a ping-ring sound on bolting/tactical reloading for K98k, G98, Lee Enfields, P14s and Springfields
  
• Allowed AT rocket launchers to be fired when prone (but not reloadable when prone)
  
• Reduced raw damage output on AT Rifle Grenades, placing a larger emphasis on hitting components vs just the hull to be effective

Vehicles

• Added new Type 95 Kurogane Car, transport and command car variants (Japanese)
  
• Shortened M4A3E2 Jumbo reload time to 5 seconds from 7.8
  
• Refined AEC Armoured Car armour values to real-world values
  
• Engine audio tweaks for the King Tiger, Tiger, Jagdtiger, R35, B1 Bis, Somua, Jagdpanzer IV, Nashorn, Panzer 38t, Panzer II, Panzer III, Panzer III Aust. F, Sdkfz 222, Sdkfz 232, Sdkfz 234, Stummel, Puma, Daimler, AEC, Tetrarch, Challenger, Cromwell, Valentine, Comet, Matilda, Sherman M4A2, Sherman M4A3, Sherman Firefly, M10 Wolverine, M18 Hellcat, M24 Pershing, Stuart, M8 Greyhound tanks
  
• Adjusted engine starting and stopping times of tanks to better match their audio cues
  
• Increased top speed of the Jagdpanzer IV L48 from 30 kph to 40 kph; L70 variant to 35 kph
  
• Set all light vehicles (Cars, Trucks etc) to use a smaller attenuation engine sound radius compared to tanks
  
• Updated Shell audio cue with added foley
  
• Increased 128mm/120mm AP rounds hull damage to 1750 from 500
  
• Increased 128mm HIGr39C HEAT rounds hull damage to 1750 from 1000
  
• Slightly increased damage of PzGr43 128mm APCBC and PzGr39 APC rounds
  
• Resized Sherman M4A3 fuel tanks to fit under the armour collision mesh
  
• Added fuel tank weak spots to M20 Armoured Car
  
• Increased M18 Hellcat health to 1500 from 1000
  
• Increased health values of armoured half-tracks to be more survivable against AT weapons.
  
• Refined Comet, Churchill MkVII, Cromwell MkIV, M10 Achilles and AEC Mk.III cannon collision meshes to be actually armoured and protected (no longer vulnerable to machine gun fire)

Game Mechanics

• Set range focus time to 25 seconds with approx 10 seconds to refill
  
• Set stamina to 10% on revive
  
• Interact time set to one second for every emplaced weapon
  
• Refined compass range information (<30m: 1m steps, 30-100m: 5m steps, 100m-200m: 10m steps, 200-500m: 50m steps, >500m: 100m steps)
  
• Increased sound attenuation on bayonet charge shouting to 80m from 50m

Bug Fixes

• Fixed crashes related to cached objects, sound decompression
  
• Fixed Panzer 3 turret materials miss-match
  
• Fixed spelling of “Mannlicher” on some Greek roles
  
• Fixed Greek Faction Logistics weapon radial
  
• Fixed German Fallschirmjäger Grenadier kit missing actual grenade launcher
  
• Possible fix for random gunshot sounds on certain maps
  
• Possible fix for invisible rally points
  
• Fixed Greek mortar playing pistol firing sound with no attenuation
  
• Fixed Axis light tank track sounds being louder than its engine
  
• Fixed hand clipping on K98k reloads
  
• Fixed lunge mine not allowing for charging
  
• Fixed an admin tooltip error showing players in wrong teams
  
• Fixed in-game help showing always an enemy objective on frontline layers
  
• Fixed in-game help replication bug
  
• Fixed Arnhem vehicle spawners
  
• Fixed SM_HedgeA LOD
  
• Fixed broken foliage imposters
  
• Updated Crete map foliage imposters
  
• Fixed floating flames on German truck objective wrecks
  
• Fixed Bunker E objective spawning at 180 degrees wrong rotation
  
• Fixed missing and misconfigured weather and global wind systems on some maps
  
• Fixed incorrect headgear spawning for dead soldiers
  
• Fixed 101st Winter Faction all using the same player mesh
  
• Fixed French Colmar factions
  
• Fixed Springfield sniper having double sling loops
  
• Fixed French sapper missing repair wrench
  
• Fixed wrong winter vehicles on Colmar
  
• Fixed 3p player mesh animation on revive (players should hear footsteps again after being revived)
  
• Fixed floating right hand on BAR sprinting animation
  
• Fixed G43 left hand when sprinting
  
• Fixed Hotchkiss tank and Citroen car missing from hangar
  
• Fixed Stonne player spawns
  
• Fixed SME offset forward logistics truck
  
• Fixed Dinant player spawning on rooftops
  
• Possible fix for upgraded deployables not replacing original
  
• Possible fix for flags showing neutral on compass
  
• Fixed Hagenau Of2 underground ammo crate
  
• Possible fix for the walking dead bug
  
• Possible fix for server client desync on vehicles
  
• Fixed saturation slider bug
  
• Fixed AT guns not rearming all ammo

Optimisation

• Reduced hard references from 5.3GB to 3.7GB
  
• Smoke grenade material optimisation
  
• Non WP smoke grenade cloud optimisations
  
• Optimised collision volume for rally points
  
• Optimised collision volumes for Frontline bunker objectives
  
• Optimised collisions for emplacements
  
• Optimised collisions for a number of map furniture items and foliage
  
• Optimised map markers to tick only when visible
  
• Refined LOD distances of several meshes
  
• Large number of optimisations involving the addition of LODs to assets that didn’t previously have LODs
  
• Updated and optimised HLODs

Other

• Updated Main Menu splash screens
  
• Added community tutorial videos section to main menu
  
• Added Iwo Jima trailer as the start-up movie
  
• Reduce game size by removing unused old squad files
  
• Set in-game help to be on as default (may be turned off in settings)
  
• Updated in-game event help
  
• Updated DLSS to 3.7
  
• Updated FSR
  
• Upscaled Main Menu with FSR
  
• Disabled FSR on by default in-game
  
• Updated Ansel and Reflex plugins
  
• Updated NIS
  
• Removed Recruit role from section loadout options
  
• Added loading screen for local play levels
  
• Moved kill messages to use chat instead of toast to allow content creators ability to hide
  
• Streamer mode now hides text chat on UI
  
• Added burning/screaming VOs
  
• Added two-shot Flamethrower tank detonation mechanic
  
• Updated Game Credits
  
• Added seeding game mode to MapRotation.cfg
  
• Fixed several spelling errors across the game
  
• Added text to server browser refresh button
  
• Updated Main Menu dev announcement

Known Bugs

• WP Smoke grenades lacking correct VFX (hotfix to follow as priority)
  
• Commander call in artillery inconsistent (hotfix to follow as priority)

We’ll be hosting a public playtest for our upcoming Iwo Jima map starting Jan 29th 2025, 19:00 UTC, for 24 hours!

The playtest will be held on the “Squad 44 - Public Testing” app, which is different from the main game. If you cannot locate it in your library, go to the top of Steam, click on “View”, and then “Hidden Games”.





We hope to have several servers up during this time, but if servers are full, please still join the queues, as this helps us with server stress testing.

Cheers, folks! See you on Iwo Jima!

For our last transmission of the year, we at Offworld wanted to thank you for being the best community we could ask for. This year has truly been incredible and we are excited to show what we have planned for next year!

But for now, eat well, spend time with loved ones, and we will see back in the studio, January 6th!


Pick up Squad 44 during the Steam Winter Sale for 60% off until January 2, 2025:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/736220/Squad_44/

Squad 44 will be on sale during Steam Autumn Sale for 60% OFF! This offer lasts from December 19th until the Winter Sale ends on January 2nd, so grab a discounted copy for you or your friends during this limited time!

Watch the latest live stream showcasing our upcoming Pacific Update here. Now is a great time to pick up the game at a discounted price!

Offworld out.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/736220/Squad_44/