Greetings, Commanders!
After a successful Matrix Store release and a well-deserved winter break, we are back to work, bringing new improvements to Armored Brigade II. The next patch introduces a mix of gameplay features, new content, and visual enhancements, further refining both tactical depth and the overall experience.
And just in case you missed it, Armored Brigade II will be out on Steam April 8th, 2025. The team is hard at work adding new features and refining the game for our big Steam debut.
New features like the Finnish army and their XA-180 Patria Pasi - a 6x6 armored personnel carrier
Refining Tactical AI: Return Suppression Fire
One of the longstanding challenges in the Armored Brigade has been the phenomenon of “ghost fire”. This occurs when units come under attack but do not react because the enemy remains undetected. We have always recognized this as a key area for improvement, and one of the first things we focused on in this update was refining how units respond to incoming fire. The result is the introduction of a return suppression fire mechanism, a feature rarely seen in an AI-controlled form among wargames and possibly unique in its implementation. Units will now attempt to suppress enemies that remain unseen but are actively engaging them by directing suppressive fire toward the suspected locations. This does not mean blindly shooting in all directions, but a calculated reaction, where the algorithm assesses likely enemy positions to disrupt attacks and give friendly forces a fighting chance.
Trying to engage unseen enemies is especially important for urban battles
This addition reflects our broader game design philosophy: ensuring both human players and AI-controlled forces operate under the same conditions without artificial advantages. Unlike traditional real-time tactics games that rely on heavy micromanagement, Armored Brigade II is not designed to reward human intuition alone but rather to support a tactical AI capable of following broad commands. However, implementing such a system is no simple task. At this scale, without abstracting to the operational level, our AI must handle a vast range of variables—from prioritizing multiple threats to reacting to unseen dangers without resorting to unfair knowledge (or outright cheating). This is just the first step in refining tactical AI, with the ultimate goal of introducing AI-driven covering fire and suppression. Future updates will continue to build on this foundation, further enhancing the fluidity and dynamism of engagements.
Revamped Battle Replay System
Another major improvement comes in the form of a revamped Battle Replay system. The traditional after-action replay has been replaced with a more flexible tool, allowing players to review the course of a battle at any point. But a word of warning—do not get too excited just yet. This system still uses NATO icons, and currently, there are no visible 3D units. We will certainly revisit this in the future, as the underlying code behind a full 3D replay could be closely intertwined with another, much more exciting feature—but it is too early to disclose details.
In a few short seconds you can completely review a multi-hour battle
Visual Enhancements and Effects
A key addition in this update is FXAA (Fast Approximate Anti-Aliasing), which enhances image quality without a significant performance hit. This should result in smoother visuals, particularly when dealing with distant objects and fine details.
Night operations are also receiving a visual upgrade, with the addition of White Hot and Black Hot night vision modes alongside the existing Green IR and Red Thermal visuals. These provide alternative ways to interpret the battlefield in low-light conditions, catering to different preferences. Additionally, improved wreck fires and smoke effects are coming in the next update, bringing battlefields to life with a more intense and atmospheric experience.
Expanded and Improved Formations: The Bundeswehr Additions
On the content front, we have been diving deep into the Stärke- und Ausstattungsnachweisung (STAN or StAN) and the fascinating world of German military organization and its endless abbreviations. This update brings not only refinements to existing formations using updated archival sources but also a significant expansion of available German units and compositions. New formations include, but are not limited to:
- Motorized PzGren/Jägers – Light infantry with improved mobility, allowing for more flexible tactics.
- Gebirgsjäger – Mountain troops trained for rugged terrain and harsh conditions.
- Fallschirmjäger – Elite airborne infantry with a well-known reputation.
- Aufklärungstruppe – Diverse reconnaissance units, offering specialized scouting capabilities and enhancing battlefield awareness.
- Pioniere & Panzerpioniere – Combat engineers, capable of breaching obstacles and minefields.
But that is not all. We are also working on adding motorized paratroopers, equipped with KraKa and Wiesel weapon carriers. These highly mobile, lightly armored units will introduce new tactical possibilities for airmobile operations. Though not yet complete, this addition will further expand the tactical options available in the game and scenarios. Moreover, this patch includes three new Soviet-side scenarios, offering fresh challenges for players commanding Warsaw Pact forces.
Our new white/black hot night vision mode adds more options when conducting a night battle
Finally Finnished
Another long-awaited improvement is the replacement of Finnish placeholder vehicle models with proper assets, bringing iconic Finnish units to life in full detail. Whether storming enemy positions with the venerable StuG, maneuvering the Comet or Charioteer in fluid armored engagements, or deploying mechanized troops with the XA-180, Finnish forces can now be fielded in all their visual authenticity. And more units and formations are expected to follow, as we did with West Germans, expanding the range of tactical possibilities available to Finnish forces.
This patch is another step forward in refining the Armored Brigade II experience, bringing us closer to the Steam release. While some of these features lay the groundwork for even bigger improvements down the line, they already bring meaningful additions to the game. We look forward to hearing your thoughts as we continue to develop and expand the game.
Stay sharp, and see you on the battlefield!