Panzer Corps 2 News

Good morning, Lieutenants!

Welcome to the first Developer Diary exploring the upcoming Frontlines - Cyrenaica DLC Campaign for Panzer Corps 2.
There’s all kinds of interesting details to be found in the latest upcoming Panzer Corps 2 Campaign, so let’s dive into it!

[h2]FRONTLINES CAMPAIGN[/h2]
The campaign depicts the Battle of Cyrenaica from mid-September 1940 to mid-March 1941.
In the summer of 1940, a German attack on Great Britain seems imminent. Seeking a place among the victors, Italy launches a surprise offensive from Libya into British-controlled Egypt. This marks the beginning of the North African Campaign.
This campaign covers the operations known as Operation E (the Italian invasion of Egypt) and Operation Compass (the British counterattack to the Italian invasion, and the successive invasion of Libya).


In line with the Frontlines series, these campaigns will be shorter but highly intense. This focused approach allows us to present specific operations in greater detail.

These operations are often overlooked in history books or quickly summarized to focus on the “core” events of World War II. However, these operations were crucial in shaping the decisions of both sides and were pivotal to the events that followed.
So, we want to dive deeper into them as we believe they are worth being shown and played in a dedicated DLC Campaign.


Given their nature as “rapid battles”, the Frontline series is perfectly suited to showcase their importance, as these battles are primarily fought in cities or within a few kilometers, offering a zoomed-in and more detailed approach.

[h2]DOUBLE CAMPAIGN[/h2]


For the first time in Panzer Corps 2, we want you to experience the same battles from both perspectives, each one with their own perception of the events and different objectives to achieve victory (well, almost!). For each campaign you will create and command your core army for both factions: the Italians and the British Commonwealth.

[h2]FACTIONS[/h2]
Talking about Italians and British Commonwealth, you will primarily face off against the 10th Army for the British and the 7th Armoured Division for the Italians, along with the Commonwealth forces that supported them: the Free French, the 4th Indian Division, and the 6th Australian Division.


Although the Italians had numerical superiority, their vehicles and firepower were far less effective than those of the British Commonwealth. We’ve aimed to capture this dynamic in both campaigns.


On top of that, we want to give space to all the prominent personalities present on the battlefield. You will encounter —and be able to use— a variety of heroes who played key roles in these battles, each one with traits that better reflect their real-life actions and contributions.

[h2]PORTRAITS[/h2]
In this campaign, we want to give more depth to the personalities who shaped the events at a higher level. We’ve created detailed portraits of key generals and governors, each with multiple expressions that reflect different situations. These figures will not only appear in briefings, but will also provide a narrative thread throughout the campaign, offering more immersion and context.



For the Italian forces, among others, you'll encounter Generals Mario Berti and Giuseppe Tellera, Commanders of the Tenth Army, and General Rodolfo Graziani, the Governor of Libya. Graziani’s controversial decisions had significant consequences in the desert battles, and you will directly experience the consequences of his choices.



On the British side, General Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, and General Richard O'Connor, known for his bold leadership during Operation Compass, will guide you through the campaign.
By integrating these historical figures into the narrative, we aim to enrich your experience, providing both strategic guidance and an immersive story that brings the decisions of the generals to life.


[h2]MAJOR UNITS[/h2]
Last (for now) but not least, here are some of the units from both factions that you can expect to encounter.

The primary armored vehicles used in these battles were the M11/39 and the M13/40 for Italy, and Cruiser Tanks and Matilda II for the British.

Talking about the air force, you will find the Fiat CR.42 Falco and the Gloster Gladiator, which often engaged in 1v1 aerial duels over the skies of Cyrenaica.

But overall, a very important role was played by the recon units, such as the British Morris CS9 or the Italian AB40. Their high mobility in the challenging and hostile desert terrain provided a significant advantage to the factions that used them most effectively.

In addition to them, we wanted to add some new and peculiar units that played a main role in these operations.

[h2]ITALIAN UNITS[/h2]
Moto Guzzi TriAlce The Moto Guzzi TriAlce was a versatile and nimble motorcycle designed for quick maneuvers and transport. Produced in 1939 to replace the Moto Guzzi GT 20, it was used extensively in all three of its versions: single-seat, two-seat, and sidecar.
Armed with a Breda M37 8mm machine gun, the TriAlce saw action in almost every battle.
A very useful and, in fact, used Recon unit.

Ascari del Cielo (Black Devils) The Ascari del Cielo, also known as the “Black Devils,” were the first paratroopers of the Italian Army, although they were never used as airborne units in combat situations.
They were composed of Libyan personnel of Arab-Berber ethnicity, with extensive knowledge of the terrain and the desert.
During the North African campaign, they were heavily deployed as infantry.

Mortaio da 81 mod.35 The Mortaio da 81 mod.35 was one of the most versatile and widely used weapons by Italian forces during the North African campaign in World War II. Developed in 1935, this 81mm mortar was praised for its combination of mobility and effectiveness on the battlefield. Its relatively lightweight made it easy to transport across the challenging desert terrain, where speed and adaptability were crucial for providing vital indirect fire support to Italian infantry units.

Cannone da 65/17 The Cannone da 65/17 was a lightweight and versatile artillery piece used by the Italian Army. Designed as a mountain gun, it was highly portable, easy to dismantle, and well-suited for challenging terrains, like the North African desert.
This gun served as both an artillery piece and an anti-tank weapon, though its effectiveness against modern tanks was limited. However, its simplicity, mobility, and durability ensured its continued use, despite being pretty outdated by World War II standards.

[h2]BRITISH UNITS[/h2]
RR Armored CarThe Rolls-Royce Armored Car was a robust vehicle designed for both mobility and firepower, primarily used as a recon unit due to its high mobility.
Rolls-Royce played a significant role in the construction of this vehicle, as well as in the development of the Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine, which powered some of the most iconic aircraft of World War II, including the Spitfire, the Hurricane, and the Battle.

Cruiser Tanks (MKII - MKIII)
Cruiser tanks were a series of fast and agile tanks, each one improving upon its predecessor. Since various types of Cruisers were used, we aim to “complete the series,” adding the MKII and MKIII to offer more choice and enhance historical accuracy.

The Cruiser MKII, also known as the A10, was a heavier version of the MKI, armed with a QF 2-pounder 40mm gun and two BESA 7.92mm machine guns.
Designed to be an infantry tank, it lacked the necessary characteristics and was instead used as a heavy cruiser.

The Cruiser MKIII, also known as the A13, was the first tank of its class to use the Christie suspension system, which significantly enhanced speed and cross-country performance.
This innovation made it faster and more maneuverable than its predecessors, allowing it to operate effectively as a medium cruiser and play a key role in the desert campaigns of North Africa, where mobility and speed were crucial.

Bofors 37mm PortéeThe Bofors 37mm Portée was an adaptation of the Bofors 37mm anti-tank gun, modified to increase mobility in the challenging terrain of North Africa. The gun was mounted on vehicles, such as trucks, allowing for quick transport across the battlefield.
Its armament was capable of penetrating the armor of light and medium vehicles with relative ease, but its effectiveness decreased as tank armor improved, and it was gradually phased out during the course of World War II.

[h2]NEW UNITS LIST[/h2]
To wrap things up, here is the complete list of new units arriving with this DLC, expanding your strategic options on the battlefield.

[expand]Italian

• Moto Guzzi TriAlce
  
• Ascari del Cielo (Black devils)
  
• Mortaio da 81 M35
  
• 65/17 M13
  

[/expand]

[expand]British Commonwealth

• Bofors 37mm AT Portée
  
• RR Armored Car
  
• Gladiator Mk.II
  
• Hurricane Mk.I (Tac R)
  
• Cruiser Mk.II
  
• Cruiser Mk.III
  
• AU Engineers
  

[/expand]

[h2]CONCLUSIONS[/h2]
That’s all for this first Dev Diary, thank you for joining us.
Start packing your bags and get ready to face desert conditions, sandstorms, and tackle the unique events you’ll encounter.
In the next Dev Diary, we’ll dive deeper into the environment and some key historical events, exploring how they’re integrated into this Panzer Corps 2 DLC.
See you there.

At ease, Lieutenants!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Step into the heart of the North African Campaign with Panzer Corps 2: Frontlines – Cyrenaica, the latest DLC for Panzer Corps 2. Covering the critical battles of Operation E and Operation Compass, this expansion brings the harsh desert warfare of Cyrenaica to life like never before.



Experience two expansive campaigns, commanding both the Italian and British forces. Relive the Italians’ fleeting victories and chaotic retreat, or lead the British in a masterful counteroffensive. Iconic units, real-life generals, and innovative gameplay mechanics will challenge your tactical skills as you navigate Cyrenaica's unforgiving deserts.

[h2]Beta Sign-Ups Are Open[/h2]
We’re excited to announce that beta sign-ups are now live. The beta will begin before the end of December, and we’ll keep you updated as we get closer.

Prepare your strategies and join us on this tactical journey into one of World War II's most iconic theaters.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/?curator_clanid=35018759

Achtung Panzer Generals.

We have a grab bag of goodies to share in this news update today.

In the latest Panzer Corps 2 patch, we’ve got some general fixes and improvements for the game, some fine tuning adjustments for the recent Fall of Poland campaign, but most excitingly and also the focus of this announcement is the release of four brand new scenarios for all owners of Panzer Corps 2 to enjoy... at no additional cost and with no DLC ownership required. Consider these scenarios as our holiday gift to you, our players and community, who have kept Panzer Corps going and going for over 13 years and counting. Thank you once again, and we hope you enjoy the scenarios even more than these previews of them we have for you today.

Change log:

• Added 4 new single scenarios: End in Poland, Attu, Imphal, and Rhone River
  
• Fixed a few minor issues in War Stories: Fall of Poland campaign
  

The first scenario we’d like to cover is fittingly set to the current season and takes place during a stormy winter battle, the Battle of Attu. In this scenario, you’ll get an opportunity to lead a joint US and Canadian force in the struggle to liberate Attu, part of the Aleutian islands off the coast of Alaska, which had been occupied by the Japanese in June of ’42.



Be prepared for a very unique amphibious landing battle that actually takes place during a snowstorm, definitely a one-of-a-kind battle with that element in it. But that’s not the only surprise in store in this historical scenario, and we don’t want to spoil every surprise here in this reveal...



The second free scenario takes you back to Poland in 1939, but unlike the recent fall of Poland DLC, in the Battle of Kock you’ll be commanding German forces in the final battle of the Polish Campaign that marked the absolute end of organized Polish Resistance.



Expect to see many of the brand new units added during the Fall of Poland DLC to make their appearances here, as all of those units are included with the base game of Panzer Corps 2 and they are not directly tied to the campaign DLC purchase.



The next scenario in this free content pack moves to India, with the opening stages of the crucial Battle of Imphal, as played from a Japanese perspective. A large roster of Japanese units has been added to Panzer Corps 2 ever since the release of Axis Operations 1946, and that makes this scenario the first ever Panzer Corps 2 scenario with the Japanese as the playable faction.



In the Battle of Imphal, you’ll be fighting a very different kind of war compared to fighting across the plains of Europe or Steppes of Russia. Between your Japanese forces and their ultimate goal of Imphal are thick jungles and mountainous terrain that characterized the border between India and Burma. Good air support and plenty of units capable of fighting in dense terrain absolutely characterize the opening act of this battle. But as for what happens after the breakthrough, well that would be another spoiler...



And last but not least, we have one fictional scenario to join the previous three historical scenarios of this free content package. This one is set during June of 1940, at the end of the Battle of France. In this scenario, you’ll actually be playing as a French force, attempting to stall both German panzers and also Italian invaders from capturing more and more of France before an armistice is reached.



We hope you all enjoyed this preview of the pack of free scenarios being included in this latest Panzer Corps 2 patch. And to further celebrate, we’ll be putting Panzer Corps 2 on sale for anyone new who is interested in picking up the game to enjoy its wealth of hundreds of scenarios and many historical World War II campaigns.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1072040/Panzer_Corps_2/

Thank you once again to all our awesome players and to the community as a whole. We wish you all Happy Holidays and best wishes through the rest of winter. We’ll be right back with more news and updates to share very early next year.

The entire Panzer Corps 2 franchise is on sale on Steam with discounts of up to 60% off. Don't miss out and complete your collection, the sale runs until October 21st

Salutations, Panzer Generals.

It’s been a month since the debut of Panzer Corps 2’s latest DLC, and we wanted to take a moment to share some insider insights with our community.

First of all, we are continually amazed and humbled by the reception our work on Panzer Corps 2 receives. To the thousands of players who have embarked on Panzer Corps 2 campaigns, and even now continue to do so on a daily basis, we have nothing but the deepest appreciation for all of you; especially in this day and age of games being shut down from lack of interest and of players.

We’re always thrilled to read about your experiences with our campaigns, and look at screenshots and media of your campaign playthroughs. There really isn’t quite a feeling like the one we get when we read about the fun players are having with Panzer Corps 2; it’s our reward for all of the countless hours of work that goes into the planning, research, construction, and playtesting content for Panzer Corps 2.



Now that said, there have also been some very articulate criticisms in your player feedback, and while we enjoy bathing in the glow of fun and fuzzy positive vibes, it would be a disservice to ignore well constructed criticisms. Valid criticisms offer an opportunity to learn and grow. Afterall, it takes a really passionate fan to know, and care, enough about something to take their time to sit down and write about it in detail.

To keep this Developer Log on the short and sweet side though, there is just one of these criticisms I’d like to address directly, because I think it should be explained better, so you can see our developer perspective on what we are aiming for.

Something Panzer Corps 2 has been doing recently is to have some deliberately inaccurate or misleading objective design. Here is an example from Fall of Poland.



That objective to ‘Rally Encircled Border Guards’ is something players very quickly found out was seemingly impossible to achieve, and I’m here to tell you, yes, it is actually very much impossible. So don’t worry that you were unable to achieve it, that’s why we made that objective not hand out a ‘game over’ defeat screen.

So why is that objective listed? Well, when we put things like that into the campaigns, we’re trying to create some ‘fog of war’ with imperfect or incomplete information and directions. The history buffs among us know how many of the battles of World War II turn out, and have probably some inkling of how the recreations of many of those battles within Panzer Corps 2 will also probably be turning out.



But to actually be in that moment, your information would be incomplete. On the morning of September 1st 1939, the Polish soldier on the border with Germany doesn’t immediately know a full scale invasion is happening all across Poland. The only instruction you’ve been given is to alert and organize border defenses against some kind of incursion, and this realization that the border troops are completely overwhelmed and overrun well past any possibility to preserve or rally, that’s a window into the realization that bigger events are afoot than anyone in that place and in that moment in time would be aware of.

Bottom line though, we definitely recognize this sort of thing can be confusing to players, even if that confusion is by design, perhaps in the future it can be done in a way that is less anxiety producing and more mysterious and thematic. We’ll certainly keep that in mind moving forward, as we try our best to read and assimilate the player feedback we regularly receive.

We definitely have some very interesting ideas and plans still yet ahead for Panzer Corps 2, and we’ll be back to tell you all about them hopefully sooner than later.