- Статьи
- Internet and technology
- Like a shell, like a tank: Panzer Strike will tell you about the most striking episodes of the Second World War
Like a shell, like a tank: Panzer Strike will tell you about the most striking episodes of the Second World War
A Russian programmer from Moscow has been creating the historical computer game Panzer Strike for 10 years. This is a real-time strategy game by genre, and it is scheduled to be released at the end of 2025. Izvestia was the first to play Panzer Strike and was able to see how carefully the history of the Great Patriotic War is transferred to digital format.
Gameplay Features
The Moscow programmer has been working on his own "engine" for computer games for 10 years. In 2022, he decided to make an author's game using this technology — a real-time strategy game about the events of the Great Patriotic War. The ISAK Team company was registered for this purpose. As the brief synopsis of Panzer Strike says: "Command your troops, strategize, and win the battles of World War II. Huge maps, thousands of units, long shooting ranges, and no construction."
Screenshot from the game Panzer Strike
Currently, Panzer Strike offers more than 40 models of military equipment, a variety of strategic and tactical techniques, as well as the opportunity to play for the USSR and Germany — 10 missions for each side. In the demo version, only the Soviet Union was among the playable factions, which is an absolute priority for ISAK Team, since the game is aimed mainly at the Russian-speaking audience.
— We try to make the game interesting, sometimes it comes at the expense of realism. Wherever possible, we follow the maximum: we do the technique according to the drawings, when setting the parameters of the units, we try to reflect the real technical characteristics in them, we are very sensitive to the environment, we study photographs and maps. We found an expert on the Internet, who gave us valuable advice on the architecture of East Prussia and on the life of that time in general," the developer noted.
It is already known that Panzer Strike will feature non-linear missions, a carefully designed damage and reservation system, as well as the ability to play both alone against AI and in multiplayer battles against other opponents.
— The game is based on its own engine. The code base of the project is now more than 300 thousand lines, but this is not even the most important criterion. Work on the engine has been underway for 10 years.
Screenshot from the game Panzer Strike
As the author admitted, the team has recently expanded to 10 people with varying degrees of workload, who work according to the availability of free time and tasks. At the same time, only two people are employed on a permanent basis: the project manager, who is also the chief programmer, and the game designer, as well as the art director. At the same time, the project retained the status of copyright and independent.
— In Panzer Strike, we cover the time range from the beginning of the war to the end. We are not aiming for historical reconstruction, so the missions will be more of a collective image. They will fit into famous battles in terms of context, but not in terms of actual geography. We would like to recreate some historical places and events literally, but so far it is too expensive. The main plot points will take place in the summer and spring," the ISAK Team representative office added.
The developer is inspired by popular strategy games from the noughties of the 21st century, among the main references are Sudden Strike 1-2 (in Russia it is known by the name "Confrontation 3-4") and the first part of "Blitzkrieg".
Expert assessments
Panzer Strike is a project with potential, especially for fans of classic strategies in the spirit of "Confrontation". The graphics and the process look a bit nostalgic, but it can also be a plus for those who miss the style of the games of the early 2000s, says Maxim Zalilov, head of the Department for the development of high-tech and digital sports at the Moscow Center for Educational Practices.
— The theme of war will never exhaust itself if you make games with respect for history and with original mechanics. It is important not just to copy old patterns, but to offer a fresh perspective: for example, to work deeper into tactics, add non-banal scenarios or multiplayer modes. In general, Russian developers should be more active in strategy: we have a rich military history, which gives a lot of ideas for cool projects. The main thing is not to slip into propaganda or excessive retro stylization, but to make games that will also be interesting to the new generation," the expert added.
The current version feels like a niche product for the few connoisseurs of tactical strategies. To claim wider recognition in the industry, developers need to strengthen two areas: the depth of mechanics and the support of a long-term ecosystem. Interesting findings in the gameplay are already visible — the interactivity of the environment or the combination of skills of units, according to Ivan Kalmykov, an expert in the video game industry.
— It's a very niche story. The idea is not new, and the graphics look too outdated for a young audience of gamers who are spoiled by a beautiful picture. The only way to save this project is to add a dynamic and exciting online mode. Perhaps developers should try to get financial assistance from government development institutions," said esports player Grisha Putin, creator of the popular "African Dawn" mod for the Hearts of Iron 4 strategy.
Screenshot from the game Panzer Strike
The main risks of the project will be a narrow niche associated with the low popularity of games in this genre, as well as high competition with time-tested releases such as Call to Arms, Sudden Strike 4 and Men of War II. The game desperately needs a marketing strategy that will attract a wide audience, says Vadim Kovalenko, a lecturer at the Department of Esports at the Synergy Faculty of Gaming and Esports.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
