[2022] Developer Briefing #173 - Update 13, Console Parity, Commonwealth Timeline

A lil somethin somethin: You can find the details for this event on the announcement page here.

Hi everyone,

We want to thank the community for your patience as we spent the last couple of months prioritizing & finalizing console content so that it’s inline with the PC. Now this parity work is almost complete, it will make general HLL development much smoother moving forward.

Although this work has taken longer than we’d have liked, it has been a huge technical achievement for the team that enables us to deliver PC & Console updates at the same time in the future - or with minimal time between. It was also critical for us to do this work in order to streamline and best use the team’s time as effectively as possible moving into the years ahead.

After releasing a major update like Falling Dark, we take time to continue internal testing and QA. We wish to assure the community that Update 13 will bring another level of polish and improvement to all areas of the game. This means that U13 will be the last major update for the year. We feel it’ll be sure to create quite the sizzle.

Lastly, we’re thrilled to announce that our aim is to release the Commonwealth Expansion as our first major update of 2023. We will be announcing an updated roadmap to reflect this in the coming weeks. Creating an Expansion with a whole new force, suite of weaponry and vehicles, as well as new maps is a time consuming process and one that we’re keen to get right. We’re excited to share this with you as we continue to work through its creation. We’re very excited to introduce a whole new theater of war and are excited for the new maps this enables us to develop.


WIP Render of the iconic British Bren gun

Update 13: Flames, Frost and More!
We have some very exciting content currently aligned for this next update on-top of general QOL improvements. This includes but is not limited to the following.

• T-70
  
• Winter Map (TBA)
  
• Winter Uniforms
  
• Jeeps
  
• Flame Throwers
  
• RCON Improvements
  
• New Cosmetics

We look forward to sharing more on that front in the coming weeks, as well as initial testing and return of the PTE! For U13. This update will require prolonged testing as we expect technical challenges when it comes to Flamethrowers, Jeeps and more.

We hope that you will join us when this testing begins and look forward to your support and feedback.

Soviet T-70 Light Tank
U13 will also see the introduction of a new vehicle, the Soviet T-70 light tank. Let's take a quick glance at a brief historical summary of the T-70 class light tank in WW2.

With over 8,000 produced, the T-70 became popular during World War 2 as an inexpensive upgrade or improvement upon its predecessor the T-60. Lightly armored and equipped with a 45mm cannon and a 7.62 machine gun, it’ll take the same position as the Stuart and Luchs do on the battlefield at present.

Although not as fast or as armoured as its big brother the T34, the T-70 was a step up from its predecessor (the T-60) and featured heavily in the fighting around Prokhorovka during the battle of Kursk. The T-70 was used mainly as a reconnaissance vehicle, however if driven with skill, it was able to take out bigger rivals. Not able to keep up with its newer and bigger brethren the T-70 would often be found scouting or in defensive duties.


Historical picture of an unusual winterised T-70 painted white

Sadly after suffering heavy losses in the battle of Kursk the T-70 was relegated from the frontlines to provide a more sustainable role in convoy escorts, training and HQ defense, leaving the T-34 and IS-1 to remain more prominent on the frontline fields of battle.

The implementation of the T-70 to HLL is a further iteration of the initial roll out of assets boasting smart materials off the bat. It has been a pleasing result for both looks and performance to be using the smart materials system.


Attacking the trenches of Kursk


Pushing forwards on the frontline


Rolling to the battlefield

We look forward to watching players roll out in the new T-70 Light Tank in U13.

Silver Vanguard DLC Update
We have been aware for some time now that the community has been asking about the M42 Helmet with goggles that appears in the ‘Silver Vanguard’ DLC. This picture was honestly a minor oversight in the artwork used for the Steam Store. The team got together and discussed two options for this, either to update the artwork in the Steam Store to be correct without the helmet or to include the M42 Helmet with Motorcycle Goggles in the existing Silver Vanguard DLC.


‘Silver Vanguard’ Store Art on Steam featuring the M42 Helmet with Goggles.

We are happy to announce that we will be implementing the roll out of the M42 Helmet with Motorcycle Goggles into the Silver Vanguard DLC pack. So all owners both past, present and future of the Silver Vanguard DLC pack will now see they also have the M42 Helmet with Motorcycle Goggles in their Barracks, ready to equip for battle on the frontline.


M42 Helmet with Motorcycle Goggles

Moving Forwards With Developer Briefings
As more and more items and content for update 13 and onwards are reaching near finished status we intend to increase the frequency of the Developer briefings for the remainder of this year. This will allow us to, in a more timely manner, preview to all of you some of the new things coming to HLL. The increase in release of dev briefs and the associated content will commence as of now. We have a lot of information to share over the coming months and look forward to showcasing it in upcoming developer briefings.

Community Update - HLL 18 vs 18 Competitive Tournament
The 18vs18 format was introduced to the Hell Let Loose Community by Abinus & the HLLTC in the Summer of 2020. The format is designed to encourage FPS skills and teamwork by compacting the team and map size. 18vs18 is played on a single strongpoint and the 2x2 around it, with 18 players per side. Each match is 30 minutes in length, but can continue if the central strongpoint is contested. These matches are designed to be fast-paced, action packed insanity - where individual efforts can be the difference between winning and losing.


You can check out past matches here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-shUPWKE5AsMAD5CcSgm0A/videos

Streaming will be here from October 10: https://www.twitch.tv/hll18vs18 .

More information on this can be found in the HLL Discord in the ‘Event Announcement’ channel.

War Correspondent, Content Creator and Community HLL Videos
Time for some more community highlights from the below creators. We highly recommend giving them a watch. This week we have decided to showcase some of the larger content creators that have featured HLL in their streams recently.

If you see an interesting Community Content Video or make one yourself, make sure to post in the Discord #hll-videos channel.

Only A Miracle Will Save This Team - Hell let Loose - Nano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pyX1CZrpj8

REALISTIC NIGHT WW2 WARFARE! - Hell Let Loose Update 12 Gameplay - OperatorDrewski
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDLbRMm1OCw

I defended Omaha Beach with a Sniper Rifle…- Jackfrags
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onCxr5vEP_o

Don’t forget that if you haven’t checked out the other Hell Let Loose socials you should do so. Like our discord, you will find them great places for information and community interaction.

[discord.gg]
Join the Discord here https://discord.gg/hellletloose

Our other social platforms can be found here:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HellLetLoose/
Twitter https://twitter.com/hell_let_loose
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/HellLetLoose
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/HellLetLoose/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hellletlooseofficial/
Steam http://steamcommunity.com/groups/HellLetLoose

Well, it's time to wrap up today's Dev Brief. See you all on the frontline!