EndWar Online Launches a Major Alpha Update
Generals, a new update for the EndWar Online Alpha is coming on July 31 and it includes brand new PvE modes, campaign Chapter VI for both Russian and European Factions, a huge improvement to enemy A.I., a wide range of UI changes, and a bunch of new Commanders with more unique abilities to play with! Get the full details on this massive update below.
New Modes
Two New PvE Battle Modes
One of the most important improvements in the PvE campaign is the addition of different battle modes. Right now, in addition to the standard victory objective, we have added two new objectives with limited time pressure. This is the first iteration of improvement for the campaign, and we are toying around with adding more new objectives in upcoming updates.
Assault
In Assault mode you will have to defeat the enemy before the time runs out. Enemy AI will play very defensively, waiting for you to make the first move, and then they will make a counter move. But watch out because if you don’t destroy the enemy before time is up, you lose!
Hold Out
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Assault is the new Hold Out mode. You will have to defend your base against overwhelming waves of enemies, staying alive long enough for the cavalry to arrive.
Improved AI
The EndWar Online development team worked really hard to improve the artificial intelligence of the computer opponents in the PvE campaign. “We’ve integrated elements that will create more variety in the PvE combat experience,” says David Maurin, Lead Game Designer. “It starts with AI that can handle all unit types, so now AI can air-strike you, bomb with its artillery, transport infantry to uplinks, and so on. It’s a simple, classic strategy, but it really improves the PvE experience and can teach you some tactics you may not have anticipated before.”
So don’t be surprised when you see the AI enemies employ new tactics or more proficiently use the special Abilities of their units.
Campaign Chapter VI
There were many requests for more PvE content and battles. We heard you, and so we added another story chapter. It takes place in South Central Europe – mostly former Balkan countries for the European Faction – and in the North Caucasus for Russia. There are seven new map locations for each Faction and new enemies as well.
“Chapter VI is unique,” explains Writer Jess Lebow. “Unlike some other Chapters, where you are getting internal conflict between groups that are unique to the actual Faction, here we’re fighting against global groups. They will fight against both the European and Russian Factions. You won’t yet discover why you’re both fighting the same group, but that’s going to be part of the overall story, which will be revealed later in the game.”
New Commanders
The most exciting content update is our new Commanders – seven for each Faction, adding one more tier to each of the following classes: tanks, AAVs, gunships, infantry, artillery, air-strike and air-transport. That leaves us with a total of 14 new commanders. Air-intercept and drones will have to wait for a later update.
“They will use some hi-tech weapons, including European tanks with THEL guns, or Russian tanks with flame throwers,” says Maurin. “These are really my favorite. Other examples are artillery that will use ‘glue bombs’ and infantry that will be equipped with anti-air missile launchers. So, in general, you’ll find more new cool Commanders and more separation between the skills for both the Russian and European ones.”
In addition to Maurin’s favorite Commanders, we also have unconventional Russian gunships with bio-chemical bombs, European helicopters equipped with EMP waves, heavy transport helicopters with pretty effective countermeasure missiles, and finally, our favorite, “carpet-bombing” tactical bombers that can air-strike all units in a single lane of movement.
Convoy Intercept
We’ve also added an extra bonus feature to Alpha 0.2.0: Convoy Intercept. You can now deploy your naval fleet into the oceans and seas across the globe to intercept other Factions’ convoys as they move supplies. You will be able to choose between deploying regular Coast Guards, which cost only Energy and can reward you with epic equipment and resources, or deploying a fleet of Destroyers, which cost Gold but can reward you with Legendary loot!
The first time you try it, this feature is free. After that, there are no limits on how many times you can intercept each day, but you will have to pay the deployment costs.
And More…
There are many more minor changes as well – the most visible of which are the UI improvements (mentioned above) and some Crafting changes. You can learn more about these in our newest episode of SITREP.
Check out all the changes in-game and share your reactions on the EndWar Online forums! We are looking forward to your comments for future improvements, changes and new content.
How to Join
Here are a couple of tips on how you can enter the EndWar Online Alpha:
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An official email invitation from us – In order to maximize your chance to be selected, make sure that you have completed as many tasks as possible from the Beta Boost program and that you are an active contributor on the official EndWar Online Facebook page as well as the EndWar Online forums. Former Tech Assault players will be given queuing priority.
The Alpha Lucky Draw – We are giving players who did not receive invitations a chance to be randomly chosen as an Alpha tester! All you have to do to take part in the draw is register or sign up with your Uplay account, click “Alpha Access,” and try your luck at the Lucky Draw by clicking “Win Alpha Access” button. You can participate once per day, so keep trying and you may be granted immediate access to the game!
Watch the Livestream – Come and join us during our very first EndWar Online Alpha live stream taking place on August 7th at 7:30PM CEST/10:30AM PDT and be entered for a chance to get your very own Alpha key. Follow us to get the notification once we go live at twitch.com/endwaronline.
Be sure to keep an eye on the UbiBlog and the EndWar Online official website for more updates.
For more on EndWar Online, take a look at these posts: