Matrix Games

In today’s Dev log, we will talk about the USSR campaign in Headquarters: Cold War and discuss its historical background, key features, and important battles.

I will not go into too much detail to allow you to experience the campaign without too many spoilers, but I will outline some key moments and historical background.

The Berlin Wall is not an obstacle in the USSR tank’s way

The historical background

The game’s events are set in 1984, where the storyline becomes an alternative history, and the Cold War turns into a full-scale war. It happened right at the very end of the Cold War era, when the tensions were still running high, just before Gorbachev came into power and started to gradually lower the hostility between the USSR and the Western countries. This timeframe makes sense historically, while also conveniently allowing us to use a wider array of units, which includes all models introduced by 1984. 

A fragile peace is one Berlin Wall away from being shattered

The war plan

The invasion was planned as a relatively quick takeover of West Germany, followed by the negotiations, and the reluctance of the NATO countries to enter a nuclear war for the sake of West Germany. Thus, putting USSR in a stronger position diplomatically and allowing them to dictate its terms in Europe. The dev team was drawing inspiration from various military exercises of the time, including “Seven Days to the River Rhine”, as well as other sources - there are quite a lot of speculations as to how the Cold War might have gone really hot. 

That is exactly the nukes that were supposed not to happen…

Starting with Berlin

As many of you know, during that time, Berlin was split between West and East Germany, separated by the Berlin Wall. So, the first order of the day for the USSR troops was to cross the border and capture the historical center of Berlin, including the ex-Reichstag building. Then, occupy the rest of the city.

USSR troops are taking the ex-Reichstag building once again

River crossing at Hann. Münden

One of the battles will take you to the town of Hann. Münden, where you will be tasked with crossing the river and taking control of the strategically important town. One of its iconic locations is a Tillyschanze Tower.

USSR troops locked in combat with NATO forces next to the Tillyschanze Tower

Battle for Cologne

One of the crucial targets for the Soviet invasion is undoubtedly Cologne. The large city is also a major industrial center. Its location near the western border also signifies the near completion of the USSR’s overall plan. However, NATO troops may yet have their say in how the war would end. Designing maps such as Cologne is always challenging for the game design and art teams, as the mission design and visual assets have to follow the real location, which has changed quite a lot over the last 40+ years… We are really looking forward to your reactions and feedback.

USSR troops on a sightseeing tour in Cologne

What’s next?

With the USSR forces taking lots of territory and a number of key cities in West Germany, NATO forces face a very challenging task of striking back and retaking the occupied regions. Will they succeed? Let us discuss that in the next Dev log.

Not everything went as planned. NATO forces finally staged a counter-offensive that we will discuss in the next Dev log