Hope you had a great holiday period! Most of us took some well-deserved time off and are currently working on some exciting new updates.

It's still a bit early to start revealing things so don't go into this blog expecting grand new reveals, but let's discuss some of the things you can expect for Isonzo in the new year!


We're hoping to spend some extra time working out a couple of much-requested features and fixes this year. What exactly is possible and what not we're still actively looking into, but we already have a patch on the way. As for what it will include? Well, see for yourself:


The final big ticket item on the latest roadmap is, of course, Solstice Part 2. Now, the blurry image we've been using for Solstice 2 does contain something not yet in the game. Looking back, it maybe could've used a bit more blur. Many already think they know what it is, so if you haven't already, be sure to have a look!

As for the map, it's a bit better hidden. Sure, most of you have spotted a large amount of fire – and you're correct, stuff's really on fire. There's something (else) that makes this map truly unique for Isonzo though, but you'll have to wait to find out what!

It's too early to reveal the next DLC, but if you've been paying attention to our YouTube or TikTok channel[www.tiktok.com] (yes, we have a TikTok) you may have caught a glimpse of something new already. Also, this DLC will have a twist that you're probably going to love if you're an Isonzo veteran.


The astute among you may have noticed a distinct lack of... more roadmap. Aside from the roadmap being kinda a pain to edit, we're not ready to show what we've been working on quite yet. Rest assured the current end of the roadmap is not the end of the, well, road!



If you're looking to flex your rock-throwing muscles again, don't worry! Ascent will of course return again in 2025.


The Anniversary Pins campaign sold 575 units and is now officially closed! We're absolutely blown away by the support on these, and we're very excited for them to start shipping. They're facing a little production delay of a week, so they're currently scheduled to start shipping in early April. Be sure to keep an eye on the Makeship product page[www.makeship.com] to stay up-to-date!

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A small blog today as a little taste maker, but you'll slowly see more news pop up here and there in the coming weeks. Also, we're bringing back the Meet the Dev blogs! There are still a lot of developers that haven't introduced themselves yet.

See you again soon!

YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com] X / Twitter[twitter.com] Bluesky (New!)[bsky.app]

This year was definitely one of the years of all time. For the WW1 Game Series, it was a great one! We released a ton of content that we feel really pushed the envelope in terms of quality. We really hope you've been enjoying everything this year and are looking forward to what's in store for 2025.

For now, let's walk down a year's worth of memory lane, which includes:

• 2 New Maps
  
• 5(-ish) New Weapons
  
• 2 Cosmetic DLC Packs + 1 Bonus DLC
  
• Content Highlights
  
• And of course the introduction of the limited-time game mode Ascent!

This year, we introduced Ascent to Isonzo! This limited-time game mode has the Italians scale one of Marmolada's cliffs with their ice picks and rope. The Austro-Hungarians are at the peak and have to defend the objective at all costs, with their limited supplies available. They do have a handy supply of rocks, however!

Ascent was playable in April and November and is sure to return in 2025!



The Austro-Hungarians push across the river Piave to capture Nervesa della Battaglia and create a foothold across the river. This battle in the region of Treviso takes the fight across water and farms into urban warfare.


At an altitude of 3000 meters, Italian forces assault the Austro-Hungarians dug in at Cima Presena. To make matters worse: the battlefield is battered by a blizzard, limiting your sight and making life even more miserable. The Italians have an uphill battle ahead of them, will they pull it off?


The arsenal of Isonzo has been expanded again this year and they sure leave a lasting impression. The Austro-Hungarians receive a captured Mosin-Nagant and a new grenade, the Italians got their hands on Isonzo's very first impact grenade and the Germans got the Artillery Luger, which quickly claimed its spot among the best. Also: rock.



If you're looking to keep warm during the winter, look no further than the Altitude Units Pack! This DLC features many thick coats, cozy hats and goggles to keep your eyes snow-free.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2719540/Isonzo__Altitude_Units_Pack/


If you're looking to dress like you just went to hell and back... to each their own, I guess. Secondly, the Shellshocked Units Pack is what you'll want. It's filled to the bring with worn-down coats, bloody bandages, but also some really cool armor suited for those who are actually planning to go to hell.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2719550/Isonzo__Shellshocked_Units_Pack/


We collaborated with the Movember charity to bring you the Movember Handlebar DLC for Isonzo! Get yourself the epitome of mustaches and support Movember's mission support men's healthcare, taking on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Proceeds will be donated to the not-for-profit Movember organization. The DLC is available until January 2nd, 2025!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3253670/Isonzo__Movember_Handlebar/



We finally got some merch! As a (kind of late) celebration of the WW1 Game Series' Anniversary, we worked together with Makeship to create a set of three fantastic pins representing each of the games. They already reached over 200% of the funding they needed to enter production, with shipping scheduled for the end of March. They're only available for a limited time, so be sure to check them out!

Find them here: https://www.makeship.com/products/ww1-game-series-10-year-anniversary-pins

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4454718003971358771


To celebrate the release of Montello, we organized a digital tour through the region! There's a lot of history here, WW1 and beyond. From the most successful fighter ace of WW1 and his link to Ferrari to the estimated 300,000 teenagers who mustered the Italian front line: if you're interesting in learning about history, be sure to check it out.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4535779621903617205


The Adamello update brought along a Free Weekend on Steam and PlayStation, introducing a ton of new people to the community!


There's still one more big ticket item for Isonzo on the current roadmap and we're very excited to show you next year. However, we have a lot more planned than just that. It's just kind of hard to fit it all on the roadmap at this point. We'll reveal everything in due time!

From the entire BlackMill Games team, we really hope you have a pleasant Christmas and an excellent 2025. The Christmas Truce will return to Verdun next week to wrap up this year, so be sure to join us for a fun and totally not overly competitive snowball fight.

YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com] X / Twitter[twitter.com]

Today we released a small patch, these are the changes.

• Added DLSS and FSR 3.1, we hope this helps people have better performance on certain maps.
  
• Squad icons now clamp to the edge of the minimap for better awareness
  
• Improved collision on Montello
  
• Limited the amount of Artillery Luger per class to 2
  
• Fixed rendering issues with ferns
  
• Additional minor changes in the back-end

The download size is expected to be around 71mb.

Can you believe it has been over 10 years since the first game of the WW1 Game Series? As some may already know, we have briefly celebrated this occasion last year. This year however we wanted to put a spotlight on you, the community.

We want to thank all our soldiers who have joined the fronts over the years. From the Verdun Early Access veterans to the newly enlisted Italian recruits. We can wholeheartedly say that we couldn't have gotten to where we are today, without everyone's continued dedication, support and interest in the WW1 Games.

We're super excited to announce that, to celebrate 10+ years with our amazing community, we’re collaborating with Makeship to bring you special limited edition Anniversary Pins!
https://www.makeship.com/products/ww1-game-series-10-year-anniversary-pins


[www.makeship.com]
We've made a pin to represent each game in the series.

• The bronze pin represents Verdun, the first game in the series. Featuring the Adrian helmet, a spade and the trenches of the Western Front covered in deadly toxic gas, all enveloped by barbed wire.
  
• The silver pin represents Tannenberg, the second game and a worthy companion to the first. Featuring the Pickelhaube, sabres and the foggy forests of the Eastern Front, decorated by silver laurels.
  
• The gold pin represents Isonzo, the third game and a big leap for the series. Featuring the Cappello Alpino, an ice pick & the Alps as the beautiful theatre of war of the Southern Front, wrapped in rope in the blue of the ice sheets.

1. Design
[/h3]Together with Makeship we've designed these 3 pins for the community. highlighting weapons, tools and maps of each game.
2. Launch
[/h3]Starting from today the Campaign is available until December 19. If the Campaign reaches the minimum order goal, the production will start. If the minimum goal is not met, all community members will be refunded for their order.
3. Make
[/h3]Once a campaign ends, we know exactly how many anniversary pins will have to be made and production will start. Production takes 2-4 months to complete.
4. Ship
[/h3]Once the pins are ready, they will be shipped directly to you. Shipping typically takes 7-15 business days depending on the destination country and city.

Getting it for a special someone? We have made this holiday themed card[imgur.com] to print and gift to your friends until the pins arrive!

[imgur.com]So what are you waiting for soldier, get your very own pins at Makeship [www.makeship.com] RIGHT NOW, and celebrate the 10+ year anniversary of the WW1 Games and our awesome community!

X / Twitter[twitter.com] YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com]

To celebrate the new Adamello expansion, we're live right now together with Flakfire, showcasing the new map and weapons!

The stream is expected to be around 1 to 1.5 hours long.

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We’re super excited to announce that Isonzo is free to play for everyone on Steam & PlayStation until Monday, November 18th! Whether you’ve been meaning to give the game a go or are looking to introduce your friends (or foes) to Isonzo, this is the perfect time! All non-DLC content is available, including everything in this update.




For more information on this update, check out the announcement blog:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4449087870176591913

If you enjoyed playing Isonzo during the Free Weekend, be sure to check out your preferred store page for discounts!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1556790/Isonzo/

Also, be sure to join our community! Discuss the games, learn about history & stay up-to-date with all the news:

X / Twitter[twitter.com] YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com]

We’re super excited to announce that Isonzo is free to play for everyone on Steam & PlayStation until Monday, November 18th! Whether you’ve been meaning to give the game a go or are looking to introduce your friends (or foes) to Isonzo, this is the perfect time! All non-DLC content is available, including everything in this update.




For more information on this update, check out the announcement blog:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4449087870176591913

If you enjoyed playing Isonzo during the Free Weekend, be sure to check out your preferred store page for discounts!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1556790/Isonzo/

Also, be sure to join our community! Discuss the games, learn about history & stay up-to-date with all the news:

X / Twitter[twitter.com] YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com]

After some time in the sun, we make our way back to the top of the Alps. Here, the Italians advance for the Austro-Hungarian position at Cima Presena at a height of 3000 meters – if the weather allows it.

That’s not everything however. Two new weapons enter the fray, Ascent makes its long-awaited return and everyone gets to try everything for free during the Isonzo Free Weekend on Steam and PlayStation! There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s get right into it.

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Before we get into the new and returning content, we’re super excited to announce that Isonzo is free to play for everyone on Steam & PlayStation until Monday, November 18th! Whether you’ve been meaning to give the game a go or are looking to introduce your friends (or foes) to Isonzo, this is the perfect time! All non-DLC content is available, including everything in this update.

• Steam: November 14th 2024, 7 PM CET to November 18th 2024, 7 PM CET
  
• PlayStation: November 14th 2024 to November 18th 2024, 11 AM CET

The Free Weekend has already started on PlayStation, but Steam will start in 3 hours from the publishing of this announcement.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/7117470740593508368

If you enjoyed playing Isonzo during the Free Weekend, be sure to check out your preferred store page for discounts!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1556790/Isonzo/

Also, be sure to join our community! Discuss the games, learn about history & stay up-to-date with all the news:

X / Twitter[twitter.com] YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com]

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The Italians launched a large-scale assault on the Presena Glacier held by Austro-Hungarian. Attacking from multiple angles, the Italians swiftly captured the forward positions of Zigolon and Marocarro. Cima Presena proved to be a bit more difficult as the Austro-Hungarian defenses were solid. That’s where you come in!

Now, as you might be able to imagine, the alpine weather at an altitude of 3000 meters is a force to be reckoned with. This battle was extremely cold and snow storms were frequent. During winter, the weather got so bad and the snow so thick that fighting simply became impossible. The battle may have been between two armies, but there’s truly no foe like the weather: nessun nemico come il tempo.

In Isonzo, Adamello features three distinct lanes, two of which have you plough through the snowy trenches to get to where you need to be. The third lane has you fight on the other side of the ridge, where you really need to watch your step if you value your life.

For the finale, all three lanes merge into a large open area with very little cover. The Austro-Hungarians are defending the peak and the Italians will need to climb to it!

Full map flyover:

https://youtu.be/sKRnEiQE3eA

Map breakdown, first half:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4547038257929295109

Map breakdown, second half:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4535780256628343413


The Adamello Expansion includes two new weapons, an impact grenade for the Italians and a “rifle” for the… Germans? Surprise!

Yes, the German Empire gets its hands on the Artillery Luger this update. It’s a variant of the Luger P08 frequently used by the Stoßtruppen, filling the role of a lightweight rifle or carbine. It features an extended barrel, shoulder stock with a holster and a Trommelmagazin with a whopping 32 round capacity. Regardless of these modifications however, it’s still a pistol: its low power makes it not as reliable as a rifle and damage drops off quickly over longer ranges. You can find the Artillery Luger among the main weapons of the Engineer and Assault classes!

The Italians get the Petardo Offensivo P.O., a late-war redesign of a French grenade. It wasn't that powerful, but very noisy, which made it ideal for provoking fear in the enemy. In Isonzo, the P.O. is a relatively low-powered grenade that explodes the moment it hits something, be it the ground, an enemy or an ally. If you do hit an ally with this impact grenade, they won’t be damaged. If you’re in the blast radius as well however, you may be less safe! It’s available to the Rifleman, Engineer and Assault classes.


Ascent makes its return and we know you’re excited to get back to climbing! This limited-time game mode has the Italians grapple up the rocky cliffside of Marmolada using ice picks and rope to get to the objective at the top. The Austro-Hungarians are defending the summit and will need to defeat the Italians with the limited ammo they have – though when in a pinch, a rock aided by gravity will leave a lasting impact as well.

For more information about Ascent, be sure to check out the original announcement:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4187858160677938414

The Ascent event is available on all platforms until November 26th, 10 AM CET. Be sure to give it a go, as there’s an achievement up for grabs!


There’s a short list of other changes this update, including support for some of the new PS5 Pro enhancements.

• New Map: Adamello (White War)
  
• New Weapons:
  - Petardo Offensivo P.O. (Kingdom of Italy)
  - Artillery Luger (German Empire)

• Fixed players sometimes spawning in wire
  
• Improved spawning around destroyed bridges
  
• Fixed "Most reloads", "Most time spent in one place", "Lowest Average Altitude" and "Highest Average Altitude" medals not being correctly awarded
  
• Improvements to unlocking achievements
  
• Fixed Average Accuracy showing as 0 in the After Action Report

New Achievements

• "Ice-sonzo" - Complete a "White War" offensive, participating in each battle
  
• "Fate of Italy" - Finish a "German Intervention" offensive, participating in each battle

• PlayStation 5 Pro Enhancements: Added support for Full 4K resolution and improved performance through the High Frequency CPU mode
  
• Fixed not being able to unlock achievements after the free weekend

X / Twitter[twitter.com] YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com]

This November, we've teamed up with the Movember Organization to bring you the Movember Handlebar DLC for Isonzo! Unlock the Handlebar Moustache and fit it on your upper lip to impress your peers.


https://store.steampowered.com/app/3253670/Isonzo__Movember_Handlebar

The Handlebar Moustache remains accessible in game once bought. It's only available on Steam.


The First World War was one of if not the most cruel war ever fought. The actual fighting was one thing, but the continuous shelling, disease and infections wreaked havoc on not only their bodies, but their minds as well.

Soldiers lucky enough to return home after the war faced severe psychological trauma, often for the rest of their lives. We all know this as 'shell shock' or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) now, but this was the first time post-war trauma was formally recognized by doctors and society. It wasn't without skepticism though; many just assumed soldiers were faking it to not be sent back to the front.

These traumas affected soldiers in many different ways and caused trouble for their direct surroundings as well. Some simply were no longer able to move, while others who were able to continue their normal life with episodes of distress.

"I used to have little breakdowns now and then and my wife used to be very frightened. It more or less used to happen at night, when I was in bed. I used to spring up off the bed, you know; it used to frighten her. My daughter, incidentally, is terribly nervous, she’s terribly nervous. My wife says it’s all my fault. Well I had shell shock, you see. I got blown up, you see, and it affected my whole system. I got a pension for about oh, what was it, about 9 shillings a week." - Thomas Olive

While the stigmas around men's health have lessened a lot in the past century, there's still a lot to be done. Many neglect their health, both physical and mental, and so don't get the care they really do need. That's where the not-for-profit Movember Organization comes in, though we'll let them introduce themselves!

Movember continues to shake up men’s health research, and transform the way that health services reach and support men, taking on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention with unwavering determination.

They have raised millions for men’s health, thanks to a passionate network of global Movember supporters. These critical funds have delivered more than 1,320 men’s health projects around the world. Funding hundreds of biomedical research projects and developing some of the largest prostate cancer registries in the world, based on the real-life experiences of hundreds of thousands of men. Since taking on mental health and suicide prevention in 2006, Movember has emphasised the importance of better social connections, early recognition of what men’s poor mental health looks like, and how clinicians can better respond to men in distress. They want to make sure more men know what to do when mental health issues appear, and that their supporters are better prepared to step in when they need it.

Movember will continue championing new research, cutting-edge treatments and healthy behaviours. Advocating for inclusive, gender-responsive healthcare systems that are tailored to the unique needs of men, women and LGBTQI+ people, from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. In doing so, Movember hope to forge a future where barriers to healthy living are overcome, stigmas are removed, and where everyone has an equal opportunity to live a long healthy life. By improving men's health, we can have a profoundly positive impact on women, families, and society. Because healthier men mean a healthier world.

This moustache is a symbol of solidarity, plus it’s hard not to respect someone sporting such an impressive upper lip accessory. We hope the moustache adds a little bit of fun, whilst doing good!
- Daniel Cooper, Global Innovation Director at Movember

We're donating all the money we make with the Movember Handlebar DLC to support Movember in their cause. If you're looking to support them even further or maybe even get involved, be sure to check out their website for more information: https://movember.com/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3253670/Isonzo__Movember_Handlebar

X / Twitter[twitter.com] YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com]

Here we are, the second part of Adamello! The release is close, so let's dive into it right away.


There will not be a new DLC accompanying this update, but you'll already have all the gear you need for this battle if you own the Glacial and Altitude packs. There will be two new weapons (one of which is a grenade), but we'll reveal them later. Onto Adamello!


We'll continue from where we left off after the initial Adamello reveal. If you haven't read it yet, be sure to do so first for the history of this map:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1556790/view/4547038257929295109


If the objectives of Sector #1 are captured, the battle moves on towards the second and last sector, Cima Presena. However, getting there may be a difficult feat for the Italians as the map opens up into a sea of white. Here, the Italians have to climb to the very top of the mountain without getting hit by the lead raining down. They'll need to make use of smoke cover and artillery to press on, as the Austro-Hungarians have excellent cover and a significant height advantage.

While the defenders have the high ground, it's not over for the Italians. The Austro-Hungarians don't spawn at the peak either and have to make their way up from the other side. Featuring plenty of workplace safety violations, their routes take them across sketchy bridges, extremely steep slopes and sometimes even just a single plank over a gap. Watch your step!

Defenders' spawn leading up towards Sector #2Historically, the first attempt the Italians made to take Cima Presena failed. It's very difficult to get across a small no man's land with little to no cover. The advantage the Austro-Hungarians had at the top was significant enough to force a retreat, but the Italians came prepared with artillery to soften up the defenses.


Once at the top, there's just one objective. This capture zone is light on cover and hiding places: it's just you, rocks, snow and your enemy. Getting here is the most difficult part for the Italians, but they'll be able to turn the tide once they make it here. As the Austro-Hungarians will also need to climb to get here, Italians will be able to make use of the newly-acquired height advantage and return the favor. The defenders may have a hard time getting back to the objective once they lose control. Be ready for a lot of chaos and lots of artillery!

That's Adamello! Of course, none of this beats exploring it yourself. You won't have to wait long, just two weeks to go.


While we are in the end game of 2024, we still have a lot of really exciting things to share with you this year. In fact, we have a special something coming tomorrow, so be sure to keep an eye on the Isonzo Steam page :)

X / Twitter[twitter.com] YouTube[www.youtube.com] Discord[discord.gg] Reddit[www.reddit.com]