We are so excited to have started our Kickstarter project and to have received your support so early on - less than 48 hours since we launched and we’ve hit 25% of our target!
To kick off our updates through the campaign we have added a series of FAQs below, featuring a range of questions we have had over the past few days. If you have any other questions please drop us a message or get in touch through our social channels linked below.
Gameplay FAQs
How is the pace of gameplay of Vanguard: Normandy 1944?
In order to be successful, tactics must be employed within the squad. Infantry combat will be intense, travel distance is kept to a minimum, but overall pace is relatively "slow", although this is very subjective.
We are aiming to make the gameplay as tactical as possible but also focus the combat to the intense firefights common during the Battle for Normandy.
To achieve this, we have features like suppression, shock, (relatively) slow player movement, realistic weapon reloading time, believable ballistics and more. Our internal playtests show that the Raid gamemode and level design actually force the players to play slowly, but we also get into a fight more quickly.
How many players can we expect in a match?
We are aiming for our Raid gamemode to support around 20 players in a match. Each squad currently consists of 6 players, but as we are still heavily playtesting this mode this may change before or during early access. Raid can have a maximum of 2 squads in each team, but the player count and the squad creation rules may change if required for balancing.
How long can we expect a match/round to take?
We are expecting Raid matches to take between 12 to 18 minutes and offer an intensive slice of action. Internal play tests and early access players will help us balance this aspect of the game.
One of our stretch goals is “Skirmish”, a 32 player mode which would offer more extended matches.
How many maps will be present at the early access launch?
When the game launches into early access, the game will feature three maps:
- Pegasus Bridge
- Merville Battery
- Lion-sur-Mer
Each of the maps in Vanguard: Normandy 1944 will be playable in both day and night lighting, drastically changing how each map is played so it will feel like 6 maps
Will there be beach maps?
We have a beach map in development but it requires a lot more testing and balancing.
What is the average map size?
The maps have a quite large playable area for an infantry only game. To give you an example, our largest map has a playable area of about 900x550 metres. However since Raid is objective-based, the action takes place in smaller pockets around the objectives.
How many gamemodes will be available in the game?
During early access, the game will feature one unique game mode: Raid.
We would like to add more in the future that fit in with the game design of Vanguard and an additional mode “Skirmish” is part of our current Kickstarter stretch goals.
Will the game feature player classes?
Each team has different player classes but they fall into four basic categories:
- Squad Leader
- Assault
- Grenadier/Rifleman
- Machine Gunner
The gear and weapons are different for each team and for each individual class within it . Some classes are limited to a certain number in each squad in order to maintain game balance and historical accuracy.
An additional class “Sniper” is part of our stretch goals.
What weapons can be used in the game?
Our initial Early Access release will include the following weapons:
- Lee Enfield No.4
- Sten Mk2
- Bren Mk2
- Mills Bomb No. 77
- Smoke Grenade
- Kar98k
- MP40
- MG34
- M24 Grenade
- Nb39 Smoke Grenade
We hope to expand this list as we progress through Early Access to the full release.
Will the game feature drivable vehicles?
Vanguard: Normandy 1944 will not have drivable vehicles. In Raid players don’t have to travel far to get into the action as we have created focused infantry combat and intense squad-based gameplay.
Kickstarter FAQs
What happens if your kickstarter fails?
It will push back the release date and overall release quality will suffer - especially in terms of servers as we won't be able to provide our own official dedicated ones at launch.
The Game FAQs
On which platforms/consoles will Vanguard: Normandy 1944 be available?
Vanguard: Normandy 1944 will first release on Steam Early Access for Windows PC. We do not have plans to support other platforms or consoles at this point in time.
What is the minimum PC specification to run Vanguard: Normandy 1944?
As we haven't finished all the work related to performance optimization at this time, we can't give a definitive answer. Tentative minimum requirements can be referenced from the recently released title “Hunt Showdown”:
Minimum:
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 7 64bit Processor: Intel i5 @ 2.7GHz (6th Generation) or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 TI or AMD Radeon R9370
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Sound Card: DirectX compatible audio card
- Additional Notes: Best experienced with headphones
What languages will be supported?
English, with the intention to add text localisation for French and Spanish. We hope to add support for more languages in the future.
Is there going to be any sort of player progression system?
We currently have no progression system within the game, though a subtle mechanic may be added in the future.
Is there going to be a beta/alpha version of the game before the early access launch?
We do not have any plans for public testing prior the Steam Early Access launch.
When the game will release?
Vanguard: Normandy 1944, will release in Q4 2018 on Steam Early Access for Windows PCs.
How much will the game cost at release?
The game is expected to retail for approximately 15 USD.
Will the game have dedicated servers?
Yes, all matches will be hosted on a dedicated server. Support for community servers may be added later.
Is the game feature a single player campaign?
No, Vanguard: Normandy 1944 is a multiplayer only game.
Of course this is only just the beginning of our campaign! Please do share it amongst your friends, family, colleagues and squadmates. Your support is very much appreciated and we look forward to sharing more news and updates in the coming days and weeks.
You can join in the conversation by keeping up with updates to the campaign here and on our website, forums, Twitter, Facebook and Discord.
"How is the pace of gameplay of Vanguard: Normandy 1944?"
How does the pacing compare to Red Orchestra 1 or Darkest Hour? Those games were really slow with long travel distances (though it was a lot of fun). I assume Vanguard is on a way smaller scale, but just to get a feeling about the pacing and scope of the game. Thank you in advance.
Cheers.
Will there be any bot support by any chance?