The Dark Light Games team who have spent the last 18 months creating Darkest Hour and we would like to thank everyone for their support and patience. As promised last week this update includes release date specifics including the actual day of release. I am pleased to confirm that we have a release date for the server files and a further one for the client files. The server release date is set at May 31st 2008. Starting this weekend those organizations wishing to set up a DH server should contact myself (Aeneas2020 via pm on the RO, DH or Moddb forums). These people will be given the DH build on May 31st and also get help in setting up DH servers so that they are ready to run once the client side files are released. The Client files which will be our main release will be out to the public on June 6th 2008. The reason for the weeks difference between releases is so that we can ensure we have the maximum number of servers live by June 6th and also to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Europe in style. I know many of you will have comments or questions about the chosen dates however please hold these until you finished reading the press release.
The initial DH release will be our first public Beta and therefore like CC and MN before us we ask that bugs you may find be reported so we can fix them. We are dedicated to patching and adding content to DH for the forseeable future, in short after June 6th DH is what you guys help us make it. On top of this the release will feature 2 new factions and a plethora of weapons and vehicles. It is safe to say however that this released focuses heavily on the Allied side and therefore the new German content in release 1 will limited to new textures, Fennich_FJR6's Fjs, a couple of weapons and some new vehicles. Our update scheme as it is set right now is due to bring you new Panzers (yes the KT) and new German player models shortly after the release along with any major bug fixes and other support. We look forward to seeing you on release day and we hope that you are as excited as we are about DH Beta 1.
The new content we are displaying this week includes two new anti-tank devices, a legendary tank destroyer and a new tank map. So it is safe to say this is another tank heavy update. First off as some of the more eagle eyed members of the RO forums have noticed (thanks Shurek) DH now features both a Panzershreck and the M1 Bazooka. These models were made by Colo and Maharzan respectively, textured by Aeneas2020 and as usual Exocet and Fennich_FJR6 did an excellent job on the Rig, Animation and Coding. Both these weapons are giving their nations some punch when it comes to dealing with armor. Before you go running off to blow up tanks however you need to keep in mind these are crew served weapons. To operate a Panzershreck or Bazooka you must be reloaded by a comrade or obtain ammo from a resupply point. Once you have done this you must be crouched and have the weapon shouldered before you can load the round and fire it at the target. This not only means that team work is essential but it has helped to cut down on what is known to many as “faustspam”.
Our vehicle for this update is the M10 Achilles, the 17pdr British variant of our previously released M10 Wolverine. This beast of the battlefield will be deploying in our Cagny and Mesnil Patry maps to help the British and Canadian forces battle some of the larger gunned Panzers. The model was made by Tman, Textured by Aeneas2020, Rigged by TT33 and Coded by Fennich_FJR6.
Finally after the sad news that Schutzesepp's computer died on him and caused him to possibly lose his Ardennes Village map it is with great pleasure to see that “Sepp” is back to work on another map focusing on the same region. Wacht am Rhein is another large scale tank engagement pitting the US against the German Panzer divisions for control of a sizeable swathe of countryside. Unlike many of our Normandy tank maps Wach am Rhein features large open spaces so using the scattered forests is key to survival. We hope this map will become a long gunners paradise.
We hope you have enjoyed this DH update and we look forward to bring you more soon.
Aeneas2020
to sum that blurb up:
Server files released May 31st 2008
Client files released June 6th 2008
man,I was hoping for a sooner release,but i cant complain at least this mod didn't die like so many others before it.
sooner than 3 weeks? it's not exactly like we're asking you to wait another year or so
June 6th 1944, Normandy Invasion, 64 years later, The game of the war :)
Great idea of making June 6th the release date, may it be in memory of all the brave German and American souls who sacrificed their lives in the battle's of Normandy
Can't wait for this release.
thanks also (before flaming ensues) the Brits, Canadians, Poles etc and everyone who fought in that conflict.
-.-, how can you forget the other people?
Oh yea whoops, always forgot about the other forces always just said Americans instead, ok, then the Nazi's and Allies that lost their lives in Normandy there we go :P
Well, not too worried about the nazi's who threw away their lives, they did so willingly following an obsessed and mentally disturbed dictator. But to the mod! Nice update guys, great models and textures and great to see the in-map shots, looking forward to playing...
LOL. releasing client of dday anniversary. also my birthday. im born on dday 50th anniversary yay !
it'll be my birthday too :D yay
prolly gonna get slated for this but is a beach landing level included in beta release. Could we have a level and equipment list for beta release posted here?
Some of the main features that will be included:
Maps:
Dog Green sector Omaha Beach.
Carentan Causeway.
Benouville Bridge (Pegasus)
Merville Battery.
St Lo (city).
St Mere Eglise. (US Para Drop)
St Mere Eglise (German Counter attack).
Wacht am rhein.
Plus Others.
Most American and British Weapons will be included in first release
Here are just a few of them:
Bar.
Garand,
Springfield Scopped.
30 Cal.
Thompson.
Bazooka.
Enfield.
Sten.
Bren.
Piat.
New German Weapons:
FG42.
Panzerschrek.
A few of the many tanks included are:
Sherman.
Firefly.
M10 Wolverine.
Achillies.
Stuart.
Some new features include.
Paradrops.
Crew served weapons.
Radioman Class.
Landing in Gliders.
All the correct units are represented in all of our maps, with correct skins and insignia.
Thats is just a brief list of what is included.
Hope that answers your questions a bit.
I've been waiting all weekend for this release date. I was hoping a week or so, but June isn't too far away. The sad part is that on the 6th I'm going out of town for my cousins wedding, and my parents like 30th anniversary...ouch...so I won't be able to play this for a few days afterward...sob sob...sob....
What a great way to honor D-day!
i kile the celerbratioon too. it will be amainging to play the d day map and june 6 at the acticual time of the landings. cinda creepy!! 6:30 in the morning i think was the time and at that moment you should reliese this to the world! SEE YOU ON THE FRONT
i think you guys on DH should create a map on Juno bech, it was a famous battle there too, most people forget about the other beaches. but i think juno beach would be a great map. there wouldnt be a big hill by the beach, it would just be a normal beach.
We plan to make one in the future