Company of Heroes

Company of Heroes - Definitive Edition launched on June 7, 2026, bringing a comprehensive modernization of the classic 2006 real-time strategy game with numerous quality-of-life improvements. This update introduced a variety of gameplay enhancements, including vehicle reversing and automatic unit reinforcement options, alongside a host of visual upgrades.

• New A.I. Difficulty: The update added an enhanced A.I. with a Ruthless Difficulty setting, providing players with a more dynamic and challenging experience.
• Modding Support: The Definitive Edition included Full Mod Compatibility, allowing players to access a 20-year catalogue of community-created content.
• User Interface Overhaul: A Modernized User Interface and Controls were implemented, featuring grid key support and fully customizable hotkeys for improved accessibility.
• Visual Enhancements: The game now supports 4K and Widescreen, with improved lighting, shadows, water, and reflections, alongside Improved Rendering Features that increased draw distance for greater battlefield immersion.
• Performance Upgrade: The transition to an x64-bit Platform significantly improved performance, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Company of Heroes 3 launched on February 23, 2023, bringing a host of new content and features to the series. The updates included the North African Operation, introducing the Deutsches Afrikakorps and Italian Battlegroups, and the Essence Editor, which supports modding with the new Essence Engine 5. Players also gained the ability to create custom game modes, tuning packs, and maps.

• New Game Modes: Players could create new game modes with custom setups, win conditions, and AI behavior.
• Faction Tech Trees: Detailed tech trees for all four factions became available for exploration.
• Dynamic Campaign Map Improvements: Enhancements included a new supply system, UI improvements, more aggressive AI, and faster travel through ports and airports.
• Modding Support: Mods were confirmed to be available at launch for Company of Heroes 3.

• Visual Enhancements: The lighting system was improved for higher fidelity, alongside a new vehicle weathering system that simulates dirt and mud accumulation.
• Audio Improvements: Optimized audio effects for gunshots and explosions enhanced realism, while sound output quality settings were fixed to improve overall sound fidelity.

• Quality of Life Features: Players gained the ability to publish mods to the Steam Workshop, and comprehensive documentation was provided for modding tools. Additional options for controls were introduced, including customizable keybinds and WASD camera controls.

• Balance and Gameplay Updates: Plans for post-launch balance and quality-of-life updates were established, addressing player feedback regarding unit abilities and systems.

The Devil’s Brigade DLC Pack launched on July 12, 2022, offering players Legendary skins for Infantry, Vehicles, and other cosmetics. This period also saw the Company of Heroes 3 Multiplayer Pre-Alpha, providing an exclusive first look at the game's multiplayer gameplay from November 30 to December 6, 2021.

• DLC Release: Devil’s Brigade DLC Pack became available on July 12, 2022, for pre-ordering players, featuring Legendary tier cosmetics.
  • Digital Premium Edition launched alongside the DLC, offering additional Legendary cosmetics and Expansion Pack 1.
• New Content: Company of Heroes 3 Multiplayer Pre-Alpha allowed players to experience multiplayer gameplay from November 30 to December 6, 2021.
• New Faction: Mission Alpha featured the Deutsches Afrikakorps faction and launched on July 12, 2022, allowing players to engage with this new content developed in collaboration with the community.
• Trailers: The North Africa Trailer was released on July 12, 2022, showcasing desert combat, new factions, and the narrative of the North African Operation.

Company of Heroes launched on February 13, 2020, for iPad, bringing the classic strategy experience to mobile devices. This release included several enhancements tailored for touch interfaces, ensuring a smooth transition from PC to iPad.

• Control Schemes: Control schemes were adapted for touch interfaces, providing a user-friendly experience for mobile players.
• Performance: The game offered stable performance on iPad devices, ensuring reliable gameplay.
• Graphics: High-resolution graphics were optimized for iPad Retina displays, enhancing visual fidelity.

Company of Heroes 2 launched a significant free game giveaway on December 6, 2018, allowing players to claim the game for free until December 10. This period also featured a Commander Revamp Update, which included a revamp of 10 underdog commanders and an updated USF Tech System.

• Major Giveaway: Players could access Company of Heroes 2 for free on Steam until December 10, 2018.
• Content Update: The Commander Revamp Update revamped 10 commanders and updated the USF Tech System.
• Tournament Event: The Anniversary Classic Tournament Finals took place, marking the biggest 2v2 tournament in COH2 history with over $20,000 in prizes.
• Balance Changes: The upcoming update introduced general quality of life balance changes, offering players new strategies, abilities, and units.
• DLC Sale: During the giveaway period, all major Company of Heroes 2 DLC was available at a 75% discount.

Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault launched on October 16, 2014, bringing a new single-player campaign that introduced the Fox Company, led by Captain Monte Durante. This expansion emphasized enhanced player agency, allowing choices to significantly impact the game’s narrative and the fates of officers.

• DLC Release: Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault became available for pre-order, featuring unique gameplay styles and a new storyline.
  • Pre-ordering included access to the Fox Company, which provided unique missions and gameplay experiences.
• New Content: The introduction of Fox Company added a fourth company to the game, bringing new missions and a fresh perspective to the campaign.

• Gameplay Enhancements: The campaign introduced increased player agency, where decisions influenced officer lives and battle outcomes, enhancing replayability.
  • Players could choose from three selectable companies, each with distinct gameplay styles, specializations, and abilities, further enriching the overall experience.

Theatre of War Pack: Southern Fronts launched on December 10, 2013, introducing new scenarios for players to engage with. Additionally, the 1942 Mini-Pack was released, offering a fresh perspective and new content for dedicated fans. Various improvements were made to gameplay mechanics, including the implementation of multiqueue automatch search functionality for more streamlined matchmaking.

• New Content:
  • Theatre of War Pack: Southern Fronts: A new pack that expanded gameplay options.
  • 1942 Mini-Pack: A free mini-pack that provided new missions from a German perspective.
  • Multiplayer Maps: New maps, Hill 331 and Don River, were added to enhance multiplayer experiences.
  • Open Beta Test: The open beta for the new Steam version of Company of Heroes allowed players to test new features.
  • World Builder: A free map editing tool was prepared for modders to create and share their own maps.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • Steam Workshop Integration: Players could now upload community-created maps via Steam’s Workshop.
  • Auto-kick for Lagging Players: A feature that automatically removed severely lagging players from matches to improve overall gameplay.
  • 10x Experience Weekend: A special event where players earned ten times the experience in multiplayer automatch games.

• Seasonal Event:
  • Steam Free Weekend: From January 16 to January 19, players could experience the full game for free, boosting player engagement.

• Balance Changes:
  • Improvements were made to game mechanics, enhancing overall gameplay experience.
• Modding Support:
  • The World Builder tool was officially announced, allowing the modding community to create custom maps.