Insurgency: Sandstorm

Rapid Assault Gear Set and several cosmetic DLCs launched on May 28, 2026, marking a significant content drop for Insurgency: Sandstorm. This update also introduced the new map Hold, set in a police station, alongside two new pistols, the Fowler Vanta 9 and TK-33. Additionally, players received Tier 3 Challenges, providing more demanding objectives for rewards.

• New Map: Hold - A police station under siege featuring various vertical gameplay elements.
• New Weapons: Introduced the Fowler Vanta 9 and TK-33 pistols, designed for reliability.
• New Challenges: Tier 3 Challenges added for players to tackle more difficult objectives.
• New Optics: Introduced Romero 8T for Security and PKO-6 for Insurgents, enhancing CQB gameplay.
• DLC Launches:
  • Rapid Assault Gear Set - Six cosmetic gear pieces for the Security faction.
  • War Torn Weapon Skin Set - Six cosmetic skins for various weapons.
  • Endurance Weapon Skin Set - Six additional weapon skins.
  • Scavenger Gear Set - Six cosmetic gear pieces for the Insurgent faction.
  • Jezzail Weapon Skin Set - New cosmetic skins for various weapons.
  • Canyon Weapon Skin Set - More cosmetic skins for weapons.
  • Jackal Gear Set - New cosmetic gear set for Insurgent faction.
  • GRS Operator Gear Set - New cosmetic gear set for Security faction.
• Modding Improvements: Enhanced modding tools and added Wwise project files for creators.
• Reduced Matchmaking Time: Improved efficiency in finding matches, enhancing player experience.

Insurgency: Sandstorm introduced a significant new content drop on April 22, 2025, featuring the addition of the Forest map, two new weapons (M250 and H21), and a new limited-time game mode called First Blood. Alongside this, four new premium DLC gear sets were released, including the Phantom Gear Set and the Forest Warden Gear Set.

• New Weapons: The M250 was added for the Security faction, and the H21 was introduced for Insurgents.

• New Map: The Forest map, set in an abandoned airbase overrun by nature, became available with various gameplay modes.

• New Modes: The First Blood limited-time mode focused on LMGs and sidearms, enhancing gameplay variety.

• Seasonal Events: Several limited-time game modes were made available, such as Hardcore Lite & Gang War from December 2 to December 16, and Chad Team 6 & Team Deathmatch from October 7 to October 21.

• Triple XP Events: Players could earn triple XP during multiple weekends, including November 28 to December 1 and October 3 to October 6.

• Balance Changes: The Ambush and Skirmish modes were moved to a time-limited playlist due to low popularity, while the Defusal and Free For All modes were rotated into the limited-time game mode category.

• Visual Fixes: Several visual issues were addressed, including a clipping issue with the gas mask and problems with IR flashlight effects for spectators.

Year 6 of Insurgency: Sandstorm introduced the significant Global Crossplay Feature on December 5, 2024, allowing players across PSN, Xbox Live, and PC to engage together. This update was accompanied by the Resurgence Set Bundle DLC, which added new gear and weapon skins. Another standout addition was the new Limited Time Mode: Skirmish, where teams competed to capture objectives.

• New Content:

  • New Weapons: Introduced the WCX, AR-7090, and F2000 on December 5, 2024, along with the TAC338 and L96A1 sniper rifles in June 2024.
  • New Maps: Released the Trainyard map on June 11, 2024, for various game modes.
  • New Limited Time Modes: Included Arms Race and Guerillas, offering diverse gameplay options.

• Gameplay Changes:

  • Implemented crossplay functionality in Update 1.17, allowing for input-based matchmaking.
  • Adjusted the Arms Race mode with new weapon additions and a reduced player count.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Held a Halloween Triple XP Event from October 25, 2024, to November 1, 2024, enhancing player engagement during the holiday.
  • Featured player voting for limited-time modes, with community-selected options for September and July.

• Balance Changes:

  • Reverted the cache explosion time for Molotovs and AN-M14 incendiaries to previous levels, impacting gameplay dynamics.

• Modding Support:

  • Enabled Chaos Vehicles & Water Plugin for mods on June 10, 2024, expanding creative possibilities for players.

Insurgency: Sandstorm saw the launch of two major DLCs in Year 5, including the Onslaught Set Bundle on October 24, 2023, and the Accolade Set Bundle on March 30, 2023. Both bundles introduced new cosmetic gear and weapon skins for players. Additionally, a significant new game mode called Free For All was introduced, allowing players to compete individually in a solo faction setup.

• New Weapons: The game added the M320 and M79 Grenade Launchers on October 24, 2023, and the MDR and SG 552 assault rifles on March 30, 2023, expanding the arsenal available to players.
  • New Map: The Last Light map launched alongside the Accolade Set Bundle, offering a new coastal town setting designed for intense combat.
• Gameplay Changes: Various adjustments were made, including a fix for spawn protection exploits and adjustments to spawn protection behavior in the Domination mode.
• Cosmetic Customization: A new Cosmetic Patch System was introduced, featuring over 70 patches for players to customize their factions further.

Insurgency: Sandstorm welcomed the Defusal game mode on November 17, 2022, marking a significant addition to the gameplay with high-intensity, objective-based PvP action. This update also brought thirteen new map layouts and two new weapons, the M60 and RPK, enhancing the tactical options for players. Additionally, the Glasshouse Set Bundle and Livewire Set Bundle cosmetic DLCs were released, providing new customization options.

• New Game Mode: The Defusal mode launched on November 17, 2022, focusing on teams attacking and defending chemical weapon caches.
  • New Map Layouts: Thirteen layouts were introduced as part of Operation: Livewire.
  • New Weapons: The M60 and RPK light machine guns became available in the Firing Range and Survival Crates.
• New Maps:
  • Prison: A close-quarters combat map where players can break out of or secure Mabarak Prison.
  • Glasshouse: A new map introduced earlier in May 2022.
• Seasonal Events: The Summer of Sandstorm event featured limited-time game modes and double XP weekends from June 28 to July 19, 2022.
  • Additional limited-time modes included Gunslingers TDM, Budget Antiquing, and Gang War throughout November 2022.
• Gameplay Improvements: Various enhancements were made, including supply crate functionality improvements and overhauled grenade behavior, ensuring a smoother gameplay experience.
• Balance Changes: The Firefight player limit was reverted back to the original 12v12 based on community feedback, demonstrating responsiveness to player input.

Operation: Exodus launched on May 31, 2021, bringing a wealth of new content to Insurgency: Sandstorm, including a new map and game mode. Additionally, the HD Texture Pack was released on April 27, 2021, enhancing visual fidelity across all character and weapon textures. This year also saw the conclusion of the console closed beta and the announcement of its full launch.

• New Content:

  • Operation: Exodus introduced a new map, Citadel, designed for both close-quarters and long-range combat, as well as a new game mode called Survival where players face waves of enemies.
  • New Weapons: The P90 and Vector submachine guns were added, exclusive to the Advisor Class, along with the MR 73 and Desert Eagle sidearms.
  • New Game Modes: The Ambush mode, a single-elimination scenario where players escort or hunt a VIP, was introduced alongside the Survival mode.

• Gameplay Enhancements:

  • A Dynamic AI Spawning System was implemented, allowing AI to spawn based on player location and objectives, while the extraction sequence in Survival mode received a cinematic overhaul.
  • Various improvements were made to gameplay, including flashlight brightness adjustments and increased enemy AI difficulty in Survival mode.

• New Cosmetics:

  • The Gray Man, PMC, Chrome, and Two-Tone DLCs were released, along with new unlockable cosmetics connected to gameplay achievements.

• Seasonal Events:

  • A Halloween event, Task Force 666, introduced unique gameplay mechanics for a limited time, and various double and triple XP weekend events were held throughout the year.

• Balance Changes:

  • Weapon access for the Insurgent team in co-op was expanded, allowing them to use all Security weapons, and several adjustments were made to enhance AI behavior and spawning logic.

Operation: Breakaway launched on October 6, 2020, introducing a new map called Tell and a new gameplay mode, Outpost. This major update added a variety of new weapons, including the M1 Garand and M110 SASS for the Assaulter classes, as well as new cosmetic DLC packs, enhancing the game's content significantly.

• New Content:

  • New Map: Bab, released on December 8, 2020, featuring a snowy village and an ancient fortress.
  • New Weapons: M1 Garand and M110 SASS added to respective classes on December 9, 2020.
  • New Gameplay Mode: Outpost Mode introduced on October 6, allowing players to defend multiple objectives.

• DLC Releases:

  • Cosmetic Packs: Ghillie and Nightstalker packs launched on June 16, 2020, followed by new character cosmetics on December 8, 2020.
  • Console Release: Announced for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, set for August 25, 2020.

• Gameplay Improvements:

  • Refined Outpost Mechanics: Enhanced gameplay dynamics in Outpost Mode, adding narrative elements and multiple objectives.
  • AI Improvements: Significant updates to AI behavior, particularly in Operation: Breakaway, improving enemy interactions and coordination.

• New Features:

  • Toggleable Optics: Introduced on December 8, 2020, allowing players to switch between magnifications on various optics.
  • Night Variants for All Maps: Added night versions of existing maps, enhancing the tactical gameplay experience.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Task Force 666 Limited Time Playlist: Introduced on October 27, 2020, featuring unique co-op challenges against Frenzy enemies.

Insurgency: Sandstorm celebrated its full release on December 12, 2018, marking a significant milestone for the game. In this first year, players experienced the introduction of new game modes, including the popular Domination and Frontline, alongside multiple new maps such as Ministry and Hillside. The game also expanded its content with new weapons, cosmetics, and a commitment to mod support.

• Major Content Drops:

  • Full Release: Insurgency: Sandstorm launched on December 12, 2018.
  • Domination Mode: Introduced on December 3, 2019, this mode features three objectives for competitive gameplay.
  • Frontline Mode: A tug-of-war PvP mode added on September 10, 2019, enhancing tactical gameplay.

• New Maps and Modes:

  • Ministry Map: A classic map from Insurgency 2014, released on June 5, 2019, known for its close-quarters combat.
  • Hillside Map: Released on September 10, 2019, this snowy reimagining of Sinjar supports various game modes.
  • Frenzy Mode: A zombie-inspired co-op arcade mode launched on June 17, 2019.

• Gameplay Enhancements:

  • Playlist System: A matchmaking overhaul launched on August 21, 2019, enabling rapid addition and rotation of game modes.
  • Gameplay Adjustments: Improvements to weapon sway, recoil, and movement dynamics were made, with notable changes on December 3, 2019.

• Seasonal Events:

  • 1 Year Anniversary Free Week: Held from December 10 to 17, 2019, allowing new players to experience the game for free.

• Localization and Modding Tools:

  • The game was localized into 15 new languages on December 10, 2019, and modding tools were introduced gradually, with a commitment to expand community content creation initiatives.