Automate as much as possible, especially around the build process for the mod.

Add additional units, historical events, and other items for flavor and gameplay.

Revamp the soundtrack and all sound effects.

Redesign as much of the user interface as needed, and as possible.

Obviously, there are a great many things we wanted to do, but without having access to the source code of the Clausewitz Engine, we would have some limitations. Our team wanted to know if we could revamp HOI3 and the BlackICE mod to bring it as current as possible from a game design perspective. However, a lot of HOI3 players were left disillusioned by a sequel that had 'dumbed down' their favorite game series.įast-forward to now - 2017. The core of the BlackICE mod team migrated to the new game, leaving BlackICE for HOI3 manned by a few of its loyal fans. Unfortunately, they removed a number of key features which made HOI3 a terrific game for budding armchair generals and veteran grognards alike. Last year (2016), Paradox published the sequel to HOI3, aptly named Hearts of Iron IV.

It has been called the 'mod that kept HOI3 alive for 10 years'! Nevertheless, the mod gained an enormous fan base and enjoyed a tremendous amount of success as far as mods go.

BlackICE was an effort to continue development of the game, within the limitations of what Paradox Interactive's Clausewitz Engine would allow them to do as modders. A few years ago, some of our employees were involved in an HOI3 mod called 'BlackICE'. While it quickly set the bar for what military grand strategy games could accomplish, by today's exacting gamer standards, it has become quite dated. Paradox Interactive published the classic WW2 grand strategy game Hearts of Iron III (HOI3) in 2009. One of those projects is an attempt to revamp an almost 10-year old video game with new graphics, soundtrack, and more. As you may be aware, we also encourage our employees to get involved in various community and/or open-source development projects.

Not just from a recreational standpoint, but from a design and development standpoint as well.

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