Panzer Corps 2: Elite - Ghost Division

[MarcoT.]

Panzer Corps 2: Elite


Achtung, Panzer Generals!

We have a surprise announcement to share with you today. Not content to remain resting on our laurels over the recently released dynamic Cyrenaica campaign, Panzer Corps 2 is powering forward with yet another new campaign. Since Panzer Corps 2 is still going strong more than 5 years after our initial launch, we’re looking to add some truly Elite content to our line up of awesome campaigns!

To herald this new campaign, we’ve picked none other than the venerated 7th Panzer Division, perhaps better known as Rommel’s Ghost Division.



A Potential New Beginning
There’s a few goals we’re aiming to achieve with Panzer Corps 2’s Elite campaigns, and since is this our first reveal, we wanted to lay them out for our community right off the bat.

The very first thing we want to say is that Panzer Corps 2 is going to join in the fight against increasing inflation, and therefore we’re working towards actually reducing the price of this campaign compared to the standard Panzer Corps 2 DLC price! Panzer Corps 2 wouldn’t be so active with new content and new updates after all this time without our amazing community, and the last thing we want to do is to just hike prices on our loyal community of awesome gamers.

Secondly, we’re aiming to use the Elite campaigns as a vehicle to more rapidly deploy more playable nations into Panzer Corps 2’s campaigns. Now some players of you might be asking why would we start with a German Division in this case, but we’ve got ‘Panzer’ baked directly into our game title and we really to lean on our strengths for a strong an opening as possible.

Something else we’re going be to experimenting with is longer gameplay timelines. We haven’t seen a campaign cover all of the technology and unit advancement that comes from a 1939-1945 journey since the stock Panzer Corps 2 campaign, and this focus on the achievements of a single division through the course of the war will finally bring that aspect back.

So while we certainly have our plans, in this particular case we’re actually very curious to hear from the community on which WWII faction you are most interested in seeing as a potential new campaign. Is it time for a Japanese campaign in the spotlight, or perhaps you are itching to take the fight to the Axis in a Soviet campaign? Let us know in the comment section!

The first Elite Division

In all of our research of the enormous amount of Axis and Allied divisions that fought during World War II, one absolutely stood out above the rest in so many ways. From the length of their service stretching all the way from September of 1939 to April of 1945 to some of their extraordinary accomplishments such as the drive to the Channel Coast, their feats endure through time in real military analysis of their exploits, in our history books, in inspiring stories we tell, and even in the games we play.

To the Germans, they were designated as the Elite 7th Panzer Division.
To their enemies, they were known as the Ghost Division!

We’ll reveal a lot more information about this new campaign in the days ahead, but for now you can check out this link for some more details and screenshots.

Upcoming Panzer Corps Day

Did you know that 2024’s Panzer Corps Day was a success way beyond our expectations? On that day, our active population of thousands of players were joined by a surge of over 100,000 viewers watching various Panzer Corps 2 Streams!

Our only regret then was that we didn’t have enough on offer to showcase to so many eyes focused on our game, and so we’re really looking to remedy that this year on July 11th.

In fact, Elite - Ghost Division was originally supposed to come out for Panzer Corps Day, but we put respect on their name and emulated their swiftness with the speed of our development to the point that we’re actually aiming for Ghost Division to launch in May, just this month!

But that also means we’ve got even more, and potentially even bigger, reveals still saved in store to make this year’s Panzer Corps Day celebration way more massive. Stay tuned for an upcoming Elite: Ghost Division Dev Diary and release date announcement, and get ready for a potential multitude of goodies later this year on July 11th Panzer Corps Day!

[wecker]

Well that sounds highly welcome and really interesting. Rommel and his Ghost Division are surely a famous expansion to the series. Wonder how you will realize Arras for instance...

Somehow I am not able to follow the argumentation with the low price - a nice touch but if it is worth I pay the price.

Also the argument with the equipment from 1939 until 1945 is not relevant for me. We got almost everything in the main game but also in the AO DLCs.

But maybe I missed something

Anyway: I welcome everything that is realistic - please no more atomic bombs...

Well and if you are asking for other campaigns:
- a soviet one from the Spanish Civil war over Chalchin Gol and Finland to Vienna or Prague. Maybe we can evade such battles as Stalingrad, Kursk and Berlin.
- an italian one from the Spanish Civil war, Abessinia to the Balkans and their death in Soviet Russia.
- a japanese one from the Marco Polo bridge until their death in Manchuria against the Soviets
- a finish one in the Winter and Continuation war
- Indian and AnZac campaigns
- Free French
- The polish ANders Army from Poland, Egypt, Monte Cassino to Arnhem

A lot to do for you

[Retributarr]

Anyway: I welcome everything that is realistic - please no more atomic bombs...

Well and if you are asking for other campaigns:
- a soviet one from the Spanish Civil war over Chalchin Gol and Finland to Vienna or Prague. Maybe we can evade such battles as Stalingrad, Kursk and Berlin.
- an italian one from the Spanish Civil war, Abessinia to the Balkans and their death in Soviet Russia.
- a japanese one from the Marco Polo bridge until their death in Manchuria against the Soviets [Retributarr:]~~~As well as a Japanese-Pacific-Effort... which would include China and a separate Chinese-Effort against the Japanese during WW2.
- a finish one in the Winter and Continuation war
- Indian and AnZac campaigns
- Free French
- The polish ANders Army from Poland, Egypt, Monte Cassino to Arnhem

A lot to do for you

[adiekmann]

Finally! Hurray! I've been arguing for campaigns that have focused on a famous division/unit for a long time! There are many, many to choose from on both sides of the frontlines.

7th Panzer is a curious choice, however. Not the first division that comes to my mind, but that's okay since Waffen SS divisions are off the table and many other famous elite divisions evolved into such over a long time (e.g. one of my favorites: Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland.

I think the community is especially itching for more Allied campaigns for a change in flavor. So, to answer your question, my first choice would be for a British "Elite Division" campaign since many of their divisions fought over the entire war. The first 2 that come to mind is the 7th Armoured Division and the 8th Australian Division.

The 8th Australian Division's campaign history takes it to varied theaters of operation and opponents.

[Tassadar]

Unexpected, but not unwelcome. I'd just note that with Axis Operations, Frontlines, War Stories and now this we have enough unique series and rather than adding even more, they should be separately expanded from now on. Four seems like a limit.

This gives creative option to showcase campaigns for both major and minor nations. The ida of Finnish Winter War expanding into Continuation War for example seems perfect for this, but there are many other good options.

My only concern/suggestion based on available screenshots is to keep equipment more historical as well. That PZL.50 fighter on one of them bugs me if this is supposed to be a campaign following real units more - Germans never faced these planes. I know it is a compromise for gameplay, but if any DLC could use without compromise, it's this one.

Also the argument with the equipment from 1939 until 1945 is not relevant for me. We got almost everything in the main game but also in the AO DLCs.

I think this addresses the issue Frontlines had where limited timeframe means there is little to upgrade even is campaign designers limit available equipment in early scenarios.

[wecker]

Also the argument with the equipment from 1939 until 1945 is not relevant for me. We got almost everything in the main game but also in the AO DLCs.

I think this addresses the issue Frontlines had where limited timeframe means there is little to upgrade even is campaign designers limit available equipment in early scenarios.

Ah - thank you for the clarification. I bought the Frontline Ardennes buit didn`t play it. Now Marcos sentence makes sense. Upgrading your core units is indeed one of the most prominent and important features of every Panzer General .

I only hope for a really historical setting. Your remark of the polish fighter worries me now a little bit.

As for the Japanese scenario: Like retributar wrote:

[Retributarr:]~~~As well as a Japanese-Pacific-Effort... which would include China and a separate Chinese-Effort against the Japanese during WW2.[/color][/b]

Yes - the campaign on mainland China would be highly welcome. Slitherine could omit the sea battles which seemed to cause problems in the realization of the new "Pacific General".+

There would be a lot of german non XX. Panzer Divisions. The "Fallschirm-Panzer-Division" could have been possible - although it was Hermann G.s own division.
.
Let`s get suprised and hope for the best.

[Hohenhole]

For the new campaigns i suggest some dedicated to the east Europe nations, like Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia, some was added in the first Panzer Corps with mods.

[PanzerCro]

I would like to see 101st or/and 82 airborne USA, 5th Gurads Tank for Soviets.

[Retributarr]

As for the Japanese scenario: Like retributar wrote:

[Retributarr:]~~~As well as a Japanese-Pacific-Effort... which would include China and a separate Chinese-Effort against the Japanese during WW2.

Yes - the campaign on mainland China would be highly welcome. Slitherine could omit the sea battles which seemed to cause problems in the realization of the new "Pacific General".+
------------------------------------------------------
[Retributarr] Great Innovative Idea!!! "wecker"... it's so simply-obvious that no-body else could think of doing just that to get around the "Hang-Up" of preventing the East Asian Theatre from being realized!.
.
Let`s get suprised and hope for the best.

[terminator]

I think the community is especially itching for more Allied campaigns for a change in flavor.

The First! The Story of the 1st US Infantry Division

Route of the Fighting 1st.jpg (48.08 KiB) Viewed 2856 times

[bebro]

That map looks familiar, in some ways

[RVallant]

I'm in agreement with the majority of Steam forum posts regarding feedback, and it's a pretty strong consensus over there, which I feel has been ignored for a while now.

It's high time we've moved onto an Allied and Soviet GC, and/or a Japanese (though if Pacific failed, then I don't see the point in Japan yet) campaign.

These mini sessions are too self-contained and dull (IMO).

I'll echo what I wrote there as well, for me PzC2 needs to get a move on and get these campaigns out otherwise, I'll just find greener pastures and I won't be there for whenever PzC3 comes along because I don't see the development going in a direction that interests me.

At the moment I'm switching back to PZC1 and even Order of Battle, because at least these guys offer me an Allied, Soviet, Japanese and naval campaign, even if their writing is poorer than what we've seen in PzC2 so far. And more importantly, they have chained campaigns, not limited theatres, I can traverse the full war as all factions involved (bar Italy, but that's fine), PzC2 offers too little for where its at right now IMHO.

My gut feeling is we're going to see more of these mini-campaigns, and if so, I'll just go elsewhere to get my WW2 fix.

[adiekmann]

I'm in agreement with the majority of Steam forum posts regarding feedback, and it's a pretty strong consensus over there, which I feel has been ignored for a while now.

It's high time we've moved onto an Allied and Soviet GC, and/or a Japanese (though if Pacific failed, then I don't see the point in Japan yet) campaign.

These mini sessions are too self-contained and dull (IMO).

I'll echo what I wrote there as well, for me PzC2 needs to get a move on and get these campaigns out otherwise, I'll just find greener pastures and I won't be there for whenever PzC3 comes along because I don't see the development going in a direction that interests me.

At the moment I'm switching back to PZC1 and even Order of Battle, because at least these guys offer me an Allied, Soviet, Japanese and naval campaign, even if their writing is poorer than what we've seen in PzC2 so far. And more importantly, they have chained campaigns, not limited theatres, I can traverse the full war as all factions involved (bar Italy, but that's fine), PzC2 offers too little for where its at right now IMHO.

My gut feeling is we're going to see more of these mini-campaigns, and if so, I'll just go elsewhere to get my WW2 fix.

I think these mini campaigns are fine, so long as they are linked (continue with your core) to the next linked mini campaign. But that takes some additional planning ahead. The latest North African British/Italian campaign I feel lacks that. I can see lots of issues with continuing that campaign with your core as the heroes given will make your core way too overpowered. I offered some solutions to that but...it would have been better to have have some long term planning included from the outset like was obviously done in AO.

[funat]

I'm in agreement with the majority of Steam forum posts regarding feedback, and it's a pretty strong consensus over there, which I feel has been ignored for a while now.

It's high time we've moved onto an Allied and Soviet GC, and/or a Japanese (though if Pacific failed, then I don't see the point in Japan yet) campaign.

These mini sessions are too self-contained and dull (IMO).

I'll echo what I wrote there as well, for me PzC2 needs to get a move on and get these campaigns out otherwise, I'll just find greener pastures and I won't be there for whenever PzC3 comes along because I don't see the development going in a direction that interests me.

At the moment I'm switching back to PZC1 and even Order of Battle, because at least these guys offer me an Allied, Soviet, Japanese and naval campaign, even if their writing is poorer than what we've seen in PzC2 so far. And more importantly, they have chained campaigns, not limited theatres, I can traverse the full war as all factions involved (bar Italy, but that's fine), PzC2 offers too little for where its at right now IMHO.

My gut feeling is we're going to see more of these mini-campaigns, and if so, I'll just go elsewhere to get my WW2 fix.

Signing every word. I am less and less checking this forum and I haven't played PZ2 for months now. I am not buying any of these mini DLCs. If I could only see that Powerpoint that sold it to the game designers.

[Trenchard]

Great concept, great news. Narrowing the scope to a single unit should make it obvious to the moaners how they can win every battle and still lose a campaign (hint: guys, you're not in charge of EVERYTHING). This division is also an excellent choice for a starter.

Campaigns I'd like to see:
THE campaign I'd like to see would be an SAS/LRDG/SBS campaign, where you'd choose a path from beginnings to the end of the war. the obvious path would be SAS but I think the SBS is unfairly ignored. (A side note, it really annoys me that Paddy Mayne is portrayed as a psycho jerk in the TV series).

The Poms had many interesting units; the campaign I'd like to see is Sherwood Rangers. This would be scaling down further to the regimental level. They were in the mix from '40, North Africa, D-Day, Market-Garden, and the push into Germany itself. You'd have heroes like Stanley Christopherson, George Dring, Keith Douglas and Bill Wharton


Soviet 100th Infantry/1st Red Guards Division. Winter War through the liberation of Auschwitz, this would be quite a campaign.

Another possible Soviet campaign: follow the career of Zhukov from Khalkin Ghol to Berlin (and a splendid portrayal by Jason Isaacs in The Death of Stalin LOL)

I'd like to see the entire Burma campaign, but that would likely be better served by a Frontline type release, given the potential scope. There are potentially other paths through CBI though.

Japanese Army actions in China and Southeast Asia, in general, avoid the awkwardness of Panzer Corps naval combat being *the* weakness of the system.

The Teishin Shudan (paratroopers) would suit the elite units theme nicely. Raiding units wouldn't allow for much heavy equipment, though.

The Japanese only fielded 4 tank divisions. Probably the 1st would be a good choice. Not sure of the details but since they were formed in Manchukuo from existing tank regiments, the campaign likely could start VERY early and include Khalkin Ghol.

Getting the Chinese involved is a bit harder, but the joint Chinese-American 1st Provisional Tank Group is interesting. It was formed in 1943 but its American commander, Rothwell Brown, had been posted to China as early as 1930. Not sure how to structure it but I'd like to see it start with the Japanese invasion of China and the player's surviving unit collected into the 1st Provisional Tank Group under Brown. That would mean a fairly small scale, battalion level, but there are other ways to approach it.

[Trenchard]

No beta?

[Bee1976]

These mini sessions are too self-contained and dull (IMO).

I wouldnt say they are dull. All new DLCs so far were fun to play (for me). Some were really challengeing, and i enjoyed playing them all. The biggest issue for me is the replayability. I played all of them 3-4 times. I tested an tried all the stuff i wanted to test.

Now there is little to no reason for me to touch those DLCs again. I dont regret buying them, that was well invested money (for me) but a long connected Soviet, Allied or Afrika Campaign would keep me playing this game for the next thousands of hours.

[scorehouse]

Bee I'm the same way. I bought Cyrenaica. played it from both sides then done. love the Italian Mortar Units. wish they'd add those and a couple of new German Mortat Units. they were an integral part of Wehrmacht Infantry. even had a smaller mortar for Fallschirmers

[Hohenhole]

I would like to see a scenario dedicated to the Greek campaign, where the Greek army managed to severely defeat the Italian forces before Germany intervened.

[Tassadar]

I would like to see a scenario dedicated to the Greek campaign, where the Greek army managed to severely defeat the Italian forces before Germany intervened.

That sounds more like Frontlines or War Stories territory due to shorter timeframe, but a cool idea I can agree with!