Gamers can choose how to design their airplanes

Sep 16, 2014 06:25 GMT  ·  By

The team at Paradox Development Studio is releasing yet another diary linked to its upcoming Hearts of Iron IV, which is designed to offer more information on the technology tree for airplanes and on how it will influence aerial combat.

The studio says that the model used for air progression when it comes to technology is similar to that shown for armor, with gamers able to unlock equipment and models that were actually used in World War II or were at least conceptualized by the designers of the various powers involved in the conflict.

The team explains on the official forums that “Hearts of Iron III had a lot of different airplane classes but that still ended up not being able to match what nations historically did with their planes, which was use them for many different roles.”

In Hearts of Iron IV, the studio has eliminated the Carrier Air Group, the multi-role airplanes and interceptors, which means gamers can now choose which model will carry out which combat task based on its design and equipment.

Hearts of Iron IV allows players to determine what’s best

Since the new grand strategy title focused on World War II was announced, Paradox Development Studio has said that it wants gamers to make high level strategic choices instead of being led by the title along one path or another.

The developers explain, “Air technology is split up around 3 airframe sizes: Light, Medium and Heavy. Light is single engine while mediums are generally twin engine and Heavy have 4 engines or more. After the invention of Jet engines it's also possible to research powerful jet models. Each of the light airframe techs also has a sub-tech that unlocks a carrier capable model.”

Because CAGs no longer exist as a separate type of airplane, gamers can choose what kind of machines they want to place on their carriers, based on the missions that they will perform.

Paradox also says that rocket interceptors are available towards the end of the war, but no details will be offered on them because they are in the secret tab of the research tree.

Previously, the team has explained that in Hearts of Iron IV the naval warfare element is reconfigured to make it easy for players to set missions and then leave the engine to deal with the results.

The grand strategy title will be out in the first few months of 2015 on the PC.

Hearts of Iron IV Air Tech Images (2 Images)

Hearts of Iron IV tech tree
Aircraft design in HoI IV
Open gallery