14 DAY TRIAL // Hearts of Iron IV is the big new title that Paradox Development Studios is working on at the moment and a new diary for the title offers more details on the naval warfare aspect of the game, which will get more details in the coming months.
The developers are aiming to offer a set of combat mechanics that will allow players to create the Atlantic situation, where a limited number of Axis ships tied up a lot of Allied assets, and the major engagements that took place in the Pacific between the United States and Japan.
Paradox states on the forums, "What makes naval action so different from land is that the position of everything is not precisely known. So just because you know there is a German ship in a sea zone doesn't mean you can find it before it leaves."
A task force of ships in Hearts of Iron IV will enter a strategic area and will have a chance of meeting any enemies existing there based on their missions type and on their composition, with the initial disposition also based on the above elements.
Intel is important and the image shows how the various two sides will engage and will gradually bring more forces to battle.
The team says that units that are similar to the Admiral Graf Spee will be able to raid enemy forces and to escape detection if the enemy spreads out, defeating smaller units before moving to another area.
Paradox adds, "Having strong armament and speed means that it may be spotted by a British cruiser with a larger fleet trying to get to the location of the battle to give support and the Graf Spee has a chance to take out that cruiser and get away before the rest arrive, which if it happens means they need to locate it again."
Composition of fleets matters in Hearts of Iron IV
The game is designed to give each type of ship a role to play in the bigger engagements, with destroyers adding anti-air and detection for submarines, cruisers able to take out enemy screens while also deploying torpedoes, and heavier ships able to lay down a lot of fire while also absorbing hits.
Gamers can choose to specialize in one type of unit or can develop more balanced fleets if they devote enough resources.
Hearts of Iron IV will also include submarines, which can be largely undetected and can surprise units as long as they are deployed correctly against unescorted targets.
The grand strategy title will be launched on the PC in early 2015.