THQ has announced a new engine being created specifically for Company of Heroes 2 called the ColdTech system, which will realistically not only model weather systems but also have an effect on soldiers, who could freeze to death.
The ColdTech includes an “extreme cold” mechanic which will model such settings as when the temperature plummet to -40 deg F in 1941, where human skin freezes in just minutes. Horrifiyingly, this will be accurately portrayed in the game. Those units exposed to that level of cold will eventually freeze to death unless the player has them build fires or garrison them inside buildings.
However, the ColdTech will also procedurally generate realistic blizzards as well, which will make the extreme cold even deadlier, as well as put out fires.
Of course, the cold can be used as a weapon, too, as a smart commander will learn to recognize the unique textures that are created by the temperature, and use it to affect vehicle and troop movement. This becomes especially useful when enemy troops are trodding over iced-over lakes. One good explosion can plummet troops and vehicles into hypothermic waters. (Cruelly, ice can re-form over time if the weather conditions are right.)
Company of Heroes 2 is due to be released on PC sometime in 2013.
