UPDATE #1
Eugen and Paradox have revealed a new game mode coming out as free DLC alongside the paid 'Second Wave' expansion. The new mode is called 'Closer Combat' and is based on Conquest. This is what Eugen says about the mode:
"(Closer Combat) aims to make the beginning of the battle more authentic by restricting the vehicle rush to the center of the map. We wanted to give more space to the preparation phase, in order to give you more time to define your strategy and more control on unit placement."
There are numerous differences between Closer Combat and Conquest. For example, transported units can be purchased and deployed without its vehicle, deployment zones are much closer to each other, and only start to earn points once they control 52% of the battlefield instead of 51%.
In addition to this mode there will be numerous tweaks to the base game, including a more accessible first campaign mission, a new 'Slow-Mo' button to give you more time to plan, and official servers for 4v4 games. The update and the Second Wave DLC will be out on September 21.
ORIGINAL STORY
The first DLC expansion for World War Two RTS Steel Division: Normandy 44 has been announced, and it's coming real soon - September 21, priced $7.99. This will be the first DLC since the game came out in May, and according to Eugen Systems and Paradox it's just the first part of a rollout of new content for the game - most of which will be free.
Our review of Steel Division: Normandy 44!
Steel Division: Normandy 44 Patch Notes - The Division Bell Update Released
The new DLC, titled 'Second Wave', will bring 4 new divisions and 35 new units to Steel Division: Normandy 44. The divisions are divided into half Allied and half Axis, and consist of the American 4th Armored Division, the British 1st Special Service Brigade, the German 9. Panzerdivision and the 16. Luftwaffen-Felddivision. The DLC will include a special ace model in the form of Lt. Col. Creighton W. Abrams and his famous thunderbolt M4 command tank. The new units will include the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer, the Wildcat V fighter aircraft, the Panzer IC light tank, and the NAG 4500 FlaK truck.
One thing we don't currently know is if this new content will be available in single-player, especially campaign, as well as multiplayer. We've reached out to Paradox and will update this post if they let us know.
Second Wave will be the first part of a series of content updates for Steel Division planned by developer Eugen Systems, the creators of R.U.S.E and Wargame if you didn't know. Second Wave will be the only paid content, with the rest coming in as free updates throughout the rest of 2017. These include a New Game Mode, 2 new Ace Models, a Unit Pack containing 4 new units (2 for each side), and a Co-operative mission pack. More information can be found on their Update Roadmap page which they promise will be continually updated. We'll try and alert you with any news.
Steel Division: Normandy 44 came out in May and was praised for a lot of features, including the excellent multiplayer, but got criticised for feeling unbalanced. In our review Michael said:
"Steel Division does have some in built flaws that are going to need patched out if Eugen want this game to stick around long term. That said, the core of a fantastic game is here and the majority of the game is as addictive as it is fun. Reinforcing your front lines, sending troops to capture buildings and raining down fire on tank divisions never really gets old."
Steel Division: Normandy 44's Second Wave DLC will be out September 21 priced $7.99.