Squad Battles Eagles Strike Version 4.03 Released!

Hi everyone,

We are proud to announce that Squad Battles Eagles Strike Version 4.03 is now available.

Please note that version 4.03 is a Full Installer only, no patch from prior versions is available. The latest game build is available now in your store account on the WDS website. You will have to uninstall any existing versions and then install the latest to be up to date. We apologize for the inconvenience, but this solved quite a few issues for us and allowed us to remove a lot of superfluous files and other items accumulated from prior versions.

In our preview article we covered many of the inclusions in version 4.03. Work has continued since the preview and a mix of further bug fixes and enhancements has been included. Below is the full changelog with additions since the preview in red.

Eagles Strike Release 4.03 Changelog

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: CTD caused when displaying wrecked weapons.
• Fixed: Stop all units being selected when toggling "On Ground".
• Fixed: CTDs caused when using the "Target Units" highlight.
• Fixed: Restore display of the Targeting Dialog.
• Fixed: CTD caused when opening a new scenario in hot seat mode.
• Fixed: Issue with Campaign Front End failing to invoke the game exe.
• Fixed: CTD caused by not clearing the ‘spotter’ graphic when opening a new scenario or game file.
• Fixed: Heavy Weapons tabs incorrectly displayed under FOW.
• Fixed: Heavy weapon tab disappears when unit picks up a new weapon.
• Fixed: CTD caused by "Target Units" highlight and single-use weapons.
• Fixed: Ensure assaults pay the correct movement costs.
• Fixed: Prevent Targeting on the Support Dialog when there is no valid leader by double-clicking.
• Fixed: The width calculation on the Hex Info display now considers width of arrow buttons.
• Fixed: Missing Heavy Weapons graphics on counters.
• Fixed: missing wire cutter graphics
• Fixed: Incorrect plunger, remote control, and mine-roller graphics.
• Fixed: Incorrect Victory Screens

Enhancements

• Allow sound files to play even when running at up to double speed.
• Improved air support + indirect fire accuracy.
• Weapon quality can now be altered in the OOB Editor.
• Scatter hex for a leader now has an on-screen symbol.
• Chosen leader for support calls now has an onscreen spotter symbol.
• Set the assault cost to the greater of terrain movement or one third movement cost.
• Allow hotkeys to be processed when the Targeting Dialog is open and has focus.
• Adjustments to prevent invisible units being revealed as part of a movement attempt.
• Put the Artillery no LOS penalty into the PDT.
• Ensure the Artillery no LOS penalty is shown on the Parameter Data Dialog.
• Allow the Support Dialog to be opened even if no valid leader or vehicle has been found.
• Don't select wrecks or destroyed weapons when double-clicking on a hex.
• When multiple weapons are selected show the explosion animation for the largest radius.
• When multiple weapons are selected show the maximum range highlight for the largest radius.
• Implemented changes to the game architectures in readiness for AI upgrades.
• Replaced the Misc graphics with better versions.
• Revised all 3D Infantry images.
• Added new transparent bases for all 3D infantry as well as alternative versions of bases.
• Added extensive background sounds and updated all scenarios to use them.
• Rationalised and replaced many weapons, explosion, and movement sounds with updated versions.

Content Changes

• Added binoculars, aerial recon camera and demolition charges to the data files.
• Prime Mover renamed to SdKfz 7, and towing capability added.
• All OOBs updated to replace Prime Mover with SdKfz 7.
• 3/4 Ton Truck towing capability added.
• 3/4 Ton Truck added to Hitting Utah OOB.
• 3/4 Ton Truck added to AT Platoon in 002.Hitting Utah scenario.
• 002.Hitting Utah scenario reviewed, and map adjusted in size.
• 077.Cust_ASLV-ES#15 scenario reviewed and updated.
• Added French civilians and German and US POW’s.
• Minor updates to some OOBs.
• Heavily revised the User document to reflect the additional capabilities.
• Various Documentation updates, including removal of redundant files under notes and consolidation of the remaining files.

Please do read the preview article to understand how these changes impact game play.

With the move of Eagles Strike to version 4.03, we hope to follow quickly with new versions of the previously released 4.01 titles. These are the Grenada Demo, Advance of the Reich, Red Victory, and Winter War. We will, of course, post here once we are closer to release.

We would love to get your feedback on the changes, please do post at our dedicated forums your overall impressions.

Here are a few screenshots taken from the 4.03 release version.

Firstly, some examples of the new 3D unit bases. This first image was the 4.02 default, shown last week. Only the national icons were present.

The image following, include the new bases. Infantry and guns now have a transparent base as well as the national icon. When a unit is highlighted, the bases are filled in, which you can see with the US unit on the right-hand side of the image below.

The following shows both American Airborne and German units. You can see some of the Airborne have solid bases, i.e. they are highlighted.

And zoomed out.

The following are further examples of different gameplay situations.

Again, the latest game build is available now in your store account on the WDS website. If you have any issues please reach out to our Help Desk.

We hope you enjoy this next iteration of the Squad Battles engine.