’83

Blue Dot Games have just unveiled the latest in their Developer Tapes series showcasing different aspects of ‘83, their upcoming 40v40 squad-based tactical first-person shooter set in an alternate 1983 where the Cold War escalated into an all-out conflict. This latest video offers an overview of its two core game modes: Frontlines and Assault. Both demand coordination, communication, and tactical play, but with very different objectives and rulesets.

’83 Developer Tapes #6 – Game Modes

Frontlines is a dynamic two-way mode where players fight to control a linear sequence of objectives stretching across the map. Each team has a fortified home base on opposite ends of the battlefield, operating as primary spawn points for infantry and vehicles. As each team pushes their territorial control forward in real-time, it affects where their squad leaders and commanders can deploy spawn points. Should one of these fall behind enemy lines, it will be removed. Each team starts with a fixed number of respawn tickets, though roles like Squad Leaders or Commanders cost additional tickets. Once a team runs out of tickets, they can no longer respawn.

Each match begins with a team receiving an equal number of objectives that must be completed in a linear sequence, as they claim previously neutral territory. These objectives can branch out, however, allowing opportunities to siege strategic points creating flanking opportunities. Frontlines matches are time-limited, with fallback win conditions determining the outcome if neither team has completed their objective chain.

Assault offers a more focused, asymmetric experience, where one team attacks a series of objectives in a one-way push, while the opposing team defends, similar to the classic “Territories” mode from Rising Storm. Here, the match flows through a linear series of objectives, always starting at the attackers’ base and progressing toward the defenders. Unlike Frontlines, territory doesn’t shift back and forth, but rather once an objective is captured, it becomes locked for the round and the next objective activates.

There are two ways to determine win conditions in an Assault match. If a team runs out of respawn tickets and all their players are eliminated, they lose. If attackers run out of time, the defenders win – unless the final objective is actively contested, in which case the game goes into overtime. Combat continues until the contest is resolved. Assault is played over two rounds, with teams switching sides in the second half. Should each team win one round, a tiebreaker will be initiated.

Find out more about ’83 on Steam.

Blue Dot Games have just announced that ‘83, their upcoming 40v40 squad-based tactical first-person shooter set in an alternate 1983 where the Cold War escalated into an all-out conflict, has had its Early Access launch delayed until early 2026. To offer further insight into the delay, the team at Blue Dot Games has issued the latest in their Developer Tapes series showcasing different aspects of ‘83, focusing on the game’s core fundamentals and how feedback from Steam Next Fest has helped shape various aspects of the game ranging from visual fidelity to UI to gameplay interactions.

’83 Developer Tapes #5 – Community Feedback & Updates

Find out more about ’83 on Steam.

Blue Dot Games have just unveiled the latest in their Developer Tapes series showcasing different aspects of ‘83, their upcoming 40v40 squad-based tactical first-person shooter set in an alternate 1983 where the Cold War escalated into an all-out conflict. This latest video offers a sneak peek at its three war-torn maps awaiting players at ‘83’s Early Access launch.

Watch the ‘83 Developer Tapes #4 – Maps Video HERE.

If there was ever a point where World War III was expected to start, it was West Germany’s Fulda Gap. This crucible of modern armoured warfare is where ’83 shows its scale. Soviet forces have launched a massive offensive across this key corridor, backed by tanks and artillery. Rolling hills, fortified towns, dense forests, and exposed plains create a dynamic combat space where NATO forces scramble to hold the line against the relentless Soviet advance.

In the far North a Norwegian Fjord offers a strategically vital flashpoint due to its proximity to Soviet naval bases and the Atlantic sea lanes. While Soviets aim to control sea lanes, project naval power, and cut off NATO reinforcement routes to Western Europe, NATO aims to preemptively lock down this critically contested territory. Gameplay here is defined by verticality and harsh terrain. Mountain passes, fortified bunkers set deep into the rock, and coastal facilities offer diverse tactical opportunities and demand flexibility from both attackers and defenders.

Finally there’s the massive Duga over-the-horizon missile detecting radar, known as the “Woodpecker”. In ‘83 this is a key command-and-control hub, integral to the Soviet early warning network. Gameplay here blends open woodland with dense interior fighting around the radar structures, mixing long sightlines with brutal close-quarters battles. It’s a map that favours stealth, surprise, and sabotage and rewards teams that can coordinate under pressure.

’83 is coming to Steam Early Access later this year.

Blue Dot Games is excited to announce that ’83 will be taking part in Steam Next Fest next week, showcasing our Cold War–gone–hot tactical shooter to players around the world.

Ahead of the festival, they are opening up the demo for a series of limited-time play sessions this week. This is your first opportunity to get hands-on with a pre-release build of ’83 and experience the core gameplay, factions, and mechanics before the event officially begins.

’83 – Official Steam Next Fest Demo Launch Trailer

To gain access to the ’83 Demo, navigate to the Steam store page and click “Download Demo”.

What is ’83?

’83 is a Cold War–gone–hot, combined-arms, first-person tactical shooter that pits two teams of players against each other in massive battles across sprawling maps, fighting over objectives designed to reward the team with better strategy, coordination, and teamwork to seize the day.

Designed with accessible realism for the most enjoyable experience that gets you to the action fast without losing that realistic feel and depiction of the true lethality of war.

Blue Dot Games has just unveiled the latest in their Developer Tapes series showcasing different aspects of ‘83, their upcoming 40v40 squad-based tactical first-person shooter set in an alternate 1983 where the Cold War escalated into an all-out warzone. This latest video highlights the two factions in this conflict: The United States Army and the Soviet Ground Forces.

‘83 Developer Tapes #2 – Factions

Each faction is based on years of research, utilising military archives, historical photographs, re-enactment groups, Cold War museums, and direct consultation with military history forums.

The US Army is built for structure, coordination, and precision. Utilising period appropriate weapons like M16A1, The M60 LMG, and the MP5SD, this army is designed for accurate fire and tactical versatility. US Special Forces bring even more specialisation, like shotguns tuned for close quarters combat. Their uniforms are standardised, with machined components, and plastics and polymers commonly utilised in weapons and gear; equipment that can be efficiently mass produced to adapt to the everturning tide of war. Adopt the strategies of fire discipline, coordination, and role-based tactics to emerge victorious.

Soviet forces are designed for relentless forward pressure, implementing iconic weaponry like the AK074, RPK-74, and the RPG-7. Deploy Soviet tactics in ‘83 using movement in numbers, with waves of infantry supported by armored vehicles, and overwhelming firepower. Donning repurposed uniforms of canvas and leather, the soviet battle fatigues reflects the resourcefulness of the Eastern Bloc and their reliance on repurposed stock from earlier decades. Blitz through your opponents’ defenses with offensive pressure and volume of fire.

‘83 was built on the idea of “accessible realism”, with an aim to make everything as realistic as possible, until the point where it stops being fun, then it gets ratcheted back one notch. Taking you to the action fast, matches average around 30-40 minutes, and whilst dying only takes you out of the match for a short while, before allowing you to respawn, don’t underestimate this seemingly low-stakes penalty, as that time-out is enough to turn the tide of battle since ‘83 requires thorough communication and teamwork, with Team Commanders guiding their faction through strategic organisation and nail-biting calls.

Players can choose from a variety of roles: from frontline riflemen to vehicle operators and support units – each with their own loadouts and strategic value. ‘83 features era-authentic weapons and equipment with realistic handling and lethality, with each armament meticulously designed and animated according to its real life counterpart. Every weapon behaves in a realistic way, with barrels and suppressors overheating when rapid firing, machineguns require a stable surface for accuracy, and bullets don’t magically teleport in between magazines when you reload a half-empty one. ‘83’s focus on realism, coordination and large-scale immersion offers players a gritty, boots-on-the-ground experience in a world teetering on the edge of nuclear war!

’83 is coming to Steam Early Access later this year.

Blue Dot Games are proud to reveal the latest trailer for ‘83, their upcoming 40v40 squad-based tactical first-person shooter set in an alternate 1983 where the Cold War escalated into an all-out warzone. Coming to Steam Early Access later this year, ‘83 is a spiritual successor to Rising Storm 2: Vietnam, which much of Blue Dot Worked on. This latest trailer, Cold War Gone Hot, shows off ‘83’s horrific “what if” scenario where players take the side of NATO or Warsaw Pact forces in sprawling, period accurate battles.

Watch the ’83 – Cold War Gone Hot Trailer HERE.

This offers the first look at the Fulda Gap map. Set in Germany between the Hesse-Thuringian border, the Fulda Gap was a strategically important region during the Cold War, as its two narrow corridors of lowlands offered the Warsaw Pact a potential path for its tanks to initiate a surprise attack. That makes it the perfect playground to enact this invasion that very well could have been. ‘83 puts players in the boots of a soldier in this shadow history, wherein massive 40v40 matches feature authentic Cold War-era weapons, vehicles and squad-based objectives. Coordinate with teammates, capture critical points and dominate the battlefield with smart tactics and teamwork.

Join a core group of community members currently helping shape ’83 behind the scenes. Sign up today at the games official website to become an Alpha Tester.