Hearts of Iron IV

Anniversary Edition Comes With New Expansion and Diorama

Paradox Development Studio is very happy to announce that its grand strategy wargame Hearts of Iron IV has sold one million copies. This is the third of its historical titles, after Crusader Kings II and Europa Universalis IV, to hit the one million market, and is evidence of a strong and durable market for challenging games about our shared past.

Hearts of Iron IV offers players unparalleled flexibility in exploring new historical paths and pursuing hundreds of “what if?” alternate futures, tied to a powerfully flexible war planning system that gives people control over wide fronts, amphibious operations and the air and sea.

Hearts of Iron IV celebrates the one million milestone and its second anniversary by announcing a special physical bundle for collectors and newcomers alike, that includes a special historical diorama designed by Power Up Factory.

“When we released the game, we didn’t know it was going to be such a success,” says Dan Lind, Game Director for Hearts of Iron IV. “We did not dare make a big physical collector’s edition. It feels great to be able to make something like that now – both as Game Director and as someone who loves miniatures!“. Mike Horn, CEO and President of Power Up Factory, is also very excited about the alternate history model his team got to design – the Italian Army raising its flag on the ruins of London.

“We’ve made a lot of interesting collectibles here, but this one’s a first for sure,” says Horn. “I lived in the Washington, DC area for many years and saw the real life Iwo Jima statue countless times. To now be able to make a creative interpretation of it? Amazing!”

Lind adds, “You know you have the right job when you can dream up alt-history scenarios for your game and someone makes a big ass amazing statue of it!”

The Hearts of Iron IV Anniversary Edition will include:

• Historical Diorama from Power Up Factory: A hand-painted collector’s diorama from the experts of game memorabilia. This diorama depicts an alternate history, with the Italian army raising its flag over the ruins of London.
• Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns: The newest expansion to Hearts of Iron brings greater depth and customization to the naval aspect of war, new National Focus options for the United States, unique actions for democracies and much more.
• Hearts of Iron IV Base Game: A Steam key of the best-selling grand strategy wargame that tests your understanding of subtlety, supply and strategy to keep or share with a friend.

If you want to spend a little extra, your Anniversary Edition can also include keys for every other Hearts of Iron IV expansion: Together for Victory, Death or Dishonor and Waking the Tiger.

For complete game information and to pre-order the Hearts of Iron IV Anniversary Edition, check out the product page at hoi4.paradoxplaza.com.

By Joe Robinson @ The Wargamer

Despite the fact that Hearts of Iron IV still has some fundamental issues with its design, the HOI team at Paradox Development Studios are certainly doing a great job distracting us by doubling-down on what actually works (and fleshing out areas of the world bit-by-bit). That’s not meant to be an insult – Dan Lind and his team have been doing great work with what they have, but most fans acknowledge there are problems, even now. Thanks to the recently released Waking the Tiger expansion however, those problems feel a little less pressing.

Read the Review Here

Are you ready to beat back the imperialist aggression of the world’s bullies? Paradox Development Studio is happy to announce the release of Waking the Tiger, an expansion to Hearts of Iron IV that makes major improvements to many aspects of the game, while drawing players’ attention to the Chinese Front.

The Chinese Republic is barely 25 years old and has still not found the unity it seeks. But now, pressed by Japan, China’s factions might find in war the common cause that eluded them in peace. New leaders and focus trees for Nationalist China, Communist China, the warlord states and the Japanese vassals add more depth and history to one of history’s forgotten fronts.

Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger includes:

• Chinese National Focuses: Divided and under threat, China has great reserves of manpower and diplomatic flexibility
• Chain of Command: Unite your armies under a field marshal who can take advantage of the many skills of the generals under his direction.
• Decisions and Missions: Historical decisions and national missions give you new places to spend Political Power, as you deal with domestic politics or start special projects.
• Commanders’ Traits and Abilities: Commanders’’ traits can now unlock powerful Command Power abilities, allowing great flexibility and creativity.
• Updated Axis Focus Trees: Alternate historical paths for the German Reich and Imperial Japan, including parliamentary rule in Japan and the return of the Kaiser to Germany.
• Acclimatization: Over time, troops will learn how to survive in the desert or harsh winters, giving these veterans an edge on the battlefield.
• And More: Capturing battlefield equipment, and a revitalized air war system that has room for Volunteer air wings.

As usual, the expansion will be released alongside a major game update that is freely available to all Hearts of Iron IV players.

Watch the Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger Release Trailer HERE.

Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger is available now at the expansions webpage for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Eighty years ago, the people of China rallied together to fight a ruthless invader – another in a long line of invaders. For a brief moment, the post-revolutionary squabbles that followed the end of the imperial line were put aside to defend the nation. But that is just one possible timeline. History is not fixed, and Paradox offers you the chance to change it once again with the release of Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger on March 8.

Waking the Tiger is the next expansion for Hearts of Iron IV, Paradox Development Studio’s best-selling World War II grand strategy wargame. With new focus trees, revised battle systems and new alternate historical paths for the major Axis powers, Waking the Tiger will shake idle generals from their slumber.

Click here to watch Game Director Dan Lind and friends explain what’s coming in Waking the Tiger!

Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger includes:

• Chinese National Focuses: Divided and under threat, China has great reserves of manpower and diplomatic flexibility.
• Chain of Command: Unite your armies under a field marshal who can take advantage of the many skills of the generals under his direction.
• Decisions and Missions: Historical decisions and national missions give you new places to spend Political Power, as you deal with domestic politics or start special projects.
• General Traits and Abilities: Generals’ traits can now unlock powerful Command Power abilities, allowing great flexibility and creativity.
• Updated Axis Focus Trees: Alternate historical paths for the German Reich and Imperial Japan, including parliamentary rule in Japan and the return of the Kaiser to Germany.
• Acclimatization: Over time, troops will learn how to survive in the desert or harsh winters, giving these veterans an edge on the battlefield.
• And More: Capturing battlefield equipment, and a revitalized air war system that has room for Volunteer air wings.

Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger will be available on March 8, 2018, and, as usual, the release will be accompanied by a free major update for all Hearts of Iron players.

Click here to pre-order Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger and gather up more game information!

Earn Your Stripes in Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger

A Fractured Nation Confronts Imperialism in Upcoming Paradox Expansion

The Chinese Republic replaced the tottering empire only decades earlier, and is unprepared for its greatest challenge. China is ideologically divided as well, providing an appetizing target for aggressive neighbors. But the Chinese people are resilient and can unite to protect their homeland.

In Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger, Paradox Development Studio focuses on the Chinese front – the first front of the Second World War. Here, Japan turned its imperialist appetites before the other great powers got involved. New National Focuses dedicated to Nationalist and Communist China guide you through alternate histories that could save or unite the Chinese nation. But under whose guidance?

Features in Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger include:

• Chinese National Focuses: Divided and under threat, China has great reserves of manpower and diplomatic flexibility
• Chain of Command: Unite your armies under a field marshal who can take advantage of the many skills of the generals under his direction.
• Decisions and Missions: Historical decisions and national missions give your new places to spend Political Power, as you deal with domestic politics or start special projects.
• General Traits and Abilities: Generals’ traits can now unlock powerful Command Power abilities, allowing great flexibility and creativity.
• Updated Japanese Focus Tree: More attention to the Asian campaign and alternate history paths, including restoring Civilian Government or allying with the feared Soviets.
• Updated German Focus Tree: New possible histories for the German Reich, including the chance to replace Hitler with the exiled Kaiser, or lead a democratic Germany against Stalin.
• Acclimatization: Over time, troops will learn how to survive in the desert or harsh winters, giving these veterans an edge on the battlefield.
• And More: Capturing battlefield equipment, and a revitalized air war system that has room for Volunteer air wings.

Watch the Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger announcement trailer HERE.

Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger will be available soon on major digital distribution channels with the suggested retail price of $19.99 and is available for pre-order now.

Guide Russia to Glory or Resist the Soviet March in Third Rome and Death or Dishonor

Paradox Interactive, a publisher and developer that’s never rushin’ out its games, today released new content for two of its best-selling Grand Strategy games, both focused on the nations of Eastern Europe during different, formative periods in history. Third Rome, a new immersion pack for Europa Universalis IV, adds new gameplay features for the Russian empire, and is available for $9.99. Death or Dishonor, a new country pack for Hearts of Iron IV, brings new events and national focuses to the nations bordering the Soviet Union during World War II – Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Yugoslavia – and is available as well for $9.99. The two packs can also be purchased together in a discounted bundle for $17.98. Both packs are available today for Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs.

• See what happens when you wish upon a Tsar in a new trailer for Third Rome
• Prepare to make a not-so-difficult choice between Death or Dishonor in the new trailer

In Third Rome, players will find new means to wield spiritual, political, and military control in the Russian empire, with new ranks of government and unique military units. Features include:

• Tsardoms and Principalities: New ranks of Russian government with new abilities and, for Tsars, strong bonuses including the right to claim entire States – not just provinces.
• Iconography: Commission great religious icons for the Orthodox church, boosting your empire’s power depending on the saint you choose to revere.
• Siberian Frontier: Russian nations can slowly colonize uninhabited border regions, with no fear of native uprisings

Meanwhile, in Death or Dishonor, the Soviets lie on your eastern borders while the Axis march forth from the west. Players will have to find ways to come out of the war with their lives and/or their dignity intact. Features include:

• Four New Focus Trees: Experience the war from the difficult perspectives of Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
• Equipment Conversion: Update your arsenal by converting older units — or make use of captured enemy vehicles and gear.
• New Diplomatic and Puppet Interactions: License military technology to bring other nations’ weapons to the field or sell your advances to the highest bidder.

Players can purchase Third Rome and Death or Dishonor together here via Paradox Plaza.

The packs can also be purchased separately via Paradox Plaza at the following links:

• Third Rome Pack
• Death or Dishonor Pack

Paradox Thanks their Community with New Voiceovers, Portraits, and More

Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio today celebrated the one-year anniversary of Hearts of Iron IV, the World War II Grand Strategy Game released to critical acclaim on June 6, 2016. Hearts of Iron IV, the game that challenges players to navigate the nation of their choice through history’s greatest conflict, continues to engage players one year later across Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs. To thank the community for their ongoing support for the game, Paradox today released the Hearts of Iron IV Anniversary Pack as free DLC, available now for all players.

Since the game’s release one year ago, Hearts of Iron IV has built a dedicated and growing community of players. Today, Hearts of Iron IV continues to be played by an average of 250,000 monthly active users (MAU). Over half of those players enjoy using one or more of the community’s creative game mods, including “Millenium Dawn,” which brings the war into the modern era, “The Great War,” which pulls it back to World War I, or “Kaiserreich,” an alternate historical setting that presumes Germany had won the first world war. More mods and newer players continue to flock to Hearts of Iron IV, setting the stage for more new war stories for years to come.

The Anniversary Pack includes new in-game content to provide players with a richer and more detailed Hearts of Iron IV experience, featuring new voiceovers for Polish troops – an inclusion frequently requested by the player community. Players can download the new content for free today:

• New voiceovers for troops while playing as Poland
• 20 new portrait selections for generals and leaders across nations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America
• 20 new custom division icons

To download the free Anniversary Pack, visit http://store.steampowered.com/app/642010/Hearts_of_Iron_IV_Anniversary_Pack/.

A new addition to Hearts of Iron IV will also arrive next week with the release of Death or Dishonor, a Country Pack releasing on June 14, 2017. Death or Dishonor will add new focus trees and in-game events for the nations of Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. For more information on the forthcoming DLC, visit https://www.paradoxplaza.com/hearts-of-iron-iv-death-or-dishonor.

For more information about Hearts of Iron IV, visit the games official website.

Pre-orders now open for both expansions, duo-pack available for a discounted price

Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio today announced that Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome, the first immersion pack for the best-selling historical grand strategy game, and Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor, a country pack for the World War II grand strategy game, will launch together on June 14th, 2017.

Both packs will be priced individually at $9.99. Fans of both of Paradox Development Studios’ global conquest simulators can purchase both packs together as part of a duo-pack for 10% off at Paradox Plaza here.

Paradox demoed the new features from Third Rome in a live stream on Tuesday. The replay of that stream can be found here.

The new features in Death or Dishonor are demoed in an ongoing stream series. Replays can be found here.

Third Rome expands the governmental, military, and diplomatic opportunities for the Russian empire. The pack includes new ranks of Russian governments that give Tsars the power to claim states, powerful streltsy mercenary units that excel in combat at the cost of the empire’s stability, and new interactions with the Orthodox Patriarchate. These changes give Russian players more ways to maintain control over their sprawling territory using a mix of military might, political touch, and religious conviction.

Death or Dishonor introduces new National Focus trees and gameplay options for the countries caught between the Nazi and Soviet war machines – Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. In addition, Death or Dishonor adds new diplomatic and puppet interactions, new music and gameplay art, and additional national interactions to change the course of history.

Both DLCs will be accompanied by free patches that bring broader updates to the base versions of Europa Universalis IV and Hearts of Iron IV.

For more information on Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome, click here.

For more information on Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor, visit click here.

New Country Pack for Hearts of Iron IV Expands Gameplay for Countries Trapped in a Tough Spot

Armchair generals extraordinaire Paradox Interactive today announced that Hearts of Iron IV players will soon have more difficult decisions to make with the launch of Death or Dishonor, a brand new country pack coming later this year. Death or Dishonor focuses on the countries of Europe caught between the dueling ambitions of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany – faced with total destruction by a much larger force or making uncomfortable alliances, survival will take compromise, guile, and perhaps a teensy bit of luck. Death or Dishonor will be available for $9.99 on Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs — and will be delivered for free to all Expansion Pass owners.

Make another not-so-difficult choice to watch the Death or Dishonor trailer.

Death or Dishonor introduces new National Focus trees for Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia, which revolve around navigating the ideological (and physical) land mines of central Europe during World War II. This content furthers Paradox’s goal of capturing the unique wartime experience of every nation involved in World War II, but players will also find new opportunities to change the course of history if they so choose.

Death or Dishonor – and the accompanying free update – will also include:

• Revamp of Air Gameplay: Take to the skies with new mechanics and quality of life updates that make it easier to bring your airpower to bear.
• Equipment Conversion: Update your arsenal by converting older units — or make use of captured enemy vehicles and gear.
• New Music and Art: Three new thematic musical tracks from composer Andreas Waldetoft, new art content for the four focus nations, and new troop voiceovers.
• New Diplomatic and Puppet Interactions: License military technology to bring other nations’ weapons to the field or sell your advances to the highest bidder. Fascist countries get new subject levels like Reichskommissariat, with access to licenses, industry and strategic resources. The instated governments are held in an iron grip, making it harder for them to break free.
• Improved Map Design and Display: the world map has been clarified to make it easier to follow the action around the world. New impassable areas create tactical choke-points and more historical gameplay

For more information about Hearts of Iron IV, visit the games official website.

Paradox’s WWII Strategy Wargame Conquers the World

Paradox Development Studio is thrilled to announce that Hearts of Iron IV, its World War II themed strategy wargame, has sold 500,000 copies worldwide since its release in June 2016. This milestone follows record sales for Stellaris, Europa Universalis IV and Crusader Kings II, once again confirming Paradox as the premier developer of computer strategy games.

Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, underlines how the continued success of Paradox games justifies the company philosophy.

“The PC remains the primary platform for games of this nature,” Wester says. “Even genres that have traditionally been seen as niche can find a large audience, if a developer is dedicated to quality, variety and learning from both previous experiences and the community at large.”

Hearts of Iron IV recently saw the release of Together for Victory, the first major expansion to the game. Lead Designer Dan Lind is very pleased with the ongoing development of the game, and the team remains committed to continually improving the HoI experience.

“As a result of this success we are able to take advantage of extra time to add tweaks and polish to the game. Our community has high standards, and we will work hard to to live up to their expectations in the coming weeks and months. We really want HoI to be the best it can be for our fans.”

Hearts of Iron IV is currently 33% off at the official Paradox Store. The game is also available on Steam.