Hello all,
Welcome to our maiden PTE of Objective Mode in Hell Let Loose!
Before we dive into the modes, let’s take a moment to provide some context around this content.
Members of the community may recall the original 2023 roadmap which featured Objective Mode. These maps were a series of prototypes that differed from the standard Hell Let Loose Warfare and Offensive modes. However, following the release of the 2023 trailer, development priorities shifted, and Objective Mode was temporarily deferred to align with the new direction.
As promised in a previous Q&A, we’re now excited to share the progress made before that shift by bringing you two completely new, work-in-progress maps. Each are at a different stage of development, as well as one map being a solo project that utilises the promising gameplay opportunities presented by Objective Mode.
Note: These are test maps, so you’ll encounter known issues such as placeholder UI, incomplete tactical maps, and unfinished game logic.
With that said, let’s take a look at the new mechanic, and dive into three different scenarios.
New Mechanic - TNT
We are testing a new mechanic in these modes - TNT. This mechanic will be used by the attacking factions on each map to achieve the objectives. When the player is using the supported role listed below, they will have a TNT weapon in the weapon slot.
Note: The TNT can currently only be used for planting on the objective, it will not work on vehicles like satchels.
TNT - Planting
- The attackers can access the TNT via the weapon wheel when they are playing as the appropriate role
- When the TNT is selected, pre-set points will flash up on the object
- When a pre-set point is unreachable, it will be greyed out
- When a pre-set point is reachable, it will turn green
TNT - Defusal
- The Defenders must defuse the TNT to keep the Plane intact
- They can do this by locating the TNT device, then holding interact [F] to defuse it
- This can only be achieved when in range
Note that any role can do this.
The following attributes are consistent across all 3 maps:
Details
Plant Time: 5 seconds
Detonation Time: 60 seconds
Disarm Explosive Time: 3 seconds
Supported Roles:- Commander
- Officer
- Engineer
- Support
- Anti-Tank
Map #1 - El Alamein
The theme of El Alamein is destruction, the British Forces control the Airfield and the German Forces' operation is to destroy the Lancaster Bomber planes to effectively halt the British advance in N. Africa.
Therefore the British Forces have the advantage, the planes are in their territory, and are closer to their HQ. The challenge is for the DAK to break British lines, and destroy their planes.
Notes:
- All forces can build OPs/Forward Positions in “neutral territory”
- The British Forces have 3 pre-placed Garrisons
- Each Plane has 100 pre-placed supplies at each Plane to aid defence during the warm-up period
- Territory will never change hands
- Turn-back volumes are added so players cannot enter enemy territory - all gameplay should take place within neutral territory
Map Setup
Map Size: Custom
Player Count: 100 players - 50 v 50
Game Mode: Destruction
Match Time: 33 Minutes - 30 Minutes Gameplay
Warm Up Time: 3 Minutes
Forces:- British 8th Army (Defenders)
- German DAK (Attackers)
Win Conditions:British 8th Army (Defenders)
- Allow the 33 minute timer to elapse with at least 1 plane intact
German DAK (Attackers)
- Destroy all 4 planes within the allotted match time
Gameplay
The British 8th Army have 4 pre-placed planes that they must protect:
Note: As all 4 planes are active from the start, they can be destroyed in any order.Map #2 - Brécourt Battery
The theme of Brécourt Battery takes heavy inspiration from Band of Brothers, and is the content that we were working on at the time of the 2023 trailer. This is a small map where the U.S. Forces must destroy the 4 Gun Batteries placed near Brécourt Manor. The goal for the German Forces is to protect those guns at all costs. With that in mind the German Forces have the advantage of territory, which is representative of the real life battle.
Notes:
- The map size/territory is fixed, and won’t change hands
- The grid setup is a test of how we can free up our reliance on it as a system
- The U.S. Forces do not have access to any vehicles
- The German Forces have access to vehicles but they cannot be respawned
- Neither forces have any tanks
- Commander abilities are limited
Map Setup
Map Size: Custom
Player Count: 50 players - 25 v 25
Game Mode: Destruction
Match Time: 33 Minutes - 30 Minutes Gameplay
Warm Up Time: 3 Minutes
Forces:- German Forces (Defenders)
- U.S. Forces (Attackers)
Win Conditions:German Forces (Defenders)
- Allow the 33 minute timer to elapse with at least 1 gun intact
U.S. Forces (Attackers)
- Destroy all 4 guns within the allotted match time
Gameplay
The German Forces have 4 pre-placed guns that they must protect:
Note: As all 4 guns are active from the start, they can be destroyed in any order.Map #3 - Danzig Post Office
The Danzig Post Office is a historically sympathetic Hell Let Loose map based on a true story. The Objectives are two fold on this map, and as such, are split into two different phases.
Notes:
- As we don’t currently have Polish forces in the game, we have used the British (Allies) for players to use their Polish Airborne DLC Uniform
- Neither Force has access to any vehicles
- Commander abilities are restricted
Map Setup
Map Size: Custom - 400m x 400m
Player Count: 50 players - 25 v 25
Game Mode: Phased
Match Time: 33 Minutes - 30 Minutes Gameplay
Warm Up Time: 3 Minutes
Forces:- British Forces (Defenders)
- German Forces (Attackers)
Win Conditions:British Forces (Defenders)
- Allow the 33 minute timer to elapse with the generators intact (Phase 1)
- Prevent the Danzig Post Office Capture Point from being captured within the allotted time (Phase 2)
German Forces (Attackers)
- Destroy the generators within the allotted time (Phase 1)
- Capture the Danzig Post Office within the allotted time (Phase 2)
Gameplay
Phase #1 - Generators
There are 2 generators placed in the Post Office and adjacent Police Station. In the first phase, the attackers must destroy both of these. It is left up to the players to decide how to achieve this, as both generators can be destroyed in any order.
Phase #2 - Danzig Post Office Capture Point
For phase #2 the objective for the German Forces is simply to capture and secure the Danzig Post Office, whilst the British must defend it. The Capture Point behaves like Offensive, once it is captured, the match is over.
What Objective Mode is
- A series of tests to play Hell Let Loose matches with mechanics that don’t revolve around Capture Points and territory control
- An opportunity to delve into the code base of Hell Let Loose and experiment with different map sizes and dimensions and even player counts
- An opportunity for the community to see what game development is really like, to see maps at various stages of development and completion
- A “what if?” scenario which is not necessarily based on historical events but is historically sympathetic within the Hell Let Loose space
- A mode that can be explored further if there is enough community appetite for it
What Objective Mode is Not
- Final content that will be released in Hell Let Loose in the near future
- A mode that could be released after addressing 25 v 25 player count issue
- Finished mechanic logic such as: tanks and bombing runs being unable to destroy the planes in El Alamein being unrealistic
- Completed maps/modes in terms of visual fidelity - Danzig in particular is still in early blockout
- A mode that prioritizes territory control in order to win - The 2nd phase of Danzig is the only time that a Capture Point is the objective
- Work that has come at the expense of the 2025 roadmap - Since the direction was pivoted back in 2023 these maps have had only one person working on the prototypes
The Purposes of Objective Mode and this PTE
- To dive further into the scope of what Hell Let Loose could be, by utilizing mechanics that aren’t centred around Capture Points and territory control
To gauge community interest in the mechanics and setups of the maps presented in these modes. We are particularly keen to hear your thoughts on:
- A 25 v 25 environment
- The map sizes
- The TNT mechanic
- The destruction gameplay loop
Known Issues
For today’s session, there is a list of unfinished items/bugs that we’re aware of, including:
- Placeholder icons
- Unfinished game logic - i.e. bombing runs, satchels, tanks cannot destroy the objectives
Streaming & Recording PTE Sessions
You are welcome to both stream and record PTE footage, but as these sessions are showing unfinished work, it’s always good to let your individual communities know that the footage is from a PTE session, where you might encounter unfinished items, bugs and other issues.
Feedback Questions
Once you have completed a game and are ready to provide feedback, please use the forms below!
How to Take Part
Check your Steam Library for the Hell Let Loose (Public Testing) application, or re-download it from the Steam store, you’ll want to boot this version up to take part in the PTE!
Once you’re in and have selected a server, you’ll be able to test out the new game mode!
Please note:
Because PTEs are run on development servers that have logging activated, you will experience a slight decrease in performance. You will also not earn any XP and your progress will not be carried over to the live game.
Community Events:
A number of our War Correspondents will be running community events over the course of the weekend. This includes RazBora, TheFreshBakedGoods and SoulSniper who are doing a joint event for the PTE.
The event is open to everyone so be sure to check out the details below so that you don't miss the action.
Draft Haus / SoulSniper Objective Mode PTE Event
Date/Time: Saturday, June 7 2025 1:00 PM EST
Where: Hell Let Loose PTE Application
Maps: Danzig Post Office & Brecourt Battery
Teams: 25v25 (50 Players)
Format: Play 2 rounds of each 50 player map so each team gets a chance to defend and attack
Notes: There will be no password for the server or assigned teams. Just join at the posted time and play!
