The Battlefield Tale: Battalion 1944 and the Legacy Update
Studio Bulkhead Interactive announced the end of its partnership with Square Enix and revealed a bold pivot for Battalion 1944. The game, inspired by early Call of Duty moments, will transition to a free-to-play model with a fully finished version titled Battalion: Legacy. As of March, the game is no longer available for purchase in the Russian Steam region.
Bulkhead acknowledged the split from Square Enix, expressing disappointment that Battalion 1944 did not reach console release. The team committed to refunding backers who financed the Kickstarter console version and thanked fans for their unwavering support. They apologized for the delays and shared a strong resolve to keep building first-person shooters that emphasize community involvement and player feedback in every stage of development.
— Shot Interactive
The project roadmap includes moving Battalion 1944 toward a free-to-play framework by releasing a final, polished iteration named Battalion: Legacy. The plan called for the release to occur on August 16, with continued refinement and player-focused improvements.
Battalion: Legacy is described as the reimagined, final version of Battalion 1944. It is offered at no cost and brings a refined experience that retains the core gameplay while addressing prior issues. The update introduces a new British faction, expands the weapon roster to more than 30 items, preserves classic modes like Search and Destroy, and includes a total UI and visual overhaul. The studio described Battalion: Legacy as the culmination of their efforts.
— Shot Interactive
Forty years after the Second World War era’s release, Battalion 1944 first landed on Steam in 2019. The reception was mixed, with the game earning a mid-tier score at launch. As of the latest updates, the overall perception reflects ongoing discussions about balance, performance, and multiplayer experience.
The game centers on multiplayer engagements set in World War II, emphasizing large-scale and intimate battles alike. Players can engage in 1 versus 1 battles, 5 versus 5 matches, participate in ranked leagues, or join arcade-style combat modes. Visuals and maps were designed to evoke a nostalgic feel while attempting contemporary polish in gameplay and timing.
All available screenshots from Battalion 1944 can be viewed within the community gallery.
In another tale from the industry, a donor who contributed $100k to a different release faced restrictions on play due to platform limitations, illustrating how funding decisions and platform decisions can intertwine with player access.
Times