Close Combat: The Bloody First Gets New Map/Modding Tools & a Discount By Joe Robinson

Matrix Games’ reboot of the classic Close Combat franchise got off to a decent, if rocky start and the dev team have been hard at work improving the game ever since. Close Combat: The Bloody First received a new update this week that introduces a map editor, mod tools, and there’s even a sale running!

Is it our birthday or something? Patch 1.1.1 brings with it a lot of changes around user content creation, multiplayer and other fixes. Here is the full change-log:

Map Editor Changes: Press ‘P’ key to toggle cursor terrain and coordinate display.

Mouse over an object and hit PgUp/PgDn to cycle through the possible variations in model / texture.

Better alignment of fences and walls when placing them in a row.

Battle damage type objects (foxhole, gun pit, craters) cannot be created via the editor and no longer show up in the object list. May be implemented in the future.

Fix for mods loading custom maps while using the stock campaign.

Fixed missing default textures on dead cow objects.

Fixed incorrect texture names in data file for low stone wall, low mud wall, high mud wall, and wreck objects.

Fix for mouse handling when Scenario Editor screen is up.

Fix for hang when mouse over exactly overlapping buildings.

Fixes for texture loading and saving. Content Creator Update: Force Supply Level now updates correctly after each battle.

Force Supply Level on Planning and Briefing screen now displays correct value.

Fixed case where Kasserine Pass operation would not becoming available when it should.

"PLAY <scenario>" button only displays for Custom Battle or Saved Games lists if you have at least one item in the list. Multiplayer: Client now shows correct unit status icons for enemy in sight, firing, etc.

Multiplayer: Unit action string now updated correctly on client during a co-op battle.

Multiplayer: Queued orders are displayed correctly on the client.

Multiplayer: Default Defend/Ambush order arcs appear correctly on the client.

A unit's current order line/arcs are no longer displayed while unit is broken or routing.

Tooltips added to the Soldier screen weapon, achievement, and medal icons.

A battle map preview can now be accessed from the Force Selection screen (image in the upper left.) Fix for bridge not overwritting deep water terrain (Cerisy)

Left click on a live soldier in soldier list centers camera on soldier.

Fix for separated soldier failing to rejoin unit if unit aborted a movement order while soldier was separated.

Game now allows a battle scenario to begin even if battle end conditions are already in effect.

Vehicle kill chance and counter-kill chance now has more influence when choosing a default target.

Soldier walking and crawling speeds now less effected by terrain and slope.

Vehicle pathing and path-following updated.

Vehicles will attempt to keep at least 1m distance from impassable terrain.

Vehicles halt before entering impassable terrain and re-path as necessary.

Drivers now follow unit movement path more closely.

Drivers will adjust vehicle speed more precisely to avoid overshooting a turn.

New game options to control Defend/Ambush arc display and behavior.

Added the keybind "~" (the tilde key) to deselect all units. Remappable to ESC via OPTIONS.TXT.

Fixed potential crash with current unit becoming unselected while queuing orders for that unit.

Added 'Delete File' button on command screen to delete saved games and custom battles.

Unsupported 'Fog' weather option no longer appears as a weather choice in the scenario editor.

At the same time, the entire Close Combat franchise is enjoying a sale from now until 5pm BST on April 6th via the Matrix Store. It’s only for digital editions, but you can get older games for up to 75% off, while The Bloody First itself is 35% off.

Are you still playing The Bloody First? How have you found it so far? Let us know in the comments!