Note & credit: Action screenshots were provided by players on the game’s Discord — today featuring Alan, Hood, Nafeij and Sgt Hamlet. Big thanks to them!

Welcome back, admirals!

As expected, the week has been fairly calm on the update front, as we took some time to rest and refit, with JB enjoying a well-deserved break. He’ll be back in action on Monday, so don’t worry — updates and fixes will resume soon enough.

Regarding development plans (fixes aside), as mentioned earlier our focus will be on a select number of new functionalities designed to make upcoming scenarios more interesting and more playable. These include new options for air operations, as well as expanded strategic objectives, allowing for win conditions that go beyond the current “make them turn back” dynamic typical of our carrier face-offs.

We haven’t been idle on the 3D front either. Midway is now entering its final round of polish, with new objects being implemented — no trivial task, especially considering that Japanese ships may soon be getting much closer to the frontline. Work is progressing steadily on key assets. Pagodas are looking sharp, and each Kongo-class ship is receiving its own distinctive superstructure. Nagato and Wasp are also beginning to appear on the horizon.

Enjoy the visuals!

Regarding a future dedicated Steam Workshop function, we have no objection to implementing a Sea Power–like system. In fact, we’ll need it ourselves for simpler features such as custom scenarios — which will become especially relevant once the scenario editor is available. This will be part of our broader Steamworks integration effort, which will eventually include achievements as well (you like those, don’t you?).

But today, we wanted to take this update as an opportunity to introduce you to the work emerging from our young — and already active — modding scene, through the efforts of TyGamer.

He’s been hard at work and has already authored two mods, experimenting directly with the game files.

The first home-made scenario: Invasion of the Solomon Sea!

2. A small scenario swapping the PoV from the US to the Japanese.

Obviously, nothing else will change so you'll still receive US messages in a US environment, but if it really burns you inside not to play the KB, well, he can show you the way!

"Ever wanted to play as the Japanese? Well now you can! Just the original Coral Sea scenario (meaning put it in scenarios/1/battle3) but with the sides flipped since I realized how easy it would be to do so. Your forces will appear red and the Americans will be blue/green on the strategic map since those are the colors of each side in-game. You will also have the sea plane tender and Rabaul airstrip to help as well (both controlled by allied computer like Midway).

Make sure to make a copy of the original scenario file so you can always revert back! "

For this mod along with discussions regarding future efforts, we encourage you to join the dedicated SP-WotS-TFA modding server so as to stay updated and access the new stuff as soon as possible. Follow this link!

https://discord.gg/vc8uAVH6Sh style=pill

We’ve received a few questions over the past few days, so I’d like to clarify a couple of points.

A few rules for mod users & modders:

• Regarding the use of mods in TFA:We have no issue with players experimenting with the game’s functions and files. However, if you choose to play with mods, please understand that we cannot support modded versions of the game at this time. This means no crash reports or stability-related feedback based on modified builds. If you use mods, you do so at your own risk.

• Regarding the use of TFA assets in other games:
  As a general rule, we do not allow the indiscriminate distribution of TFA assets in third-party products. That said, we are not opposed in principle to TFA objects being used in other games — provided the following conditions are strictly respected:

  • Prior approval must be obtained directly from us.
    Modders must contact us beforehand. Any channel is fine (forums, Discord, etc.).

  • 3D models must be properly repacked for use within the target third-party product and converted into that product’s native format. Direct downloads of our 3D models for standalone use — whether reassembled or not — are not permitted.

  • Clear and proper credit must be given to Task Force Admiral and to our artists in a form that is agreed upon when we provide the original greenlight.

  • Our models may not be used in any paid product.

We are glad to see creative energy building around the game, and we want to support it — but it has to be done in a way that protects both the project and the artists who contribute to it. We thank you in advance for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing what you'll create on your free time ^^

Bundles are a pretty neat way for us to join forces with other games. We already have a few bundles available with titles from the MicroProse catalogue — more on those perhaps in the next update. But today, I’d like to highlight the bundles we share with a few fellow indie projects that genuinely resonate with Task Force Admiral in theme and spirit.

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/68250/Task_Force_Admiral_x_Carrier_Battles_4/Carrier Battles 4: Guadalcanal explores the same Pacific carrier warfare setting from a different but equally compelling angle. While TFA brings the experience into a real-time 3D environment, Carrier Battles 4 offers a refined 2D operational command perspective. Both titles attempt, each in their own way, to capture the tension and uncertainty of carrier combat — something CB4G achieves through clean operational presentation and clarity, reminiscent of fantastic tabletop wargames the likes of CARRIERS. A very good companion to TFA, made by a French compatriot — don't ask me where that PTO carrier bug comes from, but it is an obsession we happily share! A new DLC was released a few weeks ago, so the game is very much alive. No excuse!

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/68136/Task_Force_Admiral_x_Ground_of_Aces/Ground of Aces connects with TFA through its focus on air power management. In a fashion made popular by Bomber Crew, the spotlight isn’t just on combat itself, but on the organization and preparation that make air operations possible. Our game places you in command of carriers at sea and their air groups ; Ground of Aces revolves around running an airbase: managing pilots, aircraft readiness, logistics, and the day-to-day realities behind sorties. Although the overall tone is lighter in the case of GoA, make no mistake: everything you might want from an airbase sim is there, with a depth few games have achieved in this niche. The latest major update has been released only a few days ago, so the excitement is still fresh — and the on-going discount is quite the good deal indeed I must say!

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/68302/Leaders_at_War/Finally, Burden of Command shares with TFA a similar respect for history and realism. Both projects approach their subject matter with the utmost care, aiming to reflect the human dimension of war rather than merely turning it into a spectacle. While the scale and gameplay focus differ, there is a common desire to ground the experience in authenticity and original design. At the end of the day, that's quite a strong recommendation for any WW2 grognard who appreciates games that go the extra mile. A new DLC, titled "Three Nations" allowing you to play the game on the other side, among other new contents, is about to release on the 24th — a perfect moment to start your collection!

Here! if these themes resonate with you, these bundles are a great way to support multiple like-minded teams while expanding your library with games that naturally complement each other. Hopefully you'll support them with the very same kindness, they deserve just that!

That’s all for today. Thank you all for your continued support, it is the kind of fuel which makes us keep moving forward. More action next week after this small pause, that's a given - and big thanks for your patience!

With love,

The TFA Team