We are happy to announce the latest Free Content Pack for Red Orchestra 2 – the Fall 2012 Free Content Pack. This time around, there are two key elements to the pack: a brand new map, plus a redesign of the Countdown game mode.

The new map is Barashka, a re-imagining and re-working of an old favorite from the original Red Orchestra. This brings in combined arms combat, villages, bridges and a river crossing to fight for. The map features both Territory and Countdown game modes.

For the Countdown game mode, simplified and improved match flow and user interface will make it much simpler to understand, making for much more instant and direct battles. Just to encourage everyone to try out the changes, we’ll be issuing Double XP towards your Honor from today in Countdown mode!

Of course, there are a host of other updates to the game. These include requests from the community, such as walk while actively firing machine guns from the hip; increased stamina pool in Classic; chat system refinements and more.

Screenshots of course:

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Without further ado, the top 3 in the “Best Original Level” category are:

• Bridges of Druzhina – wins $2,500, an Intel Motherboard DZ68DB and a Core I7-2700k CPU
• Coldsteel – wins $1,000
• Univermag – wins $500

The other category was for “Best Remake”. Here we were really excited to see which of the old maps from Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 and even the Red Orchestra mod days would be brought forward. The winners are:

• Gumrak Station (a remake of the original Basovka) – wins $2,500
• Arad 2 – wins $1,000
• Ogledow – wins $500

We want to see more of the old favorites appearing!

So far, that is $8,000 in cash given away, plus hardware. Breakout, Phase 2 of the contest, is on now reaches its’ conclusion on 30th November. Many of the first round maps have been heavily updated – and many new ones have appeared. This time, there is $15,000 in cash prizes, a top-of-the-line Origin laptop, custom painted and a whole bunch of other hardware to give away. To the mappers – make sure you get your entries in on time! And for all the rest of us, go play the new maps out on the public servers and let us (and the creators) have your feedback. Soon, you will be able to grab new maps and other content through the Steam Workshop for RO2!

Screenshots, of course:

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Discuss on the forums ->

Don’t forget: Phase 1 of the mapping contest closes tomorrow. If you want your map to be considered, you need to make it available and complete an entry form before 12 midnight (Eastern US) at the end of tomorrow, 15th August. To enter – click HERE.

To remind you all, we have prizes from Origin PC, Nvidia, Intel and Logitech – plus $30,000 in cash prizes from ourselves.

Discuss on the forums ->

And, keeping up the pressure on RO2 activity, we are happy to announce our first major mapping contest for the game. Prizes from Origin PC, Nvidia, Intel and Logitech – plus $30,000 in cash prizes from ourselves. For the details, see the competition web page: http://www.heroesofstalingrad.com/counterattack-map-making-competition/.

Discuss on the forums ->

We are pleased to announce that Tripwire Interactive is starting up our own ladder for competitive play on our own games. This will focus initially on RO2. The ladder will be sponsored by us, staffed by volunteers. The initial web page is up – see HERE. We’ve also set up a new section in the forums for the ladder, HERE.

Discuss on the forums ->