Hearts of Iron 4 developers shared plans for the anniversary year

Hearts of Iron 4 Developers Share Plans for Anniversary Year

Paradox Interactive has returned to active work after the winter holidays. The Stockholm-based team discussed current tasks and announced key releases for 2026 — which will be an anniversary year for the strategy Hearts of Iron IV.

Last year, players received several major expansions: Graveyard of Empires, Prototype Vehicles, and No Compromise, No Surrender. In 2026, the series will continue to expand within Expansion Pass 2. Warships of the Pacific will be released in the current quarter. In the second quarter, Peace for our Time and Thunder at our Gates are planned for release. Starting next week, the developers will begin publishing thematic materials about Thunder at our Gates — so-called "developer corners."

In addition to new expansions, the team is working on the Military Needs update series and other initiatives aimed at enriching the gaming experience. Special attention is given to the upcoming patch 1.17.4, which is planned for release in early February.

The developers are focusing on three key areas.

Firstly, work continues on improving the fleet artificial intelligence. After the last release, players noted that the AI sometimes exhibits suboptimal behavior — for example, avoiding large-scale naval battles. The Paradox team is asking the community to report observed issues on the official forum so they can make prompt adjustments.

Secondly, the developers are tuning the historical AI. In the current state, Germany in historical mode does not act as a strong enough opponent against the USSR. One reason is the new airbase access mechanic: after the start of Operation Barbarossa, the USSR grants the UK access to its airbases, which reduces Germany's fire support on the front. Additionally, the team is reviewing the doctrine points acquisition system and other aspects of AI behavior.

Thirdly, the developers are actively working on improving performance and stability of multiplayer gameplay. Despite previous improvements, players still encounter issues in multiplayer matches. The team is striving to eliminate these shortcomings to ensure a comfortable gaming experience.