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Jan 19, 2026

The end of the Crisis Core storyline in Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis

Michael Torres
By Michael Torres Video Game News and Features Editor
Last updated: Jan 19, 2026
The end of the crisis core storyline in final fantasy vii ever crisis 2

Hearts of Iron 4 Developers Shared Plans for the Anniversary Year

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

Last year, players received several major expansions at once: Graveyard of Empires, Prototype Vehicles, and No Compromise, No Surrender. In 2026, the series will continue to expand within the framework of Expansion Pass 2. Warships of the Pacific will be released in the current quarter. Peace for our Time and Thunder at our Gates are planned for release in the second quarter. Starting next week, the developers will begin publishing thematic materials about Thunder at our Gates — the 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 1.17.4 patch, planned for release in early February.

The developers are focusing on three key directions.

Firstly, work continues on improving the fleet artificial intelligence. After the last release, players noted that the AI sometimes demonstrates suboptimal behavior — for instance, avoiding large-scale naval battles. The Paradox team asks the community to report any problems on the official forum to promptly make adjustments.

Secondly, the developers are tuning the historical AI. In its current state, Germany in historical mode does not act as a strong enough opponent for 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 German fire support on the front. Additionally, the team is reviewing the doctrine points gain system and other aspects of AI behavior.

Thirdly, the developers are actively working on improving multiplayer performance and stability. Despite previous enhancements, players continue to encounter issues in multiplayer matches. The team aims to fix these shortcomings to ensure a comfortable gaming experience.