Hearts of Iron 4 Developers Share Plans for Anniversary Year
Paradox Interactive studio has returned to active work after the winter holidays. The team from Stockholm spoke about 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 this quarter. Peace for our Time and Thunder at our Gates are planned for release in the second quarter. Starting next week, 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 a series of updates called "Military Needs" and other initiatives aimed at enriching the gameplay experience. Special attention is being given to the upcoming patch 1.17.4, which is planned for release in early February.
The developers are focused on three key areas.
First, work continues on improving the fleet’s artificial intelligence. After the latest release, players noted that the AI sometimes displays suboptimal behavior — for example, avoiding large-scale naval battles.
Second, the developers are adjusting the historical AI. In its current state, Germany in historical mode does not pose a strong enough opponent for the USSR. One reason is the new airbase access mechanic: after the start of Operation Barbarossa, the USSR grants access to its airbases to Great Britain, which reduces Germany’s fire support on the front. Additionally, the team is reviewing the doctrine points system and other aspects of AI behavior.
Third, the developers are actively working to improve performance and stability in network play. Despite previous improvements, players continue to experience issues in multiplayer games. The team aims to eliminate these shortcomings to ensure a comfortable gaming experience.