While other major titles are preparing for their big moments, ’83 is quietly carving out a compelling space in the large-scale battle arena. Recently revived and re-revealed by Blue Dot Games, ’83 aims to strike a perfect balance: combining the intense action of games like Battlefield with the deeper, more demanding firefights of titles like Hell Let Loose, all set within an alternative Cold War scenario. At Gamescom, I spoke with Blue Dot CEO Tony Gillham about the journey of bringing the game back, its philosophy of “accessible realism,” and the lessons they are both embracing and rejecting from established first-person shooters.
’83 originally began development at Antimatter Games, a studio Gillham founded before his departure. Upon learning that the ’83 project might become available after Antimatter’s closure, Gillham swiftly formed Blue Dot Games, acquired the intellectual property, and assembled a new team to restart development. The game has since been transitioned from Unreal Engine 4 to UE5, and Blue Dot ‘re-revealed’ the 40v40 shooter with fresh branding (though Gillham insists the red and blue palette has no connection to his beloved football team, Crystal Palace!). Their ambitious goal is to launch an evolving multiplayer shooter in what is currently one of the most competitive gaming landscapes.
One key strategy for Blue Dot’s success is focusing on “accessible realism” – creating a large-team shooter that is immersive and challenging, yet avoids some of the more extreme gameplay elements found in other historical FPS titles.
“We want to appeal to those who are weary of the ‘Michael Bay’ style action found in some games,” Gillham explains. “If you’re looking to truly experience Band of Brothers, come find us. We can help you achieve that.”
“We’re not trying to compete directly with them – how could we?” Gillham adds, referring to the massive presence and popularity of upcoming titles. “You can’t do it. You’re going to lose. Even other franchises learned this lesson by trying to be something they’re not. They’ve since returned to their roots, which is exactly what players wanted. But if you try to take them on directly, you’ll get stomped and, worse, you’ll alienate your dedicated community.”
When asked why Blue Dot isn’t pursuing the ultra-hardcore mil-sim path of games like Hell Let Loose or Arma, Gillham clarifies that it’s about respecting players’ time, not their skill. “I genuinely respect the players of those games, but if you push it too far, you end up with essentially a latrine digging simulator,” he says with a laugh. “How much realism do you truly need to include? And crucially, how much time do you have to invest in a fun round with your friends? If, like many people, your time is limited, we offer rounds lasting 30 to 40 minutes, so you can jump in, get the action, and experience the realism you desire.”
Despite the slightly more approachable gameplay, ’83 does not compromise on historical accuracy. While it depicts an alternate Cold War scenario where tensions escalated, Gillham is keen to satisfy the “rivet counters” – players meticulous about every historical detail. For instance, Blue Dot collaborated with a Russian army veteran from the ’83 Discord server to ensure the Soviet infantry voice lines were not only accurate but also incorporated authentic old code words and phrases.
“These fans obsessed with historical accuracy can be demanding, but if you genuinely listen to them, if they feel heard, then suddenly you gain your biggest advocates,” he explains. “They’ll tell all their friends, ‘These developers understand us,’ and that commitment to realism also creates a unique kind of fun.”
Of course, launching ’83 in a strong state is merely the beginning. Blue Dot intends to support the game for the long term, and Gillham is resolute about providing all future gameplay content to players for free – a commitment many of its military simulator rivals don’t offer.
“We don’t want to fragment our community into ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ where you can no longer play with your friends because they have DLC and you don’t,” he states. “Any future maps, factions, all of that content will be free updates.” However, there will be optional paid cosmetics for those who wish to further support the game and customize their appearance. Gillham also plans extensive support for modders once the game is released, a natural direction given his own experience helping to create the popular Darkest Hour mod for the World War 2 shooter Red Orchestra years ago.
Admittedly, I enjoy diving into hardcore FPS games, as evidenced by my recent Hell Let Loose Vietnam experience at Gamescom, but they often struggle to fit consistently into my busy schedule. They demand too much time and energy. The more immediate and intense action of games like Battlefield 6 is often a better fit for my lifestyle, but these games sometimes sacrifice immersion. ’83 could be the perfect solution to this dilemma.
Blue Dot’s intentions are clear and promising, and I’m eagerly anticipating the new demo, which will be available during specific times this week and 24/7 during Steam Next Fest, beginning Monday, October 13. If ’83 can successfully navigate the middle ground between these two distinct military simulator experiences, it could truly emerge as a standout title.