Company of Heroes 3 developer admits "it was a lot" to make the 3.0 overhaul patch alongside regular updates, singleplayer DLC, and a whole spinoff game

The Company of Heroes 3 3.0 update introduces sweeping changes across visual effects, audio, biomes, campaign design, and AI, representing the most substantial overhaul since launch. Executive producer Denise Christie confirmed that player feedback specifically highlighted the need to improve VFX and audio, which guided the scope of the update. Principal designer Eric Wrobel emphasized the importance of maintaining visual and audio cohesion, warning that inconsistent upgrades could create jarring disparities between assets.

Planning for the 3.0 update began two years ago to coincide with the series’ 20th anniversary, but its scale exceeded the scope of Relic’s quarterly patches. Teams working on the update also contributed to ongoing battlegroup DLC and the July release of Final Stand, a roguelike spinoff, complicating development. Christie described the workload as substantial, noting that developers frequently switched between branches for different projects, including the 3.0 update, DLC, and spinoff.

To support the update, Relic’s art department created new seasonal and thematic assets, including autumn and winter biomes and an Industrial theme, which in turn required additional VFX work such as rain, snow, and terrain transitions. The singleplayer Italy campaign received significant revisions, with individual town upgrades and improved AI behavior in both turn-based and real-time battles to address prior criticism.

Relic’s ongoing support for Company of Heroes 3 is driven by a desire to sustain player engagement and attract returning users, with the 2.0 update previously demonstrating measurable growth in player numbers and sales. CEO Justin Dowdeswell confirmed that the studio plans to continue expanding the game with additional content, including the upcoming singleplayer DLC Operation Torch on November 25th, while also developing new projects.