Savage Game Design

SOAR 2025 Update!

Recon Company,

Thank you all so much for your patience over the last week. Several core members of our team were away in Las Vegas to attend The Special Operations Association Reunion (SOAR) 2025.

As it is every year, the experience was incredible. It was a rare opportunity for us to connect with each other in person, but more importantly, it was an honor to spend time with so many veterans from Special Forces and SOG.

The Honor and the Urgency

Being at SOAR is alway...

Major Glow-Up: A Deep Dive into the A-4E Skyhawk's Systems

Attention, Pilots!

Last time, we were on the ground looking at the USMC's growing family of LVTP-5 variants. This week, we’re pulling back the canopy on the A-4E Skyhawk to give you an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the incredible nitty-gritty work that goes into making an aircraft feel alive.

The progress over the last couple months, and even the last week has been so cool to monitor. There has been a major focus on the cockpit, damage models, and the endless list of tec...

A 'Modular' Fridge: A Deep Dive into the LVTP-5 Family!

Devildogs, attention! At ease.

In our last update, we showcased the incredible, ground-pounding detail going into the Centurion Mk 5/1 tank. This time, we’re shifting gears from heavy armor to amphibious assault with a look at another massive undertaking: the LVTP-5 family of vehicles. What makes this project so exciting is its focus on versatility. NodUnit, the Nickel Steel LVTP-5's passionate and nurturing father-figure, is creating an entire ecosystem based on a si...

Rolling Thunder From Down Under: The Centurion Tank Takes Shape!

G'day everyone,

What an incredible time we had at last Saturday's Nickel Steel MIKE Force session with our Patrons, Milsim, and streamer friends! It was a blast putting the new Dong Giang terrain through its paces - the Central Highlands makes for such a unique combat experience. Rob and I had an eagle-eye view to the action, flying front-seat/back-seat in the highly-anticipated OV-10A Bronco as a FAC element, "NAIL 33" coordinating support for the teams on the ground. It was so satisfy...

And now, Ontos something completely different: Gearing Up for Textures! 🎨

Hey everyone,

I think we're all still in awe of what the team put out in the latest Nickel Steel update. Man, the OV-10A Bronco scratches a particular itch for SOG enthusiasts, the LVTP-5 adds a crucial missing link for the USMC, the VADS is great for everyone's daily dose of BRRRT, Dong Giang is such a unique and beautiful terrain, and the new gear and weapons really flesh out some iconic and unique areas. I've also been absolutely LOVING our new 2025-09-19 02:46:56 +0000 UTC View Post

Calling Covey! Update on the OV-10A Bronco

Hey team,

Of all the vehicles coming to Nickel Steel soon, one stands out to me personally as an iconic and quintessential piece of SOG history: The OV-10A Bronco. This is one of the most versatile and unique airframes I've ever seen in Arma - and as a player, I am totally stoked to take this thing out on missions.

Sweet photo recreation shot by Noel!

We're thrilled to announce the 2025-09-01 23:32:23 +0000 UTC View Post

Welcome to the Central Highlands! New Terrain Q&A with Walsh

Hi y'all! We are excited to bring you an update on Nickel Steel's upcoming terrain, Dong Giang! Thanks to Tanner for interviewing this gorgeous terrain's creator, Walsh. Very grateful for Walsh providing some beautiful screenshots of this terrain, too! We hope you'll enjoy.

Tanner: Welcome, Walsh! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us about your new terrain, coming soon in alpha to S.O.G. Nickel Steel! Can you tell us a bit about it?

...

2025-08-27 19:17:05 +0000 UTC View Post

Honoring a legend: Woody Woodard PANTHER 27

Hey everyone,

Sam here - I’m thrilled to be your new community manager! Thank you for your patience over the past few months. I'm excited to update you on the projects we're currently working on!

Vietnam Cobra Pilot Reacts to Audio of His Own SOG Mission - CW3 Joseph "Woody" Woodard - YouTube

Fist off, on a somber note, I’m finally finished with and uploading our podcast with the late gr...

OV-10A Update

Hello all,

Last week we showed you the incredible progress on the OV-10A interior work. LeroyCake, Snoops, and Apollo have also been putting in the time on the exterior and that's we've got for you today!

Below are a series of WIP images of the Ov-10A in flight and a variety of weapon packages. If a moment comes where the aircraft is no longer tenable, worry not, the last few images outline a potential course of action.

2025-03-10 19:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post

OV-10A Update

Howdy all,

Last time we shared some of the nuts and bolts of the OV-10A. Complicated animations of how the landing gear retracts, how the cockpit panels hinge.
Since then a lot of work has been done and it's time to catch you all up.

For today we want to show off just how far the interior has come along so you'll see in the WIP below that progression. Make sure you scroll to the end for the newest bits! Next time we see this beautiful aircraft we'll focus on the exterior ...

M201Z Gas Gun update!

Howdy everyone it's update time!

Bacon Oreos has been working hard on developing this unique weapon. Hopefully these WIP images and footage can bring some insight into just how complicated it is to build this asset. Bacon and Snoops are still hard at work polishing the physics and projectile behaviors. This should get you excited to rain gas from above until they're finished!

2025-02-21 01:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post

M201-Z Gas Gun!

We have a pretty exciting weapon to announce today.
This is the M201-Z Gas Gun. Originally designed in 1930, this single shot breech action weapon fires 37mm and 38mm rounds. As you can see below this allows some serious flexibility in it can load.

Artist Bacon Oreos has been hard at work with this and the next time we post about it we'll be showing off some WIP focused on how he's been handling the gas round spread as well as some narrow focus texture detailing!

2025-02-11 21:47:01 +0000 UTC View Post

LVTP-5 APC 'The Fridge' Update

The last time we saw 'The Fridge' was to show off some high-res interior detailing. It's been a while since then and that's because artist NodUnit has been in the detail intense nitty-gritty of exterior detailing.

Today we wanted to give you all a look at just how much goes into creating a fully realized vehicle. Below you'll find WIP imagery of how NodUnit is rendering weld lines, textures, and the literal nuts and bolts of the mighty LVTP-5 APC. Hopefully this gives clear insight in...

Seattle Trip Report Pt. 2

Our Seattle trip report continues today with a brief background on Lynne and Dick, and a wonderful image of our documentarian Paul Hildebrandt.


Lynne and Dick became friends and ran off-the-books missions for rear echelon soldiers to experience combat - known as the “Black Dynamite Hunting Club” - while Lynne and Tilt served as the leadership elements on the same recon team for some time. All three ran recon teams, and undertook some of the most daring behind-the-lines mission...

Seattle Trip 2024 Report Pt. 1

Savage Game Design is well-known for working with MACV SOG Special Forces veterans on its 2021 video game release Arma 3 S.O.G. Prairie Fire. What the casual gamer may not notice, is how deep those relationships are, and how much the studio’s ambitions have grown.

As a follow-up to SOG Prairie Fire, Savage is laying out the design documents and financial plans to massively upscale its operations, and tackle a standalone RPG shooter game with cinematic scale and a compelling narrative ...

M163 VADS Update

We showed off the first M163 VADS images late last year. Today we have more WIP focused on this complex M168 gun. Dialan and Apollo have been working hard to dial in all the nuts and bolts of this cannon. Early turret actuation animations included!

2025-01-24 19:57:45 +0000 UTC View Post

M50 Ontos Update

Hi everyone. Today we have some more M50 Ontos WIP images to showcase. Apollo has been working on crewing this uniquely wonderful vehicle. Moreover witness some early firing animations!

   

Merry Christmas!

Here's to everyone having a lovely Christmas filled with loved ones, cheer, and presents if you're into that. Our gift to you is this series of early WIP images of the M50 Ontos. BaconOreos and Apollo have been working away behind the scenes as you can see. I know they're looking forwards to doing live streamed development for you all soon.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 2024-12-25 19:57:43 +0000 UTC View Post

Christmas Eve Vehicle Announcement

It's been quite the year for us at Team Savage. The recent release of Nickel Steel content was a big achievement for us and we couldn't have done it without you; our incredible supporters. As a thanks we wanted to show you something we've been keeping under wraps . Almost like unwrapping your one Christmas Eve gift.

Tomorrow we'll display more of the progress that BaconOreos and Apollo have made but you have to wait for Christmas to unwrap all your gifts.

 2024-12-24 18:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

Across the Fence Interview with Lead Dev Spoffy

Alright everyone. We’ve been tight-lipped about Across the Fence for a while now. The runup to Nickel Steel 1.1 is over and it’s about time we talk about it. You’ve been asking questions and we’ve seen that. We decided the best place to start was to have a conversation with Spoffy, the lead developer. What follows is a brief interview about our upcoming new game mode Across the Fence. We’ll be following up in the next few days with more information about ATF.

Inter...

USAF Gear Update

Hey everyone,

Some of you have already seen this because we have a select team of incredible supporters who have been sponsoring this set of USAF gear. For those of you who haven't the let this be a surprise. Our artist Facel has been working directly for this small group building out these assets. Today we have a run of WIP images from earlier in their development and in our next post we'll show you where they've gotten to.

2024-12-09 18:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post

HD Military Pistol (Unsuppressed)

Hey all,
We want to share something that you may have seen way waaaaaay back in a less finished state. This is the HD Military Pistol produced by our artist Slow. Enjoy these high quality renders.

As you've seen in our public posting we're coming up on the release of S.O.G. Prairie Fire 1.31 which unlocks our big release of Nickel Steel assets. We're quite excited and we hope you are too.

2024-12-07 18:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post

M12 SMG Update

Howdy everyone,
Today we have some updates from artist Brasiel on the M12 SMG.
The detail in texturing has really progressed. Below are a series of angles with the updated texturing. For those interested in how these things work in game there's also a composite image of how this renders in game at different distances.

2024-12-05 18:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post

M77E Update

Hey all,
Our artist SCOOBERSKI has not only build out on the M77E details but has also finished with some beautiful textures.
   

FM24/29 Update

Hi everyone,

Last time you saw the FM24/29 we showed our in game reloading animations. Given the proximity to the release of our Nickel Steel update we figured it was time to show off the finish high-end renders of this awesome weapon.
Artist BaconOreos has done just an excellent job on this as you can see below.


2024-12-01 18:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post

M50 Update

Bolec has been hard at work since the last sighting of the M50 SMG. Check out these newly textured WIP images since we last saw it.

  

2024-11-29 18:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post

Weapon Introduction

Hey all,

The Nickel Steel update is coming! We'd like to share some more of what we've been working on.

Slow has been quietly working on the L1A1 (SAS) Shorty and here is a first look!

This 7.62x51mm battle rifle was used by Australia and New Zealand during the Vietnam War. The Australians preferred the L1A1 over the M16 due to it's larger caliber and greater stopping power. They also introduced the common field modification of chopping down the barre...

Update news

Hey all!

I just wanted to let you know where we are with the next published update.

The next Nickel Steel update was ready 3 months ago, but as it contains a grenade launcher, and we rotated all the grenades 90 degrees in 1.31 of the DLC (so our UGLs and M79s are compatible with vanilla ammo) we can’t drop the update til after 1.31.

Bohemia hasn’t wanted to drop 1.31 before the next Arma update, and that just happened. They have some other media tasks active right now, a...

OV-10A Updates

We told you we had some in depth images to share. Below are the unique landing gear and door opening animations LeroyCake has built as well as a whole series of closeups of the incredible interior he's built out.

The level of detail is overwhelming so we're including a few different angles to help you appreciate all the incredible work he's done!

 

2024-10-16 16:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post

New Wings

Happy Monday everyone,

Today is the first a a few special days for Team Savage. Rob is leading a slice of our team at SOAR, the Special Operations Association Reunion. The team will be helping with a variety of presentations given by the veterans that have taken us under their wings. It's an honor and a pleasure to be able to assist. In light of this week being special for us we want to make it special for you too.

You may have seen the early incarnation of this during a test f...