Game Introduction

Game Introduction

Squad is a realistic, team-based tactical first-person shooter that emphasizes communication, coordination, and combined-arms warfare. Developed and published by Offworld Industries, Squad was initially released via Steam Early Access on December 15, 2015, and officially launched as a full version on September 23, 2020. The game is available exclusively on PC (Windows) through Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Story Overview & Setting

Squad does not follow a traditional single-player narrative or campaign. Instead, it is a purely multiplayer experience set in a near-future, fictional conflict between two global factions: the United States Army (and its allied conventional forces) and a loosely organized insurgent force known as the Irregular Militia. Other playable factions include the Russian Ground Forces, the British Army, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Middle Eastern Alliance, and the Turkish Armed Forces. The game’s setting draws inspiration from contemporary asymmetric warfare in regions such as the Middle East and Eastern Europe, but it does not adhere to any specific historical event. The overarching “story” is the persistent struggle for control of strategic objectives on various maps, framed by a dynamic layer system that randomly assigns which side is attacking or defending.

Main Characters

Squad features no named protagonists or campaign characters. Instead, the player assumes the role of a nameless soldier within a 50-player team. The true “characters” are the specialized roles (kits) available to each player, such as:

• Rifleman – the standard infantryman with a basic assault rifle and ammunition.


• Medic – equipped with medical supplies to heal and revive teammates.


• Machine Gunner – provides suppressive fire with bipod-mounted machine guns.


• Anti-Tank – carries one-use rocket launchers or guided missiles against vehicles.


• Squad Leader – leads a nine-player squad, places deployable structures (rinkens, HABs), and communicates with other squad leaders via command chat.


• Commander (added post-launch) – an overarching role that can call in artillery, drones, and other strategic assets.


Each role has unique equipment and responsibilities, but no individual backstory or personality.



Core Appeal



Squad’s core appeal lies in its authenticity and teamwork. Unlike arcade shooters, Squad requires:

• Constant voice communication – players must use local (proximity) or squad chat to coordinate movements, call out enemies, and share intelligence.


• Realistic ballistics and damage models – bullets have travel time, drop, and penetration; body armor and helmets provide limited protection; one or two shots can be fatal.


• Vehicle warfare – tanks, APCs, helicopters, logistics trucks, and even towed artillery require dedicated crews.


• Player-building mechanics – squads can build forward operating bases (FOBs), defensive emplacements, and ammo crates using a logistics system.


• Large-scale 50v50 battles on maps up to 20 km², with matches lasting up to two hours.


• No killcam, no minimap enemy spotting – the game relies on situational awareness and team marking.




Target Audience



Squad is designed for players who prefer mil-sim (military simulation) experiences with a steep learning curve. It appeals to:

• Veterans of tactical shooters like Arma, Insurgency, or Project Reality (the mod that inspired Squad).


• Players who enjoy structured team play, leadership, and communication.


• Those who appreciate realistic weapon mechanics and combined-arms tactics.


• Gamers willing to invest time in learning maps, roles, and meta-strategies.


It is not recommended for casual players seeking fast-paced action or run-and-gun gameplay.



Game Modes



Squad offers several gameplay modes, all multiplayer, accessible via the server browser or official matchmaking:

• Advance and Secure (AAS) – The most common mode. Two teams fight over a series of capture points on a map. Points must be captured in sequence (frontline).


• Random Advance and Secure (RAAS) – Unknown capture point order; the first point is revealed only after 10 minutes, forcing reconnaissance and adaptation.


• Invasion – One team attacks a set of static objectives while the other defends. The attacking team has limited tickets.


• Insurgency – Asymmetric mode where one team (Insurgents) hides weapon caches, and the other (Conventional forces) must locate and destroy them.


• Destruction – Similar to Insurgency but without caches; attackers must destroy static assets.


• Territory Control – A large grid of sectors; capture contiguous sectors to earn points.


• Seed – Used for server population buildup; simple cap wipe mode with limited tickets.


• Skirmish – Smaller-scale (v48 vs v48) with limited vehicle assets, played on smaller versions of maps, often used for fast-paced matches.




Online & Offline Support



Squad is online-only; there is no offline single-player or bot mode. Players must connect to dedicated servers (run by Offworld Industries or community hosts). The game uses the Unreal Engine 4 networking stack, and matches require a stable internet connection. There is no split-screen or local multiplayer. Official servers are located in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The server browser allows filtering by region, map, player count, and game mode.



DLC, Expansions & Monetization



Squad has no paid DLC or expansions that affect gameplay. All maps, weapons, vehicles, and factions are available to all players. The game employs a cosmetic microtransaction system called “Preorder Packs” and “Supporter Packs” that include weapon skins, uniform patterns, and vehicle camo, but these are purely visual and provide no gameplay advantage. The only notable paid content is the Squad - Digital Deluxe Edition, which comes with an exclusive weapon skin set and the game’s soundtrack. Offworld Industries has also released several free major updates, such as:

• v2.0 (2021) – Introduced the British Army and a new map (Talus).


• v4.2 (2022) – Added helicopters (transport and attack).


• v5.0 (2023) – Overhauled the destruction system and added directional audio improvements.


• v6.0 (2024) – Major update including the Turkish Armed Forces, dynamic weather, and a new map.

No planned DLC expansions have been announced beyond continued free content updates.

What Makes Squad Unique

Several features set Squad apart from other tactical shooters:
1. Proximity-based Voice Chat – Players can hear enemies (and be heard) up to ~50 meters, enabling ambushes, taunts, and friendly callouts.
2. Logistics System – Players must transport construction and ammunition resources from main base to forward positions using logistics trucks or helicopters.
3. Commander Role – A player elected by squad leaders can call in artillery barrages, reconnaissance drones, or even airstrikes, but must stay in a protected forward area to retain access.
4. Building & Fortification – Squad leaders can construct barricades, sandbags, ladders, and defensive emplacements using a build menu, fundamentally altering the battlefield.
5. No Respawn Waves – Players respawn at the main base or at a Rally Point (placed by squad leader) on a 30-60 second timer; there is no automatic spawn-on-squad-leader.
6. Realistic Suppression – Enemy fire causes blurry vision and increased weapon sway, making suppression a key tactical tool.
7. Body Dragging and Medical System – Medics can drag wounded soldiers (introduced in v3.0), and healing requires bandages and medical bags; reviving a downed teammate takes 8 seconds (10 with adrenaline).

In summary, Squad is a hardcore, cooperative military simulation that rewards tactical thinking, communication, and patience over individual skill alone. Its focus on authenticity, combined arms, and player-driven fortification creates an immersive and unpredictable battlefield experience.