2026 playtest news post

_config.yml

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ permalink: /:categories/:title/index.html
 
 download_page_tags:
   release: "release-20250330"
-  playtest: ""
+  playtest: "playtest-20260222"
 
 exclude:
   - docker-compose.yaml

gamenews

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-2025-09-29 20-00-00:
-	Title: Release 20250330
-	Author: TTTPPP
-	Content: Registrations for Red Alert Global League Season 17 are open! If you'd like to compete in the latest instalment of this 1v1 tournament then you have until the end of Thursday the 3rd of October to register. All skill levels welcome.\n\nTo register, simply reply with your details in the Competitions and Events part of the forum, or reach out on Discord.
+2026-02-22 23-00-00:
+	Title: Playtest 20260222
+	Author: PunkPun
+	Content: Welcome back, Commanders! We’re kicking off the release cycle with Playtest 20260222, featuring the Random Map Generator, new missions, auto-save, visual and control polish, and major map editor improvements. Read more at www.openra.net and grab the latest build for OpenRA. Found an issue? Don’t forget to share your feedback on our forum, community Discord, or GitHub. Good luck on the battlefield!

news/_posts/2026-02-22-playtest-20260222.md

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+---
+kind: article
+title: "Playtest 20260222"
+author: "Paul Chote"
+created_at: 2026-02-22 23:00 +0000
+disqus_id: "playtest-20260222"
+permalink: "/news/playtest-20260222/"
+---
+
+The past year has brought several exciting new developments, which we are happy to share today with a new [OpenRA playtest]({{ '/download' | relative_url }})!
+
+The headline new feature in playtest-20260222 are the new random map generators for Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, and Dune 2000. These work much like you would expect: select a biome, the number of players, and some details about symmetry and resources, then play! Generated maps work both in Skirmish and Multiplayer.
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="{{ '/images/news/20260222-generators.gif' | relative_url }}" style="width: 512px" alt="Random map generator UI" />
+  <figcaption>The new random map generators can make better maps than me.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+Dune 2000 has received a glow-up, featuring new visual effects for the Sonic Tank and damaged structures, along with the long-awaited "bulk purchase" logic for the Starport. The update includes a complete, community-led balance overhaul for skirmish and multiplayer modes. Meanwhile, the single-player campaign receives its own difficulty adjustments to ease the learning curve.
+
+<figure>
+   <video autoplay loop muted>
+    <source src="{{ '/images/news/20260222-d2keffects.mp4' | relative_url }}" type="video/mp4" alt="Dune 2000 combat">
+    <img src="{{ '/images/news/20260222-d2keffects.webp' | relative_url }}" alt="Dune 2000 combat" />
+  </video>
+  <figcaption>Dune 2000 includes new, more faithful, effects for Sonic Tanks and damaged structures.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+Support for the C&C Remastered Collection assets in Tiberian Dawn reached two important milestones in the (currently) standalone [Tiberian Dawn HD](https://github.com/OpenRA/TiberianDawnHD/releases/tag/playtest-20260222) mod. The mod is now feature-complete, with new HD sprites for the last custom assets plus a new content manager that allows you to select between remastered or classic artwork, audio, and music. Significant progress has been made towards integrating these features into the core OpenRA Tiberian Dawn -- while this release still remains a standalone mod, we hope to complete the merge in the next release.
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="{{ '/images/news/20260222-tdhdcontent.webp' | relative_url }}" style="width: 600px" alt="Tiberian Dawn HD content selector UI" />
+  <figcaption><a href="">Tiberian Dawn HD</a> can now choose between remastered and classic assets.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+This is another big release for our map-making community, with further UI improvements to the OpenRA map editor, and new tools that take advantage of the random map generator logic.
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="{{ '/images/news/20260222-pathtiler.webp' | relative_url }}" alt="Map Editor UI" />
+  <figcaption>The new Path Tiler map editor tool makes it easy to place cliffs, beaches, and roads.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+Other noteable changes include:
+
+* Added new "Other RTS" mouse input mode.
+* Added timed auto-save settings for missions/skirmish.
+* Bots will now attempt to build expansion bases.
+* Further progress towards supporting localisation in a future release.
+* Added a new mission each for Red Alert and Tiberium Dawn.
+* Many other bug fixes and minor performance optimisations.
+
+As always, the [full changelog](https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/wiki/Changelog-(bleed)/9803f2f696bda224b2c0c14edfbb46ebd4da627f) is available with more information on the changes and fixes. Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to take part in the playtest. Don't forget to share your feedback with us on [our forum](https://forum.openra.net/), [community Discord server](https://discord.openra.net), or [GitHub](https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/issues)!