Paradox avoids using the word 'Nazis in the announcement of Hearts of Iron 4's expansion, which is about Nazis

Paradox Interactive announced the next major expansion for its grand strategy wargame Hearts of Iron 4: Gotterdammerung. This "German-themed," add-on "aims to tie existing research systems together with a new experimental mechanic" which allows the pursuit of historical projects as well as more fanciful and "less historical" Wunderwaffe.

Paradox announced in the Gotterdammerung release that "Germany will receive a completely revised historical national focus trees and a host new alternate historical pathways." "We will go into more detail about what is coming, but we have put a premium on maintaining the core feeling Germany's old trees gave the player: that they were the protagonists in the events leading to the war and that the conflict revolved around their actions."

I don't think you're history buffs but it's a fact that the Second World War, or conflict, revolved around Germany's actions. This is why Joshua Wolens and I found the trailer for today so interesting. It's about Nazis but no one ever says "Nazis" nor is there even a single swastika anywhere.

"Our Reich now controls Europe, a testimony to the power and determination of the German people," says the man at the Nuremberg rally looking shindig. "One by One, the Mighty have fallen. In the fear of our enemy, we are paying back the burdens of Versailles. German science has sharpened our dagger. It is German science which will deliver our final blow."

Yeah, that is pretty Nazi. Paradox also shared a promo image that featured some real Nazis: Karl Heinrich Emil Becker was a key figure in Germany's weapons development program before World War II. Gotterdammerung has clearly invested in the subject, so why is it reluctant to say "Hey, yes, they're Nazis?"

"The Gotterdammerung extension is focused on Germany. This makes it impossible for Paradox to completely avoid some related imagery while remaining true to our subject matter. But the focus is primarily alternate history paths from a new royal family to socialist resistance - not the Third Reich/Nazi Party," said a Paradox representative. "We do not endorse Nazi iconography or imagery, which has been the case for eight years since Hearts of Iron 4 was released. The game, despite its World War 2 setting has never included the swastika nor explicit Nazi icons. This expansion, despite the inclusion of real historical figures/portraits, does not add anything new to what has been depicted in the game before.

The trailer's imagery is a pastiche based on German wartime imagery. In this case, it focuses on one of many alternative historical paths that our fans expect us to take here--a fictional return by the German Empire. Hence the Iron Crosses, and Hohenstaufen Eagle which were used by Kaiser.

Paradox has a delicate needle to thread in this case. Nazi imagery is fine in games in which they are the antagonists, but when you can win by playing as the Third Reich leader, it's not so good. It's arguable that employing Nazis-in-all-but-name is a "having your cake and eating too" approach, but Hearts of Iron 4 is hardly the only game to do it. Call of Duty: WWII, for example, dropped swastikas from its multiplayer mode for a similar reason: Sometimes, "authenticity" must take a backseat to an approachable experience for players.

Paradox stated that a Nazi Reich was not a predetermined result in Gotterdammerung. Alternate political paths for Germany include "new monarchist contents, a restored democracy in Germany, and alternative fascist militarist pathways," Paradox said. "Through the new National Focus Trees people can steer this great force through years of armed conflict against ideological foes. This expansion also revises research projects, such as rocketry and nuclear weapons, and offers new combat options.

The update will include a new Austrian focus tree that will offer "new alternate history for Austria, free from German control as well as content surrounding countries which were once part the Habsburg Empire" and also Hungarian and Belgian focused trees.

The Gotterdammerung will be included in Hearts of Iron 4’s first expansion pass. Paradox stated that this is "our way of giving you a Roadmap of the content we'll be releasing over the next few releases."

The pass also includes an instant unlock of 3D tank models, a music track and the Graveyard of Empires Country Pack, scheduled for Q1 2025. The Prototype Vehicles Unit Pack is scheduled for Q3 2025. Paradox acknowledges that "this method will not appeal to everyone," and so all items (except for the tank model unlock) are available as individual purchases. However, buying the pass for $37/PS31/EUR37 will get you 20% off the regular price of the content.

Hearts of Iron 4 : Gotterdammerung will be released on November 14.