Blue Dot Games has unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming tactical shooter ‘83, showcasing what warfare might have looked like if the Cold War had gone hot. Titled “Cold War Gone Hot,” the trailer offers the first detailed look at the Fulda Gap map and the large-scale, squad-based chaos players can expect when ‘83 launches in Steam Early Access later this year, according to a press release.

Set in an alternate 1983 where diplomacy failed and NATO clashed with the Warsaw Pact, ‘83 draws on the legacy of Rising Storm 2: Vietnam, no surprise considering much of the Blue Dot team worked on that series. This new project aims to capture the same gritty, boots-on-the-ground tension, but with bigger battles and more tactical flexibility. Forty players per side drop into historically grounded environments, using era-authentic weapons and vehicles to turn the tide of war.

The Fulda Gap setting is more than a nostalgic nod; it’s a chilling reminder of how close the world came to actual conflict. Nestled between the Hesse-Thuringian border in Germany, this real-world corridor was once considered a potential flashpoint for Soviet armor rushing West. In ‘83, it becomes a sandbox for strategic dominance, where teams coordinate to capture key positions while under constant pressure from enemy fire.

Accessibility and realism don’t often go hand-in-hand, but Blue Dot is aiming for both. Matches last about 30 to 40 minutes and include short respawn timers that still punish careless play. The game leans on tight communication, coordinated team roles, and a command structure led by player-directed officers, making every decision and delay feel impactful. One misstep from the top can send a whole squad scrambling, and dying isn’t just an inconvenience; it can shift momentum in a flash.

Each class brings something different to the fight. Riflemen anchor the frontlines, support units keep squads resupplied, and vehicle operators can tip battles with armored support. Every weapon is designed with attention to detail, from overheating barrels to mag-fed reloads that actually count the bullets. There’s no hand-holding here, just physics-driven systems and authentic gear that behave the way they would in the field.

While it channels the DNA of games like Squad and Red Orchestra, ‘83 doesn’t demand the same punishing time investment. That was by design, according to Blue Dot CEO Tony Gillham, who says the team wanted to make a game that rewards teamwork and immersion without locking players into multi-hour commitments. It’s still a tactical shooter through and through, but one that lowers the barrier to entry without sacrificing depth.

Players eager to get an early taste of the action can sign up for the upcoming alpha playtest now. With a team of veterans and a setting pulled from the edge of history, ‘83 is shaping up to be a grounded, tactical war game with a lot to prove, and all the tools to back it up.