Broken Arrow’s big roadmap promises a new faction — but can it fix the netcode?

Broken Arrow’s roadmap could rescue the RTS – if Steel Balalaika actually delivers

This caught my attention because Broken Arrow isn’t just another military RTS – it launched with realistic hardware, tense tactical combat, and a player base hungry for competitive depth. But server crashes, anti-cheat doubts and balance headaches have kept it from being the contender it promised to be. The newly revealed roadmap stretching into 2027 packs the exact features players have been screaming for: a new faction and theaters, match replays, spectator mode, server-side hosting, AI allies, co-op campaign, and a deck-mod system. If Steel Balalaika ships these reliably, the game could actually become one of the standout modern military RTSes. If not, this will read like a wish list for a game that failed to stabilize.

Key takeaways

• Concrete fixes to the netcode and server architecture are the real story – these underpin competitive integrity and replayability.
• 2026 brings three expansions for US and Russian forces; 2027 includes a big new faction, new theaters, and a campaign with a deck‑mod system.
• Features like match replays, spectator mode, and match history are essential for competitive and community growth — but they rely on the server overhaul.
• The plan is ambitious; the rollout pace, QA, and how monetization is handled will determine whether players stay or move on.

What the roadmap actually promises

Steel Balalaika’s roadmap stretches through 2027. There are no more content drops this year, but 2026 is slated to deliver three expansions that add new specializations for both US and Russian forces. As the developer put it, “Each expansion will enrich the gameplay by offering new sets of units with unique weapon systems, as well as additional vehicles.”

2027 will bring a similar-sized DLC plus a “major” expansion that introduces an entirely new faction, new weapons, vehicles, mechanics, and additional theaters of war. That major expansion also includes an all‑new campaign and a “deck‑modification system that allows players to customize their army composition with great flexibility.” Those are the kinds of content pillars that can extend the game’s lifespan beyond seasonal balance tweaks.

Why the systems changes matter more than skins

Content sells excitement — but for a tactical RTS, the systems are the skeleton. Steel Balalaika is planning “a large-scale reorganization of the server architecture” in 2026, moving mechanics such as unit spawning and the in‑game economy server-side. That’s the technical lift that enables consistent match replays, makes cheating harder, and stabilizes synchronization between players. The roadmap even ties the server work to match replays: the developer says this will “improve synchronization, minimize cheating, and lay the foundation” for reliable replays and spectator mode.

Added features like a match history tool, replay system, and spectator mode are not just niceties — they’re prerequisites for an RTS to build a competitive scene, regular content creators, and meaningful balance patches. Co‑op campaign and AI allies will broaden the audience beyond strictly competitive players, which is smart product strategy if they can tune AI to be helpful without feeling hollow.

Can Steel Balalaika actually pull this off?

My skepticism is practical, not pessimistic. Roadmaps are great PR — they show intent — but the history of live‑service games is littered with ambitious roadmaps followed by delayed, watered‑down, or buggy releases. Broken Arrow’s betas were massively popular and the launch had tens of thousands playing, which proves demand. But fixing deep engineering problems (server architecture, anti‑cheat) is expensive and time consuming. Will the team prioritize robustness over flashy DLC? Will patches break things in the process? Those are real risks for anyone invested in the game.

There’s also the monetization angle to watch. Adding multiple paid expansions and a major faction in consecutive years can be fine if the base game stabilizes and the DLC feels reasonably priced. If expansions become a gated way to access competitive viability—or if the deck‑mod system leans toward pay‑to‑win—expect community backlash.

What players should watch for next

• How the server rework is rolled out — a staged beta with open communication would calm nerves.
• Early implementation of match replays and spectator mode to test anti‑cheat and synchronization in real match conditions.
• Balance philosophy for the new faction: is it a fresh design space or a convenience cash-in?
• Whether AI allies and co‑op feel meaningful or are tacked on as filler content.

Steel Balalaika closed their roadmap post with a heartfelt note: “We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our players. Your patience, support, and interest in the project inspire us every day. Thanks to you, we continue to move forward, striving to deliver new content and improvements that will bring you joy for many years to come.” That thanks is sincere, but gratitude won’t fix desyncs — only solid engineering and transparent timelines will.

TL;DR

Broken Arrow’s roadmap contains the right ingredients: a new faction, campaigns, replays, spectator mode, and a server overhaul that could finally fix cheating and sync issues. It’s an ambitious plan — one that can redeem the game’s launch if Steel Balalaika prioritizes technical stability, transparent rollout, and fair monetization over rushing content.