Comms 
While working on North Africa 1943, we paid a lot of attention to the historical details of the time period and studied a lot of historical documents. Since we attempt to simulate real military operations, we attempted to create game maps that are as close to reality as possible while providing challenging gameplay.
Certainly, combat in a completely flat desert environment would not be interesting to players for long. Battles would end quickly since the opposing sides would be in sight almost instantly. So we had to create game maps taking into account both historical accuracy as well as tactical gameplay.
"Welcome to Sbeitla"
Let us show you how the game maps were created using Sbeitla as an example - the Tunisian town where a number of significant military operations took place during the North African campaign. While making each map we were guided by the real topographical maps, operational plans and photos.
The surroundings of Sbeitla, real satellite photo, 2x2 km2
Our programmers used a special utility to recreate the natural landscape. The result is a height map which will be used as the base for placing textures.
To make the ground look more realistic, first we add the textures and then we add some volume via the "bump-effect"tool. The basic topography of the game map is ready!
Checking out the map - overlay with the satellite photo
But this is not the end of the work of a map designer. After the basic topography is finished, we now start creating "accessories": we add foliage such as palms and bushes, add rocks, build settlements from historic huts and buildings, adds some atmospheric details like ceramics, disabled units and even skeletons - it is not that difficult but takes a lot of time and patience. As a result what we get is a typical Tunisian settlement! Compare this real picture...
Typical Tunisian settlement
... with the virtual map from Theatre of War 2: North Africa 1943!
