Today is the Steam release of Six Days in Fallujah, a first-person shooter that combines real gameplay with historical accounts of the Second Battle of Fallujah. Victura, the Seattle-based studio behind the game, markets it as the “world’s first documentary video game.” This release coincides with the 20-year anniversary of the Second Battle of Fallujah, which took place in 2004, making the launch particularly meaningful to those who experienced or study this period in the Iraq War.

Originally announced in 2009, Six Days in Fallujah initially faced controversy and was shelved as memories of the Iraq War remained raw. The project was later revived by Victura, which released an early-access version in June 2023. Now, the game’s latest Command and Control update introduces a range of new features that aim to deepen its historical focus and provide a more immersive experience for players. One of the major additions in this update is the single-player mode, allowing players to lead an AI-controlled fireteam using realistic military tactics. This squad-based gameplay calls back to the mechanics of classic tactical shooters like Rainbow Six, SOCOM, and Brothers in Arms.

The Command and Control update goes further to enhance the historical storytelling. Players can now experience two documentary-style story missions that dive into the origins of ISIS and the events of the Second Battle of Fallujah. These missions combine gameplay with real footage and interviews from American soldiers, Iraqi soldiers, and civilians who were directly involved in the battle. The missions serve as an introduction to the game’s single-player mechanics, allowing players to control a fireteam through maneuvers like ambushing, flanking, and setting up secure perimeters. These AI teammates can also fill in for human players in co-op missions, allowing for flexibility when fewer than four players are available.

In addition to these new story missions, Six Days in Fallujah now includes the “HLZ Wolf” mission, a procedural scenario where maps are dynamically generated. Every playthrough brings a new layout of buildings, enemy positions, and other unpredictable elements, reflecting the real-life uncertainties of urban combat. This dynamic architecture is central to the game, ensuring no two missions feel the same, and simulating the stress and unpredictability soldiers faced on the ground.

Graphics have also been improved significantly. Utilizing NVIDIA’s RTX Global Illumination technology, the game now offers enhanced lighting and visual fidelity. The update has re-rendered characters, environments, and effects, adding detail to nearly every visual aspect of the game. Victura reports implementing more than 300 technical updates, refining everything from enemy AI to the smoothness of controls and interactions, providing a more polished and realistic experience for players.

Since its early access release, Six Days in Fallujah has garnered attention in the tactical shooter community, with many players drawn to its combination of gameplay and documentary elements. Conceived by Marine Sgt. Eddie Garcia, a veteran wounded during the battle, the game involved the input of over 100 U.S. Marines and two dozen Iraqi civilians and soldiers. Victura’s goal has been to bring players as close as possible to understanding the conditions and challenges of modern urban warfare.

Six Days in Fallujah is available for Windows PC on Steam at a special introductory price of $30 until November 17. It will return to its standard price of $40 after this promotion. Future updates in the game’s early access period are expected to add new content and features, with a full release across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles planned for late 2025.