Gray Zone Warfare’s Update 0.4, Spearhead, launched on March 31, 2026, and rebuilt tasks around replayability, exploration, map discovery and vendor reputation. MADFINGER Games also reset player progress for the update. The game is still in Early Access, so these are the task-system changes introduced with Spearhead—not a claim that the design is final. MADFINGER Games’ launch notes describe the released changes.
How the task system changed in Update 0.4
Spearhead shifted tasks from a more fixed checklist toward a loop that connects completing objectives with exploring Lamang and advancing through vendors. The developer summarized its goal in the March 31 changelog: “The task system has been fully redesigned to create a more replayable progression loop that gives players more agency and freedom.”
- More content: MADFINGER Games reported more than 100 new Tasks and Contracts, over 50 updated tasks, and more than 250 tasks in total. These are developer-reported counts, not independently audited totals.
- More replayability: Most tasks can be replayed. Starter Town tasks are the stated exception.
- No time-of-day requirement: Tasks are no longer tied to a specific time of day.
- More varied objectives: The update added puzzles and interactions with the game world.
The task changes and counts are listed in the official Update 0.4 changelog.
What are the three task categories?
The March 18 developer explanation groups objectives into three types, each serving a different purpose in progression. MADFINGER Games’ Core Reworks & New Features devlog describes their roles.
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Main Tasks
Main Tasks advance your PMC’s story.
Side Tasks
Side Tasks expand the lore of Lamang.
Contracts
Contracts are simpler objectives that the developer says can be played solo or in a squad.
How tasks connect to the map, vendors and progression
Lamang is divided into regions for players to explore. Tasks in each region unlock through progression, tying the work you do for vendors to where you can go and what you can take on. Completing tasks and trading items earn vendor reputation; reputation unlocks regions, more dangerous and rewarding tasks, and access to better weapons, gear and items.
Task discovery is more direct: available tasks appear on the tactical map, along with approximate objective locations, and can be accepted there. This gives you a starting point without presenting every objective location as exact. The developer also says rewards now emphasize money over items and are delivered directly to your locker. These map and reward changes are detailed in the launch changelog.
What happens when you fail a task?
According to the developer’s March 18 pre-release explanation, dying fails a task. In most cases, a failed task becomes temporarily unavailable and later returns to the task pool. Failure also costs reputation equal to 10% of the reputation that task would have awarded on success. MADFINGER Games notes that exceptions apply, so this describes the general rule rather than every task’s behavior. See the developer’s task-system explanation.
Rank #3
- HISTORICAL SIMULATION: Advanced Squad Leader module covering the 82nd Airborne Division's actions at Chef-du-Pont bridge during June 6-9, 1944 in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord
- GAME COMPONENTS: Includes one 22" x 34" historical map, 6 detailed scenarios, campaign game rules, and comprehensive chapter documentation
- GAMEPLAY DETAILS: 2-player strategic warfare simulation with 2-hour minimum playing time, featuring units of 5-10 men with individual leaders, vehicles, and guns
- STRATEGIC DEPTH: Recreates the critical battle for control of the Merderet River bridge, with authentic terrain features including bocage and slope interactions
- REQUIREMENTS: Base game Advanced Squad Leader plus Beyond Valor and Yanks modules needed for play. Designed for players aged 18 and above.
Did Update 0.4 wipe progress?
Yes. MADFINGER Games said the full wipe was intended to give everyone a fresh start with the redesigned systems, tasks and economy. The reset was part of the update, not an optional task-system setting. The reason is given in the Spearhead launch announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can squadmates complete tasks together?
Contracts were described as playable solo or in a squad. That is not the same as shared task completion or shared progress. In its March 18 devlog, MADFINGER Games said squad task completion was planned for a patch after Update 0.4 and before 0.5 because it needed more balancing. That was the plan at the time; the cited statement does not establish whether a later patch changed the feature’s status.
Rank #4
- New Pointstreak system that rewards players both for landing kills and completing objectives
- Weapons proficiency system that allows you to customize your favorite weapons, making them more effiecent in any map or mode
- Online/offline 2-player co-op Special Ops Survival mode that earns you experience through 16 frantic objective-based missions
- New play modes, including: Kill Confirmed mode, Team Defender mode and user generated match modes
- Integration with 'Call of Duty: Elite,' an online multiplayer oriented service launched simultaneously with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Why is the update called Spearhead?
The released Update 0.4 is named Spearhead. MADFINGER Games said the update had previously been called “Dark Revelations,” then was renamed as its scope grew. The February explanation concerns the name change; the released update should be referred to as Spearhead or Update 0.4. Read the developer’s First Look: Update 0.4.
Where to play Gray Zone Warfare
Gray Zone Warfare’s Steam listing identifies it as an Early Access game. Because the game remains in development, task-system details can change in later updates.
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