We are writing this obituary today as we are preparing for our first official game update since passing of Robert “berto” Osterlund this February after a brave battle with cancer. As the Lead programmer, Berto was pivotal in the growth of the Campaign Series capabilities and making the Campaign Series games what they are today. His legacy of dedication, innovation, and camaraderie will be remembered by all of us who had the privilege of working with him.

Berto’s Key Projects

Berto was an avid reader and wargamer, with the US Civil War being his original interest. His passion for wargaming and history was evident in his work and his personal life, influencing many of his projects and interactions.

Here are some of his key projects with Campaign Series Legion:

John Tiller’s Campaign Series 2.0

As his first project for Campaign Series, Berto took up the crucial task of combining the three separate original code bases of East Front, West Front, and Rising Sun by John Tiller for Matrix Games into a unified WWII Visual Studio solution. By using compile switches, he enabled the creation of each game from the same codebase, streamlining development and ensuring consistency across the series. The end result of this project was the free 2.0 update to JTCS community.

Middle East 1948-1985 1.0, 2.0, and beyond

In this project, Berto advanced the WWII engine into the Modern Wars engine. He also developed the first iteration of the Lua-based Campaign Series Event Engine, enhancing the game’s dynamic event system and providing players with a richer, more interactive experience. This project marked a significant evolution in the Campaign Series by incorporating modern warfare elements and scenarios into our unified codebase.

Vietnam 1948-1967 1.0, and beyond

Berto’s work on Vietnam 1948-1967 showcased his mastery of the event engine accompanying our latest Modern Wars engine. He introduced numerous functionalities that set this game apart from others in the series, allowing for complex, event-driven gameplay that accurately reflected the unique challenges of the Vietnam War. His dedication to enhancing game mechanics and realism with the next evolution of the Lua-based Campaign Series Event Engine made this project a standout addition to the Campaign Series.

Collaboration with his son Christopher

Berto was particularly proud of his collaboration with his son, Christopher, who contributed graphics, animations, and videos to the CS: Vietnam project. This partnership not only enriched the quality of the game but also brought Berto immense personal satisfaction. Working alongside Christopher allowed Berto to combine his professional expertise with his personal life, making the experience deeply rewarding for him.

His work with John Tiller Game Titles at Wargame Design Studio

Berto served as a lead programmer at Wargame Design Studio, too, where he innovated numerous game engine and other enhancements, starting with the Civil War Battles and subsequently across many of their other game series as well. His obituary at Wargame Design Studio can be found here.

We are grateful for the time we had with him and the enduring mark he left on our hearts and our work. Rest in peace, Berto. Your legacy will live on in the Campaign Series and in our memories. Our team extends our continued heartfelt condolences to his family.

The Campaign Series Legion