WWII Online News

Greetings, valiant soldiers,

We're thrilled to report that our launch on Steam has been a resounding success, ushering in a wave of new recruits eager to join our ranks. The influx of fresh faces sporting green tags has surged fivefold daily compared to the early access stage. The online population has also seen a significant boost, making our battlefield more vibrant than ever. Over the past weekend, we were thrilled to witness intense battles over three distinct Areas of Operation (AOs) from both sides.

A heartfelt salute goes out to our seasoned veterans who have returned to the frontlines, providing invaluable training and guidance to our new players. Your commitment to fostering a supportive gaming community is what makes WWII Online truly special.

In response to the requests from our community, we're excited to announce the return of the STARTER account. Aimed at providing a more affordable subscription option, the STARTER account is back and better than ever, featuring updated benefits and features.

The STARTER subscription should now unlock access to these extra units (rank restrictions may apply):
https://store.steampowered.com/app/667290/World_War_II_Online__STARTER/

• INFANTRY
  
  • SMG (Premium supply)
    
  • Semi-Automatic Rifleman
    
  • LMG
    
  • Mortarman
    
  • Grenadier
    
  • AT Rifleman
    
  • Paratroopers
    
    
    
    • Airborne Light Machine Gunner (LMG)
      
    • Airborne Combat Engineer
      
    • Airborne Mortarman
      
    • Airborne Anti-Tank Rifleman (ATR)
      
    • Airborne RPAT (AT)
      
• Mechanized Anti-tank haulers
  
  • Lorraine 37L Anti-Char
    
  • SdKfz 251 Ausf. C APC
    
• Armored Scout Cars
  
  • SdKfz 232
    
  • Daimler Mk I
    
  • Panhard 178
    
• Medium Anti-tank guns
  [List]
  
• Pak38 (50 mm)
  
• SA mle 37 (47 mm)
  
• M1 (57 mm)
  
• QF 6 Pounder (57 mm)
  

Medium Anti-Aircraft guns
[List]
FlaK 38 (20 mm)

Medium Armor

• PZIIIH
  
• PZIVG
  
• Crusader Mk II
  
• Churchill Mk III
  
• Somua S-35
  
• M3A3 Stuart
  
• M4A2 Sherman
  
• M4A3 (76 mm) Sherman
  

Combat Fighters:

• Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4
  
• Hurricane Mk I
  
• Hurricane Mk IIb
  
• Spitfire Mk Ia
  
• Hawk 75
  
• Dewotine 520
  

Bomber Aircraft:

• Ju-87B(Stuka Dive Bomber)
  
• Blenheim Mk IF
  
• Blenheim Mk IV
  

Paratrooper transport Aircraft
Elligible to premium "surprise" units


You share the same early-war supplies as premium players. The complete experience of World War II Online will still require you to upgrade to a Premium Account, now on Discount!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/667291/WWII_Online__Premium_Pass/


See you on the battlefield!
ZEBBEEE



Connect to our Social Media to get more updates and help us gain visibility to grow the community and reach new players to play with:

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/wwiionline Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOQ90QTMviaKRqIMlUthW2A TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiionline Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/corneredrats Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWIIOnline Twitter: https://twitter.com/corneredrats

Have a look at our current 2023 Roadmap, and see its progress on our TRELLO.

Wishlist our next game Chokepoint, our prelude to WWIIOnline 2.0!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1576780/WWII_Online_Chokepoint/

The virtual battlefield of WWII Online is receiving a rather large set of reinforcements joining the frontlines, as new players are learning about the game for the first time and veteran players are returning. This is a fantastic opportunity for the entire community to rise up and enjoy the game as it should be and work to develop newer players.

The developers of WWII Online are continuing to provide supplemental updates to our existing game while simultaneously going all-in on Unreal Engine development to take the game into the future, and developing WWII Online: Chokepoint which acts as the basis of our future infantry development.

Since our inaugural Steam Early Access launch back in 2017, here's a few important items (though there've been plenty more) which have been accomplished:

• Bandwidth boosted: 10x
  
• Server Boosted: 4x Computing Power
  
• Built-in game voice added
  
• Proximity AOs (player-driven)
  
• Hybrid supply (Flags & Garrisons)
  
• 64-bit OS support
  
• Artillery w/Tracked Rounds
  
• Mortar Carriers w/Tracked Rounds
  
• Ju88 + Wellington Bombers
  
• Increased F2P access
  
• MG42 Added
  
• M1919 MG Added
  
• More RDP Facilities Added
  
• Playable map size increased
  
• Bomber loadouts added
  
• Enhanced visual effects
  
• Enhanced audio effects
  
• Replaced a ton of legacy artwork
  
• Over 200+ Bug Fixes
  

Very shortly you will start to see the NEW updated artwork which is being developed for WWII Online 2.0 (Unreal Engine) and 1.0 (current version this store page is dedicated to) demonstrating our trickle-down workflow. Here are a couple examples below:

• Download the game, login and play.
  
• Be helpful for your fellow community members and support them.
  
• Use in-game voice (V) key as much as you can.
  
• Get on Discord and get involved. Spread the word and recruit.
  
• Keep showing up to keep the population up.
  

Thanks, and we'll see you in the field!

Matt "XOOM" Callahan
Director & Executive Producer
Playnet, Inc. / Cornered Rat Software

From TEX, community manager:

Beginning on Friday, CRS is UNLOCKING all equipment for the entire weekend. Cash in on Father's Day Weekend and enjoy OPERATION DAD BOD!! Keep reading below for recent patch notes, Steam release date, upcoming operations and ALL-ACCESS weekends, and RatChat community info!

On May 31st, CRS deployed patch 1.37.3.0 which introduced:

• Fallen Rat Memorial added (Triumphal Arch in Brussels)
  
• Attack Objective (AO) numbers have been adjusted
  
• Modified loadout functionality updated for more flexible loadout options
  
• Ju-88 has third loadout option
  
• Frequency of capture times is checked more frequently
  
• Updated 3D crew members on multiple armor platforms
  
• Significant VFX updates for large rounds AP/HE impacts and explosions
  
• Significant SFX updates for armor and naval platform fires
  
• Updated Wellington engine audio
  

and many other things. Read the entire 1.37.3.0 read-me here!

[h2]Full Steam Ahead[/h2]
CRS is excited to announce that WWII Online is going "FULL RELEASE" on July 6th. This will be a GLOBAL launch so we anticipate a significant number of new and returning Steam users to join us on the Campaign Server.

This presents a tremendous opportunity for squads and the community. If your squad is interested in growing . . . this would be THE time to turn on the recruiting flag and work with new recruits. This is where in-game voice communication pays off big time!

Our community helpers need to be on the look-out to assist these new gamers on how to:

• navigate the "eclectic" user interface
  
• join a mission ("dot jay" anyone?)
  
• explain game mechanics
  
• which keymap button does what function
  
• how to access the keymapper and other menus
  

This is likely the largest opportunity over the next several years (prior to announcing an UE5-related test) for WWII Online to introduce a HUGE number of gamers to our beloved game. We all recognize that our game scales better than any other FPS out there and the more people playing the BETTER the game gets with more targets and teammates to accomplish the goal in attacking, defending, bombing, or fighter interception.


[h2]CRS is helping with this effort with:[/h2]

• Steam DLC package changes with easier financial thresholds for equipment access
  
• Steam Starter Subscription with greater value to experience more equipment as the campaign tiers progress
  
• 90-day no-cost incentive to ALL equipment whether air, land, or sea (includes ongoing access via tier progress as the campaign continues
  
• Returning Veterans (and free-to-play players) will see an increased weapon set during the 90-day period to encourage attendance.
  
• Server bandwidth is 10x greater than when we launched "Early Access"
  
• Server computing power is 4x greater than when we launched "Early Access"
  
• CRS is reviewing for additional preparations to ensure everyone has an enjoyable gaming experience
  

PRO TIP: As the population builds or spikes to high levels and attack objectives increase, it is CRITICAL to be aware that the player base should be spread across the entire server on other attack objectives versus the full population of hundreds of gamers massing within close proximity of a single objective This overload or density of gamers within visual limits of each individual gamer can cause lag issues, etc so be aware.

[h2]Rat Chat Info[/h2]
On June 11th, CRS hosted a "RatChat" and a number of community members attended in real-time. You can review it here!
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


[h2]2023 Fundraiser Synopsis[/h2]

• You did it!! We reached 119% of our goal. Well done, community members!
  
• If you contributed to our fundraiser, CRS is in the process of reaching out to you individually. Please submit a support ticket if you do not hear from us in the coming weeks. Thank you again to all who contributed!
  

[h2]CALENDAR REMINDERS: FUTURE OPERATIONS[/h2]
DATE TIME OPERATION
06/18/2023 11am PST / GMT+8 Op Dad Bod
07/02/2023 11am PST / GMT+8 Op Avalanche
07/06/2023 11am PST / GMT+8 Steam Launch
07/16/2023 11am PST / GMT+8 Op Maelstrom
07/30/2023 11am PST / GMT+8 Op Thunderstrike
08/13/2023 11am PST / GMT+8 Op Hurricane


[h2]ALL-ACCESS WEEKEND COMBINES WITH OPERATION DAD BOD[/h2]
ALL-ACCESS Weekend which means it starts on FRIDAY!! Register HERE! in #EVENTS channel for OPERATION: Dad Bod on 18 June at 12pm Server Time / GMT+8.



Poster Art Courtesy of Propa, the Maestro of Propaganda!

Happy Birthday to WWII Online as it turns 22 years old today (Est. June 6th 2001)! Over the years our game has seen a lot, good and bad, but we have endured. Congratulations to the WWII Online community and all past and present RATS who have paved the way to this moment. We're on the way to doing big things, and our next big initiative is to transition our store page on Steam from Early Access --> Full Release on Thursday, July 6th 2023. This will result in a large number of players joining the game and today we wanted to lay the plan out for you to prepare as a community for all of these new players. Please continue reading as it has specific details on this and to see some legacy videos and artwork as we reflect on 22 years of the game. S!

• Rat Chat on Sunday June 11th, 2023 held on Discord
  
  • 11AM Server Time (PST), 1PM Central, 2PM Eastern
    
  • Topic: Community Prep + Q&A for Steam Release
    
  • Location: Held on https://discord.gg/wwiionline
    • Event invitation: https://discord.gg/wwiionline?event=1115784880765284452
• Steam DLC Changes
  
  • New - more affordable - pricing will be introduced for all DLC (except Support & Leadership pack)
    
• Return of the $7.99/mo Starter Subscription (Steam Only)
  
  • Will also included updated offering package
    
• 90-day premium trial for new Steam sign ups(rank progression required to access weaponry)
  
  • In order to capture - and retain - Steam users we'll be providing a generous free launch offer
    
  • Players who sign up will receive 90-days of premium trial access to bolster WWII Online player numbers
    
• Returning veteran bonus
  
  • Returning vets (and free-to-play players) will see an increased weapon set during that 90-day period to encourage attendance
    

When we first released on Steam we did a regional unlock. This transition will be a global unlock to the entire world all at once.

Things accomplished since our original Steam Early Access launch:

1. We've increased our server bandwidth 10x
   
2. We've quadrupled our server computing power
   
3. Integrated voice communications are now in
   
4. Proximity AOs (player-driven)
   
5. Hybrid supply (moveable units and town garrisons)
   
6. 64-bit operating system support
   
7. Artillery
   
8. Motorized Mortar Carriers
   
9. Ju88 and Wellington Bombers
   
10. Increased Free to Play access
    
11. Added the MG42 machine gun
    
12. Added the M1919 .30 caliber machine gun
    
13. Added new RDP facilities across the map
    
14. Expanded the number of towns and locations in play space
    
15. You can now select which bomb loadout you want for bombers
    
16. Enhanced special visual effects
    
17. Enhanced audio effects
    
18. Replaced a ton of legacy artwork
    

And the list keeps going. Feel free to review our full release notes at https://wiki.wwiionline.com/view/Readme_1.36 and https://wiki.wwiionline.com/view/Readme_1.37.


Not long ago we made mention about Squads working together to start to build and develop themselves (Community Action: Rebuilding Squads article). The full release on Steam represents a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of that. Please read that article again as a refresher as it's a playbook for you and your squad to do some big things.


Legacy trailer from the early days:
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Battleground Europe (relaunch):
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Updated trailer reflecting mostly how the game looks at present:
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Original launch "jewel box" circa 2001.


German soldier character models with MP40s in 2001:


Original capture building:


WWII Online postcard, which we recently resurrected with some updated art:


Battleground Europe era:




Rebranding back to WWII Online












Next steps




Rebuilding the WWII Online in UE5, the PLAN.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Thank you for all of your years of support and believing in WWII Online. We know it's been a long road to get to where we are, but we are now finally making that bold cut over to Unreal Engine. This coming to life will no doubt result into major things for the game and we believe it will profoundly impact the market / restore the glory days of WWII Online. If you believe in that mission, join us, whether you are brand new or returning and help the Cornered Rats do some big things.

Prepare for the Steam release, get back in the fight and let's have a great summer!

S! and thanks for being part of our family / gaming community here.

Matt "XOOM" Callahan
Director & Executive Producer
Playnet, Inc. / CRS

This release brings to the game numerous updates and fixes that range from a Fallen Rat Memorial to numerous Wellington fixes.

• Added a new Fallen Rat Memorial, near the Triumphal Arch in Brussels
  
• Jokerred, Hogan99 and TeeShot have been added to the Fallen Soldier memorial
  
• Attack Objective (AO) numbers have been adjusted
  
• Loadout functionality has been updated to allow for more flexible loadout options
  
• The Ju88 now has a third loadout option
  
• The Ju88's loadout option #1 gives the bombs to the pilot, the secondary trigger will drop the bombs
  
• The frequency at which capture timers are checked for adjustment has been quickened
  
• Cap timer adjustment based on population is now based on the spawned population
  
• The A13, A15, M10, Pz38t and Vickers has had their 3D crew members updated
  
• Visual effects (VFX&SFX) updates:
  
  • Tank and ATG Armor Piercing (AP) impacts 75mm and up
    
  • Tank, ATG and Naval High Explosive (HE) explosions 75mm and up
    
  • Engine fires adjusted to be easier to distinguish
    
  • New Ship fuel fires
    
  • New engine audio for the Wellington
    
• A new reinforced large PPO for tanks and big guns applied by Engineers
  
• A new Camo Netting applied by Combat Engineers as well as Tank drivers and Big Gun gunners
  
• The game's credits have been updated
  
• Dragonav's village has been added to Bornem
  
• Telephone poles have been added to river roads
  
• Forward Base (FB) vehicle spawn sandbags have been updated
  
• The Maunsell Sea Forts have been added to the English waters
  
• Some river banks have been updated to allow for easier exits
  
• Added a new town: Shoeburyness
  
• Additional Airfields have been made susceptible to damage
  
• Charlois, Bertrix, Verviers, S.Hertogenbosch, Vlissingen, Maubeuge, Montfaucon, Etain, Hallschlag, Wiltz, Bitburg, Monchen Gladbach, Lille, Seclin, Vitry, Cambrai
  

• Multiple fixes to the newly introduced Proximity AOs
  
• Fixed the issue with the Ghent and Reims docks
  
• Closed the gaps under the Army Base (AB) walls in Cuvilly
  
• The Ju88's defensive guns have been updated to historical movement ranges
  
• The Wellington has had numerous items cleaned up
  
• The Sdkfz 7/2's gun shield is no longer impenetrable
  
• The M3 Halftrack and Sdkf251c driver's hitmap has been fixed
  
• Corrected and issue allowing for AB sandbags to be clipped
  

S! Playnet / Cornered Rat Software

Don't forget to subscribe and support the war effort!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/667291/WWII_Online__Premium_Pass/


Connect to our Social Media to get more updates and help us gain visibility to grow the community and reach new players to play with:

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/wwiionline Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOQ90QTMviaKRqIMlUthW2A TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiionline Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/corneredrats Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWIIOnline Twitter: https://twitter.com/corneredrats

Have a look at our current 2023 Roadmap, and see its progress on our TRELLO.

Wishlist our next game Chokepoint, our prelude to WWIIOnline 2.0!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1576780/WWII_Online_Chokepoint/