WWII Online News

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/

We're overjoyed to announce a thrilling update: our fundraising initiative for transitioning WWII Online to the Unreal Engine has surpassed its goal by 104%! ːsteamhappyː

This marks a significant milestone for us, and we wish to express our gratitude for your unwavering support.

Nevertheless, there's still an opportunity to contribute to this exhilarating endeavor. A window of 27 hours remains, and fantastic benefits are still up for grabs. For instance, a "Field Marshall" package is still available, which includes a lifetime gaming account, your picture incorporated into the game, your name as a CP installation within the game, a tangible commemorative plaque from CRS, and much more!

Your generous contribution will expedite the achievement of our "Round 1" targets, while also capitalizing on our comprehensive Steam release plan, which will boost the overall player base in WWII Online 1.0.

Remember, WWII Online is 100% community-funded. It's up to us to collaborate and accomplish monumental feats like this one. It also grants us the necessary autonomy to craft the game you've all been eagerly anticipating, free from distractions or other hurdles.

Be part of the gaming History!






TimeGhost History, a highly esteemed YouTube platform, is in the throes of an ambitious endeavor to honor D-Day, a pivotal juncture in the annals of World War II. Their aspiration is to orchestrate a 24-hour virtual broadcast, meticulously recreating the happenings of June 6, 1944, as they unfolded. This immersive journey through time promises to captivate all who hold a fascination for history.

Regrettably, they've recently encountered an obstacle. The prospect of a commercial sponsorship, which was on the horizon, has unexpectedly evaporated, leaving them grappling with a substantial financial shortfall. They are tasked with raising $50,000 to bring this project to fruition, a sum that encompasses the costs of scripting, filming, editing, and procuring archival footage and cartography.

As part of the WWIIOnline fraternity, our shared reverence for the historical complexities of World War II binds us. This endeavor presents an opportunity for us to play a part in preserving the memory of D-Day, and in doing so, contribute to a lasting educational resource for generations yet unborn.

TimeGhost History is appealing for single-instance donations to help them attain their financial target. In a show of gratitude for your patronage, they offer incentives such as the inclusion of your name in the credits and an invitation to an exclusive live chat during the project's debut.

Should you feel inclined to contribute, you can do so at https://dday.timeghost.tv/. No contribution is too small; every bit can significantly impact the project's success.

Let's rally as a community to bolster this crucial project and ensure that the memory of D-Day remains etched in our collective consciousness and continues to be disseminated. As a community, we have the power to make a significant difference. This project is not just about preserving the past, but also about shaping the future. By supporting this endeavor, we are ensuring that the lessons and sacrifices of D-Day continue to resonate with future generations. Let's unite in this cause and help keep the memory of D-Day alive.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Tonight we start Campaign 195 and it includes several changes. We are opening up several weapons available as free unlocks for the duration of the campaign to our Free Players in an effort to showcase these weapons in a live scenario and increase the server population. We are also looking at rolling back to a simplified 4 Tier system (Tier 0, 1, 2 and 3) to avoid confusion and keep the transition of tiers smooth. The theme for this campaign is squad development - rebuild your squad by bringing folks back and helping new players!

Please continue reading to learn more about that and the settings for Proximity Attack Objectives, which will be featured for the first time for a whole campaign, and welcome aboard our two new Side Commanders!

On our website at WWIIOnline.com by clicking here.

Unlocks include:

1. Engineer
   
2. Combat Engineer
   
3. Anti-Tank Rifleman
   
4. Sapper
   
5. All Trucks
   
6. All Haulers
   
7. All Armored Cars