Our environment artists and terrain development team are always looking for new innovative ways to create upgrades to your gameplay experience. Today we're going to show you the return of the fire escape for urban buildings (for rooftop access), how we're planning to open up big urban buildings to have interior access, and how forward bases are receiving some new treatments. These are among the many developments taking place. Remember, your subscriptions are the lifeblood of what we do here, be sure to subscribe for the launch of Campaign 177 (today at 5PM PST) as well as backing up developments like these.
NEW STANDING STATE FOR URBAN BUILDING 01
For years players have wondered what happened to the fire escapes, and we're pleased to let you know that we're adding them back in, starting with this building!
Also, we're adding an all-new interior for the standing (non-damaged) state, so infantryman can run through them. This is consistent with our firm belief that we should offer as many opportunities for players to maneuver and take advantage of the open game world that is WWII Online.
Shout out to "Mkw" for her excellent work here upgrading this building and adding features requested by many.
FORWARD BASE UPGRADES
Giving new life to our existing play spaces is something that TR6AL is very much focused on as our Terrain Development Guru. Whether it is adding new towns, changing up existing layouts, AL's ability to find nimble but important upgrades is critical to a lot of terrain development.
As seen in this picture, here are a few differences being explored:
Exploration of roads coming to FB's
Better defensive positions
Observation Post (Tower) for infantry
We'd also like to say he is on the ball when it comes to players reporting bugs on terrain. Be sure to use your .bug tool in-game when you see something out of place, and TR6AL will be there to save the day.
SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT GAME DEVELOPMENT
WWII Online is 100% fueled by player support. Please consider subscribing to help us accelerate game development and continue to produce great features and content like this.
1.36.7.1 hot fix will be released today around 6pm server time. A new download will be required for this. Read more below...
This Hotfix release aims to correct a few issues and bugs that came up with the recent release.
Fixed an issue with one of the Koln factories
Removed Truck SPAAs from the Fortified Mobile Spawn
Corrected the issue causing double damage from multi-crewed bombers
Bug Fixes
Fixed a bug that caused CTDs in the offline mode
Repaired the stair texture in the spawn depot
The head shake when dropping bombs too low now works again
Artist update & New Discord server
Building updates
From MKW, 3D artist.
Hello WWII Online players! One of the tasks we have on the Production team is to reimage some of the urban buildings now that we have been able to reactivate their damage states for the first time in many years. This means we'll be updating the "standing" (or non-damaged building state) as well as the "destroyed" (or secondary damaged building state). We want to expand the possibility for players, specifically, infantry to maneuver through buildings and flank enemy forces in larger cities.
Today I'd like to share with you some work I've been doing on the urban building (01). Thanks to your subscription support, efforts like these are made possible.
ADDING A HALLWAY TO URBLDG01
Right now the Urban Building (01) has a solid exterior, you cannot go inside, only around the building. This will be the first urban building being updated to allow for entry, and I'd like to show you the current work in progress "floor plan" to illustrate the idea.
UPDATING EXTERIOR TEXTURES
Please note that the textures are a bit more enhanced in the game world than our art program will offer in this photo, but you should be able to get a feel for greater definition which is being added.
SOME OF MY GOALS IN THIS PROCESS
One of my top goals is to continue to improve the textures, so they look higher resolution and are cleaner, but I want to keep the same style the old textures had as they fit the period well. I had a pretty good idea going into this project what I'd like to achieve, and so far there haven't been any major challenges to see that through. I'm looking forward to what the WWII Online players think of this project. Thanks!
Official WWIIOL Discord Server
We have consolidated ourselves into a single Discord server. All players should be sure to immediately join the following Official WWII Online Discord: https://discord.gg/wwiionline.
WHY WAS THIS DECISION MADE?
A single flow of entry for new incoming users.
Greater population, more comms, more help, looks better.
Reduced double management for Discord administration.
Reduced clutter, more clear and concise approach.
Turn key squad recruitment solution.
The server is now boosted to level 3 with maximum features available.
The server is now a "Community" server which opens up even more features.
As the server grows a bit more, we'll unlock even more capabilities.
SECURITY FOR SQUADS AND SIDES
With effective utilization of the "roles" and "permissions" that follow them, CRS is working to separate the Allied and Axis community channels accordingly. Bare with us as we go through the process upfront but we'll get it done right when the dust has settled. The truth is, many players were already on both community Discord's and not much has changed, in fact, it could be argued that this might make the channels even more secure as compared to what has been a false sense of security with the separation of servers we had.
Squads will continue to have their own roles so that they can maintain their channels just as we've done this whole time.
PURGE OF INACTIVE SQUADS
We have had a pretty significant purge of inactive Squads on both servers. There's a "Discord Request" section if your Squad was removed, we'd be happy to reconfigure it for you, with the understanding that active play on your channel is required in order to maintain it. We're going to be a little more proactive and cleaning up dormant channels to reduce clutter and promote activity. This is vital to appearance and user experience.
USING THE OFFICIAL DISCORD SERVER
I think it goes without saying this is really valuable, and a big step for the community to come closer together. By your participation on this server, we can see more people working together to help develop the community and breathe new life into it. We have many new players coming in who are scouting our game, to see what it's all about and if there are people out there they can connect with.
I'm going to ask you directly to make a point to login to Discord, pop into your channel, and take a more proactive (fresh) approach in communications. We have a real opportunity here and now to grow the community and change our pre-existing habits on Discord. One of the most valuable elements of our old Teamspeak days was having several players accessible and working together. While we see some of that, I think we can do better and I'm sure you agree.
So let's hit the reset button and remember just how valuable this is. Not only do we have a voice communication platform, but we have now text integrated as part of the experience and a way to keep players connected long-term.
JOIN THE OFFICIAL DISCORD AND GET INVOLVED NOW: https://discord.gg/wwiionline.
We’ll be unlocking ALL INFANTRY during this weekend! Campaign start (Friday night) through Sunday night.
We have added the Anti-tank riflemen to the existing mortarman DLC, which is now presented as the new "Support Infantry DLC". If you already own that DLC, no need to spend more! Enjoy!
This game update includes several new vehicles (marking 3 roadmap deliveries), including the first Ship in WWII Online in almost 15 years (Trawler)! SPAA’s will be available at Tier 0. Urban Building damage states are also reactivated, which means big city buildings can be destroyed (12 years since this has been possible). There are other several good Bug Fixes including a major STO related crash and many artwork polish related items.
This game update will coincide with the start of the next Campaign (#176). NOW is the time to get reactivated and report back to your side/squad. This is a huge update with lots of good stuff, continue reading to learn more!
Development is made possible by your continued subscription. Thanks for helping us make this possible!
New Content
Armed Trawler
Bedford SPAA
Laffly SPAA
Opel SPAA
Bf 109-G2/R1 (Jabo)
Stug G w/MG34 and side-skirts
Updates
Urban Building damage states reactivated
US P38-F texture and gauge update
US P-39 texture and gauge update
Several terrain enhancements and additions
Railroad tracks, airbases and road textures enhanced
New FlaK38 menu image added
Bombsight(s) maximum altitude increased
Bug Fixes
Server Tracked Object related game crash
M10 mantlet hitmap
Matilda II armor leak
Urban Building 01 clip point fixed
Two terrain tiles are no longer missing
French hurricane decal now shows properly
P-39/Bell propellers no longer disappear
Amiens railroad stone texture no longer stretched
No more floating boxes in “Ham”
Stretched texture in damaged vehicle spawn fixed
Ju-52 altimeter now looks and works properly
S! Cornered Rat Software
Introducing the "Trawler" class!
Say hello to the Navy's newest vessel, "The Trawler Class," coming to WWII Online in our next game update!
If you missed our live stream event, not to worry we've got some screenshots and information about the trawlers in this article. One thing can be said for sure, the main anti-aircraft gun on the trawlers will absolutely eat aircraft alive as we demonstrated today. Vehicle production of this nature is made possible by your subscriptions!
Let's take a look at the new trawlers!
TRAWLER AVAILABILITY
The Trawler class will be available for the Royal Navy, French Navy, and Kriegsmarine. They will be placed in deepwater ports and their rank will match that of the freighter class. There's a new sheriff in town as it comes to the most lethal Anti-Aircraft capable ship in the fleet!
TRAWLER ARMAMENT
Armament between nations are almost identical, except for its quad cannon differing a bit. The Flakvierling requires more consistent reloads but has a higher rate of fire and can alternate between a primary and secondary fire... whereas the Pom-Pom for the Allies has a primary trigger shooting all four cannons simultaneously and can lay down rounds for a longer duration of time. Both of these weapons are extraordinarily deadly to aircraft and through our testing, we had a lot of fun, even with seasoned pilots on our team getting shot down with an experienced AA gunner.
Allied Trawlers
76mm Main Gun (1)
Quad QF 2-pdr Pom-Pom A cannon Mk VII (1)
Twin 20mm Oerlikon AA cannons (2)
German Trawler
76mm Main Gun (1)
20mm Flakvierling 38 (1) - This is a quad barrel cannon
Twin 20mm Oerlikon AA cannons (2)
WEIGHT, SPEED, AND MANEUVERABILITY
All trawlers are about 7,500 Tons and have a speed of 12 knots. Maneuverability is acceptable but this is now the heaviest ship in the fleet, so consider your turns carefully in advance.
This unit will be available to our premium players only.
S! The Cornered Rats Team.
Luftwaffe & USAAF Updates!
LUFTWAFFE TO RECEIVE THE BF-109 G2/R1
ROADMAP DELIVERY! Introducing the new BF-109 G2/R1 "Jabo" (includes a 250KG bomb). This aircraft will be available in Tier 2.
US AIRCRAFT UPDATES
The USAAF gauge updates is an essential point to releasing these aircraft for regular campaign play. We're getting closer to releasing these as part of the regular campaign, we're now waiting to get them a variant of the A-20 (Boston variant with the proper textures). Once this is done (which we are working on) we'll consider this the minimum viable readiness.
WWII Online is 100% fueled by player support. Thanks to the thousands of players who are currently subscribed and that help us accelerate game development and continue to produce great features and content like this!
S!
The Cornered Rats volunteers
Urban Building Damage States - Returning!
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
For many years now the Urban Buildings have had their damaged states locked. CRS 2.0 inherited this setting and we begin to ask why? While there were some obvious fixes needed, they seemed relatively lightweight and with the delay on those new buildings for release, we didn't see a good reason to hold this back further. Special thanks to Mkw for her quick fixes on Urban Building 01, and to OLDZEKE leading the charge on damage thresholds/testing.
Please enjoy the following which will be on our next game release, version 1.36.7.0.
The below screenshot shows Antwerp Central Army base (center of the picture) standing vs bombed. You can clearly see how this will cut down infantry travel times to objectives as well as removing kill funnels that are currently in place (lack of bombed-out buildings/damage states).
Infantry engagements on rubble were one of the most memorable experiences many of us from the early 2000's had, this marks it coming back.
Here's the kind of possibilities that exist inside of these new urban buildings in terms of deploying forces and changing the way the game is played in these environments.
British Expeditionary Forces setup an ambush point waiting for Panzers to roll by.
A Pak36 (37mm Anti-Tank Gun) sneaks behind his Army Base vehicle spawn waiting for Allied tanks to roll by in a freshly blown-out hole in this urban building.
Remind that WWII Online is 100% fueled by player support. Please consider subscribing to help us accelerate game development and continue to produce great features and content like this.
S!
The Cornered Rats Team
Welcome Aboard, TEX64!
TEX64 Joins the CRS Team
Community Management Team welcomes its newest member TEX64 to assist KMS as Axis High Command Liaison XO. For nearly a month of extensive training, testing and the typical "CRS On-boarding" that boarder lines the Geneva Convention (jk - lol) he is ready to begin his service within the team. Please welcome TEX64!
Tex64 Bio -
"Roughly six weeks after the launch of WW2OL, I had received my new PC and grabbed this game on a whim as I went thru the check-out line and that started an odyssey of multiple nights with literally no sleep then working full days as my head was spinning about WW2OL and the seemingly endless terrain. I was ever so lucky to bump into some hard-core gamers LUGAN and GVONPAUL who invited me into their Day One Squad of GrossDeutschland. Unknown to me was the massive player-run High Command organization where I met more individuals like SCHILLING and FATTYJ and in a blink of an eye I was in the Axis High Command as a KG Leader then onwards and upwards to Armee Group Commander. Along the way, co-founding the 1st Lithuanian Brigade “Iron Wolves” (1LB) with HONDO, JORVIK, FOGABAN, KOZ26, and BORNTOGO. And then the years trickled by as my young children grew-up to become high school then college students and now fully-functional adults. Thankfully my marriage survived the sometimes out of proportion pursuit of this game. So now, 19+ years later I am hoping to serve this great community in a new role as liaison between the veteran and free-to-play player base and of course, the heartbeat of WW2OL, the player-run squads.
These are interesting times that we live and game in and there are significant challenges before us in our particular arena of WW2OL. As always, we hold the future of WW2OL in our hands. As I have spent most of my working career finding and building upon common ground to achieve mutual success, I hope I can effect some change for the betterment of the entire community. I look forward to making new friends and some mutually respected enemies, too!"
19th Anniversary Desk Mat Winners
After several months of waiting all of the awards have been printed and shipped to their respective recipients. Each top player received these huge one of a kind anniversary event desk mats, and by the looks of it, they may need a larger desk to accommodate them! Berraco and Kempi were kind enough to send us pictures of their award as seen below.
19 years for an online game is quite an accomplishment, and our success is credited to you. Your subscriptions and continuing support is what keeps the lights on. Thank you for 19 AMAZING years!
S!
The Cornered Software Team
New light SPAA's inbound!
Today we're pleased to show you the progress of the upcoming Tier 0 Light SPAA's (Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft) vehicles that will soon enter WWII Online. This update will include detailed screenshots of the three SPAA's for the German, British and French forces, along with a video walkthrough by CHIMM. These vehicles will be featured in our next patch release. Join our subscriber base and help us continue to make efforts like these possible.
VIDEO WALKTHROUGH BY CHIMM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl1YMqY2kyg
ABOUT THE LIGHT SPAA'S
We're very excited about these in-game, mainly because this makes SPAA's part of the WWIIOL campaign the whole time! These Tier 0 SPAA's will eventually get phased out as the war progresses and are replaced by the larger SPAA's we currently have in-game.
They can be multicrewed, and you DO NOT need to be stationary in order to fire. This makes multicrewing opportunities really interesting as you can, "Shoot, move and communicate," while dodging enemy aircraft strafing you. It'll also be very interesting to see how players use this against anti-personnel (we can see a couple of drive by's happening in-game).
Let's take a closer look at each vehicle.
Here's the British "Bedford" showing you the gunner perspective, the commander is sitting in front of him and is responsible for deploying the gun and using binoculars. Then of course there's the driver.
Here's the French Laffly SPAA. A very similar setup but is using the CMLE weapon sight, whereas the British Bedford is iron sights-like.
The German Opel Blitz of course was outfitted with its newer Flak38.
SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT GAME DEVELOPMENT
WWII Online is 100% fueled by player support. Please consider subscribing to help us accelerate game development and continue to produce great features and content like this.
