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The Game Archaeologist: World War II Online
The 1990s saw the rise of flight simulators that thrived on detailed, complicated controls and handling. Such games threw out accessibility and casual-friendliness for stark-raving realism, and a certain subset of gamers really thrived on them. I tried my hand at a couple and found myself breathing rapidly when pouring through keyboard charts and doing basic algebra just to get a plane off of the ground. Not for me, I said then. I don't think there's ever stopped being absurdly complex video games that aim for immersion through detailed realism, even though that appeals to only the fringe of the fringe. Some people have their gaming standards set exactly that high and no lower, and some devs refuse to water down their visions just to sell more box units. For these people, Cornered Rat Software (CRS) created World War II Online, an overly ambitious MMOFPS that stumbled out of the gate in 2001 but has gamely soldiered on since then. Over a decade now an epic war has been raging for control over a continent, and it's been up to the fiercely loyal fans to keep the fight going. Today we're going to take a look at the guts 'n' glory of this project to both praise its complexity and curse it for the same thing. If nothing else, it was a game that could only have arisen from the early landscape of 3-D MMOs, and for that it warrants our attention.
Make My MMO: June 15 - June 21, 2014
This week in MMO crowdfunding news, golden oldie World War II Online assured itself of a new client update thanks to a successful Indiegogo campaign. The genre's first and arguably best MMOFPS raised over $10,000, which it will spend on a new test server as well as PC and Mac client updates. Elite: Dangerous developer Frontier made headlines based on the size of its (expanding) dev team, and fellow space sim Star Citizen stirred up some controversy thanks to its hyper-realistic flight model manifesto. Oh, and don't forget to watch that crowdfunded EVE Online documentary when it premieres next month! The rest of our weekly crowdfunding roundup is hiding on the other side of that hypergate.
World War II Online crowdfunds a client update
In an effort to update an aging client without breaking the developer's bank, World War II Online: Battleground Europe turned to the community to crowdfund the project -- and the community delivered. A $9,250 fundraiser on Indiegogo dedicated to the creation of a new test server, PC client, and Mac client was met and surpassed this past week. The update, which should roll out within six months, will include billing tools for Steam and improved audio and visuals. The crowdfunding campaign is now aiming for stretch goals that could add community upgrades, improved tech infrastructure, and additional marketing.
The United States Army moves into Battleground Europe
If you've played a first-person shooter, watched a movie, or even turned on the History channel over the past decade, you're probably very familiar with the iconic image of the United States military forces storming the beaches of Normandy. It's an appropriate image to keep in your head today, as Battleground Europe (also known as World War II Online) has introduced the American forces to the game's mixture. The latest patch, 1.34, adds a variety of American vehicles and troops for players to access in the war between the Axis forces and the Allies. Of course, the addition of the American forces isn't the only feature of the new patch. Several long-standing bugs have also been addressed, as well as several balance changes aimed at specific troop types. It should be a welcome patch for fans of the game, especially since it will finally be possible to take up the role of another nation in the fight.
Massively Exclusive: Cornered Rat talks longevity, simulations, and the future of Battleground Europe
It's P-Day across Battleground Europe, as today marks the official introduction of World War II Online's 1.33 patch. The update is something of a milestone for Cornered Rat's stalwart MMOFPS simulation, and Massively sat down with the game's high command to chat about the past, the future, and of course the spiffy new infantry models that 1.33 brings to the table. Join us after the cut for an exclusive interview with producers Steve Daniels, Al Corey, and Dana Baldwin, as well as Cornered Rat president Jim Mesteller and community director Amy-lynn Smith. %Gallery-119028%
Exclusive WWII Online: Battleground Europe team interview
As we mentioned last week, WWII Online: Battleground Europe is still going strong. In fact, Playnet and Cornered Rat Software are on the verge of a massive update for the game. Update 1.31, currently in open beta, has been in the works for many months and is set to overhaul the graphics of this old-school MMOFPS. It might even give newer games a run for their money! We were lucky enough to sit down with several members of the Battleground Europe development team -- Amy-Lynn Engelbrecht, Dana Baldwin, and Geof Evans -- and fire off some questions about the visual overhaul, as well as a few questions about the weather -- that is, the game's new weather system, which will actually affect land and air conditions in PvP! Click past the break for our exclusive interview with the team!
WWII Online: Battleground Europe to honor servicemen and women
World War 2 Online: Battleground Europe will be holding cease-fires today at 2 PM and 8 PM CST to honor the men and women who gave their lives during the actual World War II. This will mark the culmination of a week's worth of activities and events centered around the celebration of the game's seventh anniversary.The treats began on the 6th with seven days of free game time, and continued with events such as the veteran's brigade challenge on the 7th, and the best fighter pilot challenge on the 8th. The following days let players take arms against Cornered Rat employees in various locales, with the chance to win big prizes. Full details are available on their site.The cease-fire will last for 15 minutes and be held on the bridge at Dinant, and is open to all players, whether Axis or Allies.[Thanks, Al!]