WWII Online News

Attention to Orders: All Christmas leaves are canceled! Grab your favorite gear and head to the front lines as Campaign 210 is underway! Axis forces push into France and Belgium and the Allies scramble to stabilize and form a defensive line before they push the aggressors back. Don't forget to bring your snow clothing as it will be a cold month of fighting




To help both sides, we are opening all mortarmen and LMG's to free players for this campaign. In case you missed the goodies in our holiday patch which we released the day before Campaign 209 ended,


S! to you all and happy holidays from the RATS.

It's the most, wonderful time, of the year! Tremendous work has been assembled by the team here at Cornered Rat Software, a group of dedicated game developers who were primarily once community members first. WWII Online runs in our blood and this list of achievements should make that clear.

Our hope is that you will see that we are listening and tackling important items relevant to your most recent feedback to improve the game's quality of life.

Please enjoy, and we wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!



Happy Holidays from CRS! Bombs are more explosive, SpeedTree "wind" has been reactivated to bring the world to life, infantry control and aiming have been enhanced, the Fishbowl effect is gone, Mobile Spawn deployments are now more accessible, satchels no longer clip into tanks, and a host of other improvements have been introduced by our outstanding team here at CRS.

We thank you, the community, for making this possible.

[h2]Features[/h2]

• Ny and Drake1 have been added to the Fallen Soldiers list, S!
  
• The game's credits have been updated for Q3 of 2024
  
• Due to the enhanced shrapnel and spall calculations, all HE ammunition have undergone an audit for updated shrapnel piece counts
  
• By default, planes will now begin at the Max RPM setting instead of Economy RPM
  
• Trees and bushes now have "wind" movement
  
• Mouse sensitivity settings have been updated, there is a check box within the Preferences to revert these settings in case the new setting cause motion sickness
  
• The Ammo Cache PPO (Player Placed Object) has been added to Fairmiles
  
• The Fairmile has had its damage model updated
  
• The Flakvierling on the German Trawler has been updated
  
• The Secondary Weapon button will now trigger the horn on SPAAs and Alt+H will trigger the horn on trucks
  
• The Bailey Bridge, Sandbags, and Barbed Wire PPOs have had their overall damage to be destroyed increased
  
• The game's lighting has been updated to brighten up daytime, nights lit by the light of a full moon and added sunrise and sunset colors
  
• The F2P's (Free to Play) in game upsell message has been updated with new information
  
• All light tanks now have the ability to tow light AAA and AT guns
  
• All medium and heavier tanks now have the ability to tow light and medium sized AT and AAA guns
  
• The default rifle for the US ground forces will now be the M1 Garand
  
• The M16 SPAA (Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft) has been added to the US forces
  
• The Sd.Kfz. 7/1 20mm SPAA has been added to the German forces
  
• All SPAA units can now deploy all Mobile Spawn PPOs
  
• Winter Theme updates
  
  • All towed guns now have winter textures
    
  • Winter maps have had their textures updated
    
• Terrain
  
  • A Rat Pack Squad statue has been added to Antwerp South
    
  • Layers have been added to the different cloud levels
    
  • A new pathway through the berm west of Breskens has been added
    
  • Dover has had new British phonebooth objects added to it
    
  • Spawn locations within the Barracks buildings has been updated
    
  • Rotterdam South has been updated
    
  • A canal north of Hellevotsluis has been added
    
  • Couvins has had a small airfield added to it
    
  • Airfield garages have been updated to match ones found in towns
    
  • New towns have been added to the game; Zaandam, Beverwijk, Castricum, Alkmaar, Petten, Den Helder, Delfzijl and Le Feuillie
    

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• The sky "fishbowl" effect has been fixed to enhance the flying experience
  
• Clipping into moving tanks when placing satchels has been fixed and a new indicator has been added to inform player when a satchel can be placed
  
• By default, when spawned in, the Target town will have its facilities expanded instead of the Origin town
  
• The Fairmile's gun shield has been fixed
  
• Odd infantry riding positions on the Laffly has been fixed
  
• The German ATR's (Anti-Tank Rifle) over penetration has been corrected
  
• The M3A3 Stuart's hull deck armor was increased from 3/8" to 1/2" armor
  
• The missing capture bar in some bunkers has been fixed
  
• Footstep sounds in some bunkers has been fixed
  
• The gunshield has been removed from the Bofor's commander binocular view
  
• The StugG's machine gun misfire has been fixed when moving
  
• The screeching sound with some units for Mac players has been resolved
  
• Terrain
  
  • An issue in Pernis has been corrected
    
  • A floating berm near Tongeren has been fixed
    
  • Some damage state textures have been fixed
    

S! Cornered Rat Software

Copyright 1999-2025 Playnet, Inc.

[h2]MOUSE SENSITIVITY[/h2]
Infantry model adjustments: Lateral mouse sensitivity settings have been updated to reflect a more anticipated gaming feel. It is more noticeable on the horizontal axis as we have modified the avatar's center of gravity. This will lead to a more accurate prediction of infantry movement from a third-person perspective. If this new feature causes an issue, it can easily be reverted in the Preferences settings.

[h2]INCREASED FRAGMENTATION[/h2]
Bombs are more explosive than ever. Recently, we developed a greater capacity within our engine to process more bomb fragments. This has been translated to creating the most realistic fragmentation counts per high explosive to date. After rigorous testing to ensure it did not impact performance, game play will now be a bit more lethal.

[h2]THE WORLD IS NOW BRIGHTER[/h2]
In-game lighting has been updated to brighten up during daytime, with full moon lighting during nighttime, and added sunrise and sunset colors.

[h2]ALL-NEW SATCHEL PLACEMENTS[/h2]
Clipping satchels are no more! When infantry places their charges, they will see a visual color indicator on whether the charges will stick. Green = placeable, Red = not-placeable. This gives you better feedback and helps prevent satchels going into the wrong location.

[h2]GREATER IMMERSION[/h2]
Cloud layers have been added to the different cloud levels, and SpeedTree "wind" has been reactivated as tall grass, cornfields, and trees will now sway. Now you can't just sit there and watch your screen and wait for that pixel to run by. This should increase the survivability of infantrymen and bring the world more to life.

[h2]SUPPORTING TRUCK DRIVERS[/h2]
Mobile Spawn Deployment (all types) is now linked to all motorized SPAA platforms. This enables our steadfast support players to continue creating bigger, better battles while allowing them to participate in the fight.

[h2]TANKS CAN NOW TOW GUNS[/h2]
Tankers can now tow their support of anti-tank/anti-air guns to battle. All light armor can tow light guns only with medium and heavy armor towing light and medium gun platforms. Heavy haulers will still tow heavy guns to the front.

[h2]HELPING NEW PILOTS[/h2]
Flying in WWII ONLINE is difficult for new pilots. To help them get into the air quickly, the default setting for all engines will be MAX RPM instead of ECONOMY. We hope this helps get our new pilots into the skies and in combat.

[h2]SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT![/h2]
The number one way to support CRS is to become a subscriber. This fuels developments like the above, and more to be announced "SoonTM."
https://store.steampowered.com/app/667291/WWII_Online__Accs_Premium/

Mobile Spawns are critical to WWII Online's population growth and retention. After careful review through trial and error, it has been made clear that separating certain mobile spawn objects has not paid off and we need to make a course correction.

The total number of players interested in logistics support for battles is a very specific niche, but critical, nonetheless. We're going to break down some of the changes being planned for the next release and how they will improve overall gameplay and help those guys who are literally creating the fun for the general player base have more accessibility (options) and reduce the pain.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]REFACTORED RULES[/h2]
No specific rule changes have been made to how the player-placed objects (PPOs) operate, only which vehicles can deploy what spawn type.

All standard Trucks and Haulers will be able to deploy:

• Fortified Mobile Spawn (FMS) - Capable of spawning both infantry and Light AA & ATG.
  
• Light Mobile Spawn (LMS).
  
• Urban Mobile Spawn (UMS).
  

Supply Trucks will be able to deploy:

• Fortified Mobile Spawn (FMS).
  

Only the High Command infantryman will continue to be able to deploy the HCMS.

[h2]LIGHT SPAAs now eligible to deploy mobile spawns[/h2]
After careful discussion with players conducting these logistics operations, the consensus has been made that the number 1 threat to being able to deploy these spawns is enemy aircraft.

Tier 0 (light truck) self-propelled anti-aircraft (SPAA) vehicles are now eligible to deploy the FMS, LMS, and UMS spawn points.

[h2]NEW SPAA ADDITIONS TO GAME W/MS DEPLOYMENT ABILITIES[/h2]
As the war progressed, we realized that the US Forces didn't receive a SPAA with this capability, so we are introducing the US M16 variant which has the recently added M45 Quad AA gun mounted onto the rear of it.




Additionally, to maintain parity, the Germans have received the Sdkfz 7/1 (20mm) Flakvierling SPAA as well.



Both of these SPAAs operate similarly to the Tier 0 SPAA variants as they can shoot and move on the run, while also deploying mobile spawns.

Something new and unique about them is that their driver can also utilize binoculars while being on the move, marking the first time this is being tried out.

Do you approve this change? Vote here!

OPERATION NAME: Gravy Train
WHEN: November 17th at 12PM Server Time / GMT-8
WHERE: Campaign Server
DURATION: 3 hours
UNLOCKS: All-Access / No-Rank on Sunday

Join us to participate and witness:
• Combined arms assaulting across a bridge or airfield
• Dogfights and level bombers dropping payloads
• Massed infantry assaults
• Tank columns storming through expansive terrain
• Scores of paratroopers dropping over the objective
• Artillery bombardment and smoke

All of the above are accompanied by the "soundtrack" of WWII Online's gunners firing anti-aircraft, light machine guns, and the whistling of artillery. Experience YOUR immersive "WWII Online Moment."

Every soldier is requested to RSVP right away. Doing so encourages more players to participate. Spread the word, let's go! Here is the Discord link to the event . . . https://discord.gg/wwiionline


Existing and new equipment is being developed to the new Unreal Engine 5. The following models are 100% in-game, UE5 compliant, and ready to roll into 2.0. New trucks, anti-tank guns, and anti-aircraft guns with more UE5 models coming.

Check out these NEW UE5 models that are IN-GAME now!

For a long time, we have been requested to add the ability for Tanks to tow light-medium Anti-Aircraft and Anti-Tank guns. We're pleased to let you know our team is now finalizing the work to roll this out around the 2024 holiday.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

This should dramatically increase the modularity of our game enabling new opportunities for teamwork and increasing towing of friendly guns to the frontline.


The size of the gun you can tow is dependent on the overall size of your tank. Smaller tanks for example can only tow small guns, and heavier tanks can tow medium guns.


Heavy guns cannot be towed by any tanks; rather, they will continue to be towed by Heavy Haulers like they currently do today.



Will this be a welcomed change? Vote on this page