HC Draft & Squad Objectives

As announced at our most recent Rat Chat, the time has come for all WWII Online players to rise to the occasion and ensure that the game will continue to be player-driven. In accordance with that goal, we are planning to issue all premium players with the maximum player rank of Lt. Colonel a special subscription enabling the in-game High Command toolset. This will inject many veteran players and squads directly into the strategic component of WWII Online after many years and ensure we have players with operational tools online during all time zones. We also have plans to add Squad AOs. Please continue reading to fully understand how this came to be and the implementation plan.

BRIEFING / OVERVIEW

The rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Rank #13) represents the top rank of our veteran non-HC players. Every player at this rank will be eligible for an Allied or Axis High Command subscription, which will be automatically applied (with no OCS requirements) to your account. By doing this, we issue HC tools to hundreds of players on both sides and bring squads back into the fold relating to strategy, and ensure as best as possible - no dead periods where HC players are not online.

HC numbers will therefore be buffered like we have not seen in years and we're certain many players are going to learn and participate in the strategy of the game. These new LTC's will have access to all HC tools, one exception being the .Allied / .Axis command and other higher level ranks and responsibilities available by signing up to the regular HC program (which will continue to coexist alongside this initiative).

Akin to the "mission leader" as being part of routine game play, we're looking at this as a way for us to cultivate newer and better game design and ensuring we maintain a player driven WWII Online.

Benefits for new Lt. Colonels receiving HC Subscription:

• Eligible to earn "Colonel" Rank #14
• [C] Command symbol in-game
• HC channel for side-wide comms
• All essential in-game HC tools
  •  Excludes .allied/.axis which is eligible for full HC officers only

CURRENT HIGH COMMAND OFFICERS

All current High Command officers listed on the official Allied or Axis orbat(s) will be considered "Ranking Officers" while online and they're requested to help support the new players learning these tools as gracefully as possible. The HC structure(s) that we have will continue to be operational and its primary mission is to execute the overall strategic component of the theater in and out of the game, manage and recruit new personnel into its orbat (order of battle / roster) and of course to help educate these new Lt. Colonel's learning the ropes of their new tools.

ADDITIONAL ATTACK OBJECTIVE ADDED FOR SQUADS

In an effort to support both HC officers and Squads, we are adding +1 extra AO for any AO threshold above 2. Each extra AO is to be 100% designated to Squads online to do what ever they wish with. The original AO availability is to remain at the discretion with the HC officers. Of course working together may result into quick - strategically significant - decisions which help everyone.

MODERATION

At the outset of this initiative, we expect a level of controlled chaos of new officers joining, wondering what to do with their tools and "who is in charge." In the event of a player abusing their tools (which can be defined as not allowing squads to have an AO, or being disruptive / not a team player) all officers / players are advised to take a screen shot (F9 key) and type .report to inform the GM team of the issue.

Our game moderation team has been briefed in advance and is prepared for handling these sort of issues, and the Community Managers will also be supporting for any issues like this.

Please note that this initiative does not qualify as a right of service. The regular Terms of Service will be in effect. Losing your toolset will be based on TOS violations accrued.

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

At the conclusion of Campaign 184 (the beginning of this next coming intermission), we will be issuing HC Tools to all Lt. Colonel's. You will start Campaign 185 with full tool capabilities. Each HC program should be preparing for this influx accordingly.

EXTENDED INTERMISSION FOR TRAINING

We will have an extended intermission lasting from 5 to 7 days where we will ask as many players to show up and train on these new tools as much as possible. CRS will also be conducting two all-inclusive HC tools training events on Discord during intermission. We are also working on a cheat sheet guide for basic tool usage, though all of that will be available by typing .help and then .help command.

IN CONCLUSION

We have great confidence that the player base will rise together to this occasion and work towards the health of the game and their respective side. It's important to proceed with a general understanding that more hands make for less work and stress. This is a perfect opportunity for you and your squad to get done the work on the frontlines that for along time, too few have shouldered. To all of those HC officers, thank you for your efforts and we hope you look forward to the extra assistance.

Campaign 185 isn't too far away, and it's sure to be unlike any we've seen in awhile. GET READY!

Thanks for your support on this everyone, Salute!