Talkin' with Tex
It has been a week of significant momentum changes; such swings beckon the memory of Edgar Allan Poe's, "The Pit and the Pendulum". Will the narrator/gamer be saved? Get in game, join the fight and become a virtual hero!
Evolution and Response
Our game is continuously evolving in development and within it the player base itself. It is the one constant in our game; always moving, at times, not as quickly as we would ALL like but the distance we have traveled these past few years is significant. Due to each of us having such extreme passion for the game, it can feel emotionally that it is never quick enough so it is helpful to take a moment to recognize just how much success has been attained and how far we have come. Those significant milestones are not the focus of this week's Community Report; the Evolution and Response is this week's topic.
These past months, your separate and unique High Command structures have undergone some significant reviews and in some instances, significant reworking. The driving message during that time is how to gain efficiency and focus during each Time Zone and to be frank; how do we ensure a more consistent gaming experience in our 24/7 gaming world.
With that focus each side's Community Management Team (CMT) was tasked with that goal and each ORBAT has been approved by CRS. Once viewed by the general player base, each side will recognize the uniqueness of each ORBAT which in some ways mimics the historical component. There is no denying that the Allied High Command (HC) does carry an extra burden in having to not only determine town ownership but to maintain, with some latitude, the appropriate blend of town ownership on the map. All of this means that you can expect change.
CRS is determined and taking the necessary steps in giving the in-game player base more autonomy when placing Attack Objectives (AO) or Defense Objectives (DO), and Map Officer-In-Charge (MOIC), etc. In doing so, new in-game tools and chat functions will be available, the driving impetus being to address the "No AO / HC Online" issue and to prevent the dreaded (my word) "System AO" (sometimes the System AO is like our AI . . . usually not very accurate and then miraculously - DADGUMMIT, what a shot).
Does this mean change and possible chaos? Yes, it will be for a period of time. The HC function must remain in place to provide their experience and wisdom (and continue the peer-run organization that makes WWIIOL unique), the Joint Training Command (JTC) can and will assist with training for interested gamers. Some of you will recognize this as a partial return of the "Squad AO" which disappeared during the implementation of the initial brigade system. Those of you, who have attained a certain threshold of success, will have the opportunity to shape the tactical AND strategic element for your side. It is not a 24/7 responsibility and should not be as it leads to player burn-out which no one wants. Furthermore, in some individual instances, this affords some an opportunity to re-engage with a clean slate, letting bygones be bygones. CRS is simply providing the necessary tools for the player base to enjoy the game around the world from America to the Zeelands (See what I did there? A to Z! ).
The CMT is working jointly with the GM Team and CRS Senior Management to introduce this new feature with as few of hiccups as possible. However, as the great Prussian Field Marshall von Moltke the Elder wisely said, "No plan survives first contact" so we recognize going in that there will be growing pains. If you have questions, we will do our best to answer them. Send your questions through one of these avenues; whichever is most convenient for you:
- Discord #mailbag (by design you will NOT see your question posted in the Discord channel, see "The Mailbag" below for more info)
- WWIIOL Forums (use @tex64 - or any other member of the CMT if you feel more comfortable - as an interim solution until the Forum Mailbag is launched)
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bullying
In recent months CRS has been become aware of multiple incidents where bullying has been reported. With each report of such occurrences, CRS and specifically, the GM and CMT, becomes involved. To reiterate, CRS has significant tools at our disposal to source, document, and, if needed, discipline offending parties up to and including the suspension and/or termination of your WWIIOL account. We recognize that we have a passionate community but that does not exclude bullying whether in-game, in the forums, Discord, or even non-CRS platforms where the link between the complainant and the aggressor is WWIIOL. Bullying will not be tolerated; even moreso if the complainant is a minor.
If you are bullied in-game, immediately follow these steps:
- Press F9 to capture a screenshot of the text
- Use the .report function to notify the GM team
- Contact your CMT via CRS email and attach screenshots
*NOTE:* If you do not know who is on the CMT, consult the "CMT Table" at the end of this report.
Campaign Update - #184
As of this writing on my Underwood Model 5 typewriter, the Allied Forces have pushed back hard on the Axis with massed units piercing the River Sambre and driving west on the north and south banks; there are plans to reach the River Meuse shortly. The Axis troopers in the field are fighting hard against the rejuvenated Allies. On Day 40 of the campaign, the Axis hold 67% with the Allies at 33%. You can view this critical information whether at work, at lunch, or during your non-gaming time via the WWIIOL Webmap. There are hundreds of towns to capture and recapture before the campaign is decided.
Each infantryman, tank, plane and naval asset matters . . . it is attrition on a global scale. Want to maximize your effort to the team? Get on Discord . . . I repeat . . . get on Discord, your K/D ration improves significantly with such a simple act. Plus, you meet new people, rekindle old friendships and squads. It's okay if you do not want to speak on Discord BUT know that in our tough PvP game who wouldn't want extra eyes and ears covering our 6?
So, who will prevail? Get in game and do your bit for King and Country, rally to the Tri-Color, or the Black Eagle. Keeping fighting, rally your friends, and enjoy the "Best Virtual Bar - 20 years running!".
The Mailbag
- #mailbag has been launched on Discord so if you have a question for the Community Management Team (CMT) simply post on that channel. After you post, do not be alarmed if you cannot see your message/question. That is by design to keep the channel clean yet please know that the CMT can view what is written.
- The Forum Mailbag is still a work in progress (don't soontm me either )
M5 Stuart tank tracks
There has been some questions on the Stuart tank tracks and following some spirited debate and feedback, some great programming knowledge was shared on how the WWIIOL damage model works (see the very bottom of page 1 of this thread - hat tip to all, including kilemall and BMBM).
For noobie tankers like me (#bornasquishie) to successfully track an enemy tracked unit . . .
- The gunner must focus on the tracks key drive-train components like the drive wheel and/or the track return idler wheel
- High-Explosive rounds are more effective than Armor Piercing rounds in tracking enemy vehicles
*NOTE:* The Stuart is slated for an overhaul to the visual and damage of the model (it's on the list 
)
How to be Successful in WWIIOL
Our game is a difficult game to learn and master; however, over the years there is some great content to show you how to be more effective in the game world AND to showcase how to enjoy yourself, too.
- WWIIOL Interactive Training Videos
- Know Your Streamers
- WWIIOL Wikipedia
- WWIIOL Game Manual
- WWIIOL Basic Training Guide (an oldie but a goodie - courtesy of the 91st Sturmbattalion)
Ready to Contribute to WWIIOL?
Interested in sharing or developing WWIIOL content? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Are you being bullied in game? Follow these steps:
- Press F9 to capture the in-game chat or Print Screen on your keyboard for outside of WWIIOL
- Use .report to notify the GM team
- Contact your CMT via CRS email and attach screenshots
Community Management Team (CMT)
We are here to serve and engage with YOU!
| NICK | SIDE | |
| BLKHWK8 | Allied | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| IAN77 | Axis | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| IMBRUTUS | Joint Training Command | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| KMS | Axis | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| SIDEOUT | Joint Training Command | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| TEX64 | Texan |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| TREVOR8 | Axis | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| WESTY91 | Allied | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
I am honored to be a part of the Community Management Team (CMT) and I look forward to seeing you on the battlefield and if I show up on your kill list . . . I was looking at my map!! 
tex