Dog Days- Bringing the Heat!
(23 votes, average 3.83 out of 5)
Written by RAFTER   
Monday, 30 August 2010 10:56
We're in the last stretch of summer here in Texas- home of the Cornered Rats. This has been quite a year and we're focused on bringing 2010 to a close with another big effort resulting in some significant upgrades to the game.

2010 had us deep in the bowels of WWII Online systems with wholesale changes to our graphics and terrain engine. 1.31 was born in June after more than a year of work by all members of our team. We succeeded in bringing several cool new features (weather, new capture, rag doll & more) to the game but the majority of the work was done in modernizing the engine so that our graphics, effect and objects were on par in the MMO marketplace. This was key to keeping the game relevant and sustaining new player growth. Anytime that we spend scarce resources on overhauling "core" systems it's hard for players to really see quick improvements and 1.31 was no different. We are proud of the final product and the reaction from new players and those that have been with us for years has been very, very positive. We also hope we don't have any more 18 month dev cycles HAHA! [Soooo not funny. - MM]

Alongside the development cycle for 1.31, we continued support for our partner in China who has launched a separate, commercial version of the game exclusively for that market. We dedicated a lot of time and effort to ensure the necessary changes and localization issues were delivered to give them the best chance for success. With major marketing in China still to come, we continue to support our partner though much of the "heavy lifting" for our dev and production team has ended.

With a only a few months left in 2010 (a blink of an eye in dev terms) we're firmly locked down to a rapid delivery of 1.32 which will include Player-Placed Objects and Bail-out for aircraft. The best news we can pass along is that 1.32 went into closed Beta testing last week and we are anticipating a very short stint of closed testing followed by immediate open testing and live release. We aren't setting a release date yet but you can bet on our best efforts to bring 1.32 as soon as possible.

Later this week, if everything goes to plan, we will be unveiling part of our 1.33 plan. Our team is working at a break-neck pace to have two major live releases during the last four months of 2010. Only time will tell if we succeed or if we slip into 2011. We have an extremely aggressive schedule that we will continue working to complete.

We're also looking into 2011 and talking about many things that need attention and features including tools for map management, improved newbie experience, enhanced squad tools/play and a long "wish list" representing all aspects of play.

It's an exciting time to be part of the WWII Online project and community and though bumps and bruises come with the territory, we continue to deliver one of the the most unique offerings in online gaming and the amazing support of the players who recognize the special nature of the game- something not found anywhere but WWII Online.

Strap in for a great last few months of 2010 and enjoy the ride!
 

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Comments (18)
1 Monday, 30 August 2010 11:10
Pauker
Not a single word about new units (toys) :(
2 Monday, 30 August 2010 12:38
SON of MAC
STO for bombs in 1.33! ...one can only hope, or pray, or the case of most of us that want it - BEG! - PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! 1.33.2?
3 Monday, 30 August 2010 12:43
Swdsman
Are there any plans to get rid of the Desert Camo used by AXIS units? It really makes no sense that tanks being used in Western Europe are painted in desert colors...
4 Monday, 30 August 2010 15:40
Kilowolf
Keep up the good work guys!
5 Monday, 30 August 2010 15:47
gagsy
I think that in normandy panzers were painted in a darkish sand clour with splashes of dark green and reddish brown on them from what i've read panzer crews added the green and brown splashes themselves.
6 Monday, 30 August 2010 20:06
cmay123
Squad tools are a great thing to look at, squads are what can make this game a truly unique experience. In a game such as this, the friendships and personal experiences are what matter the most in my sociologically educated opinion.
7 Monday, 30 August 2010 22:00
ratatosk
quit wasting time and money on the Chinese, nobody has ever cracked that market absent stacks and stacks of cash for Party officials that you guys don't have. Kill it.
8 Monday, 30 August 2010 22:06
joyjoy
toys, toys, toys. That is what is needed. Give us tiered rifles, bigger mortars. more bombers, and targets.
9 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 15:23
cyclone
Please sort out the ATG models, desperately need visual feedback for hits nad there damge model.

Can we have notification when you despawn of critical damge..ie am I gonn lose this tank.
10 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 16:07
Maxminus
Ahemmmmm...self-propelled anti-aircraft

wink ~ wink ~ nudge ~ nudge
11 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 16:08
gan02
what about a complete facelift in graphics... a smoother look would be great ! otherwise this game still rocks!
12 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 16:15
Duke1 aka Chuck Conner
was thinking maybe have ms's to have the ability to spawn atg like they do inf
13 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 18:13
Solitaer
Don't forget to ask Motormouth about my suggestions via email.
2011 the year of the infantry!
14 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 18:20
Schtoop
Lootable corpses!
15 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 19:30
Lipton
Player-Placed Objects...Awsome!
Enhance squad tools/play...Awsome!
Bail-out for Aircraft...waste of dev time.
But you could throw all of this away and I wouldn't mind.
I WANT NEW TOYS!
16 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 20:35
mdundee
I would love a crew-server mortar, or a tiered RG system :) But I'm salivating over PPO!
17 Wednesday, 01 September 2010 00:14
kroni
NAVY LOVE IN 1.33! 9 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!
18 Wednesday, 01 September 2010 09:05
Gyrfalk
Still waiting for the Spaa and other new toys...
When i see it i will resub for an entire year

oh well