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Christopher Ono, a 27 year old Intern Architect is from Toronto, Canada, a country rich in military history . He is using that history and knowledge to lead a squad for the new and upcoming game, WWIIOL™.  Hundreds of squads are already being formed and with WWIIOL™ not being released yet, I thought I would find out why. As leader of The Virtual Black Watch, Christopher agreed to an interview.

Lady_"J"      "What is your position with The Virtual Black Watch and what do your duties entail?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "My position in The Virtual Black Watch is "Officer Commanding". This is the traditional title in British, Canadian and other Commonwealth Regiments for the person who has ultimate responsibility for the leadership of the members of the unit. Leadership involves taking on the roles of decision-maker, coach, referee, judge, arbiter, administrator and director, all wrapped up into one package. I view The Virtual Black Watch as a team, rather than a bunch of 'grunts' to be commanded. It only happens that I am the person who has to help organize the team into an effective fighting unit. My first goal and duty is to ensure that the members of my unit enjoy playing the game and that they want to accomplish the goals that I set for them. The second is to ensure that the Regiment runs smoothly and efficiently as a team, with as little need for my interference as possible. The third is to foster the skills of the people who I lead, to make them into leaders themselves."

Lady_"J"     " How many members are currently with The Virtual Black Watch? Can you list them for me?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "We currently have ten members. They are Bolitho, CrazyEddie, Darklord, Eldorath, Ender, IronWu, K-Bar, Popcorn, Spanky and myself. We are, of course, always looking for new members, and there are a number of leadership positions still available."

Lady_"J"    "WWIIOL™ hasn’t been released yet. What is it about this game that is causing squadrons from all over to world to form before the release date?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "Online gaming is advancing to a new level of expectations. People aren't content to simply run around in tiny dungeons or mazes and kill each other over and over again mindlessly. Although there is an occasional  need for that kind of simple diversion, many gamers are hungry for something which offers a greater level of long-term involvement; strategy, tactics, teamwork. Many gamers are also looking for a little more realism than that of the standard, run-of-the-mill 'rocket launcher' or 'machine gun'. They're tired of falling prey to someone because they have been 'camping' longer, or because they have some ridiculous 'power-up' that renders them invulnerable. Gamers are looking for something which rewards skill, and not just instant reflexes. Finally, I think that people are beginning to recognize the value of some games as a way to preserve the memory of the experiences and feelings of a by-gone age, much like the re-enactments put on by historical societies around the world. All these factors are planned for WWIIOL™, and more. This is why, I think, people are metaphorically 'lining up around the corner' for a game that hasn't even been released."

Lady_"J"    "Explain in detail what you plan to do in WWIIOL™ and what it is you expect from your squad?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "I'd like to try to establish The Virtual Black Watch as an example of a well-run, respectable unit with a reputation for tenacity and plain old 'getting the job done'. I'd also like to work hard to establish an aura of historical authenticity, both in terms of how we
are organized and how we present ourselves to the community through our web-site, unit associations, and contributions to the bulletin boards. We're an infantry unit, and as such, we have a responsibility to take and hold ground. The historical Black Watch had a history of pressing on despite tremendous losses, eventually attaining victory. We're training to work as a coordinated team, with good communications at all levels. I also want to foster individual initiative, so that people will be able to quickly adapt to the chaotic and complex world that
WWIIOL™ will be. It's a delicate balance between teamwork and individual action, but being able to find that balance is the key to a unit's success. The historical Black Watch was called upon in several difficult situations to take objectives or conduct raids that were considered too dangerous for some other units. I want to take up that mantle, and be one of the units that the WWIIOL™ Allied commanders say "We need them here. They'll hold the line," about. From
the other side of things, when enemy units learn that we're being sent against them, I want them to think "We're in trouble now." To speculate a bit, I see my unit as one which will specialize in the taking of strongly held points of resistance, like bridges, towns, and ridges, and holding them against the inevitable counter-attack. I expect my squad to be a dedicated, motivated group
with a good sense of teamwork and sportsmanship. I want people who will encourage and support each other in the face of tremendous odds. I would like people that can show up regularly, with a good attitude and eager to win. I need people who will be willing to become leaders themselves. Most of all, I want people to enjoy playing the game, and have fun."

Lady_"J"    "Tell our readers what is special about the name The Virtual Black Watch and how you were able to use it."

Kamikaze Highlander  "The Virtual Black Watch (Royal Highlander Regiment) of Canada derives its name from a infantry unit which continues to exist today in the Canadian Armed Forces. I contacted the real Regiment, The Black Watch of Canada, requesting permission to use the name, with 'Virtual' appended to the beginning. I was actually not expecting approval for use in a game, but I decided to try anyway. I was honored to receive this approval from the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Regiment, and as such, I am very careful to ensure that we conduct ourselves in a manner which is respectful to the privilege we have been granted. My
uncle had served in The Black Watch for over twenty years, so it was with a certain pride that I took up the task of forming its virtual counterpart. The Black Watch has a long history and a number of traditions, and for those people who are familiar with Canadian military history, they are one of the most recognizable and prominent units. For me, the name of the Black Watch conjures up a mental image of a solitary sentry, standing guard in the dead of night, vigilant against an unknown foe. It was with all of these ideas in mind that I chose the name of The Virtual Black Watch."

Lady_"J"     "How would someone go about joining The Virtual Black Watch and who decides what weapon they will be using and what their duties will be?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "To join The Virtual Black Watch, simply send an e-mail to the Officer Commanding (in this case, kami_highlander@yahoo.ca) stating that you're interested in joining. We'll send you a reply detailing what we expect, and if the situation warrants, a few questions. We would also like to encourage the applicant to read our 'Code of the Virtual Black Watch', contained in the 'R.H.Q.' section of our web-page, which lays out how we expect a member of our regiment to act. I'd like to let the individual joining decide which weapon he or she would like to use, and assign him or her to a unit within the regiment as appropriate. Until we approach full strength, I don't think that we'll have too many restrictions at first, but I would
like to say that as a historical Allied light infantry unit,  I expect that the majority of the unit should be using Lee Enfield rifles, with a smaller number operating light or medium machine guns and other support weapons. I don't really want a 'Quake'-like situation, with everyone in the Regiment using rocket launchers and rapid fire weapons. I expect that WWIIOL™ will have some sort of system in place to inhibit this possibility. In terms of duties, I'd also like to let
people select the position that they'd prefer, tempered by the input of all of the leaders in the
Regiment. Veteran gamer or new to the genre, young or old, you will be made welcome.

Lady_"J"     "Did you have any family that actually fought in WWII and if so, what did they do?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "My great uncle served in a Canadian armored unit in World War II, fighting in Sicily, Italy and southern France. Another great uncle served aboard corvettes in
the North Atlantic. I'm also of Japanese-Canadian descent on my father's side, so a great uncle from that side of the family actually served as a Japanese interpreter for the Allied forces in the Pacific."

Lady_"J"    "What do you think WWIIOL™ will offer gamers?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "WWIIOL™ will offer an interactive environment at a scale and level of detail never before seen in an online WWII simulator. It will give gamers a chance to explore completely new ideas about strategy, tactics and multiplayer games in general. WWIIOL™ will also be a way for some of us to catch the barest glimpse of what our parents and grandparents have experienced, and what I hope our children will never have to endure again. Most of all, it will give people an opportunity to meet all types of gamers interested in both the historical and hypothetical sides of WWII. A good place to make friends, learn some history, and have a great time all at once."

Lady_"J"     "What other games do you play on-line, if any?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "I play Warbirds and Aces High, under some other call signs. I also play Rainbow 6, Rogue Spear, Hidden and Dangerous, Delta Force 2, Panzer Commander, M1A2
Tank Platoon II and Unreal Tournament with my squad mates over the internet. I also enjoy PBM games like the old V for Victory series by Atomic Games, but I guess those don't quite count as being online games. I'm somewhat eclectic when it comes to computer games."

Lady_"J"     "Would you like to leave a final comment for our readers about your squad and yourself?"

Kamikaze Highlander  "WWIIOL™ will be one of the first games ever to offer a comprehensive infantry combat model that's fully integrated with armour, air and sea forces. Joining the Black Watch will give you an opportunity to 'get in on the ground floor' of a game and a Regiment which both promise to have a very bright future. It's my honor and privilege as the Officer Commanding to lead the Regiment there. I look forward to seeing you, either as new recruits, allies, or respected opponents on the virtual field of battle sometime very soon. You'll see us there on guard; The Virtual Black Watch."

I am Lady_"J"