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CRS Official Chat Event - 2/24/00

This is a log of the third official World War Two Online chat event that took place February 24th, 2000. Roger "Frying Tiger" Long, Kevin "Squirm" Rivas, and Bruce "Toto" Patnaude were the guest speakers, with Al "Rafter" Corey as the chat moderator and Troy "Ramp" Lowe watching over the network.

Will the ocean have a topography? Crush depth for subs?
yes

will the ground scale be the same as the air and naval scales ?
Yes, the whole world is 1/2 scale, and that applies to air and ground and sea. The heights of the terrain are not scaled, however, so the mountains will be the actual heights

i dont know what art is , but i khnow what it is when i see it..got any more screenshots for us
No, we have somewhat of a suprise for ya after the chat

Who did which vehicles?
I built the Spitfire, Squirm did the Panzer 3 and the Opal blitz and the Char 1b, Toto did the 38T and the Renault... right now I am working on the Blenheim, Squirm the 109, and Toto the Stuka

Will there be different thicknesses of cockpit canopy? In RL, the lufwaffe canopys were inferior to the RAF ones
The canopys will be historically accurate, as close as we can get them

Do you think you'll be hiring any good artists like Superfly from AH anytime soon? (I just love his work!)
I like to think we already HAVE good artists like Superfly... after all, I trained him back at IMagic (grin)... I like what he's been doing with AH as well. We have the advantage of a much more flexible graphics engine, too.

what applications are you using to build these?
We use Multi-Gen creator and 3DStudio Max

WiIl there still be a text interface for communictions, or will it voice comms be the new order of the day? Is CRS working on its own proprietery voice technology or will it use an existing product?
Can't say WHAT voice technology we'll have at this point, that's a "coder" issue... all I know is that we'll have voice technology, and it won't suck (grin)

How much of art detail..will be user addjustable?..sliders etc for slower machines?
everything that we can possible make adjustable

What kind of crayons do you guys use? Or do you use makers?
Pilot fine points, all the way man!

will explosive effects..smoke ground damage be adjustable?;-)
Yeah, you will have some control over it.

Will all the vehicles have 3D cockpits?
you bet.

will there be different player views available, such as first person, third person, etc?
Nope, the whole game is first person all the way... we're going for the "immersion factor", we want you to feel like you're in the world all the time

exteranl damage to ac..holes in wings..torn fabrics..fine detail of damage gonna be there?
the damage textures are quit extensive, I think you guys will really enjoy it

Will there be swells in the ocean affecting carriers (for the appropriate arena) and amphibious craft, etc?
We will have wave effects on the ships, i.e. they will move up and down, side to side, and roll... so you will see the results of the sea state on the ships, even if we don't actually move the surface up and down. The least you will see will be an animated texture. (I hope, grin)

This one for Squirm and Toto, how hard is it to create "period" artwork for you younger guys? I imagine it's alot easier for FT...seeing as how he'd be more familiar with 40's styles.
I am not that young, so I don't have too many problems, but every now and again we have to give Squirm a dose of old 40's war movies for an education

Anything you can tell us about custom gunsights for aircraft? Or will the reflector gunsights be modeled with accurate, adjustable replicas of the real thing?
We are going to go for modeling the sights as they existed, but at this point we're not planning to let you set ranges, etc.... but Hoof and I are planning on modeling the gunsights as reflectors, so the sight point will "move" with your head like the real one. This will give reflector sights the advantage over the "ring and bead" sights they had historically.

Will you be using damage "skins" to indicate how damaged the object is, or rather deform the object and add damage decals on to it, such as burn marks, bullet holes, etc?
Both skins and decals and removal of parts... we're going to try to get large-caliber hits on the actual location of the hit, but no promises yet. (grin)

When you say :immersion factor" you mean if I get shot or develop an oil leak my surroundings will reflect this....ie.oilspray/blood?
most definitly....they might not be permanent, but we will try and simulate the effect

Will WW2 be centered as a arcade game or a complete game with strategic elements?
It will be a complete game... it's not going to be very arcade at all. Which is not to say that infantry combat will be COMPLICATED, just realistic.

will there be cheesy hollywood style muzzle flashes? Or just puffs of smoke like in "RealLife"
We are trying to get as close as reality as possible

So, for example, if you choose to later model the B-17 or B-24, you could see big holes in the airframe after some 30mm hits?
you bet

will the english planes sights be magnified as they realy where
If the sight had magnification (for instance, the telescopic sight on the early model SBD) we will model that. The Hurricane and Spitfire gunsights had no magification that I am aware of.

Will it be obvious if a laying down figure is ded, or just prone, or will you need some kind of gore / missing parts to determine that?
Probably not... there will be some indication of damage (realistic, not "hollywood gore") but it will be possible to lie down and perhaps fool someone if they're not careful... (Grin)

A while back I suggested on the message board that infantrymen's faces be customizable for facial features, hair, ect. so that there was a bit of individuality, not an army of clones. While this should be a low priority, I feal it would add a bit to the game. How practical is this idea, and have ya'll considered it any more? (I believe Frying Tiger liked the idea...)
That will happen.

Is there anything out there that comes close to what you guyz are proposing?
There are some on the horizon that will try to come close..but a full fledged WW2 sim, that emcompasses all branches of the services, well I would say no.

Just a little note to all the Rats, everyone is supportive of your decision to postpone the closed beta, cause we all want it great,not soon.
Thanks, we're not going to push something out if we're not happy with it... we just need a few extra weeks to get the beta to where it will actually allow us to test stuff properly.

Can we end the chat now and get right to the screenshots?
No.

How various is your building art as regards different locales? Are the house in the south of France different from the Northeast or West?
the texture art will vary, so it should be disquinshable enough

What range of motion will your regular infantry grunt be graced with? Crouching, going prone, etc. There are various others that many games do not even simulate, and the range of motion is important for infantry survival (peeking can save your life more than once).
Well, I play a lot of FPS and can tell you that WW2 has the widest range of motions of any I have encountered. I believe FT told me that total animations for troops run close to 100 unique movements and positions

Will the walls of buildings have thickness to them, or will they be "paper thin"?
Probably both...we are working that out now

What level of detail is going into the terrain and horizon? Some games out there give the unsettling impression that the world is a rather small orb as seen from 20k. :)
the vis range will be at least out to 10km for aircraft. It will be less in bad weather of course.

will buildings have various stages in destruction or will they just completly blow up?
the buildings are going to have stages of destruction of some sort -thnx -

There has been much discussion about gore level for infantry - what have you got to say about it? Any solid answer? It seems to be a "total guts n' blood" versus "moderate blood" argument that has lasted the better part of two weeks now.
We're going for a non-disgusting level of noticable blood. So it will be there, but not be gratuitious. (Unless Killer makes us..) (grin)

Will the clouds be scattered at different alititudes? and in the case a front is moving in, will they be layered?
Yes

Representing a distinguished Canadian squad :) Will the Hurri in BoB feature YO markings?
we are thinking about it - maybe:)

Will the infantry have different camo types?
Yes, we're going for historical uniforms. I hope to add variations based on the role the infantryman is playing, i.e. perhaps additional camoflage for snipers.

oil slicks trailing damaged ships..fires at night, debris field when sub sunk...can we create fields to fool destroyers..
yes : )

when can we expect new screenshots and videos (id love to see a FPS video)
new screenshots tonight - videos soon - keep drooling:)

Will there be engineers to build bridges and fortifications
We'll have engineers, but they might only be building pontoon bridges or providing assault boats... I don't know if we're going to be able to allow the building of field fortifications beyond fighting positions at this time.

Will there be amphibious landing craft in the Pacific?
yes sir!

How will the distance/perspective aspect of the game be handled? distance tags?
We've got an icon system design that's a bit different from what other games are doing... but it's a secret! (grin) We're not going to make unrealistically visible or un-visible people and vehicles if we can help it.

Any word on the hard ware requirements for the graphics themselves?
A second generation video accelerator, like a Voodoo 2 will be required. The more texture memory, the better! (grin)

Will sunglints be modeled?
we will have full dynamic lighting modeled

How will trains be protected from enemy attacks? Will this be AI controlled?
yes, they will also have flak cars on them

will Transform and ligthing be supported for the geforce?
eventually

Will WWIIOnline run on my p3 800 with 512 mb of ram and a GeForce 256?
rather rapidly I would say -

How will fire be modeled in game? Volumetrically as in TF2?....so the flame from a flamethower could follow corridors and hallways...
Hmm, that's interesting... I don't think actual flamethrower fire GOES around corners, it's a stream of thickened liquid. It will do area damage based on heat, however, so you might get some of that effect.

Will smoke shells be modeled? This was very important for the Germans during the Blitz.
you know it!

Simguild's Battle of Britain has excellent icons that have transparency based on distance... i.e. far away, clear, close bold. Proximity increase easy of visibility. Consider it!
OKAY!

Are the fortification of the french Maginot Line in the game and i can they be manned by players ?
Yes, but they will mostly be AI controlled... the players will have sortie ports, so they can field defensive infantry and vehicles, however.

Can I have some peanuts now?
no peanuts for you -

What 3D packages do you use to model? Multigen? 3D MAX? Other?
All of the above.

Will different models be created upon promotion of a character? Ex: You're an American Private, you get the usual uniform, but if you're a general, will you get a fancy dress uniform with lots of pretty shiny medals?
yep...character models will represent what they are trying to represent, as close as we can get them. Ranks will appear different

Has there been any definitive answer as to whether or not any indigenous French aircraft will be added? (Bloch, etc)
yes but Im not going to be spelling any french stuff

I demand a refund!
you can have all your money back

I believe that a Rat commented they ya'll would atleast like to have a similar feature (low priority now, I'm sure) Anyhoo, if this feature comes into play, how far will it go? Merely a patch of art on your squadron's plane nose, or full fledged individual custom paint jobs that are not manditory to download?
Depends. We are wanting this game to look historical, so having bright pink Spitfires might be kind of silly... we've got about 3 potential ways to do this, and we will pick the method that is most historically interesting. Whatever method we end up using, you will have the option of *not* using it, so you don't have to download the custom art.

will rivers be calm up and down, or will the shallows and rapids be bubbling, gurgling and splashing? Will they swell with the seasons? Will there be tides?
yes there will be water effects - no tides - and no effects that will kill frame rate -:)

There was a debate not long ago about fraggers and what should be done with them,have you any ideas about how you would be dealing with them?
As a long-time player of AW and Warbirds, I far prefer killshooter to any other anti-frag method. Other than that, it's not my call.

will there be snow? and if so, will it accumulate in depth?
Yes there will be snow...we are still trying to decide about the accumulation, but the snow will affect your movement in the game

If I cut a cheque now, can I supply my own cool icon for these chat events?
Depends on who the check is made out to... (evil grin)

Exactly when do the strippers come into play?
right after this chat

Will different surface types produce different speeds in vehicles?
Most definitely!!!

have you considered support for Dual CPU systems ? to allow for higher resolutions and detail settings.
that is a techno-nerd question..I am an art nerd. : ) I am sure that it has been talked about

Will it be possible to pick and choose your weapons? I know that some of them will of course be mandatory for certain types of soliders.
you will be able to pick a role for your grunt - and that will determine what weapon/weapons you have

If tanks move thru soft terrain, will we be able to see their `tracks' so we can hunt them down?
For a limited time, yes you will. You'll also be able to *hear* them from quite a distance away if they are moving...

Will infantry weapons, when in first person, be in 2D or 3D?
amigo, this game is 3D..got to be 3D : )

Will explosions of other vehicles possible affect one's own damage? i.e. chunks off a plane getting the prop? Chucks of an exploding tank getting into troops?
probably just basts rather then chunks

Tell them about those bouncing tank wheels inside the tracks :) (sorry I don't know the right word for them)
Hoof has got the individual suspension of the tanks determining how the wheels behave... it's really quite spectacular, and Squirm and Toto have made some awesome models that show this effect in action.

Will there be dirt flying in the air and smoke when a mortor hits?
Yes "mortars" will cause blast and dust and debris.

is the open gl on par with d3d yet?
yes it is

Is there any more detail on squad markings for planes and other vehicles?
Not any more than the other 4 times we've answered this question during the chat.. (grin) We're gonna let you have something, but what exactly we haven't decided on yet.

got concussion effects modeled for subs being depth charged?
Not yet, but they will be... they will be!

Will there be bomb craters that infatry men can use for cover?
yes but the craters will most likely be slightly above ground rather than under or into it - thnx -

have you started on ships yet?
not yet - - - - -

Are drivers gonna be able to jump out of tanks,supply trucks ?
oh yeah. Most of the things that you would want to do voluntarily or involuntarily, you will be able to do i.e jump from a moving vehicle, get shot from one...it will be cool

can u model the hurricane on the 32 RAF squadrons colours? Please? :O)
Heh, I've really got to try to figure out a way to get custom squad letters on these Brit planes... I'm not going to be able to please everyone without that feature. The only problem is, we don't have an efficent scheme for it yet, so no promises on anything yet. We are listening to the suggestions, however.

Have you guys decided on how to, or whether to, implement foxholes and trenches?
again, we're going to do something, but we haven't gotten to the point with the terrain to figure out what is going to give us the most bang for the buck. That's all I can give you for now.

How detailed will the various uniforms be e.g. in the German case down to the different colour pipeing?
we will try and get them as accurate as we can, given the texture memory we have to work with.

Will grunts get dirty?
Probably they will be "Pre-Stained" (grin)

will any of the SS be modeled?..some folks may take offense..etc
No, none of the SS units will be modeled.

So who could take who? One on one squirm vrs. Frytiger :-)
Well, Squirm has the speed, but FT has the girth..it would be a tough battle. One to sell tickits to.

What happens if during sometime of the day/night cycle there is not enough players manning say the Naval part of the game? Will AI take over?
The ships will follow the last orders they were given when a player manned them.. so if nobody is online in the ships, they will be very vulnerable, just relying on their automated defenses.

Do you need some photos of a He-111. I have one about 40 minutes from my house I can get into.
We have one of the Merlin-engined ones here in the DFW area, but if you can get us any interior shots, we would be very grateful. It's on our "short list" of vehicles to get done at the moment.

Thanks to Frying Tiger, Squirm, and Toto for taking the time to answer our questions, as well as Rafter, Ramp, and the rest of the Playnet.com staff for setting this all up once again. Great work!