World War II Online - Introduction

[Detomah]

Forward: A Time of Blitzkrieg

After the fall of Poland in 1939, Germany set its sights on Belgium, Holland, and France: the last free European countries standing between the German armies and Britain. The combined and organized use of armor and air power was never so effective. Germany's run through the Low Countries became known as the “Blitzkrieg”, or "Lightning War", due to the tremendous speed at which German troops and armor were able to gain ground when supported so completely by the German Air force (the Luftwaffe).

The Allied forces at that time were ill-prepared both technologically and strategically to defend against this rapid assault. The relatively poor and under-staffed militaries of Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg stood no chance in stopping the fast advance of the most well equipped, well trained, military machine ever seen to that date. Brave but futile fights were put up by Belgian, Dutch, French, and British armies; but, the Low Countries, and indeed the capitulation of the government of France itself, were won during the Spring of 1940.

This is where Battleground Europe begins: at the precipice of the Second World War. The Western European Theater is the setting for France and Britain's attempt to stem the lightning quick German advance, covering all of Belgium and Luxembourg as well as parts of southern Holland, far western Germany, northern France, and even southeastern England.

Will the armed forces of Germany roll through Belgium and France to victory as history has shown? Or can the combined armies of Britain and France stem the tide? You and thousands of your fellow soldiers will decide.

The evolution of Battleground Europe is ongoing. New game features, vehicles, weapons, and technologies are published regularly as a service included in your subscription. New Theaters, and the forces that fought in them, will be published as new volumes in the Virtual Battlefield Series.

Game Overview/Synopsis
Battleground Europe is an internet-based, massively multiplayer combat simulation based in the timeframe and territories of World War II. The map encompasses all of Belgium and Luxembourg as well as parts of southern Holland, far western Germany, northern France, and even southeastern England.

Fighting on land, sea, and in the air, you and thousands of others online can command tanks, pilot combat aircraft, captain warships, or fight in the infantry. All of this action takes place in a persistent world where every unit you see – every soldier, every tank, every plane – is another human. BATTLEGROUND EUROPE offers the total combat experience, and you are always fighting the cleverest and most determined opponents in the world: other people.

Combat results affect territory ownership, supply flow, weapon production, and ultimately campaign results. Like a real war, success requires all branches of the combat services to organize and cooperate in order to gain ground or fight off an attack from the enemy. You may have played wargames or first-person-shooters in which you teamed with a handful of friends on a level-based map. To succeed in BATTLEGROUND EUROPE you will be cooperating with hundreds of other players on a huge scale. This is the first true combined-arms virtual battlefield that offers a scope of experience worthy of its name. Battleground Europe is like nothing else you’ve ever played.

You control your gameplay experience within Battleground Europe. Essentially, you get nine virtual characters to play, one each in the Army, Navy, and Air Forces of each of the major combatants: France, Britain, and Germany. Each time you play, you decide for whom you fight. As you succeed in battle, each individual character rises through their respective ranks. Like a real military organization, higher ranks give you more responsibility and control over increasingly intricate game features as well as access to advanced equipment. For example, become good at infantry and you'll get more control of the missions that the Army runs, as well as gain access to useful tools not available to the average ‘grunt’ like submachineguns and binoculars. Master the simpler armored vehicles for the German Army and soon you’ll be trusted to handle the fearsome Tiger tank. Gain enough experience in the RAF and you'll be at the controls of the potent Spitfire IX. Once you reach NCO or Officer levels, you are expected to lead troops on the battlefield and set your own tactical objectives. Your experience and ability can eventually lead you to a "career path" that can result in High Command positions where you’ll make decisions for whole Brigades, branches of service or even the entire military for your side.

Not all players have the time or temperament to dedicate to long-term character development. So Battleground Europe's game design also supports shorter play sessions that are more suited to quick, intense combat action. Just a few mouse clicks and you are in a hotly contested town of shattered, smoking buildings. Amidst the chattering machinegun fire you might be clawing for a vital bridgehead, or securing a town in bitter house to house fighting. Any level of participation is possible in Battleground Europe, from the casual soldier looking for a quick fight, all the way up to High Command Staff positions, managing entire campaigns.

Based on military-grade combat simulation technologies, Battleground Europe is not simply a typical first-person shooter with a really big map. There are no power-ups, there’s no rocket-jumping. There are no ‘hit points’ – every shot is tracked through its ballistic path, applying damage to the target(s) it hits out to extended ranges of well over 2km (depending on the weapon).

Battleground Europe serves up internet-based World War II-era combat at a level of fidelity that is unmatched. Further, efficient coding means that 56k modem players fight on an equal footing with their broadband opponents, making Battleground Europe especially popular worldwide.

Finally you have a comprehensive online combat environment; one that combines fidelity, community, and design scope; a combat simulation that is realistic, but doesn’t force you to make the mistakes of history, one that offers a truly compelling gaming experience of infinite diversity. You’ve read about these places in history books. You’ve seen this war in movies and on television. Now you are there. Welcome to the true online battlefield. Welcome to Battleground Europe.