World War II Online - Quick Start

[Detomah]

Once you’ve gotten the game installed, your account has been created, and your game is patched up, you’re ready to roll.

QUICK START GUIDES
You might feel like you’ve read enough already and you just want to get in and start shooting. The following quick start guides will help you hit the ground running and save the more intricate game functionality for later. But be sure to come back to the rest of this manual frequently over your initial gameplay experience to help soften the learning curve. Once you are in use the keymap guides located at the very end of this manual for quick reference.

LOGGING IN TO PLAY
You can log into the game server to play from your desktop shortcut(s), your start menu, or through the Battleground Europe website’s “Play Now” links. When PlayGate (BATTLEGROUND EUROPE’s launcher program) runs, simply agree to the Terms of Service, enter your user ID and password, then click launch.

THE USER INTERFACE (UI)
Once you’ve logged into the game servers from the Play Battleground Europe shortcut or the Battleground Europe website you’ll be only a few clicks away from the action.

Step 1: Select your Persona at the Persona Selection Screen (you’ll be able to change this later).
Step 2: select a Brigade from the Brigade Roster screen. Brigade transfers are easy so don’t get too caught up in your first pick.
Step 3: Select one of the Missions from the Active Mission List. Any mission with a mobile spawn icon gets you closest to the action.
Step 4: Select a combat unit in the Ready Room.
Step 5: …launch!

WHERE AM I?
Once you spawn in look at your map (mini map in the bottom right corner or large map toggled with the “m“ key) for the (green) arrow pointing to your mission target.
You can right click on a mission waypoint (if available) and select Make Active to orientate your compass arrow to the selected waypoint. You will also see a (blue) triangle indicating your origin, and a (red) triangle indicating your mission target. The – and = keys will zoom the mini map in or out, and the mouse wheel controls zoom on the larger map.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Hit the enter key to open the chat buffer, type a message, and hit enter again to send it to communicate with the players around you.

The Chat Interface

INFANTRY
In order to play as infantry you’ll need to select an Army Persona in the initial UI steps. Once you’ve got a mission selected you’ll be sent to the Ready Room where you’ll find all of the available equipment for that mission. Select a rifleman and launch.

Standard WASD and mouse controls apply to the infantry play. Your weapons/inventory can be selected using the mouse wheel or the top row number keys. You can fire from the hip using the left mouse button, or use the right mouse button to aim first. The R key reloads your weapon. Holding down the left Shift key while moving forward (W) brings you to a sprint (for a limited time) and the V and F keys toggle prone and crouch respectively. Q and E allow you to look left and right, while Z and C give you the ability to lean around corners while standing. If you’ve played any first person shooters over the past few years, this information will be plenty to get you into the action, under fire and hopefully returning some if it!

TANKS/VEHICLES
In order to command a tank or vehicle you’ll need to select an Army Persona in the initial UI steps. Once you’ve got a mission selected you’ll be sent to the Ready Room where you’ll find all of the available equipment for that mission. Select a vehicle and launch.

You’ll start in the driver’s position and the E key will start your engine(s). Gears are switched using the [ and ] keys. If you have a joystick your gas pedal will be a simple push forward on the device, if you do not have a joystick then the arrow key controls will work. The R key will switch you into reverse.

There are usually multiple positions to man in each vehicle. You can jump to these positions using the top row number keys. Most all tanks and armored cars use position 3 as the gunner. The keypad DEL key allows you to toggle through the various magnifications of the gun sight(s). If you have a joystick moving the turret will correspond to the movement of the device, if you do not have a joystick then the arrow key controls will work. Fire the gun(s) using either the joystick buttons or the F and B keys. In many tanks you can select the type of ammo you want in the main gun on your next shot by pressing the BACKSPACE key.

AIRCRAFT
In order to fly an aircraft you’ll need to select an Air Force Persona in the initial UI steps. Once you’ve got a mission selected you’ll be sent to the Ready Room where you’ll find all of the available equipment for that mission. Select an aircraft and launch.

You’ll start in the pilot’s position and the E key will start your engine(s). The / key will lock and unlock your steer wheel (default position is locked) and help keep your plane centered on take off. Toggling the various power for your engines can be done with the : and “ keys. If you have a joystick roll, pitch and yaw will correspond to the movement of the device, if you do not have a joystick then roll and pitch will be controlled with the arrow keys, throttle with the + - keys, and yaw controlled with the [ ] keys.

Some aircraft have multiple positions like tail gunners and bombardiers. Use the top row number keys to jump to these positions. If you have a joystick then moving the gun(s) in a gunner position will correspond to the movement of the device, if you do not have a joystick then gun movement will be controlled with the arrow keys. Bombardier controls are covered the Aircraft section later in this manual.

SHIPS
In order to captain a boat or ship you’ll need to select a Navy Persona in the initial UI steps above. Once you’ve got a mission selected the Ready Room is where you’ll find all the available equipment to spawn in with. Select a boat or ship and launch.

You’ll start in the captain’s position and the E key will start your engine(s). Toggling the various power for your engines can be done with the : and “ keys. If you have a joystick throttle settings and steering will correspond to the movement of the device, if you do not have a joystick then throttle and steering will be controlled with the arrow key controls.

All boats and ships have multiple positions like gunners and observers. Use the top row number keys to jump to these positions. The keypad DEL key allows you to toggle through the various magnifications of the gun sight(s). If you have a joystick moving the turret(s) will correspond to the movement of the device, if you do not have a joystick then arrow key controls will work. Fire the guns using either the joystick buttons or the F and B keys. Observer positions work the same way.

GAME PLAY RESOURCES
Visit the Battleground Europe website. This is your most vital resource for everything you’ll need to succeed in this vast virtual war.


THE WORLD@WAR GAZETTE
Information is a key weapon in any war effort. The World@War Gazette is your real world link to the latest news from the front. The Gazette features news reports from the battlefield on factory output, strategic bombing campaign results, important news from the high commands, and actual anecdotes from live missions (maybe you'll see your name here one day!). Casualty reports from the previous day's action, critical headlines, and intelligence reports are also available.

The Front Page
The Gazette’s centerpiece is the map of the front lines. This is an interactive dynamic web application that shows the current in-game front lines and is updated every five minutes. By clicking on the map you can view a larger, more detailed version with an assortment of interactive tools. You can watch the action unfold over the last 24 hours, view supply lines, or even click on a town to gather intelligence about a potential target. This is often a commander's first stop in planning out future operations. Allied and Axis sections provide detailed intelligence specific to either side as well as a handy game launch link embedded in the paper itself.

EVENTS/TRAINING/STATS
Links to the Training Corps allow access to valuable information that can help you learn the ropes. Here you will find current online training class schedules, and links to access to the Training Server. Here you can learn from one of our many highly knowledgeable Training Corps Officers in an environment that is more controlled than the main game server. Classes are held regularly for soldiers both new and old, and you can access training specific documents and manuals here.

HELP AND SUPPORT
Access to your account, documentation, and support pages can be found under any of the HELP links. Battleground Europe offers player-run support forums, directly accessible through this link, that are often the best place to start when it comes to technical support. Try here if you are having an issue before opening a support ticket.

COMMUNITY
The Community links will connect you to the Axis & Allied High Command sites, as well as the game Discussion Forums. These communities are vital for answering questions, learning about the game, and getting the lay of the land from seasoned vets.

HQ FAN SITES
If you are an international subscriber these sites provide language specific forums and translated news from the front lines as well as the game developers.

DOWNLOADS
The Downloads page contains links to the most recent full install of the game and PlayGATE software (BATTLEGROUND EUROPE’s launcher application). Once the game is installed PlayGATE will normally update the game automatically when a patch is available, however, there are occasions when it is necessary to download a fresh install of the game.