Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide

The following quick start guide is not all inclusive, however it will help you hit the ground running.

Peripherals

Several types of peripheral devices can improve your enjoyment of the game.

• Joystick: Any brand name company (Saitek, Logitech, Microsoft, CH), 3 axis with throttle.
• Rudder Pedals: Optional, but well worth it if you fly a lot.
• Audio output/Input: A top quality headset or 5.1 sound system is highly recommended. A boom mic is recommended since voice comms are now integrated into the WWIIOL client.
• Other supported devices: TrackIR ™, Matrox TripleHead2Go ™.

Tablets

While the game is not designed for tablets, and there is NO official support for any tablet devices, with a mouse it is playable on:
Microsoft Surface 3-Pro
Processor I5
OS Windows 10.

It may be playable on other modern tablets as well.

Download and Installation

The most recent game version can be downloaded on our Downloads Page.
Run the installer and follow the steps provided (instructions are for PC 64 and MAC). You will also be asked to choose your preferred Game Settings.

Account Creation

To join hundreds of others playing WWII Online, you must have an account to be able to access the game server. You can create an account here Account Creation and selecting "Sign up Now!"

More details regarding subscription options can be found here:Subscription Information

Practice Offline

After installing the game, it is beneficial to select the free Practice Offline option first. This option will allow you to familiarise yourself with both the game and the combat units, as well as confirming that your system meets the minimum system requirements. Use the Practice Offline option located in your Start Menu to access offline training (Mac users: use the Practice Offline button). Select any unit and then click the Enter World button. You will spawn at a training base with practice ranges and targets for infantry, vehicles and aircraft.

Campaign Server

Select Play Online from the Start Menu to open the WWII Online launcher, Agree to the Terms of Service, enter your account username and password, then click Login. Select Campaign and click Play.

Training Server

Select Play Online from the Start Menu to open the WWII Online launcher, Agree to the Terms of Service, enter your account username and password, then click Login. Select Training and click Play.

Mac

The Mac version of the game does not use the same launcher as PC. Enter your login information into the fields, then click "Play Online!"

Gameplay Basics

Training/Tutorials

Choose which country/persona you wish to play and click Start Training (you only have to complete the Basic Training once). There are 3 Tutorials to complete Basic Training, these are:

• Movement - Learn how to move your Trooper in the Gameworld
• Rifleman - An Introduction to the Weapons and Equipment of the Infantry Rifleman
• Chat - Learn the basics of the Chat System. Change Channels, send Messages and chat with friends

There are also "Optional Training", these additional tutorials are available to help you understand the game a bit better and show you the basics of Infantry, Armor and Flight. There is no requirement to complete the Optional Training tutorials.

Quick Start Video

This video shows basic game play mechanics such as how to use the keymappers, basic controls, how to operate vehicles etc.

Preparing to Enter the Game World

Select your Persona at the Persona Selection Screen. You can choose to fight for the Axis Forces of Germany, or defend Europe with the Allied Forces of the United Kingdom, France and United States (available in later tiers). Every country, except the United States, has distinct branches consisting of Army, Naval and Air Force, choose carefully as you’ll be locked to one side for 15 minutes (this may change depending on side balancing).

Joining a Squad

You may be presented with a Squad Recruitment menu when you log in for the first time, and this option will show you some of the squads on your chosen side that are currently recruiting, and linking up with one is a great way to get some real combat experience under your belt. Being in a squad is not a requirement but is most certainly advisable; Groups often survive far longer than a lone wolf.
To find/join a squad in game is fairly simple, while spawned in bring up your map, there is a tab "Squads" go there and hit the green button "Recruiters" this will list all squads at that time with Recruiting flags on, there you can choose which to Join.
Remember to select F4 (Squad Chat) and say hello.

Brigade or Garrison Selection

Select a Brigade or Garrison from the Brigade Roster tab or by right-clicking on the town on the mini-map. There is a population meter displayed for each brigade, and the higher population levels will often indicate ferocious combat in that area of operations. A Brigade coloured orange indicates an offensive, while grey and green indicate inactivity or defensive operations. Bear this in mind before spawning in as life expectancy is extremely short in the largest battles.

Mission Selection

Select a Mission from the list on the Active Battles tab. Any mission with a mobile spawn icon (indicated by a green tick) will get you closest to the action. You can also review the Theater Map and information about the Brigade in the Communications tab. Select a Mission and click Mission Briefing. You can also create missions if you have the required rank.

This is the default screen which shows global missions across your side upon launching into the game world.

The Ready Room tab contains all information that relates to the selection of units, spawning, and After Action Reviews.

Choosing your Unit

To select a unit either double click on the unit you want to play as or click Reserve Weapon. Not all of the combat units will be available to you on your first spawn in, and you may find yourself starting as a humble rifleman. However, more units will become available as you gain rank and experience in combat. To maximise your experience gain, link up with other players and squads and help with taking and holding buildings such as CPs and Army Bases. Every infantryman you kill will also help with gaining rank.

Once you have selected a unit, you will be able to check the soldier's equipment and characteristics. If you change your mind, click Cancel Reservation and you will return to the unit selection screen.

The Briefing tab will list other players who are on your chosen mission and will also tell you what unit they are playing as.

The AAR Tab shows mission results, which includes kills, points earned, and - if Killed in Action - who killed you.

When ready, click Enter World to join the fight.

Enter the Game World

If you have completed Training tutorials, you should be ready to fight.

Minimap

Once you spawn in look at the minimap in the upper right corner for a green arrow pointing to your Mission Target. The number pad – (minus) and + (plus) keys will zoom the minimap in or out.

The Mini Map (as seen at the upper right in yellow) plays a vital role in creating better situational awareness while spawned in.

The Head's Up Display (HUD)

While you are in the game world there are head’s-up-display (“HUD”) elements around your screen that provide information about your combat status. You can turn them on or off with the Y key. These are all explained in the Training tutorials but are mostly self-explanatory, such as: Weapon and Ammunition, Health, and Stamina.

1. Shows your weapon and ammo counter.
2. Yellow truck indicates mobile spawn. Red bar indicates health. Green indicates your stamina.
3. Shows game info, connectivity, FPS, etc (num lock key).
4. Shows your rank and game name.
5. Shows the town you are near and LAT/LON, or if you are capturing / facility.
6. Mission leader orders.

In-game heads up display. Reference the numbers listed above to the image to what they mean.

Communications

Basic functionality is simple: press Enter to open the buffer, type a message or Text Commands and press Enter again to send a message or execute command. There are six separate radios within the chat tool that allow you to customize your communications with various groups of players. Each of the six radios is bound to the function keys F1 through F6. You can use the Enter key to transmit on the default radio (usually this is local to the players near you), or simply press the corresponding function keys to open the buffer for transmitting on that specific radio or sets of radios.

Tuning the Radios

(Note: if you are spawned into the game world, hold the Right Alt key to bring up the cursor.) You can manually tune any of the six radios by clicking on the channel tuning elements along the top of the display. Clicking here will expand a tuning menu of predetermined channels and a custom tuning field. Clicking any of these menu items will automatically tune that radio to the selected channel. The Clear button will clear the tuning, and the Custom button allows for entering a soldier’s game name for private communications.

Welcome to the fight. Welcome to World War Two Online!