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Gamezone recently had the opportunity to fire a couple of questions at Rodney Hodge, public relations manager for Playnet, the company currently providing online service for Cornered Rat's recently released World War II Online game. Best described as a massively-multiplayer first-person shooter mixed with a War sim, this title has had a rocky start (to say the least) but seems to be progressing towards a playable game. While the Q&A does delve into generalities, a few specifics regarding WWII Online can be gleaned from the interview.

When a player first logs into the game, they will see an overhead map that displays a key to locations such as cities, who controls what and the like. As players advance in rank, they'll be able to see more detailed information regarding cities and supply information. Ranking players can also design missions based on the current tactical situations and attempt to implement them. The beginner, however, will only be able to see where the action is as well as decide whether to accept or reject participating in a mission. If a player decides to jump straight into the action, that player will bypass any rank/advancement opportunities. If a mission is accepted and the player does well, then opportunities for advancement will be present.

Hodge also notes that ranking players have to do much more than just plan missions. They also have to be able to communicate well with their soldiers, often leading by example as well as gaining the trust of those in their command in order to execute a mission well. Leaders who get their players killed will almost certainly get a bad reputation. Leaders who do well, however, will be more likely to find soldiers eager to participate in their missions as their reputations get better.

Hodge also remarks on the whole WWII Online experience:

The thing that surprised me the most? That’s pretty easy – the immersiveness of the whole thing. I mean, the first time you ride to battle on the fenders of a tank with your buddies as part of a huge convoy of trucks, halftracks, AT guns, troops, etc. Fighter cover overhead keeping the enemy planes from strafing you with the losers blowing up here and there on the terrain around you. You can hear the gun, cannon fire, and explosions up ahead around that last bend in the river, and you just KNOW that you could be staring at a black screen of death at any second. To be honest, it’s pretty hard to describe in words… You really have to experience it first hand to truly understand.

Gamezone - Rodney Hodge Q&A

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