WWII Weaponry - Research for a Game

Gentlemen,

Forgive my bluntness. I am researching information for a WWII game idea, with the proposal to be as accurate and realistic as possible, which would involve and accurate weapon details, information of the variations of each weapon, pictures of each weapon in different angles for modelling, etc. This includes vehicles, aerial and ground (tanks, airplanes), but I thought I would remain relevent to the topic.

Now, unfortunately, I really have no idea where to start. Is there an online database of some sort that supplies this information? The information I've come across seems to be overly sporadic and largely informative at times. Also, any recommended reading material would be appreciated as well.

Just looking for a place to start!

Thankyou.

 

Sure

For starters:

AFV Database USA

AFV Database Germany

These two are very good references for tanks. I am sure someone else would have the appropriate references for British and Soviet machines.

You need to tell us more, though. What is the time-span of the game? Where does the game take place? One theater or global? I am hoping that you would restrict your game to a certain period, like focusing on Barbarossa, Stalingrad, North Africa, Normandy... etc. Or else the question is too big for anyone to answer.

 

The game would span the entire war, right now with American, Russian, British, Canadian nationalities and the possibility of Italian and Japanese forces implemented in the future.

So to answer your question, the game, as it is, covers the European Theater, and may, in the future, cover the Pacific.

 

Keep us up to date when you have finished product or if it goes to beta. Good games are hard to find.

 

Is it a huge strategy game? What's the genre?

 

There's some good data there but also some incorrect data. So I wouldn't rely on it entirely.

If the game is a big one with a nice budget then I suggest the developers spend some money on some actual books on each tank involved, that is when the best data is found.

 

Can i ask you a few questions?

Have you tried Wikipedia?

Is it a game or a mod?

Which game engine are you using/ liscensed?

for images i use this

for the knowledge
this and this

Regards,
TBA

 

If you goto this place, you can find all kinds of "general" information on all types of weapons. From there you can look up specific weapons by name since the Probert site will give you a clue.

Goto:

Probert Encyclopaedia - Warfare

and then there is this site:

http://www.lonesentry.com/nav/site_map.html

Good luck.

 

If you are working for a major game developer, you might as well contact Steven Zaloga and Vasiliy Fofanov and buy the reference books.

 

That'll only give you insight into the equipment used by certain sides.

For the most accurate info on all sides I'd either contact the following individuals or acquire their work:

Thomas L. Jentz
Steven J. Zaloga
Walter J. Spielberger
Robert A. Forczyk
Wolfgang Schneider
Stephen A. Hart
Ian V. Hogg