I Have No Time For Games Trivia Quiz

Answer: Massive Multiplayer Online

As the name implies, "World of Warships" servers host tens of thousands of players. In typical games, two teams of 6-16 players battle against each other, or against computer "bot" opponents. Maximum time for a single battle is 20 minutes.

This game was released in Sep 2015, following earlier releases of "World of Tanks" and "World of Warplanes". In the online gaming community, you will often see "World of Warships" abbreviated to "WoWS."

Answer: Totally fictitious areas

The scope of the game is presumably worldwide, so there's no specific ocean area. All battle areas are fictitious (although one or two sure remind me of the Aleutian Islands). Programmers design maps to provide different tactical objectives AND game variety.

There are several battle areas, with more being added as time goes by. Battles are won by achieving various mission objectives: controlling certain areas, amassing x points, or destroying all opposing vessels.

Answer: battleship

Destroyers, light and heavy cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers are all found in the scenarios. There are no sailing vessels, no galley slaves (except perhaps the new non-rated sailors working in the scullery).

Some players prefers to specialize in a single type of warship - destroyers, for example. Most maintain a wider selection, of 2, 3, or even all four types. The number of ships a gamer may own is limited only by experience level, game points, and available dock space - which can be purchased with doubloons.

At present, there are no undersea vessels in the game, although occasional rumors of submarines DO "surface." (I couldn't resist the pun).

Answer: nation - ship type - tier

The tech tree display allows players to view all vessels in the game in a systematic manner. Since many gamers prefer ships from a specific nation, designers wisely set "nation" as the initial display option. By clicking one of the currently available flags - Japan, US, USSR, Germany, UK, France - ALL available vessels for that nation/country are displayed.

At this point the tech tree shows all ships of a specific country (arranged by type) in columns: carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers. New vessels are frequently added to the tree. Remember - "World of Warships" is a work in progress, so some countries may not have all ship types.

The final sorting - within each ship type - is by "tier." A Tier I "cruiser" is the usual starting level for a new gamer. With time, experience, and patience, players will advance through the tiers. At various places in the tiers, gamers may decide shift to other vessel types. The highest possible tier for any ship type is X (ten).

Answer: doubloons

Game makers ARE in business after all. They hope to make a profit, and they do that when gamers spend real money (via credit card, PayPal, etc) to purchase neat "extras." What can you buy? Better repair gear, signal flags to improve performance, "premium" play time, additional dock spaces in port.

Gamers can also buy "doubloons" - the actual in-game currency. Doubloons can be used for some items listed above, as well as advanced training for ship captains, additional dock spaces, etc. Although I've never used them, doubloons appear to be a players petty cash drawer. Instead of making frequent credit card transactions, players simply buy doubloons and spend them in the game as needed. In the current release, one can buy 125 doubloons for $6.69; a treasure chest of 25,000 is offered for a mere $100.

Oh - another use for money? Many (most?) players improve their skill and knowledge by working their way up through ever more powerful ships, "grinding" through many battles. But an impatient player can buy high level premium ships, thus bypassing the grind. For example - V 0.6.7 offers the premium tier VIII German battleship Tirpitz for $55, payable by credit card, PayPal, etc. Newcomers who do this - without learning basics - are sometimes disparagingly called "wallet warriors." But let's face it, the people who spend money are the ones that make FREE gaming possible for the rest of us.

Answer: Early 20th century 1900 - 1955

The scenarios presumably occur in the first half of the 20th century. All ships in the game are steam-powered - nearly all by fuel oil; a very few by coal. We don't really care about fuel - or food, or uniforms! All that stuff is too "micro" in this game. But that black smoke does cue us in - there are engines, NOT sails! So we can quickly eliminate the incorrect options.

Warship design evolved rapidly from 1900 - 1950. Each successive design (usually) produced a better ship. Newer ships were more capable than older ships (a 1917 destroyer would not fare well against a 1950 destroyer). To make "World of Warships" more "playable," less capable ships are placed in lower numbered "tiers." Then, the matchmaking algorithm is set at a reasonable spread to avoid gross mismatches. For example, a tier IV destroyer would only battle against tier IV, V, or VI ships. BUT - some of those enemy ships will be cruisers and battleships!

Answer: introductory

As the name implies, introductory missions acquaint new players with the basics of maneuver and gunnery in a "safe" environment. Novices will almost certainly be "in command" of a tier I cruiser (actually a gunboat) or destroyer. But NOTE - once ten actual "battles" have been fought, the "Intro" option is locked out. So you should use Intro wisely and quickly.

Just so you're aware - novice gamers are often called "noobs."

Co-op Battles pit 6-8 players against a matching team of bots. This is a good way to expand on basic skills and start developing tactical knowledge.

Random Battles match two opposing teams of up to 12 players each. This is when serious competition begins. While both teams can earn experience points and special awards, the winning team (just as in real life) earns MORE!

With V 0.6.7, Wargaming.net reintroduced Team Battles; a "commander" invites individual gamers to form a team of seven, which then battles an opposing team.

Ranked games are available seasonally, and can be considered "elite" matches - for VERY experienced players. Just tuck that away for future reference.

A "World of Warships" search will offer numerous training videos for new and experienced players alike.

Answer: maximum of 20 minutes

In theory, a battle could be over in - two? minutes, but that would be EXTREMELY unusual. Most games probably last 10 - 18 minutes. Battles are usually won by point score, base capture, or annihilation, but to preclude battles lasting far longer, a 20 minute countdown timer will end the game. In such a case, the team with most points wins; but there are occasionally ties.

Did you note that only one answer choice offered a specific maximum time?

Answer: missiles - Harpoon, Exocet, etc.

If you remember that this game spans the 1900-1950 era of ships, you'll realize there were NO Harpoon/Exocet missiles then. The other choices were all firmly established, and will be found - and will often find YOU! - in almost every scenario.

One exciting aspect of this game is the variety of play styles. Sneaky torpedo attacks by nimble destroyers, rapid maneuver and a monsoon of shellfire from speeding cruisers, the battleships - slower, but a single hit from their powerful guns can sink a ship. Carriers provide long range scouting, fighter protection, and torpedo & bombing capabilities. But be careful - carriers are fat juicy targets that every player wants to bag!

Answer: no

No. There is simply no provision for classic Order of Battle scenarios.

Remember, all the maps are hypothetical, not true geographic locations. That eliminates any possibility of historical accuracy from the start. Co-op scenario opponents are randomly generated AI (artificial intelligence) "bots" that mirror the human team. Random battles match human players by ship type & tier, NOT in any historically accurate fashion.

"World of Warships," like most sim games, is quick to start up, and quick to play; a battle lasts about 15 minutes. The graphics are amazing, even at the low settings required on my coal fired, steam driven PC. Keyboard dexterity plays a large part in the game - obviously. Unfortunately, I'm not dexterous. But I still enjoy the game.

I must confess though - my favorites remain the naval board games of old: "Midway," "Victory in the Pacific," "Wooden Ships & Iron Men." Those games could take 30 minutes to set up, and many HOURS to play. But the emphasis was more on thinking, and less on nimble fingers.