The continental United States have became war-torn battlezones where both sides launch strange and futuristic element weapons at one another.

On the dynamic map players can view the battling hordes and send their armies into battle. Strategic teamwork and the tactical know-how of up to eight players per match will decide whether the faction will be able to occupy and keep that sector.

Commanders select, train and equip a variety of different units to create an army and head off into the fray of combat. Thousands of players battle against one another to win the upper hand for their side. If the weather cooperates, that is. The effects of experimental element weapons such as artificial tornados and storms can make or break a battle.

A single player version of Elements of War was released in stores in April by Kalypso Media. Elements of War Online is very different from this version in a number of ways. The focus of beta testing will be on the localization of the game as well as community and multiplayer features. Since the units of each faction are different, balancing will also be a major focus of the tests.

One of the most important new additions to the online version is that troops gain experience in battle, thus becoming stronger and earning new skills. Players can see at any time on the dynamic map where any hot spots are so they can send their armies into the fray of the action.

Beta testing of Elements of War Online will start this quarter, interested fans can now sign up.

Key Features:

• Tactical map with 50 different battle zones
• 16 maps (forest, desert, town, plains, hills, snow)
• Element weapons )earthquakes, tornadoes, thunder, electro-magnetic pulses, storms)
• 2 playable factions (USA, Russia); more factions are in planning
• 31 unit types for each faction (infantry, vehicles, planes, helicopters)
• Experimental units (such as units with modern armor and uniforms)
• Up to 8 players on one map (4-on-4)
• Units gather experience and gain ranks, can be equipped and learn skills
• Destroyable environment