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World of Tanks

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World of Tanks
Developer(s)Wargaming.net
Publisher(s)Wargaming.net
EngineBigworld[1]
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • RU: October 30, 2010
Genre(s)MMO, RPG, Simulator
Mode(s)multiplayer

World of Tanks is a 3D team-based massively multiplayer online game featuring historically accurate fighting vehicles from the 1930s to the 1950s. World of Tanks is a PvP-focused project that promises action and strategy based gameplay. In the release version, World of Tanks will include more than 150 armored vehicles from America, France, Germany, and the Soviet Union, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.[2][3] All in all there will be around 500 vehicles available in the game. At the moment, World of Tanks features light, medium and heavy tanks, tank destroyers and self-propelled artillery and some well-known prototypes and low-volume vehicles. The game blends of action, strategy, simulation and MMORPG genres[4].

The closed beta test for European and American players started on July 8, 2010. Fighting vehicles from USSR, Germany and USA are available for play. The game is commercially operated in CIS. The release of the game for America and Europe is planned for Q1 of 2011.

World of Tanks is the first game of Belarusian company Wargaming.net studio to be released under "Play 4 Free" model, which will see the game released for free with revenue generated from micropayments in the form of Gold.[5]

According to the official press-release of Wargaming.net, as on November 16, 2010 World of Tanks' community reached 500,000 active players worldwide. The game was released on August 12, 2010 in CIS and reached 350,000 active players (500,000 registrations). In the USA and Europe World of Tanks, being in closed beta test for that moment, had 150,000 active players (200,000 registrations).

According to the same press-release the number of peak con-current users (PCCU) in Russia exceeded 43,000. In the West PCCU surpassed 10,000 players. On average each active gamer spent 3 hours and 20 minutes playing the game every day. As on November 16, 2010 10 million battles have been fought since September.[6]

Gameplay

Each new player will start a game driving a German, Soviet, or American light tank. By gaining experience and credits, a user will be able to upgrade his tank or other unit to a heavier model. There will also be a chance to modify the existing tank by changing turrets, chassis, engines, guns, radios and various ammunition types and thus try a new experimental machine and increase the player's fighting potential. Every unit has about 10 modifications with different combat characteristics and all modifications are historically grounded, meaning they were either implemented in real life or existed as prototypes.[7] An average tank will have 2 modifications of turret, 2 variants of chassis, 3 models of engine and 2-6 modifications of the main gun.[8] Each player has a garage capable of holding several vehicles. If needed, the garage can further be extended, or unused vehicles can be sold. Tank crew members can increase in experience as well. World of Tanks has a "virtual" crew system with certain leveling options. With every new battle the crew gains experience which leads to improved performance on the battlefield. For example, a veteran gunner increases the accuracy of a tank's main gun. When crew members reach maximum skill, they may acquire side-skills; for example the driver may learn the ropes of maintenance to reduce repair time[9]. All of the modifications and changes take place in the period between the battles.[10]

World of Tanks will run on a microtransaction business model using gold in addition to experience and credits. Gold will only be available through purchase with cash. Gold is used to purchase premium items, such as improved HEAT or APCR ammunition, or consumables like medkits and camouflage nets. In addition gold can be used to purchase premium mode for game users which increases the amount of experience and credits earned from a battle by 50% for a limited amount of time (up to a month). Several tanks are also available for purchase with gold.

File:Screenshot WoT.jpg
A screenshot showing gameplay from the World of Tanks Russian closed beta.

Gameplay described in short review on IGN[2]:

A flexible system of authentic vehicle upgrade and development allows you to try any of the vehicles and weapons in the game. Whether you prefer to exhaust your foes with fast and maneuverable light tanks, make deep breaches in enemy lines with all-purpose medium tanks, use the force of giant tanks to eliminate opposing armored forces, or become a heavy sniper with long-range howitzers, each unit type has its own advantages and can be extremely effective when operated by a true tank ace.

But being a great tank commander alone isn't enough to win! In World of Tanks, it's all about teamwork. Victory is achieved by combining your combat skills with those of the other members of your team, each playing their own role on the battlefield. Just add your favorite strategy to build your own iron empire and manifest the indisputable authority of the tank! Feel the TANK POWER!

Damage system

The player won't be able to destroy everything in the game, e.g., landscapes will remain practically untouched due to certain technical limitations. The rest of the in-game environment is subject to total annihilation – some buildings, hedges, trees, telegraph poles, cars, and so forth. All in all the game has a complex multilevel damage system that comprises a set of different parameters – from armor thickness and the angle of armor slope to certain "soft spots" of particular models. If the engine is broken – a tank stops and some repairs done by the crew is needed. There is the repair function to avoid situations when two half-dead tanks are stuck in different parts of a map and are hopelessly waiting for the outcome of a battle. If the engine suffers a 50%-damage – it works at its half power. The same goes about other modules of a tank – a damaged gun will fire with decreased accuracy or a damaged tank radio will provide a reduced communication range.[11]

Game modes

The players in World of Tanks will have a chance to take part in three primary types of battles: random battles, team battles and clan battles. In random battles players cannot choose in which team out of two possible they can play. On the contrary, in clan battles gamers decide to fight for a particular clan. Each team can have no more than 30 players in it; therefore the maximum possible number of combat units at the battlefield is 60. The goal of each team is to defeat all of the enemies and try to lose as few allied tanks as possible.

The basic mode of the game will be the team deathmatch, therefore teamwork and mutual cooperation will be very important if you want to be successful in the game. The game will also have a capture-the-base mode, with tanks having to occupy the enemy's base for a quicker win. Developers also plan to design capture-the-flag mode and the domination mode with players having to hold certain control points.

Clan wars and historical campaigns

World of Tanks will also include a never-ending campaign with Clan Wars unfolding on the Global Map. The Global Map with a particular part of the Earth will be introduced and split into certain districts. Clans (or blocks of them) will be fighting for these provinces. In the course of time other continents will be added so there’ll be a chance to take part in battles for superiority somewhere in the desert areas of Africa or tropical jungles of Asia. To form up a clan one should gather a team of at least 15 players with up to 100 participants. Joining a clan will open new opportunities for the player – he’ll get access to better tanks, new perks and benefits. However, those willing to stay away from clan membership will be free to act as Mercenaries that could be recruited by clans on special occasions. There will be a place for political and non-political methods of waging war and gaining control and power over their own and foreign territories on the global world map. Diplomacy will play an important part in Clan Wars as there would be various options available – non-aggression pacts, mutual aid treaties, intelligence sharing or free pass for allied armies.[11] Another feature which will be added once the Global Campaign is completed will be introducing historical missions – series of battles set up on the maps close to their historical prototypes where only specific models of tanks will be allowed.

Custom features

The player will feel free to choose the camouflage color of his tanks – varying from historically accurate ones to some custom variants. Players will also be able to place some pre-moderated slogans or clan emblems on the hull of vehicles.[11].

History

Game was announced by Wargaming.net studio at April 24 of 2009. The Russian Alpha test started in September 2009 with only 5 vehicles and one map. By the time of the Russian closed beta test, which began on January 30, 2010, there were several dozens vehicles and three maps[12].

June 24, 2010 started Russian open beta testing[13]. At this point, the beta version of the game 0.4.5 includes 7 maps and more than 60 different tanks.

July 8, 2010 started closed beta testing for European players[14].

August 12, 2010 Russian version of the game was released.[15]

September 16, 2010 One hundred thousand accounts registered milestone achieved.[16]

As on November 16, 2010, World of Tanks' community reached 500,000 active players worldwide.[17]

Awards

  • The first prize for the "Best Online Client Game", KRI 2010[18][19].
  • "Best New Concept" award on E3 2010[20].
  • "Best Free MMORPG" according to the MMORPG Center’s 2010 Player’s Choice Awards [21].
  • "Most Anticipated Free MMORPG" according to the MMORPG Center’s 2010 Player’s Choice Awards [22].

References

  1. ^ Games powered by BigWorld Technology
  2. ^ a b World of Tanks on IGN
  3. ^ World of Tanks rolls onto the MMO battlefield
  4. ^ World of Tanks on MMORPG Italia
  5. ^ World Of Tanks – Q&A
  6. ^ World of Tanks Reaches Half Million Active Players
  7. ^ Interview with developer on massively.com
  8. ^ World of Tanks on MMO Station
  9. ^ World of Tanks on Game-Debate
  10. ^ Game description on mmorpgitalia.it
  11. ^ a b c freemmostation.com World of Tanks exclusive interview
  12. ^ About Alpha test results (Official developer's blog)
  13. ^ WoT open beta start (Russian)
  14. ^ World of Tanks Closed Beta Begins
  15. ^ Online release: "World Of Tanks" held
  16. ^ General news: "Milestone"
  17. ^ World of Tanks Reaches Half Million Active Players
  18. ^ KRI 2010 results
  19. ^ Wargaming.net Wins Best KRI 2010 Game Developer Award from Critics in Russia
  20. ^ Massively's Best of E3 2010
  21. ^ MMORPG Center’s 2010 Player’s Choice Awards results
  22. ^ MMORPG Center’s 2010 Player’s Choice Awards results
Official sites
Reviews
Video
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