Tanki Online
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| Tanki Online | |
|---|---|
| File:Tanki online logo.png | |
| Developer(s) | АlternativaPlatform |
| Engine | Alternativa3D |
| Platform(s) | PC, Mac, Linux |
| Release | 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Arcade Tank Simulator, MMOG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Tanki Online is a free multiplayer, browser-based, free-to-play game in the arcade tank simulator genre. It was created, and is developed and supported by AlternativaPlatform.
Development History
Tanki Online was introduced in May 2009 at the Russian Game Developers Conference (KRI) 2009, and awarded the "Best Game without a Publisher" and "Best Technology" awards. Tanki Online uses AlternativaPlatform's game engine — Alternativa3D 8, based on Flash technology. In November 2013, and again in 2014, the game won the main price in the category "People's Choice" at the Runet Price. In 2014 Tanki Online joined the cybersport program on StarLadder. The game was present at Gamescom 2014 and at the Brasil Game Show 2014.
Gameplay
Tanki Online’s gameplay has some parallels with the famous game "Battle City" (1995), developed for NES. However, unlike Battle City, Tanki Online’s gameplay is based on the PvP system. Players compete against each other. Every tank destroyed is considered a kill and grants the player experience points. The game features several battle modes including team modes, as well as a ranking system and many ways to combine equipment and customize tanks. Rather than choosing a tank from a list, players get to customize their own tank, combining turrets, hulls and protection paints to fit their tastes and playing style. Having chosen a tank, players join battles with other users, earning experience points and crystals, which is the in-game currency. Supply boxes such as Double Damage, Double Armor, Speed Boost, and Repair Kits will periodically fall into the battlefield during the course of a battle. These "Supplies" will temporarily improve a tank’s performance in a number of ways, or repair any damage it might have suffered. By climbing the career ladder, players unlock access to new equipment as well as the option to upgrade any items in their possession.
Game Modes
There are four types of battles:
- Deathmatch, or DM. This is a classic game battle mode. The buttle fund is divided according to the number of tanks destroyed.
- Team Deathmatch, or TDM. In this game mode, players are divided in two teams. The winner is the team that has destroyed the most rival tanks. The larger share of the prize fund goes to the winning team.
- Capture the Flag, or CTF. Just like in Team Deathmatch, this battle mode is played between two teams. However, this time the main goal is to capture the enemy's flag and to bring it back to the team's home base. If the tank carrying the flag is destroyed, the flag can be picked up by a teammate, or recovered by the enemy team. Victory goes to the team who has captured the most flags by the end of the game. The amount of crystals earned depends on the number of flags captured, and the number of enemy tanks destroyed. The prize fund is divided as in the Team Deathmatch mode.
- Control Points, or CP. Teams fight for control over a number of Points on the map. A team receives one point for every ten seconds of controlling a Point. The winner is the team with the highest score at the end of the battle. The prize fund is divided as in the Team Deathmatch mode.
Ranking System
The game has a ranking system. As players reach higher ranks, they unlock new maps, as well as the possibility to buy new turrets, hulls, paints, and upgrades for equipment they already have. Reaching a new rank requires a certain number of experience points. There are several ways to earn experience points: destroying enemy tanks in any game mode, capturing enemy flags in CTF, capturing points in CP, or healing allies. When reaching a new rank, players also receive a number of crystals as a bonus (the sum depends on the rank achieved).
Garage
Players can increase the effectiveness of their tank by buying new items in the garage. All available items and improvements can be purchased for crystals. Players can visit their Garage even in the middle of a battle.
Upgrade System
There are three modification levels for every turrets and hull. Each modification improves the combat characteristics and changes the appearance of that particular item. Higher-level modifications become available upon reaching new ranks. Additionally, players can improve the parameters of turrets, hulls and protective paints via the micro-upgrade system.
Crystals
Crystals are the main currency in Tanki Online. They are used to purchase all in-game items. There are several ways of earning crystals, including participating in battles, collecting gold boxes on the maps, and buying the crystals with real money.