MMORPGs

The military simulation game is getting a new playable nation

Gaijin Entertainment announces “Fire and Ice”, the next major content update for the military online action game War Thunder. It will bring Finnish ground and air force to the game, as well as a new map inspired by this Scandinavian country. Tech trees of other countries will also get new ground vehicles, naval vessels, aircraft and helicopters, including those equipped with a weapon type completely new to War Thunder. The “Fire and Ice” update will become available to the players in the coming weeks.

Check out the trailer HERE.

The Finnish Armed Forces has quite an experience in military conflicts as it took part in the Winter War against the USSR, in World War II and a number of joint peacekeeping missions with NATO. The country typically used imported equipment from various manufacturers (including captured vehicles), adapting it for its own needs. For example, the British-produced Vickers Mk.E light tanks have not been adopted by the UK military, but were widely used by foreign operators, including Finland. Another unique example is the BT-42, a strange but very interesting conversion of captured Soviet BT-7s, recreated into assault guns with a British 4.5-inch howitzer and a turret of local Finnish design. After WW2, Finland purchased equipment from both the USSR and Western countries, so a user playing for Finland will have access to the strangest combinations of vehicles, i.e. the British-produced Vampire FB 52A fighter jet and the Soviet-produced T-72M tank (export version of the T-72A, appearing in the game for the very first time).

Finland land and air research lines will be a part of the Swedish tech tree (similar to how the South African vehicle line is a part of the UK tech tree) in War Thunder. This approach will greatly expand the tactical options for players who are already using Swedish vehicles and would like to experiment with their vehicle setup.

Information about other new features of the Fire and Ice update will be published on the official War Thunder website in the coming weeks.

The ‘Drone Age’ update features dozens of new military vehicles and new visual effects

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the “Drone Age” update for the military online action game War Thunder is already available to players. It expands the range of available weaponry from various eras: reconnaissance and combat drones (Russian Orion, Chinese Wing Loong 1 and the American MQ-1) make modern battles more believable, and the legendary Su-25 and Mirage 2000 show what piloted aircraft are capable of. There are dozens of new military vehicles added to the game including a new Chinese helicopter tech tree, Israeli versions of the M48 and M60 tanks, the Turkish T129 ATAK helicopter and the South African Rooivalk Mk1F CSH helicopter, the Italian Andrea Doria dreadnought, two new maps – “Golden Bay” and “Pradesh”, new visual effects for vehicle destruction, and much more.

The history of Chinese combat helicopters can now be experienced by progressing through their lineup in War Thunder. At first, local engineers adapted imported designs, like they did with SA.342L Gazelle. The first attack helicopter built entirely in China was the Z-9WA, created after studying French Dauphins. That led to even more local projects like the light strike-reconnaissance Z-11WA or the very successful Z-19. Finally, a full-fledged heavy attack helicopter Z-10 was designed with the involvement of specialists from the Russian Kamov design bureau.

Check out the trailer HERE.

The Mirage 2000C-S5 is the new top jet fighter that will capture the hearts of virtual pilots playing for France. The iconic delta wing, excellent flight characteristics and powerful armament make it a worthy competitor to other fourth-generation fighters. The French Air Force Mirage 2000 saw action in many conflicts in the 1990s, ranging from the Gulf War to Allied operations in Afghanistan. The aircraft is also in service in Egypt, India, Greece, Qatar, Brazil, Peru and other countries.

The new “Golden Bay” map for naval battles was created based on the coast of San Francisco with a recognizable silhouette of a picturesque bridge across the strait. The ground part is inspired by the landscape of the areas east of the bay, where small towns, green hills and mountains meet. And the location “Pradesh” (in Hindi this means “region”) is designed for ground and air battles and reproduces the foothills of the Himalayas on the border of India and Pakistan. Grassy hills and forested mountains coexist here with watery meadows and shrubbed plains.

In land and sea battles, procedurally generated shell-to-armor contact effects have been added that take into account the caliber and type of the projectile – now smoke and wisps of flame escape from the holes in armor. Tank explosion simulation has been improved, and track wheels can now fly off destroyed vehicles and interact with other objects on the battlefield. In addition, high-quality models of shells and missiles are now used in the kill camera and in the protection analysis menu. The player can now better see exactly how the enemy vehicle (or your own) was hit, and can better prepare for the upcoming battles.

Detailed information about the content of the update is available on the official website of the game.

Reconnaissance and strike UAVs will revolutionize modern warfare

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the “Age of Drones” major content update for War Thunder will be released in September, bringing reconnaissance and strike UAVs to the virtual battlefield. This new feature will greatly expand tactical options for players that fight using modern armored ground vehicles. The update will also add dozens of new tanks, aircraft, helicopters and ships to the already vast roster of carefully recreated real world military hardware, as well as new maps and other content.

Drones are a crucial asset for any high-tech army nowadays and provide an opportunity to be the first to detect and destroy the enemy. On the other hand, drones are quite vulnerable and basically are consumables in modern warfare. They can be shot down with small arms or ‘locked-on’ by radar from an anti-aircraft complex and destroyed with a missile. War Thunder players will see and experience exactly how drones influence the tactics of tank battles in the 21st century.

Check out the trailer HERE.

Modern light tanks in War Thunder will get the ability to launch small reconnaissance drones. The commander will be able to send such a device into the sky right in the middle of the battle and, switching to it using a special button, control the drone to reconnoiter the location for enemy vehicles. Such a UAV has a battery capacity large enough to patrol over the battlefield until the end of the battle – or until it is shot down, or if the vehicle from which the drone is controlled is destroyed. All UAVs have a “sighting camera” that allows players to scout an area of ​​interest from a great distance, plus, some models are equipped with thermal sights.

The Age of Drones update also introduces three types of attack drones: the Russian Orion, the Chinese Wing Loong 1, and the American MQ-1 (it can be used in War Thunder while playing as any country except Russia and China). Each strike UAV carries anti-tank guided missiles that can be used to strike enemies that are sitting in an ambush position without endangering the drone operator. The legendary MQ-1 drone was in service with the US Army from 1994 to 2018 and was used in many modern conflicts – from Yugoslavia and Iraq to Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen and it also became the star of iconic Hollywood films.

More information about Age of Drones content and new features will be published on the official website of the game in the coming weeks.

Players fight to get rare new models of military vehicles

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the “Summer Quest” event has begun in War Thunder, the online military action game featuring 2000+ ground, naval and air war machines of the 20th and 21st centuries. Players will fight to get four new models of military vehicles: the Hungarian Zrinyi I self-propelled gun, the American F4D-1 Skyray carrier-based fighter jet, the German Leopard 2AV tank and the Japanese battleship Haruna. Other prizes include new camouflage options, as well as player icons, decals and decorations for naval and land vehicles dedicated to summer adventures. The event will last until August 29th.

Each vehicle model in the Summer Quest is quite unique and will be a great addition to the collections of dedicated military history fans.

The Zrinyi I SPG is a World War II era vehicle, entirely designed and built in Hungary and named after the 16th-century Hungarian national hero Miklós Zrínyi. It is built on the chassis of the Turán medium tank (also Hungarian) and is equipped with a 75 mm anti-tank gun. During some of the field tests Zrinyi I was equipped with external rocket tubes, and this is the version of this SPG that made it to War Thunder.

The Leopard 2AV is a prototype tank submitted to the US Army tests, where it competed against the XM-1 models. The tank is a transitional version from the Leopard 1 to the serial Leopard 2: the vehicle has a 105 mm L7A3 cannon familiar from the first series, while the FCS, power plant and armor layout are closer to the early Leopards of the second series.

The F4D-1 Skyray is the first ever supersonic carrier-based fighter, which entered service in 1956. The aircraft boasts excellent rate of climb and is capable of accelerating to near-sonic speeds at sea level. The F4D-1 Skyray is armed with four forward-facing 20mm Browning-Colt Mk12 cannons, and hardpoints can accommodate pods with FFAR unguided rockets and AIM-9B Sidewinder guided missiles.

IJN Haruna was laid down as a Kongo-class battlecruiser and launched as early as 1915, but did not take part in World War I. Later, she was rebuilt into a high-speed battleship and, as such, went through the entire Second World War, taking part in many battles, including Battle of the Philippine Sea, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and Battle of Leyte Gulf. The battleship was lost only in July 1945, when American aircraft attacked it in the harbor of Kure at the Japanese mainland. Haruna’s main armament is eight 356-mm guns in four turrets, 152-mm and 127-mm cannons make it easier to deal with targets, and 118 anti-aircraft guns drive enemy aircraft away with dense fire.

The event details and more information about new types of vehicles are available on the official website.

Players can score rewards: days of premium account, unique and impressive 2D style, Tier III Swedish Premium tank and much more

Grab your sunglasses and pack your beach towel, for this summer, World of Tanks is hosting a huge 12th birthday beach party from the comfort of your home! Until the end of August, your Garage will become a place where you can turbo-chill.

From August 12th to August 22nd, World of Tanks is celebrating its 12th anniversary with special combat missions, various rewards and Anniversary Coins to exchange for valuable in-game goodies and unique customization elements.

Every tanker who logs into the game on any day of the birthday event, from August 12 – 22nd, will receive a free “Only Twelve” 2D style. Also, when players log in for the first time on event day, they will receive one day of Premium Account (up to seven days of Premium Account in total).

Every daily battle mission will yield 5 Anniversary Coins which can be exchanged for bonds, Personal Reserves, crew members, days of Premium Account, styles, fun customization options, and other valuable things in the special section of the in-game store. Large missions will each give 20 Anniversary Coins in addition to the main rewards.

Uriy Kuryavyi, World of Tanks Publishing Director, says it pays to visit the beach party every day.

“Look out for large discounts on researchable vehicles, customization elements, equipment, consumables, Free XP and crew XP conversion, and more. On certain days, expect x2 and even x5 XP multipliers for the first win on every vehicle. World of Tanks is sure to be heating things up this summer!” said Uriy.

And for the party that keeps on giving, players who complete any three daily combat missions will receive the Lago M/38, a brand-new, rapid-firing Tier III Swedish Premium tank.

For more information about Season VIII of Battle Pass, visit worldoftanks.com.

Overhauled London Port, new British battlecruisers, special mission between the Chatham, Elswick, and Clydebank shipyards and much more…

The cat is out of the bag, a boatload of new British content is on its way to World of Warships PC. There will be brand new British battlecruisers going into Early Access alongside the Industry Titan event and also piping hot is the Port of London which has been updated to celebrate the upcoming event.

Want to run ashore after a hard working day and dive into mid-nineteenth century London; the capital of Great Britain, the heart of the Admiralty, and its naval command centre, sending orders across all seas and oceans? You can! Especially for this occasion, the World of Warships team has updated the London Port.

British ships are known for being a real jack-of-all-trades. The long-anticipated British Battleships launching into Early Access are the following:

• Indefatigable (tier III)
• Queen Mary (tier IV)
• Tiger (tier V)
• Renown (tier VI)
• Rooke (tier VII)
• HAWE (tier VIIII)
• Duncan (tier IX)
• St. Vincent (tier X)

You can earn them by playing online missions and they will stay in your collection after the official launch.

There will be a temporary event called Industry Titans where The Chatham, Elswick, and Clydebank shipyards will compete for the right to be called the best shipbuilder serving the needs of the Royal Navy. Dive into the event on the Live Server to earn British Tokens that you can exchange for Early Access ships, permanent camouflages, and other items.

The game’s Artificial Intelligence behind the bot ships in Training and Co-op Battles will be substantially upgraded. Finally, yet importantly, major enhancements in the Spectator Mode interface that launches when ships are sunk. Flap not, it will be more informative and user-friendly to put the rub on your bezzy.

Watch the Update 0.11.6: British Battleships trailer HERE.

For more information about the update please visit HERE.

TRANSFORMERS collaboration, a new map, major improvements with HD textures, weather effects, gun firing, explosions and much more…

Wargaming, publisher and developer of the naval multiplayer free-to-play game World of Warships, is launching its latest content update, featuring a brand new map of the Faroe Islands, a return of Convoy battle type and the third instalment of the TRANSFORMERS Brand collaboration. In addition to all this new content, Update 0.11.5 like the ones before, will bring visual improvements, with an update to US destroyer models.

New Faroe Islands map

Launching this update is the introduction of the new Faroe Islands map, which was selected as the next playable location by players in Autumn 2021. Designed for Tier VII-X ships and superships, battles taking place on this map will be set against a backdrop of flowing mountain ranges covered in thin veils of snow, nestled in islands with steep shores falling in the North Atlantic ocean.

Latest of the graphic improvements: U.S. Destroyer models see a revamp

A number of U.S. destroyer models, present since the release of the game, have been dramatically upgraded. Mahan, Benson, Fletcher and Gearing will all be revamped, including slight changes to their physical parameters and balance characteristics. However, the broader gameplay features of these ships will remain the same. Update 0.11.6 will bring more of these updated U.S. ships, expanding to the models of Sampson, Wickes, Clemson, Nicholas, Farragut and Sims.

Alongside the improvements to these models, World of Warships has also seen a number of graphics updates across the board. Visual effects throughout the game have been overhauled since the beginning of the year. This includes major improvements with HD textures and local weather effects being refined on 8 maps, as well as new effects for guns firing, depth charges detonating under water and on islands, and aircraft explosions on the decks of destroyed carriers.

The return of Convoy battle type

Making a triumphant return from Update 0.10.8, Convoy mode is back for battle! Fought in teams of 12 with Tier VIII–X ships, two randomly distributed teams will participate in an attack-and-defend battle across one of six different maps. Players will need to escort two to three Convoys of AI-controlled cargo ships, sailing along their own defined route. Either the defenders will manage to fend off the attacks so at least one of the transport ship arrives at destination, or the attackers will succeed in sinking the lot!

There’s more than meets the eye: TRANSFORMERS are back!

Defeat your enemies in style with Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS franchise! To commemorate the third TRANSFORMERS collaboration, World of Warships will have special content from the critically acclaimed toy line! These special camouflages were originally released only on World of Warships Legends, but now are available for PC! Such as Iowa’s Freedom Fighter skin to represent the Autobots to Bismarck’s Messenger of Oblivion for the Decepticon, it’s time to deck your ship in style. This limited-time content will be available during the update. One shall stand, one shall fall! Which will you be?

For a full list of updates and changes, find the full patch notes HERE.

Watch the Update 0.11.5: U.S. Independence Day trailer HERE.

Visit the official World of Warships website now for more game info and to sign up to play World of Warships for free!

The new update brings napalm, Israeli helicopters and more

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the Danger Zone update for the online military action game War Thunder is live now. While the US F-14 Tomcat fighter is probably the star of the show here, this content-rich update brings dozens of other new legendary vehicles and new features. Israeli and Chinese helicopters, the latest Chinese tank, an improvised Italian self-propelled gun, the most advanced German battleship of World War 1 and other types of new military hardware await War Thunder players. Napalm can now also be used in War Thunder battles, literally flooding the jungle, city streets or ship decks with liquid fire.

Watch the “Danger Zone” update trailer HERE.

Aviation containers with napalm are the new weapon type in the game. It is an incendiary mixture that burns strongly and for a long time, and also sticks to surfaces, including wet ones. Although napalm is primarily associated with the Vietnam War, it was first used as early as 1944 during the liberation of France. Napalm could be quite useful in War Thunder battles as well. I.e. players might cover the approach to a point with a rampart of fire or burn down a forest to prevent ambushes. Man-made fires are especially effective against lightly armored and open-top vehicles.

The new Chinese tank ZTZ99A is a further development of the ZTZ99 MBT, but it is difficult to recognize the fact due to the almost complete overhaul of the design. Just look at the new arrow-shaped turret, equipped with state-of-the-art anti-cumulative dynamic and composite armor, capable of withstanding even tandem cumulative rounds. At the same time, the ZTZ99A is not only better protected, but also more mobile than its predecessor, and can reach a top speed of 75 km/h on an asphalt road.

The update adds the Israeli helicopter tech tree to the game. While some of the vehicles are Israeli variants of the machines the players already know, such as Cobras and Apaches, there are completely new ones, like the Hughes MD500 TOW light attack helicopter. It is a flight, tiny and very agile helicopter capable of carrying the venerable TOW and TOW-2 anti-tank missiles, as well as Hydra-70 unguided rockets. Also the first machine from China’s future helicopter tech tree debuts in War Thunder. It’s the Z-19E, a modern and locally developed attack helicopter that performed its maiden flight in 2017.

The German battleship SMS Bayern entered service in July 1916 and missed the epic Battle of Jutland, but took part in the last major operations of WW1. Its eight 380mm guns and enhanced armor more than make up for its slowness and make it one of the most powerful ships in the War Thunder blue-water fleet.

Finally, fans of the exotic vehicles should pay attention to the 100/17 su Lancia 3Ro, a Škoda 10cm Vz.1914 howitzer mounted in the field on an army truck chassis to increase mobility. This improvised Italian SPG was brought to the game by War Thunder players Nicola “Kolin0” Faggiani and Riccardo “BlueBeta” Lo Verso under Revenue Sharing Program, and now their work is officially a part of War Thunder.

Visit the official War Thunder Website for more game information.

The F-14 fighter and the battlecruiser HMS Hood will be part of the “Danger Zone” update

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the online military action game War Thunder will receive a major Danger Zone content update in mid-June. For the first time ever, players will be able to take to the skies in the long-awaited F-14 Tomcat, legendary US fourth-generation fighter jet and star of the popular Hollywood movies. The update will introduce dozens of other types of military vehicles ranging from the battlecruiser HMS Hood to the exotic South African G6 Rhino self-propelled howitzer. New “Abandoned Town” and “South-Eastern City” maps will also be added to the game.

Watch the “Danger Zone” update teaser trailer HERE.

The F-14 is a twin-engine variable-sweep wing jet fighter that was in service with the US carrier-based aviation from 1974 to 2006. American F-14s took part in the wars in Vietnam (in the final stages), Iraq and Yugoslavia. In addition, the F-14 fighters are still in service with the Iranian Air Force – these machines were tested in action on the fronts of the Iran-Iraq war, where they scored dozens of air victories.

The first modification of the F-14 in War Thunder will be the F-14A, equipped with an excellent set of air-to-air missiles. In addition to the Sparrow AIM-7E and F, as well as the Sidewinder AIM-9D and G that are already familiar to the players, the F-14A will feature the AIM-9H (a further development of the G version) and the AIM-54A Phoenix, a long-range missile with an active radar guidance system (both missiles will appear in the game for the first time). In addition, the F-14A has a 20mm M61A1 cannon with a rotating barrel, as well as bombs and unguided rockets in case it needs to attack ground targets.

The battlecruiser Hood was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1920, becoming the largest warship in the British Navy. Eight 15 inch guns are capable of inflicting devastating damage to any enemy, including battleships. The main caliber is supplemented by an auxiliary battery of seven twin 4 inch all-purpose guns, as well as 40mm guns, machine guns and torpedo tubes. Due to its size and powerful armament, the ship was nicknamed the “The Mighty Hood” and became a symbol of the power of the British Empire, but at the beginning of World War II, she was tragically sunk in battle with the German battleship Bismarck.

The G6 Rhino is a self-propelled howitzer on a wheeled chassis with a 155mm gun that can quickly change position and unleash huge high-explosive projectiles (regular and with remote fuzes) on the enemy. The large caliber and weight of the explosives allow even inaccurate hits to cause significant damage from the blast wave and overpressure.

The Danger Zone update will also introduce other new features, including two new vehicle tech trees, as well as new graphical and weather effects. Detailed information about this will be available on the game’s official website in the coming weeks.

Visit the official War Thunder Website for more game information.

The world’s biggest naval MMO across PC and console releases its monthly shipment of fresh content

Wargaming, publisher and developer of World of Warships PC and World of Warships: Legends on the Console, has this week launched content-packed updates for their two leading naval MMOs. World of Warships on PC introduces a new fleet of French Cruisers for players to captain, alongside new Azur Lane content as part of their partnership with the immensely popular mobile game and anime. Alongside this, console players on World of Warships: Legends can experience the new Pan-European Destroyers in Early Access and take on the five-week-long Back to Belfast Campaign to earn the powerful Tier VII version of Belfast ‘43.

New ships, seasons and more in World of Warships PC

Three new French cruisers make their debut appearance in this update. Available in early access players will be able to take the helm of the Tier VIII Cherbourg, Tier IX Brest, and Tier X Marseille, all complete with large-calibre guns and deadly close-range firepower. Watch the French Cruisers in World of Warships trailer HERE. Watch the Update 0.11.4: French Cruisers trailer HERE.

Azur Lane

Azur Lane also returns to the high seas. Available from the 27th of May to collect are ship camouflages for the Iowa, Indomitable, and Shōkaku, alongside 6 new commanders including the famous Bismarck and New Jersey as well as commemorative flags. The AL Aurora and AL Azuma will expand the roster of Azur Lane ships in the game.

Italian Ships

To close out the update, players will also be able to research the full complement of Italian Destroyers, take part in brand new seasons of Ranked and Clan Battles, and test their speed and ferocity in the return of the fan-favourite Arms Race game mode in Random and Co-op battles. You can find the full patch notes and assets here.

Back to Belfast with Pan-European Destroyers in World of Warships: Legends

Leading this update, World of Warships: Legends sees seven Pan-European ships drop anchor in Early Access. One Polish cruiser and six Swedish destroyers are introduced, ranging from Tier I Gryf and Tier VI Skåne. The Tier VII Östergötland and this line of fast-firing destroyers will be fully researchable at the beginning of the next update. Two new Commanders join the ranks. Conrad Helfrich, a universal Pan-European Commander, as well as Stig Hansson Ericson, a dedicated destroyer Commander.

The Back to Belfast campaign also launches as part of this update. Those who complete the campaign with Admiralty Backing active will acquire a powerful Tier VII version of the iconic cruiser: Belfast ‘43. Players can also jump into the brand-new Auction system, bidding doubloons and credits on community lots, which contain a diverse range of items. This update also brings three new arena seasons, which also see the return of most of the Arms Race bonuses.

Visit the official World of Warships website now for more game info and to sign up to play World of Warships for free!