MMORPGs

Winners will get four new rare military vehicles, including the modern Merkava tank

Gaijin Entertainment announces the start of the “Strategist” event in the military online action War Thunder. Players collect toy soldiers and use them to attack enemy lines on the strategic map. Four new exclusive vehicles will serve as rewards: the Merkava Mk.3D main battle tank, a BI fighter interceptor, the Lübeck frigate and the Sd.Kfz.251/10 armoured vehicle. The event will last until October, 5th.

“Strategist” event players attack figurines that represent enemy armies, sabotage buildings, break through defensive lines and collect secret documents that can be exchanged for prizes. All resources and toy soldiers for the “Strategist” event can be obtained by playing classic War Thunder session battles.

The Merkava Mk.3D is a later modification of the well-known Israeli main battle tank that remained in production until 2003. It gained a new 120 mm smoothbore cannon, a better engine and new electronic equipment that includes thermal sights and a laser warning system.

Watch the trailer here.

The BI is the first Soviet rocket-powered aircraft, designed during WWII and envisioned to become a short-range defensive interceptor. The aircraft’s rocket propulsion allows it to get into the action fast, thanks to high acceleration, top speed and climb rate, but at the same time, prevents it from lingering in combat for too long due to its limited fuel supply of just 2 minutes with WEP mode. This aircraft didn’t take part in active combat, but the insights gained were later used for other projects during the Cold War.

Lübeck is a Köln-class frigate, built in the 1960’s and represents one of the first larger warships built by Germany after WW 2.

The Sd.Kfz.251/10 is a variant of the well-known and widely used German WW 2 halftrack, equipped with a 3.7cm anti-tank cannon for increased firepower.

The full description of the “Strategist” event and the prizes is available at the official War Thunder Website.

A new episode of the game’s Battle Royale event kicks off later this month

A brand-new episode of Steel Hunter, World of Tanks’ most popular event, kicks off on September 21. For one week, players will be able to see who’s the best on the battlefield in the game’s very own Battle Royale. Tankers can also expect more episodes to come in October and November of this year, each bringing unique rewards.

Steel Hunter sees 20 lone wolves or 10 platoons battle it out to be the last tank (or tanks) standing. Tankers will need to loot items found on the map (such as precious ammunition, Battle XP and HP refills) or take them from destroyed vehicles. Players must be careful though as a safe spot can become a Danger Zone, which will quickly see them leave the battlefield.

2020 has brought some changes to Steel Hunter: there are now more tanks: 5 compared to last year’s 3. Each of these vehicles has their own specific roles (Scout, Hunter or Survivor) to perform in battle, which is reflected by their in-game regular abilities and ultimates as well as the way they handle and their crew skills and/or perks. Also, players who’ve yet to brave the Steel Hunter mode this year will notice a brand-new map: Arzagir 4.04.

“The new episode of Steel Hunter is coming later this month, and in 2020, the experience of our most popular event has just gotten better,” states Max Chuvalov, Publishing Director, World of Tanks. “Players have been really enjoying the new additions, and what’s better the return of the same gameplay and battles they know and love!”

Along the Steel Hunter journey players will be duly rewarded and the main prize for each episode is something that tankers can show off on the battlefield to let people know just how skilled they are: a unique 2D style.

For more information on World of Tanks, visit the games official website.

New Update 0.9.7 deploys four new historical German CVs, starts a new Ranked sprint, features updated Hamburg Port and much more

World of Warships sees today the release of the new Update 0.9.7 introducing the highly-anticipated German aircraft carriers. The new German CVs are Tier IV Rhein, Tier VI Weser, Tier VIII August von Parseval and Tier X Manfred von Richthofen, and can now be researched by all players.

A new trailer celebrating the launch of the German aircraft carriers can be viewed here.

The German aircraft carriers branch features a series of capital ships that were either planned or partially constructed in the lead-up or during World War II, but never actually deployed. The German planes of these aircraft carriers have low HP pools but feature high speeds. The attack aircraft carry a new type of armor-penetrating rockets that are capable of inflicting heavy damage to enemy citadels with accurate shots. Torpedoes carried by the planes are fast, but short ranged. The dive bombers stationed on these aircraft carriers are armed with armor-piercing bombs.

Update 0.9.7 brings a new expansive in-game Collection called “Germany Navy”. This Collection includes unique collectibles such as emblems, ships, planes, uniforms, and historical personalities that pay homage to the history of German naval forces in the first half of the 20th century. The first elements will drop from new German Navy containers which can be obtained by completing Directives, combat missions and in the Armory. Players who completed the collection will receive the ability to feature a second flag and to use an alternative color scheme for their German ships.

Besides the German aircraft carriers, three new ships will become available with the release of Update 0.9.7: Tier IX German battleship Pommern, ready to brawl with her torpedoes, effective secondaries and 12 380 mm guns; the Tier VI German carrier Erich Loewenhardt, whose dive bombers carry high-explosive bombs instead of armor-piercing; and the Tier X Soviet battleship Slava, well suited for long-range firefights with her accurate guns but rather weak armor.

Update 0.9.7 also brings a new Ranked sprint with a 3vs3 format, playing Tier IX ships, new Unique Upgrades added to the Research Bureau in the Armory, as well as a renewed Hamburg port, and other technical improvements.

Further details on Update 0.9.7 can be found here.

Head over to worldofwarships.eu now to sign up for World of Warships for free.

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

Update 1.10 brings a new equipment system, Polish medium reinforcements and the return of a fan-favorite map to the game

August marks the 10th anniversary of World of Tanks so it’s only fitting that this month’s update is a cause for celebration: it’s the biggest one of the year. Update 1.10 will introduce a new system for equipment and 6 new Polish medium tanks, while also marking the return of Pearl River.

Allowing players to increase their vehicles’ characteristics and performance when installed, equipment in World of Tanks is being completely overhauled with the introduction of new pieces and revised bonuses for existing ones in Update 1.10. By changing the core mechanics, players will now have more freedom and choice when it comes to their loadouts. Additionally, the new pieces will diversify the gameplay, while also leading the way for new and non-standard battle tactics. And for lower and medium tier vehicles, equipment has become more accessible as the credit (World of Tanks’ earnable currency) price has been decreased.

“1.10 is the biggest World of Tanks update since 1.0 released in 2018,” states Max Chuvalov, Publishing Director, World of Tanks. “The biggest part of it is the new equipment system. The current iteration has been in the game for 10 years now and was definitely in need of a revamp. Players will now be able to experiment a lot more with their loadouts thanks to the new and improved equipment items.”

Additionally, this new system brings with it a brand-new feature: slot specializations. Each vehicle from Tier VI onwards will have one of these slots and all equipment will now be designated one of four categories: firepower, survivability, mobility and scouting. By placing certain pieces of equipment in this slot, tankers will get an extra bonus on top of the piece’s standard one.

August’s update will also see the introduction of 6 new Polish medium tanks. Researchable from the Tier IV 14TP, the new branch will stretch from Tier V to Tier X. These winged hussars are versatile with good gun depression, mobility and maneuverability. They’re able to battle on any terrain and are suited for close-to-mid-range combat. At the top of the line is the CS-63 which introduces a brand-new feature: a gas-turbine engine. Boasting both standard and rapid mode, the latter will increase the vehicle’s engine power, as well as its top speed and acceleration. However, when this mode is activated, its accuracy is significantly impacted.

Update 1.10 also features the return of Pearl River. Making its first foray into World of Tanks in HD, the Asian-inspired map has received a significant revamp since it was last seen in 2015. And finally, the in-game battle communication system has been made simpler and more informative, so tankers can concentrate more on the battle.

Watch the Update 1.10 Review: The Biggest One This Year Video HERE.

For more information about Update 1.10, CLICK HERE.

New update 0.9.6 deploys three historical German CVs in Early Access, starts a new Season of Ranked Battles, features updated Hamburg Port and host of other improvements

World of Warships has today seen the release of the new Update 0.9.6, kicking off a new event centered around the long-awaited introduction of German aircraft carriers in Early Access. The new German CVs are the Tier IV Rhein, Tier VI Weser, and Tier VIII August von Parseval, all three of which can be obtained by completing special combat missions, which can be dropped from German Carriers containers.

A new trailer celebrating the introduction of German CVs can be viewed HERE.

The historical German aircraft carriers featured in World of Warships were either planned or partially constructed during World War II but never actually deployed or launched. In World of Warships they come equipped with attack aircraft featuring a new type of ammunition: armor-penetrating rockets that can inflict heavy damage to enemy citadels if successful. German bombers carry armor-penetrating bombs, which are most effectively dropped on slower targets. The torpedoes carried are short-range and fast, but only dish out moderate levels of damage. The planes themselves have high cruising speeds but are somewhat fragile with low HP pools.

The new German CVs can be obtained through the German Carrierscontainers that are given as rewards to players who complete combat missions, as well as Directives, Daily Shipments, and for watching streams. The containers can also drop the new “Black-White-Red” expendable camouflage and other rewards. Also given out for completing special chains of combat missions are German Tokens, which can be used to obtain rewards in the Armory such as Iron Cross permanent camouflage for Tier X Großer Kurfürst, Tier X Z-52, Tier X Hindenburg and Tier X Manfred von Richthofen, which will become available for research at a later date, as well as “Black-White-Red” expendable camouflage patterns, credits and signals.

Furthermore, Update 0.9.6 also introduces a fully reworked and renamed Equipment menu (the former Modules tab). Players can take advantage of a more streamlined interface to manage upgrades, consumables and modules of a ship at a quick glance in one window. Ships that haven’t yet been purchased can also be viewed in the new Ship Preview mode. The Update also includes many other interesting and useful changes that will simplify things a lot for players.

Update 0.9.6 also brings a new Season of Ranked Battles with a 7vs7 format, playing Tier VIII ships, an updated version of the Hamburg Port, other improvements such as sound engine updates, new sound effects, and enhanced HDR improvements in Naval Base, Azur Lane, Dragon, and Sarushima Base ports.

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

Available for one weekend only, this special game mode will see teams of Tier X vehicles battle it out

One month, and one Act, separates World of Tanks from its 10th anniversary and subsequent big birthday bash! Act IV sees the return of 7v7 battles in Timeless Brawl. Additionally, there will be a new set of anniversary missions for players to take on, which will reward them with the grand prize: a 3D style for the T30, the legendary Tier IX tank destroyer.

Exclusively for Tier X vehicles, Timeless Brawl will take place between July 10th and 13th. For tankers without any Tier Xs, two tanks will be available to rent (the Object 140 and the WZ-111 model 5A) so no one will miss out on the fun. Using the Encounter game mode rules and a collection of 5 handpicked maps, these intense battles will have their own set of tasks to complete.

While players enjoy a weekend of duking it out, they’ll also be able to get their hands on unique customization items from the past, including elements that were rewards during the Tank Football, Steel Hunter and Halloween events.

And finally, tankers should also prepare themselves: World of Tanks officially turns 10 in August and next month will see the biggest celebrations, and Act, yet. Act V promises to ramp everything up to eleven with a whole heap of activities, rewards and gifts.

For more information about Act IV, visit https://worldoftanks.eu/en/10-years/.

The key battle of the Arab–Israeli War will also be available to players

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the 3rd season of World War mode is coming to the military online action game War Thunder in a few weeks. In this mode some of the players will serve as commanders moving armies on the strategic map, whilst others will resolve the clashes of those armies in the form of classic War Thunder gameplay sessions. While the first two seasons reconstructed famous World War II battle scenarios with the relevant military hardware used, the new one will feature ground and air vehicles built in the second half of the 20th century – T-80 and Leopard 2 tanks, Mi-24 and Bo 105 helicopters, MiG-21 and F-104 fighter jets. The advanced weaponry will be used to recreate a hypothetical scenario of a key World War III battle and a famous tank battle from the Yom Kippur War.

During the Cold War, NATO strategists studied various scenarios of a potential 3rd World War. They thought that no matter what and how the conflict would start, the Soviet group of Forces in Germany would probably attack through the so-called Fulda Gap – a lowland area between the Hesse-Thuringian border and Frankfurt am Main. This is a perfect place to operate a large tank force that the Soviet Union thought to be its trump card in this hypothetical war. The Fulda Gap battle scenario in War Thunder places the Soviet army against the Western German army with Frankfurt am Main as the prize.

Fulda Map

The Yom Kippur War began in 1973 on October 6th, when a coalition of Arab states simultaneously attacked Israel. On October 17th the successful counter-offensive of Israeli forces brought them to the western bank of the Suez Canal in Egypt. The Arab armies tried to push them back and organized a massive attack near an agricultural research station that was marked as the “Chinese farm” on Israeli maps. The battle for this feature became the largest tank battle since World War II times. The Battle for Chinese Farm scenario in War Thunder will allow players to control either Arab forces armed with Soviet-made vehicles or Israel with a mix of American and French equipment.

More information on the new gameplay features in the new season – i.e. the role of the helicopter armies – and the dates when the battles will take place will be published on the official War Thunder website in the coming days.

World of Warships Adds Ship Skins, Commanders, Camouflages and More – All Based on the Imperium of Man and Chaos Factions

Today Wargaming brings the gothic splendor of Warhammer 40,000 to World of Warships. Players can choose between different bundles containing themed ship skins, commanders with unique voiceovers, camouflages and flags from two of the biggest factions in the Warhammer 40,000 universe — Imperium of Man, a galaxy-spanning interstellar human empire; and Chaos, those devoted to serving the Chaos Gods.

On June 22, Warhammer 40,000 inspired bundles will also be coming to World of Warships: Legends available on Xbox and PS4.

Watch these videos to see what players can expect with this epic collaboration on both World and Warships (PC) and World of Warships: Legends.

Imperium of Man and Chaos will be represented through unique and dreadful ships helmed by their fearless commanders: Justinian Lyons XIII and Arthas Roqthar the Cold.

“As a Warhammer 40,000 fan myself, I’m very excited to finally see these epic themed ships in our ports. Their striking visual appearance paired with the dramatic voiceovers that will give you chills, promises to evoke the grim dystopian splendor of 40K. I have no doubts our players will enjoy playing these ships as much as we did while designing them, said Philip Molodkovets, World of Warships’ Executive Producer.

“After our extremely successful previous collaborations with World of Tanks: Blitz and World of Tanks we’re thrilled to work with Wargaming again. We’re big fans of World of Warships, and we can’t wait to see players celebrating Warhammer 40,000 in their games with these beautiful and authentic themes.” said Jon Gillard, Global Head of Licensing at Games Workshop.

World of Warships has had great success bringing various collaborations to life in its game without hurting the historical aspect or distracting players who prefer the standard gameplay. Providing a flexible system of filters, players can choose to customize their visual experience or, if they are not interested, turn it off completely. The collaboration with Games Workshop celebrates the unique visual style of their universe, but does not alter the gameplay.

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

Available for one week only, a special PvP game mode will see players unleash the full force of the widely requested Sturmtiger

The anniversary activities are ramping up as World of Tanks’ 10th birthday nears in August. Act III will introduce a fun time-limited game mode, focused on the rather special and widely requested Sturmpanzer VI Sturmtiger. Additionally, players can take on a new set of anniversary missions, which will reward them with the third act’s unique 3D style.

As late as 2015, developers were considering adding the Sturmtiger to the game, but due to its unique characteristics and features, there wasn’t a truly natural fit for it in the tech tree. Players continued to request it, but unlike in real life, it was never realized. Several years later, there still might not be a place for this German SPG in the tech tree, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be put in the game.

“The Sturmtiger is a wonderful piece of military vehicle history, but the real-life vehicle itself is rather unbalanced, which made it very hard to naturally fit in our game all those years ago,” states Dmitriy Trofimov, Game Designer for World of Tanks. “Its armor would be comparable to Tier VII or VIII, but its gun caliber… well, it’s something special. At 38cm, it’s 14cm more than anything else in our game.”

For the first time ever, players will be able to get their hands on this urban legend, and the Sturmpanzer VI Sturmtiger is unlike anything they’ll have ever seen before. This Tier X German artillery bucks some of the trends its real-life counterpart is known for: its incredible agility will leave tankers in disbelief. However, the Sturmtiger retains the devastating firepower that’s typical for top-tier vehicles and ramps it up to eleven.

These colossal beasts will battle it out in teams of 10 on 5 different maps: Ensk, Widepark, Tundra, Mines and Airfield. The Crouching Sturmtiger game mode will be available for one week only, running from 17th June through June 24th.

For more information about Act III, click HERE. For more information on World of Tanks, visit the games official website.

Update 0.9.5 brings revamped Dockyard mechanics allowing players to build two German ships at the same time, as well as updates to the Soviet Cruiser branch

World of Warships will see today the release of Update 0.9.5, allowing industrious players to construct two German ships: VI Admiral Graf Spee and VIII Odin, directly within Hamburg Port Dockyard. The new update will also see a number of changes to the Soviet Cruiser branch, as well as bringing two new premium ships: Siegfried and Ägir.

A trailer for Update 0.9.5 can be viewed HERE.

The updated Dockyard mechanic is the main feature of Update 0.9.5, and allows players to construct the VI Admiral Graf Spee in “War Paint” camouflage, as well as obtain the VIII Odin heavily discounted upon completion. This ship’s construction is spread out across 20 shipbuilding phases of which 18 can be finished by completing Directives. The remaining two phases can be settled by spending Doubloons.

The Soviet Cruiser branch will see a number of changes, including the Tier X Moskva becoming a heavy cruiser obtainable by spending the in-game Coal resource. Moskva’s place in the tech tree will be taken by the light cruiser Tier X Alexander Nevsky. The Tier V Kirov becomes a premium ship with the Tier V Kotovsky replacing her as a light cruiser.

The Tier X Moskva will move up from being a light cruiser to a heavy cruiser, and as such, become a special ship, obtainable by spending the in-game Coal resource.

Update 0.9.5 also revamps the Armory interface by improving navigation between menus and combat mission d sections, and adding the possibility to preview ships and camouflages in the Port. The interface has also been updated, including the addition of new challenging “OR” conditions. This allows players to choose their own path in fulfilling mission objectives and getting rewards, for instance being able to select between earning 10,000 Base XP “or” to destroy 10 enemy ships.

Furthermore, from June 24 to July 6, the Twelfth Ranked Sprint will take place. It will be fought in an 8vs8 format, playing Tier VIII ships in Domination mode. Two new Clan Brawls will also be available.

Further details on the Update 0.9.5 can be found HERE.

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