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Wargaming fans celebrate World of Warplanes launch from a mountain, for some reason
Seven World of Warplanes fans have combined their love of digital high altitude acrobatics and actual, real-life high altitude adventuring to celebrate the game's recent launch. The team trekked into the Himalayas reaching altitudes as high as 5,000 meters, stopping for World of Warplanes breaks along the way. Although it's not the first time we've climbed in the Himalayas, this expedition has been an amazing and special journey for us all. We've broken several new trails, which was a hard, but satisfying, experience. On our way upward, we stop to get some rest and play World of Warplanes. The team planted a World of Warplanes flag on one of the peaks, which we assume means Wargaming now owns Mount Everest. [Source: Wargaming press release]
Pirates of the Burning Sea opens new account creation
Pirates of the Burning Sea continues its voyage of transition from the old days of SOE to the new ones under Portalus Games. As such, the team has opened account creation for new players on the Portalus website and added new seasonal exchange items to the game. In addition to account creation, Pirates of the Burning Sea can be downloaded from that site as well. The official game site is currently being "rebuilt," so stick to Portalus' home page for the time being.
World of Warplanes releases mobile app to track stats, compare planes
World of Warplanes officially launched earlier this week, and pilots who want to keep tabs on their personal in-game statistics on the go can do just that with a new mobile app. World of Warplanes Assistant offers players detailed information on both personal battles and all aircraft within the game, allowing players to compare warplanes and look up the specs of any vehicle. The app also provides a look at the leaderboards for each aircraft class. iOS users can download the app from free from iTunes App Store now, and an Android version is expected shortly. [Source: Wargaming press release]
Uncharted Waters Online relaunch set for November 28
The relaunch of Uncharted Waters Online has been dated for November 28, 2013. This relaunch will see the historic seafaring MMO enjoy a new publisher with OGPlanet. The current UWO service will conclude on November 25, but all current accounts will seamlessly transfer over to the OGPlanet service when players sign up on November 28. Steam users can link their account with a new or existing OGPlanet account at any time through the 25th. [Source: OGPlanet press release]
World of Warplanes takes off into official launch
If you've been anxiously awaiting the day that World of Warplanes would shed its lingering beta title, today is the day. After a brief delay the game has officially opened its doors for everyone, letting all players download to start dogfighting immediately. If you've played World of Tanks you have a solid idea of the core game concept, but instead of focusing on lumbering land weaponry this is all about high-speed planes engaged in aerial arenas. If you already play World of Tanks on a regular basis, the new title hopes to entice you with the new unified account system for both games, allowing you to enjoy some premium bonuses in both titles rather than just in the one. While there's no direct integration between the two (your plane can't fly in and strafe some tanks, for examples) it's still an incentive to get players into the same cockpit that 4.5 million beta testers sat in. So take to the skies, would-be pilots! Then shoot everything else up there that moves, including ducks. Especially ducks. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition welcomes all to open beta weekend
Listen up, tank commanders: If you have any hankering at all to try out the beta World of Tanks' Xbox 360 Edition, you better do so this weekend. Wargaming has kicked off an open beta weekend today that will continue through Sunday, November 10th, and it will be the last chance for anyone to get in on the beta as registrations will be closed afterward. To smooth the entry process, Wargaming will ensure that players don't have to sign up for a beta key but can simply download the client and boot up the game. To sweeten the entry process, the studio is giving a free premium USA T14 tier III heavy tank to beta testers and a premium USA Ram II tier V medium tank to those who fight at least five battles. World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition will also feature double XP during the beta weekend. [Source: Wargaming press release]
Wargaming founds mobile game studio
It seems as though the Wargaming empire is expanding its reach, as the company recently founded a new mobile game studio in Seattle. The studio, which currently lacks a public name, is headed up by mobile game vet David Bluhm. Wargaming is giving the start-up freedom to choose its own direction and business strategy while providing it with its funding, global marketing, and distribution. This studio is separate from Wargaming Seattle (formerly Gas Powered Games). Bluhm had a few words to say about his team's mission: "We think mobile games is still a relatively new space with massive upside. Mobile is ripe for innovative and new core game mechanics." He said that more information about the studio's upcoming titles will be revealed soon.
World of Tanks rolls out team battles today
Previously, the only way to team up with a larger group of friends in World of Tanks and fight together (or against each other) was to create a practice room and meet up. With today's launch of Update 8.9, players can now form teams of seven and engage in competitive battles with other similarly skilled groups of seven in the new team battles game mode. Additionally, this update introduces a new battle arena with an American Northwest setting, new Chinese premium tanks (the 112 and T-34-3), and an alternative branch of German tank destroyers that stretch across tiers four through 10. Check out these new features in the gallery and update trailer below. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
Uncharted Waters makes port at new publisher OGPlanet this fall
The free-to-play naval game Uncharted Waters Online drops anchor at a new publisher this fall, partnering with OGPlanet. All player accounts will be transferred to OGPlanet and the game will re-launch with a focus on expanding the North American playerbase. Current players will find all information pertaining to the service migration (such as thank you sales and current server shut down date) on the Netmarble site. In UWO, players can relive and rewrite the history of the 15th Century, sailing the world in authentic period ships (like The English Frigate, Baltic Galleon, Spanish Carrack, and Turkish Galley) and participating in strategic battles. Whether starting as an Adventurer, a Merchant, or a Soldier, players amass wealth and power, discover new worlds, and even claim unoccupied islands. Get a taste of the game in the cinematic trailer below. [Source: OGPlanet press release]
World of Tanks named online game of the year at Golden Joysticks
World of Tanks, the ever-popular tank-based MMO from Wargaming.net, is 2013's online game of the year according to the Golden Joysticks. The title beat out heavy hitters like League of Legends and Dota 2 to take the crown. Here's Al King on the victory: You have to play together as a team. We're rolling out increasingly aggressively across the world -- we have 70 million active users. It's truly democratic, we have a tremendously loyal community. They just did everything we asked of them, they're phenomenal, and we love them. Other big winners? Assassin's Creed: Liberation (best handheld game, The Last of Us (best storytelling), and Grand Theft Auto V (game of the year).
The Mummy Online shuts down today
Do you remember The Mummy Online? It was a browser game by Bigpoint, it was in beta testing, it... you don't, do you? Apparently a lot of people didn't, seeing as how the company is shutting the game down as of today without much fanfare. According to the official announcement, Bigpoint has determined that due to the dropping playerbase it simply made more sense to sink more resources into games with an active group of players rather than trying to revive something slowly drying out. There's a metaphor in there. No word has been given on any kind of compensation for players who had spent money on the game. Readers may also note that the game never technically left beta testing, making it one of many titles to fold before an official launch. Our condolences to any gamers or developers affected deeply by this loss. [Thanks to Scott for the tip!]
Wargaming video dives into World of Warplanes sound design
If you've played Wargaming.net's World of Warplanes, chances are good you've spent a good bit of time listening to your aircraft's engine. As it turns out, those engine sounds you're hearing aren't downloaded from a sound effects library or made up in the studio; a great deal of them are recorded in real life from the very planes featured in the game. Wargaming has put together a nice little video showing its sound team working to capture authentic sound effects from dozens of old-school aircraft. The process involves tarmacs, lots of equipment, and just a bit of shirtless dial-tweaking. Check it out after the break. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
Earn free tanks during World of Tanks: Xbox 360 beta event weekend
World of Tanks is sounding the siren's call for the Xbox 360 edition, tossing out special rewards for those who participate in the beta this weekend. There are three events occurring simultaneously on the beta server from Saturday, October 12th, through Sunday, October 13th, and all of them dangle goodies for participants. Players can earn an M22 Locust Tier III premium tank by completing 50 matches in this time span, and a Ram II Tier V premium tank will be given to everyone who engages this weekend as long as 10,000 players log in simultaneously. Wargaming is also handing out XP bonuses for the first win on ever tank a player owns and 2,500 gold for use during the beta process. An Xbox Live Gold account is needed to join in with this beta. [Source: Wargaming press release]
Wargaming releases new World of Warplanes flight school video
Need a video primer for turning and burning in World of Warplanes? Look no further than the clip Wargaming.net released this week. The six-minute shindig is part of the title's flight school series, and it focuses on various strategies for both air combat newbs and WoWP newbs. The video pays plenty of lip service to higher ground techniques, boom-and-zoom tactics, and making the most of the extensive info provided by the game's HUD. Have a look-see for yourself after the cut. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
World of Warplanes adds British warbirds
The Royal Air Force warbirds are invading World of Warplanes today, introducing the free-to-play MMO to classics like the Spitfire, Skua, and Javelin. This beta version 0.5.3 also adds new advanced mouse control options, new achievement and crew skills, and 11 gift and premium planes. You can sign up for the beta on the official site. [Source: Wargaming press release]
World of Tanks Assistant app adds achievements and more
The fact that World of Tanks has an app is nothing new; World of Tanks Assistant came on the scene last February. What is new, however, is what the app can now do. Wargaming has released version 1.5.1, an update that includes a completely overhauled interface, new in-game achievements, and an increased amount of game-related information. Players can also use it to compare personal statistics with those of other players and clans. World of Tanks Assistant is available for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone mobile devices and can be acquired for free from at Google Play and Appstore. For a look at these updates, check out the video after the cut. [Source: Wargaming press release]
A glimpse of World of Tanks on the Xbox 360
Last week, Wargaming showcased its latest beta of World of Warplanes alongside its flagship World of Tanks for the Xbox 360 at a Promenade event in San Francisco. Promenade events are aimed at generating a high degree of buzz and consumer interest for emerging innovative products. One aspect worth watching will be Wargaming's dedication to e-sports, which the studio outlined during the Wargaming.net League competitions on Twitch.
World of Warplanes bumps release dates to November
Wargaming's World of Warplanes has changed its official release date from September 25 and 26 to November 12 (for the Russian Commonwealth of Independent States) and 13 (for both North America and Europe). The previous date was given at this year's Gamescom, but this postponement "seeks to offer gamers a richer, more immersive multiplayer experience at launch. " On launch day, all XP earned during open beta will not reset and will be evenly distributed between pilots of low-level warplanes from each of the five national lines. [Source: Wargaming press release]
Japanese tank line coming to World of Tanks
Now that Update 8.8 is in the books, Wargaming has announced that its wildly popular World of Tanks will be adding Japanese tanks to the mix. "The introduction of Japanese tanks allows us to explore the design and innovation of a number of legendary armored vehicles and give players the chance to experience their technological evolution throughout the mid-20th century," said World of Tanks Producer Mikhail Zhivets. "Tank models based on original designs of Japanese engineers will offer players a wide selection of authentic upgrade schemes, each tailored for particular combat objectives." The Japanese tank tree, which will initially consist of nine medium and five light machines, will be the seventh national line added to the game. Be sure to check out the new trailer for this upcoming content just after the jump. [Source: Wargaming press release]
Gloria Victis shows off latest update in screenshots
The last Gloria Victis update expanded the landmass for adventuring. And now the newest update makes that land more interactive than ever. Not only can players harvest crops (including picking mushrooms), but they can also use doors, gates, and levers -- actions that will be integral to utilizing castle traps and siege machines. There are also revamps to structures and character creation. You can get the full scoop on the forums. In addition, the new website -- with more in-depth information about crafting, lore, combat, and nations -- is almost complete. A teaser for the site is seen above, and the new screenshots of the game are in the gallery below. [Thanks to Liting Zhu for the tip!]
