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World of Tanks releases Ultimate Conquest mode
Wargaming.net is finally taking the wraps off its much-anticipated World of Tanks clan wars mechanics, and hundreds of clans are gearing up to wage war across the title's expansive map. Ultimate Conquest is now live and features its own web destination complete with clan rankings, a world map, and a handy guide. The clan wars map currently encompasses Northern and Mediterranean Europe and will eventually include Asia, Africa, and North America. "We've been working on this for so long, and now we are proud to say that the Ultimate Conquest has begun. This mode is a huge leap for the whole project, as it will add an important strategic element everyone has been so passionately waiting for," says clan wars coordinator Kirill Mal. You can learn more about the World of Tanks metagame at the official North American or European portals, and you also check out our clan wars-focused GDC interview with Victor Kislyi. And we've got a new clan wars tutorial video for you just after the cut.
World of Tanks wins Best Game of GDC Russia 2011
Wargaming.net announced today that its free-to-play MMO World of Tanks has taken both the Best Game of 2011 and Audience Awards at GDC Russia 2011. In addition, Wargaming.net itself took home the Games Industry Award. Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi attributes the game's success to taking time to "make sure that we were putting out a top quality game," and if the three awards the studio is taking home from GDC are any indication, the team has done just that. World of Tanks itself -- for those who couldn't tell from the title -- is an MMO action game in which players take control of a variety of historically authentic World War II-era tanks in battles of up to 30 players. As players destroy their enemies, they earn the ability to develop their tanks with any number of upgrades, allowing them to customize their killing machines to suit their playstyles. If you'd like to see first-hand what World of Tanks has done to earn these awards, jump into the driver's seat over at the official site.
World of Tanks gearing up for 0.6.4 patch
World of Tanks is prepping for its latest patch, and the 0.6.4 upgrade is scheduled to go live on May 17th. Balance changes for vehicles, combat, and non-combat mechanics are on the menu, as are overhauls to the garage and battle UIs as well as a few graphical and performance tweaks. New vehicles include the premium heavy Lowe, KV-5, KV-13, and Pz38NA in addition to the Object 261, GW-E, and T-92. Wargaming.net has also improved World of Tanks' vehicle movement system, which has resulted in the elimination of the sticking bug that rendered vertical surfaces and map borders problematic. The 0.6.4 patch also includes two new maps, and you can check out a nifty video of the Mountain Pass and Prairie regions courtesy of our earlier coverage. Make tracks to the official World of Tanks website for the full patch notes. And when you're done reading up, head over to celebrate on WoT's Facebook page, where the team has recently announced a new concurrency record of 155,000 players!
World of Tanks trailer shows off two new maps
All's been fairly quiet on the World of Tanks front since the free-to-play World War II action MMO went live last April. Today, Wargaming.net has released a new video heralding the upcoming 0.6.4 game update. The setup is a series of idyllic scenery shots that look to be taken directly from the picturesque landscape of any number of fantasy MMOs. The tranquility doesn't last for long, though, as various tank squads are shown rolling through the countryside and shelling their enemies with abandon. This particular video exists to show off the two new maps coming in the 0.6.4 patch, and despite a relatively short running time (1:30), it does a darn fine job. The Mountain Pass and Prairies regions are vast and rather beautiful -- and a stark contrast to the scarred steel of the player-controlled tanks using the landscape for cover. Check out all the details after break, and be sure to head to the official World of Tanks website to read the 0.6.4 patch notes.
Choose My Adventure: Into the cave I go!
Hello Massively Readers, and thank you MJ for passing the torch! It's been an enjoyable ride following her in her Xyson adventures, and I hope I can do the same for whatever game is chosen. And that brings me to the list -- what would you like to see me play? I made sure to include some of the bridesmaids from previous polls, as well as a few that were mentioned and not listed. So what's it going to be, Massively readers? Will Pirates of the Burning Sea finally get its comeuppance, or will I sport a jet pack and buzz around in Global Agenda? Are you curious about whether MYST Online has the same frustratingly difficult but gorgeous puzzles as the original, or would you prefer that I return to my roots and spend some time on the EverQuest progression server? And, of course, there's my long-lost uncle whom I never got to know -- EverQuest II Extended. Maybe you'd prefer to see an EQII vet head to free-to-play land. Whatever the game, I'm looking forward to your help choosing my path, and if you are also playing, I hope to get to know some of you during my adventures. Make sure to get your votes in by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 17th!
World of Tanks rolls on to release day
How's about we strap ourselves inside 60 tons of steel, form up with a company of like-minded comrades, and steam-roll those unfortunate chaps rolling along in the enemy tank brigade on the other side of the map? If you answered hooaahh, World of Tanks is probably an MMO that you'll want to check out (and even if you didn't, the game is free-to-play, so you've got nothing to lose). So grab your buddies, your extra ammo, and a cup of that engine degreaser that passes for coffee and avail yourself of video tutorials, interviews with Victor Kislyi, and clan wars discussions -- all courtesy of the best World of Tanks coverage on the web. That's right, release day for Wargaming.net's action/strategy MMO is finally here, and Massively's got your mission-critical intel briefing just after the cut.
World of Tanks beta statistics announced
The devs at Wargaming.net aren't shy about sharing player statistics, and why would they be when the studio's flagship World of Tanks title is cranking out some pretty impressive numbers. In a press release dated this morning, the company said that approximately 700,000 tank drivers took part in the year-long beta testing throughout Europe and North America, and those 700,000 players participated in 5.6 million battles. More than 115 million virtual tanks were bombed into oblivion courtesy of 1.7 billion shells, and World of Tanks surpassed 25,000 peak concurrent users. Closed beta testers (registered by 0:00 UTC 27/01/2011) with 1000 or more battles under their belt will be rewarded with an M4A2E4 tank to acknowledge their contribution to the game's development. World of Tanks is officially releasing on April 12th, and Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi is advising players to get their real-life affairs in order. "You still have a couple of days to spend with your friends and families before the war breaks out, so spend it the right way," Kislyi says.
World of Tanks offers pre-order packages that come with your very own toy tank
Unless you're very, very rich or a movie kid powered by a montage, chances are you'll never have a tank to call your own in life. Fortunately, Wargaming.net is getting ready to hand us the next best thing: keys to a virtual tank when World of Tanks launches on April 12th. Fans looking to stock up on goodies for launch should be interested in World of Tanks' pre-purchase program. While the game itself is free-to-play, it will be funded by microtransactions via in-game gold. Until April 12th, players have the opportunity to shell out for one of three pre-order packages to get a good discount on the cost of gold (around 10%) as well as snag a unique tank that comes with special abilities. The "heavy" package will feature the American M6A2E1 tank, the "medium" package has the German Pz. Kpfw. V/IV, and the "light" offers the Soviet A-32 tank. North American players can look over the pre-order packages here, while the European gamers must travel afar to a completely different website. In the meantime, check out 12 brand-new World of Tanks screenies below! %Gallery-96260%
World of Tanks launching April 12th
After nine straight months of intensive beta testing, the end (and the beginning) is finally in sight for fans of Wargaming.net's World of Tanks. The World War II-based action MMO is officially launching in both Europe and North America on April 12th, and die-hard testers "who did a long way from [closed beta] to release will get some bonuses" according to a post on the game's website. World of Tanks looks to blend the fast-action gameplay of its squad-based modes with the large-scale strategy of the clan wars mechanic to create the definitive heavy armor MMO title. The game features destructible environments and authentically rendered combat vehicles from a variety of nations, and it's all wrapped in a free-to-play package designed to allow curious gamers to try before they buy. "Our team has been working really hard to create a unique blend of action, strategy, simulation, and RPG in World of Tanks, and now the moment all fans across the globe have been waiting for is right around the corner," says Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi.
World of Tanks Clan Wars signups begin
Since our GDC sit-down with Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi, we've been quite anxious to get our hands on the World of Tanks Clan Wars mechanic. Happily, the system is just about ready for prime time, and the company has put out a press release announcing official clan signups for both European and North American servers. The Clan Wars action takes place on a global map that is divided into several provinces. Each province features its own particular revenue stream, and Wargaming.net intends for hundreds of clans to duke it out for territorial control rights. Clan Wars will also feature economic and diplomatic systems, making it an entirely new play option for fans of World War II-based armored conflict. "Clan Wars is not just a new game mode, but rather a separate gameplay layer or meta-game designed to provide years of fun and action for those fond of strategic thinking, politics, alliances, and intrigue," Kislyi explains.
GDC 2011: Impressions of the conference and what 2011 will bring
The 2011 Game Developer's Conference is behind us, and as we all recover from sleep deprivation and carpal tunnel syndrome, we can't help but reflect on our overall impressions of the event. This year saw a more efficient conference with the show floor consolidated into one hall and the usual Career Pavillion, Game Career Seminar and Game Connection events set up to help job-seekers find their dream careers in game development. But for the games press, most of the action happens off-site, where studios and publishers rent conference rooms and hotel suites to show off their latest game demos and conduct interviews. So while GDC is nothing like your E3s and PAXes, it is a place to gather info and get a feel for what to expect in the coming year. Follow along after the jump to see what I thought of this year's MMO offerings.
GDC 2011: World of Tanks' clan wars showcase player and developer passion
MMO devs rarely play their own games, right? That's the conventional player wisdom, anyway, and it's commonly found on forums, guild chats, and vent channels after a particularly painful nerf. Apparently the devs at Wargaming.net didn't get that memo, though, as our GDC sit-down with Victor Kislyi illustrated. Kislyi is the driving force behind World of Tanks, the World War II-based action MMO currently shattering industry concurrent user records as its Russian beta steamrolls the free-to-play competition. Not only does Kislyi play his own game, but he plays (and discusses) it with such passion that you can't help but root for the scrappy title and the team from Belarus that is bringing it to life. Join us after the cut to see what Kislyi had to say about the upcoming clan wars implementation as well as player politics.
MMO Roundup: RIFT launch coverage, world records, and more
Sometimes you'd like to know that there are other MMOs out there, right? It's not all WoW, all the time! Our sister site Massively can provide you with everything you need to know about all of the other MMOs around -- past, present and future. Massively's RIFT launch day coverage RIFT's launch has, so far, been an undeniable success. For those of you who decided not to take the preorder plunge and weren't playing during the preorder head start, Massively has everything you need to know about the game -- guides, content previews, soul (player class) reveals, and more. World of Tanks sets Guinness World Record This surprisingly popular MMO, which is still hip-deep in beta, already has one record for the books -- literally. Wargaming.net announced that World of Tanks set the Guinness World Record for Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server. The event happened on Jan. 23, as 91,311 players crowded onto its Russian server. DCUO launches first major content patch The first content patch of the recently release DC Universe Online hit live servers this past week, and Massively has all of the details. Help Batman out in the batcave and chase Catwoman over the rooftops of Gotham City! Exclusive launch trailer for EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious expansion This past week, Sony Online Entertainment unleashed its seventh expansion for the company's premier title, EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious. In celebration, SOE has released a brand-new video calling all EQII players to arms. It features narration from the Erudite Al'Kabor and boasts footage shot entirely in game. Massively Speaking episode 136 Massively Speaking returns this week with Shawn and Rubi being joined by SWTOR columnist and Contributing Editor Larry Everett. Topics include the new Norn race details for Guild Wars 2, EverQuest II's newest expansion launch, DCUO's first patch, Xsyon's postponed release date and more! Massively's week in review Don't let WoW Insider do all of the talking when it comes to Massively's best content of the week. The Massively staff themselves have picked out what they think is the best content their site has to offer in their own weekly roundup.
World of Tanks game modes and grouping discussed in fourth tutorial video
Curious about the game modes in Wargaming.net's World of Tanks MMO? Look no further than the ongoing series of video tutorials detailing various aspects of the free-to-play title. The series covers everything from newbie acclimation, to fighting techniques, to progression systems, and today's fourth installment adds grouping and game modes to that list. The default game mode in World of Tanks is called random battle mode, and just like the name suggests, it throws together random players on one of the game's extensive battle maps. Players can opt to join the fray solo, or form up into platoons or companies. Platoons are groups of three players that function as a traditional "pre-made," and, depending on your skill and coordination, vastly improve your chances of walking away from the random battle mode on the winning side. Companies are groups of up to 15 tank drivers that enable a player to enter stand-alone battles against evenly matched companies for practice and profit. Forming platoons and companies requires a premium World of Tanks account, and you can learn more on the game's official site. Don't forget to watch the video after the cut!
World of Tanks sets Guinness World Record
Move over EVE Online -- there's a new sheriff in Single Server Population Town, and his name is World of Tanks. This surprisingly popular MMO, which is still hip-deep in beta, already has one record for the books -- literally. Wargaming.net announced that World of Tanks set the Guinness World Record for Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server. The event happened on January 23rd, as 91,311 players crowded onto its Russian server. CEO Victor Kislyi thinks the game can do better: "However, with the population of the game growing steadily another week or two, [it] would let us report a more impressive record as the current PCCU number surpasses 120,000 players." If you'd like to get in on this record-setting title, the North American beta and the European beta are both accepting tank drivers every day.
World of Tanks progression detailed in third video tutorial
The video tutorial series for World of Tanks is rolling right along, as Wargaming.net has just released the third installment of its ongoing series. The latest update is called Progress, and it's all about unlocking your tank's potential and acquiring bigger and badder equipment. As each World of Tanks battle comes to a close, the game presents your personal achievements in the form of tanks destroyed, vehicles damaged, and vehicles spotted. These numbers are used to calculate your experience and credit gains, which in turn go toward researching modules and upgrading armor. All tanks have five basic module slots, which are accessed when you click research and select from a list of available upgrades. Advancement takes the form of progressing through research tiers and unlocking new tiers by participating in battles. World of Tanks also features an experience curve for your NPC tank crew. Leveling your crew members up enhances their overall performance, and once they've reached 100% in their basic skills, the advanced skills of repair, firefighting, and camouflage become available. Click past the cut for more details courtesy of the new video.
World of Tanks deploys its second video tutorial
All right, listen here, soldier! You learned all about the garage in the first World of Tanks tutorial. Now it's time to get into the action. Wargaming.net just released its latest lesson about playing this unique MMO. There is a lot to learn, and although the controls may seem familiar at first there are a few twists that may throw you for a loop. This is where the actual fighting starts. By the end of this second World of Tanks tutorial, you should have all the basics down on how to engage an enemy. The step-by-step instructions will teach you how to read the mini-map, target enemies at specific ranges, lock on targets for close ranged battles, and maneuvering your monstrous vehicle. If you are into strategy and war gaming or if you just like to blow stuff up, check out the video after the break, then march on over to the official World of Tanks website to sign up for beta testing. Ten hut! Forward march!
One Shots: Heavy Metal
While there are more than enough fun types of MMOs out there, there are precious few in which you can rampage around the country in several tons of virtual steel and blow up other people in heavy machinery. Add in the historical aspects of different tanks from wars past, and World of Tanks is definitely a refreshing change from the everyday hack-and-slash MMO fare out there! That's why we're so glad to see today's One Shots sent in to us from Makikou, who tells us a bit more about this image: "What we are seeing is a German Tier 10 Super-Heavy Tank in the middle of about 11 wrecks, kind of a 'Last Tank Standing' situation. [It] also features a neat custom skin." If you're playing a game we don't get to see often then why not send in some screenshots for us! We're always on the lookout for locales we haven't seen recently. Email those images in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing in the picture. We'll post it out here on Massively and give you the credit! %Gallery-112285%
World of Tanks launches video tutorial series
Are you a fresh-faced rookie looking to get a leg up on the competition in Wargaming.net's World of Tanks open beta? If so, you'll want to check out the game's newly launched video tutorials. The first entry in the ongoing series introduces the level system, upgrade options, crew training, and economic aspects of the armor-based action MMO, and it is aimed at newbs who might otherwise be unsure of how to proceed at the controls of a World War II-era tank. "We saw a lot of new recruits joining World of Tanks with the open beta start. These new videos are designed to make their life a little bit easier and help them adapt quicker to the harsh reality of the armored world we are creating," said Wargaming.net producer Nick Katselapov. World of Tanks features over 150 historically accurate armored vehicles from America, Germany, and the Soviet Union. The title boasts 15v15 PvP action, global clan wars, and a mixture of action, strategy, and simulation. Learn more about the game and the open beta at the official website, and be sure to watch the tutorial video after the jump.
World of Tanks kicks off European and North American open beta
Wargaming.net has sounded the death knell for World of Tanks' closed beta, and the development team is putting on its game face as the free-to-play heavy-armor MMO rolls ever closer to release. The title's open beta is officially er... open, and the devs are inviting anyone and everyone to strap on a few tons of steel and participate. Registration is dependent upon your region, so make sure you visit the appropriate link (one for Europe and one for America) to sign up. "We want to thank all those players who participated in the closed beta test and helped us make the game open to a bigger audience by reporting bugs and providing valuable feedback. Now it's time for us to further enhance and polish the game before its final release," says Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi via press release. Learn more about World of Tanks at the official website, and don't forget to check out the new screenshots below as well as the open beta launch trailer after the jump. %Gallery-96260%
