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World of Tanks trailer heralds new dev diary series highlighting fundamental improvements
"It will be a truly transformative year for [World of Tanks]." -- Mike Zhivets, producer. If you are a WoT fan, get ready for a big year: 2014 is slated to bring fundamental improvements to the game. With the release of today's trailer, Wargaming has announced a new series of developer diaries that will reveal the plans for major changes coming throughout the year. Of these changes, Zhivets said: "Enhancements planned for 2014 touch upon the very core of World of Tanks, and each of them will overhaul the look and feel of the title, inducing the tank combat experience we deliver with a whole new level of realism and immersion." These plans include technical enhancements (such as a highly responsive gaming environment, dynamic suspension, blown-off turrets, and damageable small parts), a graphics renderer revamp (that adds more realistic details to vehicles), and a new meta game functionality (Fortified Areas). Additionally, the oft-requested Historical Battles will make an appearance. Each new feature will be described in detail in a dev diary series throughout the year. But to get a taste of what's coming, watch the introductory trailer below. [Source: Wargaming press release]
PSA: World of Tanks out now on Xbox 360
Wargaming's free-to-play tactical multiplayer combat game World of Tanks is now up for grabs for Xbox Live Gold subscribers on the Xbox 360, with a seven-day timed trial available for XBL Silver members. Previously released for PC platforms, World of Tanks offers a selection of team-based tank warfare scenarios across seven playable maps. World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition boasts a new control scheme suited for twin-stick controllers, along with a new HDTV-optimized UI that should aid veteran players transitioning from PC to console. Through the end of the month, first-time players can purchase two Founder's Packs at a discounted rate using in-game currency, expanding their arsenal with premium tanks, extra ammunition, and other bonus equipment. A bonus Russian T-127 light premium tank is available for players who purchase both Founder's Packs. [Image: Wargaming]
World of Tanks launches worldwide on the Xbox 360
Are you ready to blow up tanks on your Xbox 360? Probably; there have been roughly two million games released for the console based almost entirely around blowing up tanks. But are you ready to do so in World of Tanks? Because the game has launched on the console worldwide, complete with special Founder's Packs. The packs contain tanks, currency, ammo, and crews, but will be available for purchase only until February 28th. Before you run downstairs to fire up your console, keep in mind that you won't be able to play the game for free; an Xbox Live Gold subscription is required for continued play. All Xbox Live accounts do get a free trial of the game for seven days, however, so you can decide if it's worth subscribing to the service. You can also take a look at the gallery below to get a glance at what the game will look like on the TV. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
World of Tanks patch pits nation vs. nation
World of Tanks is rumbling for a tumbling with Update 8.11 this week. The patch, which is being rolled out worldwide over the course of the week, has a new "experimental" mode that throws nations against each other. The Confrontation mode groups vehicles from a specific nation against similarly tiered vehicles from another nation to see who ends up the victor. Wargaming was quick to point out that it had yet to balance this mode and that Japanese and Chinese vehicles are not available in these fights. There's more to Update 8.11 than the Confrontation mode, however. The team's added Windstorm, a new European winter-themed battle arena, and revamped the Ruinberg and Himmelsdorf maps. [Source: Wargaming press release]
World of Tanks to blast Xbox 360 on February 12
The Xbox 360 version of World of Tanks will launch February 12, Wargaming announced. The game will retain its free-to-play-with-premium-purchases structure, but will require an Xbox Live Gold membership. Those with a free Xbox Live account will have access to a trial version of the game for seven days. The tactical, team-based online war game will include over 100 tanks from the Unites States, Germany and United Kingdom. World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition entered beta in August 2013. The game first launched on PC in North America in April 2011 following its 2010 release in Russia. [Image: Wargaming.net]
World of Tanks rolls onto Xbox 360 February 12th
Grab your controllers tank drivers, World of Tanks: XBox 360 Edition will launch globally next week on February 12th. Players who currently have an Xbox Live Gold account can download and play the game for free; Xbox Live account holders will get a seven-day timed trial to the game. Developed by Wargaming West (formerly Day 1 Studios), the game will start off with over 100 tanks from the US, Germany, and the UK, and features revamped controls for the console as well as a new user interface. [Source: Wargaming press release]
World of Tanks lets you roll out national forces in a new game mode
Have you ever rolled around in World of Tanks and thought that it was fun, but what you really wanted was to be rolling your Soviet tank alongside a group of fellow Soviet tanks? Then you'll be happy to know that the game's newest update is letting you do precisely that. A new game mode is being added in which tanks will be grouped up with other tanks from the same nation, allowing you to replicate the feel of British tanks moving into battle against American tanks in World War II! Wait. Something's wrong with that idea. Aside from this new mode, dubbed Confrontation, the update will also add in a new map and revamped "winter" versions of two existing maps, giving players even more battlefields to roll across whilst spreading destruction. You can check out screenshots for the update in the slideshow just below. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
World of Tanks sets new concurrency record of 1.1 million tanks tanking
Wargaming.net's World of Tanks has again broken its own world record for player concurrency, hosting 1.1 million players simultaneously on the game's Russian cluster. This new total handily defeats the previously reported record of 190,541 online players set in March of 2013, though Wargaming.net did note in its press release that average concurrency has been hovering near the 900,000 mark "for the past few months." According to the studio, which now boasts offices in Chicago, Baltimore, Seattle, Austin, Paris, Kiev, Tokyo, and more, World of Tanks has over 75 million players. The press release was not specific on whether these are active players or simply registered accounts. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
Perfect Ten: Biggest MMO news stories of 2013
As the light slowly fades from 2013, we spend our final moments quaffing eggnog, putting up President's Day decorations, and reminiscing about the year that was. We stare at the past and realize that it's a mirror reflecting our own journeys through the past 12 months. We contemplate the impact of one small decision that ripples out and touches souls everywhere. And then we stop getting so maudlin and start getting excited for what 2014 has to offer. For me, I live for end-of-the-year lists. Man, I love 'em. I will devour them, drinking up everyone's opinions about what what the best what, what movies or songs I should check out, and what idiocy drives some people to write top 10 lists. Seriously, am I right? Learn to use a paragraph format, people! Well, here's my top 10 list covering the year's top stories in the MMO industry. Some are pretty obvious, some will be up for debate, and all will be in the past soon enough. So what will historians say about 2013 and online games?
World of Tanks update brings Japanese armor
Wargaming.net today announced the launch of World of Tanks update 8.10. North American and European World of Tanks players can now access the brand-new Japanese tech tree, which includes 14 tanks spread across the game's several tank-types and tiers. The Soviet tech tree has also seen two additions in the form of the Object 430 and Object 430 Variant II medium tanks. A Japanese-themed map has been added as well, complete with cherry blossoms. Check out the 8.10 launch trailer after the break. [Source: Wargaming press release]
World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition open beta this weekend
A worldwide open beta has been initiated for World of Tanks on Xbox 360. Anyone with an Xbox Live account can jump into the beta right now on through this weekend, up until the virtual tanks are directed back to the garage on December 15. If you don't have an Xbox Live Gold subscription, participating in the beta will net you a seven-day trial period. Those who have already claimed their free seven-day trial can re-up for another seven days as part of this weekend's beta test. Wargaming.net's World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition was announced back in June at E3. The free-to-play online multiplayer combat game pits players against each other in mid-20th century tanks. World of Tanks will not feature cross-platform play between Xbox 360 and PC, and players will have to register separate accounts in order to play on their platform of choice.
The Soapbox: Seriously, we have enough fantasy MMOs
Let's play a game. I'm thinking of an MMO that features magic, monsters, humans, and a vast fantasy world full of steamy swamps, grassy plains, and deep, dark dungeons -- can you tell me which MMO it is? If you answered RIFT, you're right. You're also right if you answered TERA. Or World of Warcraft. Or Guild Wars 2. Or Neverwinter. Or... you get the idea. We're people who play MMOs. Our hard drives are practically bulging with games featuring wizards and warriors. We've plunged our swords into millions of orcs and gnolls. We've looted more imaginary copper pieces than anyone could possible imagine. We've even slain so many dragons that you have to wonder why dragons even bother showing up anymore. It's not the gameplay but the setting that can make the whole exercise so soul-crushingly boring.
Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console
Consoles and MMOs do not have the stand-offish relationship that they used to have. In fact, there are so many different MMOs to choose from on consoles that it's seriously tempting to pick up one of the new ones -- the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 -- even though I wasn't planning on it for a long, long time. I enjoy using a controller with MMOs so much that I plan on covering the subject more in the future. So let's get to the list of MMOs that are currently on consoles or that will be coming out on consoles in the near(ish) future. Massively's own Mike Foster put together a fantastic list last summer, but I thought I would update and pass it on. After all, the new consoles are officially here... so be sure to reference the list when you need a new MMO to play on your shiny new console!
World of Tanks welcomes Japan to the fight
One might think that World of Tanks is starting to run out of countries to introduce to the game if it's diving into Japan, a country not exactly known for tank dominance in World War II. However, maybe the alternate history of the game will vindicate these tanks when they show up with Update 8.10. The upcoming content addition will add 14 Japanese tanks to the game and a revamped lighting and shadow system. The Japanese tanks will be split between four light and nine medium war machines. The crown jewel of the new tank line is the Type 3 Chi-Nu Kai premium medium tank. [Source: Wargaming 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]
Wargaming establishes new mobile-oriented studio in Seattle
World of Tanks developer Wargaming has conquered Seattle and is funding the creation of a new, yet-to-be-named studio there, GamesBeat reports. Okay, maybe they just want to make mobile games instead of capturing the city, but if they start rolling tanks toward their neighbors next year, we called it. What has been determined is that the studio will be led by David Bluhm, co-founder of the mobile-oriented developer Z2. PopCap Production Director Joe McDonagh will oversee game production, while Z2's Senior Producer Julian Chunovic will head post-production. While no announcements concerning the studio's projects have been made, Bluhm told GamesBeat that he thinks "mobile is ripe for innovative and new core game mechanics." Wargaming itself has yet to release a mobile game, but World of Tanks: Blitz will be its debut.
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]
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).
