Fresh from GDC 2013, Russian based developer Wargaming has announced the latest in their expanding list of multi-platform free-to-play titles; World of Tanks Blitz.
The new mobile title will be available on Android and iOS devices, but don't let that fool you into thinking that this is just a dumbed down version of Wargaming's flagship PC title. World of Tanks Blitz promises to deliver "console-quality visuals and realistic physics".
Among the impressive list of speakers from last week's DICE 2013 Summit was one man of particular interest to the Free-2-Play gaming industry, Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi. As one of the forerunners of the F2P revolution, Kislyi is more than qualified to speak to the current state of the F2P industry and what the future may hold for it.
If you had any doubt about how utterly huge Wargaming.net has become, let any misconceptions be eradicated quicker than a badly positioned Panzer.
Today Wargaming announced the launch of a brand new eSports league for its World of Tanks MMO.
Following the standard structure of regional tourneys building up to a Grand Finals tournament, Wargaming is slapping down $2.5 million dollars for its debut league.
The press release confirms just how popular Wargaming's stable of strategic combat titles have become, having recently boasted an eye bulging 50 million registrations to its site.
First details on World of Tanks's newest patch, 8.4, has slipped down the pipeline, and both British and Soviet players can expect new Destroyer class tanks to wreck with, and the German tech tree will have new Light class armor.
The update will add the famous Universal Carrier QF2 and the A39 Tortoise (pictured above) as well as the the Soviet SU-100Y Destroyer-class armor, and three new German Light tanks. And, as previously hinted on the official site, Steppes, Ensk, Fisherman's Bay, and Live Oaks will be updated visually and mechanically.
But the really nice thing is that, if you're a new player, they're overhauling the tutorial for new players.
The best time to jump in is now.
Julian "Mirai" Williams
Well hello there Patch 8.3! World of Tanks is launching the new patch tomorrow, adding the Chinese tech tree. But that's not the only things that are added - the patch notes bring extensive tweaks to German, American, and French tanks.
Julian "Mirai" Williams
The revamped lighting and renders, new five US tanks, and a line of British tanks all come tomorrow to World of Tanks. And, in preparation, here's the new in-game trailer for the patch, with some footage of the T71, the T69, as well as the improved rendering on the Rudinberg maps.
Julian "Mirai" Williams
Not to be outdone by Blizzard with their fancy-shmancy Battle.net World Championship, Wargamimg.net today announced their World of Tanks Championship to be held at the World Cyber Games 2012 Grand Finals this week in Kunshan, China. It's such a big deal, they even sprung for a slick new teaser trailer. While we can't embed the video, you can check it out on YouTube right here.
On October 30, 2012, Wargaming America announced details about in-game Veteran's Day charitable events for World of Tanks. Wargaming America is the exclusive publisher for Wargaming.net, which creates World of Warplanes, World of Tanks, and the not-yet-released World of Warships.
World of Tanks announced recently that a new British line of armor is coming to the 8.1 update, totaling a ridiculous number of twenty two new vehicles coming to the game. The Centurion M. I-IV, the Centurion V-XI, the Matilda class, and the Churchill heavy armor make up the new tech trees introduced to the game.
Mike Zhivets, producer for World of Tanks, had this to say;
The Brits invented the first tank, pioneering the evolution of the whole industry, and it’s an honor for us to greet them in World of Tanks. They are so close, you can hear their tracks rolling! Their looks are as daunting as their guns, and I’m sure the Brits will make great competitors to other nations in World of Tanks.
More changes are coming to the upcoming patch, including render and lighting overhauls to battle arenas like Province, Dragon Ridge, and more, as well as adding new Premium machines like the Panther M10.
Julian "Mirai" Williams
Wargaming.net's flagship combat game, World of Tanks, has broken 40 million registered worldwide users today. That number easily has shattered their former record only back at May of 2011 of 3 million. Additionally, the record for most players on one server at any time has been broken by their Russian server, with over 500,000 at one time.
Putting it into perspective - last year League of Legends broke the record of 15 million reigstered, and that was before it extended into Asia. Forty million is quite a bit!
Julian "Mirai" Williams
