World of Tanks MMO announced by PC by wargaming.net, makers of Order of War and Massive Assault

22 September 2010

Posted by:Josh

World of Tanks was announced by developer wargaming.net in 2009 and is currently in closed beta for European nations, having already been released in Russia. The game should be released in Western territories this year or possibly in 2011 as a free-to-play online title.

World of Tanks is a Player Versus Player (PVP)-based Massively Multiplayer vehicle combat game that mixes in RPG elements, strategy elements and simulation aspects with heavy action. The game will include over 500 different tanks (based on World War II), and armored vehicles, from the United States, Germany and the Soviet Union. All of them will be realistically modeled with historical accuracy.

Tanks are divided up into light, medium and heavy tanks, alongside tank destroyers and self-propelled artillery as well as some well-known prototypes and low-volume vehicles mixed in.

By winning and partaking in PVP battles as part of teams, groups and clans, you’ll earn experience, level up, and gain credits that allow you to modify your tank by changing turrets, chassis, engines, guns, radios and various ammunition types. Up to 10 mods can be made on most tanks, all reflective of real life. Additionally each tank has a wide tech tree which expands it’s abilities by giving you knew parts to equip onto your tank. However while you can purchase them with experience points, that only gives you the right to use it, you still have to actually buy it with credits before having it accessible.

In addition, players have a virtual crew that levels up along with the vehicles, and these each improve various stats. So an experienced gunner will offer your tank improved accuracy. You’ll eventually gain more vehicles and have a garage where you can swap out for a different tank of your choice before heading into battle.

Teamwork is required to win battles and the game has a basic rock-paper-scissors structure, which also depends on ammo used and other factors. Certain aspects of the game’s environments are also destructable, but full destruction is not part of the equation. Vehicles will get busted up real good though.

Random Battles, Team Battles and Clan Battles are modes offered with a maximum of 60 tanks possible on the wide-open battlefields at the height of Clan battling. Environments include open fields with hills and forests to deserts and industrial zones. The game even includes a mode where groups fight over territory for control on a global map.

Here is a video of the game in action.