38 replies to this topic

[MrVic]

World of Tanks Newsletter Volume #5

Welcome to the World of Tanks Newsletter! said:

Our goal is to weekly update with news events, new information on current issues, and interesting articles!
If you think you have a story or article that would fit in well submit the article to MrVic via PM on the WoT boards.
We plan to add some reporters/writers so submit your entries and how you might like to contribute!

News Headlines said:

IS-7 Renders available! Link for Details

Comic Contest! Link to News

Tankopedia!!! News Link Details

Maus Renders available! Link for Details

The forward scouts have spotted what appears to be Panzer Santa, headed our direction!  (never mind horrid photography the scout that snapped the photo was going 55 kph and had a few to drink.....)

Spoiler

http://img574.images.../santasanta.png

Main Discussions on the Forums said:

Have thoughts or concerns? The following Threads are the main threads for discussing changes or feedback.

Match Making Thread Link to Main Topic

Post Patch SPG Thread Link to Main Topic

Spotting and Hiding Tanks Thread Link to Main Topic

v.0.6.2 preliminary discussion Link to Main Topic

Hot Topic of the Week said:

Preliminary Discussion v.0.6.2+++++ More updated notes!!
Link to Discussion Thread

Updated with more parts of the coming patch changes (more to come as its on going)

Spoiler

v. 0.6.1.5 - v.0.6.2.4 Note: Partial lists and Subject to change as internal testing continues.

Main:
- Added new maps: "Ruinberg" and "El Halluf".
- Added new battle mode: the "Tank Company Battle". A company of tanks with sum of tiers from 60 to 90 will get into a company waiting list where it will be randomly assign an opposing company.
- Added voice chat based on the Vivox technology. It works only for platoons in random battle, for companies in tank company battles and for training battle. The feature is still in testing hence is implemented with minimal settings.
- Added achievements: "Reaper", "Invincible", "Survivor", "Raider", "Master Gunner", "Kamikaze",
- Added medals: Kolobanov's medal, Billotte's medal, Fadin's medal, Wittmann's medal, Orlik's medal, Oskin's medal, Halonen's medal, Burda's medal.
- Added full dynamic shadows. The option is located in settings "Enhanced shadows". The shadows are in the testing mode so there is a possibility of artifacts.
- Added new interface for repair and resupply of consumables - "Service": added possibility to automatically replenish consumables and to repair the tank after coming out of the battle, possibility to quickly replenish consumables, ability to change the sequence of shells.
- Added controls settings in the game settings.

Gameplay:
- The doubled experience for the first battle (in a day) on each tank now is given not for the first battle, but for the first victory on the tank..
- Training battle does not count as the first battle anymore for the purposes of the doubled experience.
- The chance of hitting an inner module (except gun) increased from 33% to 50%.
- Removed possibility when any HE that explodes near a tank to damage internal modules, except crew members.
- The damage to inner modules from an HE that exploded on the tank armor is reduced by 50%, exception - crew members.
- Change experience transfer from a group of tanks. The experience from all tanks is collected so all tanks left with zero experience and then it is transferred. The remaining under 25 experience is placed on the last tank on the list.
- "Scout" is now awarded only if the team won.
- "Sniper" is now awarded if during the battle there was no friendly damage.
- The top tanks in the battle roster are now balanced not by the level but by the match-making "value", which considers type of the tank.
- The coefficient of heavy tanks for the match-making calculations is increased from 1.3 to 1.45.
- Reworked tank distribution tiers in battles.
- Fixed ability of lifting fallen trees with tank.
- Removed possibility of driving beyond the edge of the map during lag spikes.
- Fixed tank spawns considering type of the tank (SPG in Malinovka, etc.).

System:
- Fixed FPS drops during rendering of track prints.
- Fixed lags when destroying objects.
- Improved auto-configuration of graphic settings.
- Experimental feature. Limited speed of rendering in the loading screen, this should improve loading time for slow computers.
- Added some optimizations which suppose to end single sharp falls and dips in FPS.

Content:
- Multiple fixes of tanks' models and textures.
- Set a normal speed of track rotation on all tanks.
- Reworked and added destruction of some objects.
- Fixed some spots on the maps where tanks would get stuck or couldn't pass.
- Modified base flagpoles and flag animation.
- Added removal of rendering for some small objects at long distances.
- Reworked shot sounds of some guns.

Interface:
- Changed system notifications in the hangar.
- Fixed changing music volume level which worked only for battles.
- Multiple small interface changes.
- Added hints-tooltips on interface elements in hangar.
- Fixed purchasing a tank with a slot in hangar without warning.
- Fixed bug with filter "Location" in barracks switches by itself.
- Fixed invite notification, if the player is in the battle at that moment.
- Added display of User Agreement after the client launch.
- Added turning on/off of "after death" post-effect in settings.
- Removed ability to lower camera beneath the water level.
- Now after purchasing premium, hangar immediately updates to premium.
- Fixed UI bug when researching several vehicles and/or modules in a row using free experience

List of tank specs changes:

Germany:

Gun 75mm_KwK_40_L43: dispersion 0.41->0.4.
Gun 75mm_StuK_40_L43: dispersion 0.39->0.38.
Gun 75mm_KwK_40_L48: dispersion 0.4->0.39.
Gun 75mm_PaK_39_L48: dispersion 0.38->0.37.
Gun 75mm_PaK_40: dispersion 0.38->0.37.
Gun 128mm_PaK44_L61: reduced visibility after firing, +20 damage to all shells.
Gun 128mm_PaK44_L55: reduced visibility after firing.

PzII Luchs: reduced visibility during movement.
VK 1602: reduced visibility during movement.
PzIII: reduced visibility during movement, dispersion reduced by 5% during movement and traverse.
Pz III/IV: by 5% improved pass-ability on medium grounds, dispersion reduced by 8% during movement and traverse.
Pz V-IV: chassis rotation is matched with Panther's.
Tiger II: mantlet armor for top turret 65->100.
JagdTiger: 128mm_PaK44_L55 reload (in seconds) 10.4 ->10.36, 128mm_PaK44_2_L61 reload (in seconds) 10.6->10.5.
VK 4502: mantlet armor for stock turret 120->160, mantlet armor for top turret 120->180.

USA:

Gun 37mm_M-6_L53: price in credits 8350->2500.
Gun QF_6_pounder_Mk_III: penetration: AP 89->110, APCR 145->180, accuracy 0.4->0.38.
Gun 75mm_Gun_M3_L37: dispersion 0.38->0.4.
Gun 75mm_Gun_M2_L28: dispersion 0.39->0.41.
Gun 76mm_Gun_M1A1: reload (in seconds) 3.2->2.85, dispersion 0.37->0.38.
Gun 76mm_Gun_M1A2: dispersion 0.34->0.35.
Gun 90mm_Gun_T15E2M2: dispersion 0.33->0.32, reduced dispersion during turret traverse.
Gun 105mm_Howitzer_M2A: reduced aiming time by 15%.
Gun 105mm_Howitzer_M4: reduced aiming time by 15%, HEAT penetration 60->53.
Gun 120mm_Gun_T53: aiming 3.0->2.4, reduced dispersion during turret traverse.
Gun 155mm_Gun_T7: aiming 3.0->2.7, significantly reduced dispersion during turret traverse.

Engine Wright_G200_m_781C9GC1 level 8->7, price in credits 72380->47600, chance of fire 0.2->0.25.

T29, Т32, Т34, Т30: fixed error with discrepancy between displayed and actual hull armor. Actual armor decreased by 20%.
M6, T1: reduced experience cost Wright_G200_m_781C9GC1 19800->10900.
Т-57: pass-ability reduced by 10%, reduced traverse speed by 2 degree/sec, decreased accuracy during movement and turning by 3%.
Т2 lt: reduced repair cost by 30%, increased ammunition capacity of 20mm gun.
M7 Priest: 105mm_Howitzer_M - reloading time decreased 13.95->11.76 (in seconds).
RamII: reduced repair cost by 20%.
Т14: reduced repair price by 5%.
T29: increased visibility of the tank, by 5% increased influence of movement and traversing on accuracy, 105mm_Gun_T5E1 - reloading (in seconds) 9.5->10, by 10% reduced speed of traverse for top turret, fixed display of frontal armor for both turrets, changed guns ammunition.
Т32: by 5% reduced pass-ability on medium grounds, by 8% decreased accuracy during movement and traverse, by 6 deg/sec reduced traverse speed of first tracks, by 2 deg/secк - of second, 105mm_Gun_T5E1 reload (in seconds) 9.38->9.4, changed guns ammunition.
Т34: changed guns ammunition.
Т30: changed guns ammunition.

USSR:

Engine V-2-54: increased horsepower by 20 h.p.
Gun QF_6_pounder_Mk_III: AP penetration 89->110, APCR penetration 145->180.
Gun 76mm_S-54: dispersion 0.4->0.36.
Gun 76mm_S-54_S: dispersion 0.37->0.34.

А-20: decreased visibility during motion and rest, improved pass-ability of top tracks on medium and hard grounds.
А-32: decreased visibility during motion and rest.
BT-2: decreased visibility during motion, by 6% reduced influence of movement and traverse on accuracy.
BT-7: reduced visibility during motion and rest, improved pass-ability on medium grounds, by 4% decreased dispersion during movement and traverse, view range for top turret increased by 15 meters.
Т-26: reduced visibility in motion.
Т-34-85: by 20% improved pass-ability on medium and good grounds.
Т-43: by 9% decreased influence of movement and traverse on accuracy.
Т-44: by 5% decreased influence of movement and traverse on accuracy, by 25% increased durability of tracks.
IS-4: armor: hull-upper plate 120->140, driver's lug 120->160, rear-upper plate 120->100.

Topic for discussion

Projected timeline - to be announced.

Attention! the list of changes is not full.

v.0.6.2.4 - v.0.6.2.5

- Added voice chat in the training battles, company battles, and in standard battles for platoons. In order to activate the voice chat it needs to be turned on in the settings. To use voice chat in game you have to press and hold button "Q' while speaking.
- Reduce the chance of critical damage for internal modules from 50% to 45%. Chance of critical damage for ammo rack reduced from 30% to 27%.
- Multiple fixes for maps "Ruinberg" and "El Halluf": floating objects, awkwardly placed objects, stuck points.
- Fixed falling bushes on the map Ruinberg.
- Fixed trees on the map Karelia.
- Reduced "hang ups" in hangar.
- Fixed the way scroll bar works for replenishing ammo.
- Fixed settings set up when selecting "high" settings.
- Added button in the controls settings for fixating tank hull.
- Fixed the way buttons-arrows work for tank movement.
- Removed "weird" nicknames in channels.
- Returned displaying of the menu when pressing "Esc" after exiting the battle.
- Increased display time for system notifications
- Fixed filter "crew member is in such-n-such tank" in barracks.
- Howitzer sights: now when shooting beyond the maximum distance, the trajectory is lit up with white color.
- Fixed some typos in interfaces.
- Fixed a star on ISU-152.

Topic for discussion

Projected timeline - December.

Attention! the list of changes is not full.

v.0.6.2.5 - v.0.6.2.6

- Fixed "black screen" in howitzer mode for some players with AMD processors.
- Re-rendered static shadows on all maps using new algorithm which provides better quality.
- Fixed a controls setting, which demanded reassignment of all keys.
- Command "autoaim" is unbound from the command "free camera".
- Fixed error: "If to reassign a key to another key which already was bounded for another function, and if to skip the warning window exit from the controls assignment window, the setting will save as incorrect information".
- Fixed appearance of a "red rectangle" in the controls settings window.
- Fixed incorrect assignment of the "Kolobanov's" medal.
- Expanded de​sc​ri​ptions of medals and achievements.
- Fixed unwarranted disappearing of sections of statistics without a possibility to open it up in the statistics window.
- Fixed display of zeros in the nonzero statistics.
- Fixed "hanged up" display of a speaker icon next to a "dead" player.
- Added automatic removal of incompatible consumables. E.g.: removal of gasoline when changing from gasoline to diesel engines.
- Fixed incorrect display of tank's tier in the tank purchase window.
- Fixed update of the experience value in the hangar while spending the experience.
- Fixed non-obvious work of a progress-bar for replenishment of shells in service window.
- Fixed disable "after death" post-effect option in settings.
- BT-7 tank removed from the exceptions during match-making.

Projected timeline - December.


v.0.6.2.7 preview:  Time frame TBA

- Added new medium tanks: Т-54, Panther II, Pershing.
- Added new TD "Object" 704.
- Added new SPGs: "Object" 212, G-Tiger, G-Panther, M12, M40/M43.

- Increased reverse speed for tier 7, 8, 9 medium tanks.
- Rebalanced characteristics for all guns and ammo for current SPGs tiers 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Increased hit points for tier 7, 8, 9 medium tanks.
- Increased the visibility for tier 8, 9, 10 heavy tanks by 25% during movement and at rest

- Reworked match-making system.
- Fixed bug with not saving status of ammo-resupply checkbox.
- Fixed incorrect messages on recieving achievements in service channel.
- "Not ready" button now unlocked for platoon leaded in waiting line before battle.
- Corrected unobvious de​sc​ri​ptions of new achievements.

v.0.6.2.7 additional information Time Frame TBA

Research costs:

Т-54: 167.025
Panther II: 164.535
M26 Pershing: 174.690
"Object" 704: 152 900
"Object" 212 (SU-14 path): 185.570
"Object" 212 (S-51 path): 185.200
Gw-Panther: 116.580
Gw-Tiger: 166.000
M12: 112.250
M40/M43: 148.720

Price in credits:

Т-54: 2.940.000
Panther II: 2.850.000
Pershing: 2.980.000
"Object" 704: 3.547.000
"Object" 212: 2.490.000
Gw-Panther: 1.250.000
Gw-Tiger: 2.560.000
M12: 1.120.000
M40/M43: 2.438.000

Topic for discussion

Attention! the list of changes is not full.

Fake Tip of the Week said:

Tip: When set on fire, Driving into rivers/lakes/ponds not only puts out the fire but also cleans the tank so it looks shiny and new!

Post of the Week: (Post by Overlord) said:

Link to Thread
We are going to redesign track damage and detracking system.

It is going to work this way:

So as not to redo collision models of all tanks, the size of front and rear trucks/wheels for each particular vehicle will be specified in %.

I.e. suspenison/tracks will consist of 3 major parts:

- front (approx 15-20% of its length)
- middle
- rear (approx 15-20%)

Hits for each part are to be calculated separately:
Hitting the front and rear parts will detrack the vehicle the way it works currently, ie the damage done to leading wheel or idler.
The middle part will have more hit points and reduced chance to be damaged.

The above is supposed to reduce the effectiveness of plain firing at tracks. One will need to aim accurately to detrack the opponent (damage either front or rear wheel/truck)

The image below roughly represents new system.



Green areas will be limited to the size of leading wheel and idler.

The above changes will take place in one of the upcoming updates in 2011.

A Look to the Future said:

  
Some of the frequent questions and things to come. (Following List are changes in testing and Subject to Change)

Keep in mind these are changes for testing purposes


-Server Split is Delayed. Sadly it looks like we'll not see the server split until after the new year.  Official announcement of it will be posted soon.
Note: Coming patch and the Server Split are not a linked, once more info for the next patch coming up is available we'll have that posted asap.

Some love for the Mediums
- Increased reverse speed for medium tanks tiers 7, 8, 9.
- Rebalanced characteristics for guns and ammo for current SPGs tiers 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Increased health for medium tanks tiers 7, 8, 9.
- Increased visibility of heavy tanks tiers 8, 9, 10 by 25% while moving and at rest.

- 9 new vehicles, including 3 tier 9 mediums, 5 SPGs and Object 704 will be added in January.

- Then come US TDs along with some German and Soviet tanks from full tech trees (KV-13).

- Finally, French tanks (end of Q1 2011)

- Likely that US TDs will be added after the game goes live (Ferbuary-March 2011). Regarding E-series, even can't give you any rough date

-Server Split Up Procedure (Details for the Server Split)  Link to Notification

http://img821.images...99/picsweek.png

Pictures of the Week said:

Note: Many of these images are from projects in progress. They should be considered Alpha images and not final

T-54 Russian Tier 9 Medium

Spoiler

http://img707.images.../4718/t54x1.jpg

Pershing USA Tier 9 Medium

Spoiler

http://img529.images...95/pershing.jpg

Panther II German Tier 9 Medium

Spoiler

http://img834.images...1/pantherii.jpg

Object "704" Russian Tier 9 Tank Destroyer

Spoiler

http://img148.images...6827/obj704.jpg

Object "212" Russian Tier 7 SPG

Spoiler

http://img704.images...4092/obj212.jpg

Geshutzwagen Tiger German Tier 7 SPG

Spoiler

http://img513.images...3/29/gtiger.jpg

Geshutzwagen Panther German Tier 6 SPG

Spoiler

http://img821.images...14/gpanther.jpg

US Tier 6 SPG M12

Spoiler

http://img375.images...5/6181/m120.jpg

US Tier 7 SPG M40/M43

Spoiler

http://img46.imagesh...3855/m40m43.jpg

Preliminary French Tech Tree

Spoiler

http://downloads.wor...h_tree_full(eng)_for_book.jpg

http://img821.images...6226/comicd.png

Weekly Web Comics said:

The Loltraktor Chronicles by: Wallachia (1st Armored Division) Link to the Authors site.

Spoiler

http://loltraktor.th...21798907356.png

By Shinkirou

Spoiler

http://i.min.us/ibgOKg.jpg

http://img220.images...307/devpoll.png

This weeks Developer Poll said:

So we all probably wish we could own a tank!  So this weeks Poll was what would the Developers do if they owned a Tiger I.

Tank Skin of the Week said:

This weeks random featured Tank skin is by "Dr_Nooooo" Thread Link

Jagdpanzer Vi Jagdtiger, Sd.Kfz.186, Western Front 1944/1945

Spoiler

Cropped Tank only photos of the finished skin are preferred for those hoping to see yours chosen for Tank Skin of the Week!

Tourist Guide to Maps of WoT said:

Written By: Ripper753 "Division Acorazada 250"


Malinovka Tourist Guide

Malinovka, birth place of most famous campers, with a population of 30 is a beautiful place to enjoy the landscape and lake views. You can also visit the "let them come" church or contemplate the exceptional "Bermuda's potato field".



1.- "The long and scary trench". Perfect place to stay for 15 min., with plenty of bushes and rocks providing shadow. If you are lucky you can join a duck hunt.

2.- "Malinovka mall" Also a good place to stay for a while, with many shops to visit and loose time. From here depart groups for the duck hunt too.

3.- "Bermuda's potato field". It's a strange singularity that makes tanks dissapear. Many tanks vanished there along last year. Experts say that it can be a terrenal wormhole linked to garage but the ones that dissapeared never returned. Only experienced tankers crossed it, but with the horror that they suffered in the travel they will never be the same.

4.- "The you first, no you first mill". It's a nice walk from where you can see the town of Malinovka at your right. After that you can try to visit the other's team base. Expect death.

5.- "The camping tank lake". It have this name because of it's similarity to a tank camping over a hill. You can see the drawing below. In this lake you can find salmons, trouts, and some unwary enemy tanks coming by the edge.



6.- Finish points of the daily "Malinovka bloodlust race". A very hard race where many participants dont reach the finish.

7.- "Coward's manufacturing plant". With a distinctive mill, this plant makes wood fences with the design of Frank Coward.

8.- "Town of Malinovka". A very nice place to visit, with the typical ratty houses and dry gardens. Not so good place to go if you have some type to allergy to arty shots.

9.- "Let them come" road. It leads to the church but at this point most of people stop there and only enjoys the idea of visiting the church. Flood risk (strange in a so dry landscape).

10.- "Let them come" church. Lots of semi-brave tankers visit the church and pray for an easy day.

Community Driven Content said:

Historical Battles!
Historical Battles, Organizer ZorinWarfield.  Link to current battle being setup. Historic Battle - Event No.9 - 1St. Battle Of Kurland27. December 8 PM GMT

Color Blind? Check this out!
Color Blind (Mod) by:SmVueno  Right now in game options are not complete, but the following thread created by SmVueno provides some help. Link to Thread

Help Wanted said:

Currently were seeking members to right articles or submit entries for the "World of Tanks Newsletter" If you would like to submit an entry or article please send it Via PM to MrVic. Applying to help with the news letter will be done through submissions of articles ect. Benefits for Writers/Reporters may be involved in the future.

[MrVic]

Volume 5 is up   Expect a few minor updates to it on monday and Thanks to all the writers.

Enjoy

Fixed the Dev poll...had some values swapped   All better now!

[Callous]

Thanks MrVic appreciate the work you and the writers put into this.

Any word on what the Russian Tier 9 TD's armor will be like?  Just debating which route i should go German or Russian.

[BCTiger]

object 212 looks like an Ltracktor on roids that switched sides,

[MrVic]

Callous, on Dec 18 2010 - 02:24, said:

Thanks MrVic appreciate the work you and the writers put into this.

Any word on what the Russian Tier 9 TD's armor will be like?  Just debating which route i should go German or Russian.

Armor values are not set just yet, once they are finalized and things are dialed in information on them will be available.
With its frontal armor being respectable and good slopes it should take a good beating    Once its final I'll get it plastered up

[Wallachia]

BCTiger, on Dec 18 2010 - 02:38, said:

object 212 looks like an Ltracktor on roids that switched sides,

It's the Mighty Loltraktor when he's angry =P


As usual, great work o/

[ZingFreelancer]

My god! The Kampinovka tourist tour made my cry! So damn funny!

[boilerrat]

object 704 made me cream... I did even more when I realized that I have enough exp and cash if we did a soft wipe.

[del1000014164]

Maybe I should think of starting russian TDs and any nation's artillery...

P.S. Awesome. You are brillinat, I hope you know that ;-) Allready looking forward to the next Newsletter, even it will need 1 week or more^^

[MrVic]

I am just thrilled no one has noticed the horrid panzer santa image I epically failed at lol

[Cobra6]

When you are working on a patch anyway: Please swap the VK3001P and VK3001H.

The VK3001H belongs in the Panther branch and the VK3001P in the Tiger branch, not the other way around

Cobra 6

[exoriou]

Malinovka tourist guide rocks!

[Baracouda]

vous faite chier avec le serveur européén qu'on attend avec impatience depuis 1 mois
bouger votre cul les responsables

No insults or swearing. 3 days RO "read only" ban.
/Tanitha

[tinkerer]

#corrections

Geshutzwagen Panther German Tier 7 SPG

- So panther is Tier 7, Hummel is Tier 5, whats between it? I think you got it mixed up!

Panther is Tier 6, and Tiger is Tier 7

Edited by merig00, Dec 18 2010 - 18:32.
red color is reserved for administration and mods

[von_Weizegger]

No server split.

GREAT!!! I get to play with ******** and unbearable pings for another month or two. Thanx guys and merry christmas to you too!      

[KruczoCzarny]

What you think about sending newsletter by email?

[leviath]

Wallachia, on Dec 18 2010 - 03:27, said:

It's the Mighty Loltraktor when he's angry =P


As usual, great work o/

Yes it's the Loltraktor : Hulk Edition  

[nabaco]

Sooo are we getting a soft wipe or arent we getting any at all? I had big plans....

[dr_fruitloop]

MrVic, on Dec 18 2010 - 06:53, said:

I am just thrilled no one has noticed the horrid panzer santa image I epically failed at lol

Nope, I spotted it. Should of done him for speeding

[_DC_]

tinkerer, on Dec 18 2010 - 13:34, said:

#corrections

Geshutzwagen Panther German Tier 7 SPG

- So panther is Tier 7, Hummel is Tier 5, whats between it? I think you got it mixed up!

Panther is Tier 6, and Tiger is Tier 7

Indeed was thinking the same.