52 replies to this topic

[MrVic]

                


World of Tanks Newsletter Volume #15

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 or ideas and how you might like to contribute!

Newsletter Staff
Editor: MrVicWeekly Comic: Wallachia

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Developers Corner  said:

Pre-release Notes what to expect

Spoiler

Last updated February 10, 2011


With the release approaching there is an urgent need to make up for a certain information deficiency. This thread is an attempt to cover top 10 most important points, issues, plans.


1. Release: Hardwipe & Prices For Gold

These dates are still considered to be rough, but should give batter understanding of projected time-lines.

ETAs:

• Pre-orders launch: February 20-25
  
• Release date: March 10-15. Hardwipe confirmed.

Note! The exact dates will be announced on the websites. ETA's will be updated as we near the respective events.

The exact prices for gold are to be announced. There are some organizational issues that are to be sorted out first.

US server:

• set in US dollars

EU server:

• set in Euros

1USD=1EUR rate won't be in use, overall prices will be practically the same for both servers.

Note! Available payment systems and other related details are to be announced.

Pre-order packages will be available approx two weeks before the game goes live. All in all there will be 3 options to choose from, each one contains certain amount of gold with discount and a premium vehicle (A-32, Pz. V/IV, M6A2E1).

Pre-order stuff can be added to existing account.

2. Release Version and the Upcoming Major Update

Projected release version - v.0.6.3.x. It will be based on v.0.6.3.7 and contain 1 pre-order tank M6A2E1 that is currently missing.

Major update v.0.6.4 - preliminary patch notes:

• New vehicles:
  - 3 tier 8 SPGs: Object 261, Geschutzwagen-E, T92.
  - 2 premium tanks: Lowe and KV-5.
  - 2 tanks from full tress: Pz38 NA, KV-13.
  
• Maps:
  - 2 brand new maps.
  - Completely redesigned Pagorki map.
  - Reworked Komarin map.
  
• New movement system that is supposed to remove about 70-80% of stuck cases.
  
• Fixed hit boxes for several tanks (Maus, Jagdpanther, IS-7).
  
• [Possibly] Reworked gun mantlets for Tiger II, VK4502, Ferdinand, Jagdtiger.
  
• Added gold transfers between clan members.
  
• Reworked detracking system. See new detracking mechanics section.
  
• [Possibly] Reworked special graphic effects that is supposed to fix multiple fps drops.
  
• Reworked the mechanics of credit and gold repair kits, fire extinguishers, first aid kits. Details to be announced.
  
• Added advanced settings for voice chat and reworked some interfaces.
  
• Added mute player function for voice chat.
  
• Added individual adjustments of match-making value for each tank. Tanks of the same tier and type can be assigned with different values.
  
• [Possibly] Added tier for company battle mode with limitations on max vehicle tier and/or overall tier of the company.
  
• [Possibly] Fixed several cases of memory leak.
  
• Reworked outlines of bases to reflect the actual radius more accurately.

Note 1! ETA to be announced.
Note 2! The update comes after the release.
Note 3! US TDs will be added with the update that comes after v.0.6.4.
Note 4! French tanks will be added after US TDs.

3. Visibility and Spotting Mechanics

Visibility and spotting system are being worked on. Below are some details.

• Overall performance if the system will be optimized so as to consume less server resources
  
• The rate of visibility checks will see significant increase (approx 3-5 times more frequent)
  
• The number of "hard points" (special spots are verified during visibility checks and located on the vehicles) will be increased several times. That is supposed to make visibility mechanics more accurate and credible when determining sight between tanks.
  
• The number of visibility "sight lines" each vehicle emits is going to be increased several times. Small objects (posts, stones, bushes etc) won't affect visibility mechanics the way they do it now, their influence is to be reduced.
  
• "Camo" or visibility values are going to be reconsidered to reflect actual vehicle size and engine specs. Currently there is some mismatching, especially with German vehicles.
  
• "Post-firing" visibility will be systematized and redesigned according to gun specs
  
• ETA is to be announced.

4. Revision of Tech Trees

Currently we are considering possible revision of existing tech trees. The work is still in progress and there is no ETA for changes to arrive.

US tech tree, to a high extent, can be revised in the light of community feedback here.  


5. Match-making System

The way match-making system performs currently is explained here (Dev breakdown with chart) and here (FAQ).

Plans for future:

• Overall match-making will be improving steadily, this kind of work goes non-stop
  
• Match-making spread for the majority of the vehicles is not planned to be decreased
  
• Most of improvements will be done by means of changing match-making value ("weight") of the vehicles, that enables us to adjust the probability of getting into battles of a particular tier without changing actual match-making spread
  
• It will be possible to assign unique match-making value to each individual tank (currently assigned according to tier and type, i.e. all tier 8 heavies have the same value)
  
• Several adjustments will be made when tier 8 SPGs (soon) and tier 5 light tanks (not soon) are added
  
• Match-making value for tier 9 medium tanks is to be increased that will bring them in battles of higher tiers  
  
• No match-making system for company battles
  
• Company battles are going to be divided into several sub modes: according to overall tier of a company, limited to min/max tier of vehicles in it, faction-based company battles
  
• Most probably overall tier division for companies will correspond to current battle leagues

6. Clan Wars

International clan wars beta will start in a few months after the release.  

Non-exhaustive list of features for clan wars currently in development:

• New territories on global map.
  
• Special in-game maps for most important historical provinces.
  
• Fog of war in special battles. Neither team is aware of its opponent's roster.
  
• Reconnaissance.
  
• Engineering structures in controlled provinces: bunkers, automated (bot-guided) weapon emplacements, mine fields etc.
  
• Call for artillery- and air-strike covering the whole square.
  
• New battle formats. One base per map, bigger teams.
  
• Political features: diplomacy and alliances, super-capitals, revolts.
  
• Volunteers functionality (replacement for mercenaries).
  
• Nomad clans.  

7. German Vehicles

Having re-assessed statistics on vehicles performance and following vigorous community feedback, including but not limited to topics here and here, some changes are going to be made to German vehicles.

1. Fixed hit-box for Maus (example)

• Fixed issue with lower front hull armor plate and "mudguards" (see "armor-schielding" below)
  
• 8 additional armor groups for gun and mantlet that can be assigned with separate parameters.
  
• Added "armor-shielding" mechanics for mantlet and possibly front hull. "Armor-shielding" decreases actual penetration power of the shell, allowing shell to go further with reduced penetration ability.
  
• Reworked mantled to reflect non-homogenous armor, gun hole in the mantlet and areas where mantlet armor overlaps with front turret armor.
  
• ETA - v.0.6.4.x update

Note! Tiger II, VK4502, Ferdinand, Jagdtiger might be reworked in the same way, when the performance of "fixed" Maus is assessed.  

2. Reconsidered and systematized visibility values for tanks and especially TDs.

ETA - v.0.6.4.x update

3. Adjustments to max speed values of Tiger and Tiger II are under consideration.


8. SPGs & Balance

• Current SPGs mechanics is working as intended. The role artillery carries out in battle coincides with projected designations
  
• No major changes are planned
  
• Implementation of tier 8 SPGs is not going to cause significant rebalancing of lower tier units

9. New Game Modes

• Several new game modes are in development
  
• Assault mode - one team is to defend the base, the other one is to capture it
  
• Domination mode - there is one base in the center of the map and both teams are to capture it
  
• Current maps will be reworked and adjusted to suit new game modes
  
• At this time - no ETAs

10. New Detracking Mechanics

The size of front and rear trucks/wheels for each particular vehicle will be specified in %.

I.e. suspension/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.

Spoiler

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

This post will be timely updated.

Topic for discussion.

Pre-Release Notes Update #1

Spoiler

Update 1

1. New time line for pre-orders launch. Extra slot included.
2. Removed from preliminary patch notes of v.0.6.4:
[Possibly] Added tier for company battle mode with limitations on max vehicle tier and/or overall tier of the company.
Reason: unfortunately we won't manage to finish it in time, will be added in the next update.
[Possibly] Reworked gun mantlets for Tiger II, VK4502, Ferdinand, Jagdtiger.
Reason: Maus goes first, it will be used as guinea pig (in the finest sense of the word) to test the new mantlet mechanics.

Quote

Pre-Release Notes Update #2

Update 2

• Pre-orders launch: March 8-15.
  
• Release date: March 24-31.

World Championship WOT.

Dev Question and Answer on Question and Answer sessions Link to Thread

Password change serviceLink to Post

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News Headlines said:

REGISTRATION FOR URAL STEEL CHAMPIONSHIP TO BEGIN TODAYNews Link Details

MULTILINGUAL WORLD OF TANKSNews Link Details

SPOTLIGHT ON - WORLD OF TANKSNews Link Details

RELEASE OF V.0.6.3.8 UPDATE ON MARCH 1News Link Details

Ural Steel - International Championship within World of tanks for Uralvagonzavod prizesNews Link Details

WORLD OF TANKS SETS WORLD RECORD News Link Details

Q & A WITH WOT PROJECT MANAGER FROM THEAVERAGEGAMER.COM News Link Details

WORLD OF TANKS TUTORIAL, PART 3.PROGRESS News Link Details

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Main Discussions on the Forums said:

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

Discussion of pre-release notesLink to Main Topic

v.0.6.3.7 update - preliminary discussion Link to Main Topic

Official Tracks - Tracked - Tracking Thread Link to Main Topic

Match Making Thread Link to Main Topic

Post Patch SPG Thread Link to Main Topic

Official Hard/Soft Wipe Discussion Thread Link to Main Topic

Official Tank View Range / Spotting Thread Link to Main Topic

Thread Covering Open Beta information  What Open Beta Means to you!

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Fake Tip of the Week said:

Fake Tip of the Week:If you shoot the flag base in the perfect angle it re spawns as a Xmas Tree!

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Post of the Week said:

Link to Post

Tank Crew german voice sound

Change the in game voices to German

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A Look to the Future said:

  

World of Tanks Tutorial Video Part 4



Ural Steel - International Championship within World of tanks for Uralvagonzavod prizesNews Link Details

New Match-Making Chart

- Changed spread for some vehicles
- Featured new vehicles

Spoiler

note - left-hand column is the vehicle tier, top row is the battle tier (the battle that vehicle gets assigned to) there are no and no plans for tier 11 or 12 vehicles. /SE

Quote

M6A2E1 - is an uparmored continuation of US M6 heavy line with a new turret armed with a T5E1 105 mm gun. Never was in mass production.

This is a tier 8 premium tank that will be available for pre-orders in about 2 weeks

M6A2E1

Spoiler

M6A2E1 Pre-Order

Update on M6A2E1
M6A2E1 Specs
M6A2E1 specs revelaed. This vehicle will be available in pre-orders.

Quote

Tier - 8
Hit Points -1500
Weight Limit - 66.96/70.5 t
Engine Power - 960 h.p.
Speed Limit - 29 km/h
Traverse Speed - 24 deg/sec
Hull Armor - 191/44/41 mm
Turret Armor - 191/89/208 mm
Standard Shell Damage - 270-450
Standard Shell Penetration - 149-248 mm
Rate of Fire - 4.8 rounds/min
Turret Traverse Speed - 26 deg/sec
View Range - 430 m
Signal Range - 650 m

World of Tanks Tutorial Video Part 3



World of Tanks Tutorial Video part 1



World of Tanks Tutorial Video part 2

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http://img252.images...812/picweek.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

New Map Preview!

Caucasus

Spoiler

http://img8.imagesha...42/caucasus.jpg

Pagorki Modified

Spoiler

http://img190.images...llsmodified.jpg

Last Weeks Pictures of the Week (Archive)

Spoiler

New KT Renders

Spoiler

http://downloads.wor...ii_1024_768.jpg

For those that have missed the Renders section here is some samples in the Art Section on the Main site. Link to Art Section

Spoiler

http://downloads.wor...g_thumbnail.jpg
http://downloads.wor...g_thumbnail.jpg
http://downloads.wor...g_thumbnail.jpg

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Weekly Web Comics said:

The Loltraktor Chronicles by: Wallachia (Core) Link to the Authors site.

Spoiler

http://loltraktor.th...c4f20332227.png

Maus World of Yanks, Life on the American Server By: SourKraut

Spoiler

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Tank Skin of the Week said:

This weeks featured Tank skin is by "Red_Iron" Thread Link

T-23 Medium Tank

Spoiler

http://s2.ipicture.r...28/JrWARK1r.jpg

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Community Driven Content said:

Historical Battles!
Historical Battles, Link to Section

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

Lost your Original Tank Skin files? This thread may help save you time! Link to Thread

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Help Wanted said:

New Positions Open!
Looking for 1-2 Players from NA and EU forums to join the Newsletter Staff.  Looking for players that are avid readers of the forums, main work entails finding funny or well written posts, recent information on info segments posted by the devs ect and other content such as finding tank skins for each weeks Newsletter publications.  Main focus is finding and collecting information to be added weekly.  If your interested in such a role please Send a PM to MrVic  Thanks!

[MrVic]

All set! New map preview and some specs for the M6 preorder. Liking the new map looks and changes to pagorki are looking nice also!

Enjoy

[yams42000]

No pics of French tank

[merig00]

Good job! The new map looks interesting

[Panzer109]

Who the heck -1 this?!

+1 Awesome new map pics!

[Mrbusta]

I like the new pagorki look. So the premium tank is on the super test server in order to get that screenshot and data. Is the tier 8 arty on super test yet? Hoping to gets stats on those before the game goes live.

Great work on newsletter as usual.

[MrVic]

Mrbustanut, on Mar 04 2011 - 22:29, said:

I like the new pagorki look. So the premium tank is on the super test server in order to get that screenshot and data. Is the tier 8 arty on super test yet? Hoping to gets stats on those before the game goes live.

Great work on newsletter as usual.

Yeah really curious but from that looks like its a great improvement, now to see what they do with Komarin, it was slotted for some work also

New map show looks good for some crazy fights

[goggles]

no news on e series still

[Zulnex]

Excellent work as always MrVic and the newsletter staff.

[Shigure]

Eh...not impressed with the new Pagorki...but then all we've seen is a beta pic so I guess I can't judge yet. The Caucasus map looks a bit more interesting but i'm still not amazingly impressed. Seriously though guys...where are the hedgerows of normandy? Cause Cliff is not normandy no matter what you say.

Anyway another nice News Letter. Thanks for all the effort you put into these guys.

[Diastant]

Hey, at least we look like we get to keep the hill. Anyways, the new map looks really nice, mountain valley I presume?

By the way I think the Maus comic was the funniest yet. That was hilarious.

[czer1337]

flying loltraktor!! xD

[Diastant]

czer1337, on Mar 05 2011 - 01:39, said:

flying loltraktor!! xD

Yeah that was hilarious.

[Mow_Mow]

Excellent newsletter, good to see new map / revisions coming down the pipeline : D

[Echo_Sniper]

damn didn't get the first post this week


meh

Still interesting though, and umm according to the new match making charts, are we to expect tier XI and XII?

[Jetu]

Echo_Sniper, on Mar 05 2011 - 02:29, said:

damn didn't get the first post this week


meh

Still interesting though, and umm according to the new match making charts, are we to expect tier XI and XII?

Quote

note - left-hand column is the vehicle tier, top row is the battle tier (the battle that vehicle gets assigned to) there are no and no plans for tier 11 or 12 vehicles.

  
Right next to the chart.

[ligerox]

hmm still no M18, any word on this one MrVic

[BlacKHeaDSg1]

New maps looking great  

[dr_fruitloop]

Another excellent newsletter

[Carves]

The Weapon Test #8 comic was hilarious