Purpose of this blog

Dmitry Yudo aka Overlord, jack of all trades
David Lister aka Listy, Freelancer and Volunteer

Friday, November 25, 2011

November 19 - November 25 Poll Results

7572 players voted for their favourite tank class in World of Tanks.

The vote results showed a fierce competition between medium tanks (34% of votes) and heavy tanks (36%). Other class appeared to be far less popular: tank destroyers got 18%, self-propelled guns - 7%.
Light tanks are the least popular according to the poll results getting tiny 5%.

As always a new poll is up. It is dedicated to the public test of 7.0 and its upcoming release.

Public Test of 7.0. Stage 2

Public test of 7.0 update will be resumed today and will last until November 30. After that we expect at least one more test update to come.

World of Tanks v.7.0_test1 - 7.0_test2 patch notes:

- Fixed rare bug with the Tank Company window disappearance
- Fixed the technical text appearance in invite windows
- Reworked limitations on vehicle types in tiered Tank Company battles
- Reworked hitboxes tanks: VK 3001H, SU-152, АТ-1, VK3001P, VK1602, SU-76, Pz II Luchs, BТ-7, IS-4 
- Fixed a bug in camouflage patterns of tanks: PzJager I, Object 212, VK 3601 (H), KV.
- Fixed and reworked 3D models of tanks: A-20, T-32 (suspension hitbox), M7, SU-152, T28.
- Fixed the crew member personal file display when he is sent to barracks.
- Fixed errors in the Tank Company battle interface
- Fixed inability to change the texture quality to "low."
- Fixed the sky transparency through map objects with enabled anti-aliasing mode SSAA + FXAA.
- Fixed garage and store filters.
- Game screenshots are now saved in a separate folder.
- Fixed RMB context menu in a player battle list.
- Fixed player statistics display for all tanks.
- Fixed dual cursor bug when the connection lost notification appears.
- Fixed inability to sell a tank with partially full crew.
- Reworked specifications of tanks: the SU-85I, Pz IV Hydraulic, MTLS-1G14.
- Increased minimum combat tiers for tanks VK1602 and T-50.
- Removed a conical 7.5 cm gun from both Pz VI Tiger turrets.
- Fixed a bug with inability to reject the invitation from other clusters.
- Fixed loading screen asymmetries in the tank list.
- Fixed a sniper scope appearance while replaying battle videos.
- Fixed saving of screen size settings when using Alt + Enter.
- Fixed appearance of room invitations when “receive invitations from friends only” is on.
- Fixed receiving invitations from players in combat.
- Fixed ability to send invitations to players with "ignore" option on.
- Fixed battle chat block while working with a team list.
- Removed ability to ignore accepting EULA in a login window.
- Fixed a rare client freeze when trying to connect to a created battle.
- Fixed inability to get into a training room accepting an invitation.
- Replaced SU-85I engine with StuGIII engine.
- Removed "improved ventilation" module in SPG Gw-Tiger and rebalanced vehicle specifications.
- Fixed tanks falling through an upper part of the bridge on "Marsh" map.
- Fixed "accelerated crew training” check-box disappearance after leaving Tank Company.
- Fixed delay while relogging from one cluster to another.
- Fixed handling of invitations sent from other clusters.
- Fixed non-stop sound of a base-capture alarm.
- Increased load limit for IS-3 stock suspension.
- Fixed a rare error with the game client freeze when entering the garage while updating modules.

Browse 7.0_test1 patch notes. For details on how to join the testing refer to your community portal.

On EU forums, leave your feedback on the update here.

OverTargetMarkers mod for Wolrd of Tanks won't be adjusted to 7.0 update. We are planning to introduce it later on.

Your test accounts will be available as of November 15 (progress on test server won't be kept due to technical reasons).

UPDATE on server status: ON

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Public Test of 7.0. Recess

The public test server will be stopped tomorrow, November 23, 10am UTC.

We have received substantial amount of feedback and now it's time to make changes.

We would like to thanks all the testers and invite them to the 2nd stage. Restart of 7.0 public test is scheduled for November 24. The test will be restarted under v. 7.0_test2.

UPDATE. 23.11.
Server-side update will arrive tomorrow. It won't bring much changes that are noticeable for players. Client update will be deployed next week. Need some time to implement the changes.

UPDATE. 24.11
Stage 2 of public test is rescheduled for November 25. Preparing the client update.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Targeted Feedback on 7.0 Update

Public test of 7.0 has been available for some time. So here I would like you to post your feedback regarding the following points:

1. Horn feature
2. Camos

Here share your sorts on overall quality, colour themes, pricing etc
3. Interface changes
Minimap improvements, warning windows, equipment indicator, etc
4. Gameplay and mechanics
5. New visual effects


You can also share your thoughts on any other changes and features you consider important. Browse full patch notes of 7.0.

Vote on horns here!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Public Test of 7.0. Finally!

The public test of 7.0 update has been launched which means we are one step closer to its release. Below is the changelog for the upcoming major update. In order to take part in test, visit the respective WoT website and follow the instructions there.

World of Tanks v.0.6.7 - 0.7.0 patch notes:


Main changes:
- Added system for working with multiple game servers (multi cluster technology).
An extremely important feature which is the heart of 7.0 update. It creates the basis for future merge of global map and server selection.
- Added camouflage system for all tanks.
Permanent camos - for gold, fixed period of time camos - for credits.
- Added tank horns. Default key for tank horns is “H”.
25 gold per horn. Test mode of horns, haven't decided on them so far.
- Added company tiers: up to tier 4, up to tier 6, up to tier 8, and up to tier 10. For tiers 4, 6, and 8 added special restrictions on SPGs
Special restrictions on LTs will be added in the next public test update. No worries.
- Added in-game report system. You can right-click the player’s name and report that player from the new context menu.

Content:
- Added new maps – Marsh and Fjords.
- Added new special premium tanks – SU-85I and Pz IV Hydraulic.
Both are temporary available in Store for testing purposes. They won't be purchasable after the release!
- Added tanks for "box" version: PzII J, BT-SV and MTLS-G14.
Both are temporary available in Store for testing purposes. They won't be purchasable after the release!
- Fixed a number of bugs in tank models.
Visual improvements.
- Fixed a number of bugs and stuck places on most of the maps.
- Some maps got animated birds added.
Also a key feature!
- Added display of clan emblems.

Reworked tank hitboxes:
- Germany: Pz VI Tiger, Pz 38(t), VK 3601(H), JagdPz IV, VK 3002 (DB), Pz III/IV, Pz 38H735(f), Pz S35 739(f), Pz B2 740(f), Pz 38 NA, E-100.
- USA: M4 Sherman, T29, T32, T30, T14, M5 Stuart, M7, M2 med, M4A2E4, Ram II.
- USSR: Т-34, KV, MS-1, А-20, SU-18, IS-3, Т-44, SU-85B, SU-14, Valentine LL, Matilda LL, KV-3, T-54, IS-7, KV-13, Object 704, А-32.
All hitboxes now feature 16 groups of armor and benefit from skirt armor (where it was used historically). The "ears" of E-100 and T29 have been adjusted to no damage armor type, hitboxes of E-75 and E-50 haven't been changed.

Gameplay and mechanics:
- The rate of getting team damage and team kill penalty points doubled.
Penalties will arrive twice faster now.
- Changed mechanics of determining minimal armour thickness for HE damage.
More accurate HE damage mechanics.
- Added display of enemy tracers in the narrow sector of player’s gun direction.
- Added display of tracers for SPG mode when the firing tank’s position is within SPG player’s view.
- Quitting the battle leaves the tank in battle. In case it was not destroyed during the battle, it is automatically destroyed when the battle ends.
- Fixed rare bug with unreasonable spotting.
- Fixed rare bug with reticle's horizontal jerking when switching to sniper mode.
- Fixed rare bug with reticle freezing in sniper mode when the vehicle is close to another object.
This one and the one above it were rare, but extremely annoying.
- Fixed rare bug with ubreasonable decrease of Pz IV traverse speed.
Shame on us!
- Fixed bug in Invader achievement description.
- Added separate type of shells for all German 8.8cm L/71 gun, damage set to 240.
Both KwK and PaK.
- Adjusted specifications for 7.5cm conic gun for VK3601H.
Nefred!!
- Added 7.5cm conic gun for Tiger (available for both turrets).
- Т-44: added LB-1 gun for top turret, added V-54-6 engine with 680 hp.
T-44 used to be the worst tier 8 medium stat-wise, now it is supposed to overtake at least Type 59.
- Changed models and specifications for both IS-3 turrets.
- Slightly reduced normalization for AP and ACPR shells.
- Adjusted view ranges and ammo rack hit points for tier 7, 8, and 9 medium tanks.
- Adjusted specifications for all automatic guns.
- Credit prices for tier 2 and 3 tanks rounded down.

UI:
- Improved minimap functionality. Added scaling; turning on/off in battle; markers for commands “Help!”, “Follow me!”, “Attacking”; transparency option.
Solid improvements indeed, many were looking forward to them.
- Added tips for hangars functions. You can activate them pressing F1 in hangar.
- Improved display of tank markers. Added sorting by range.
- Added additional options for tank markers.
- Added colour-blind theme, available in options.
- Reworked players list on the map loading screen.
- Added goals of the battle on the map loading screen.
- Added new mode for players list during the battle. Added buttons for switching the modes.
- When selling the tank you get quick option to remove its equipment and crew.
- Added information about the clan in player’s UserInfo.
- Changed the design of death hint after tank’s destruction.
- Added indicator for equipment that affects visibility (camo net, binocular telescope) showing whether it provides bonus or not.
- Added auto removal of non-compatible consumables.
- Added sound notification when the gun is fully aimed.
- Changed sound notification when hitting and damaging tank modules.
- Added sound notification when ramming static object, while driving at speed more than 10 km/h.
- Added sound notification on base capture progress.
- Added auto blocking for spamming the same message or symbols in the game chat.
- Added option to assign game commands for the additional mouse buttons.
- Added warning window when selling a tank that can not be purchased in Store (e.g. special premium tank)
- Added notification on saving screenshot.
- Added notification when it's impossible to sell tank due to exceeding selling limit.
- Added notification when trying to resupply both credit and gold ammo and consumables having not enough gold on account.
- Removed Camera postion option.
- Added "Caps lock" indicator on login screen.
- Removed all achievements from personal crew profile barring "epic" and "hero of the battle".
- Fixed diplay of modified experience during specials (e.g. x5, x3).
Finally! No more empty brackets!
- Fixed the names of some American tanks.
- Fixed and imporved interface pop-up tips and dialogue windows.

System:
- Improved overall game performance on several PC configurations.
- Improved special effects. Changed effects of shots, hits and explosions.
- Added advanced special effects options.
- Added improved support for Logitech keyboards, Alienware laptops.
- Fixed certain problems with game display for multiscreen configurations.
- Improved display and performance of dynamic shadows.
- Added new antialiasing mode - FXAA.
- Improved quality of voice chat.
- Added "vignette" post-effect.

Friday, November 18, 2011

November 12 - November 18 Poll Results

7496 players expressed their opinion on damage from friendly ramming being inflicted.

The vote results didn't show any unanimity. 52% (3926) of the players voted against, obviously voicing their concerns about the current penalty system for team damage (ramming). 34% of the voters are totally fine with the way everything works now. Some 14% don't mind any decision.

The issue is currently under consideration of game design team.

As always a new poll is up.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Continuous Bonus Exp Special

For the upcoming 7 days both EU and US servers will enjoy X3 experience rates for the first victory per day.

The special will be available after the tomorrow's server restarts. For details visit the respective WoT portal (EU or US).


Have fun while waiting for 7.0 update which is coming to public test soon.

Friday, November 11, 2011

November 5 - November 11 Poll Results

10025 players expressed their opinion in the recent poll voting for the most power tank in-game of tier 10.

The vote results confirmed the superiority of German armor among top vehicles in Russian-biased game World of Tanks. E-100 got 41% of votes (4158) and Maus finished 2nd with 27% (2664) leaving behind the Soviet IS-7 with 23% of votes. The American T30 appeared to be a total outsider claiming tiny 9% of love.

The public opinion was rather accurate this time (no need for figures to prove/confront:)). Stat-wise Maus is slightly ahead of the others, even E-100. Apart from that everything is correct.

As always a new poll is up.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Thoughts on the Upcoming 7.0. Vol 2.0

To speed up the development and release of 7.0 update, it was decided to partially remove new content from it.

The first victim is tank horns. Doubt, there would be much regret over it really. :)

What's definitely more important new crew skills and perks won't arrive in 7.0 either, the technical complexity of the upcoming update leaves little time for testing of the new features. Most likely the initial package of the new crew skills will arrive in 7.1 along with French tanks, M103 and other tempting content.

Damage per round for 8,8 cm KwK 43 L/71 and 8,8 cm PaK 43 L/71 guns will be increased to 240 (test value, will be proven at supertest and public test). The gun is available for a number of tanks: PzKpfw VI Tiger, PzKpfw VIB Tiger II, VK 4502 (P) Ausf. B, Panther II, E-75, E-50, VK 4502 (P) Ausf. A, PzKpfw VI Tiger (P); and TDs: Jagdpanther, Ferdinand:, there will be multiple RoF adjustments to maintain the existing DPM.

7.0 update has been on supertest for some time and already seen several revisions, when the major faults are fixed it will be pushed to public test. Hopefully, next week.

Friday, November 4, 2011

October 31 - November 4 Poll Results

6561 players expressed their opinion in the recent poll voting for their favourite contests and events.

Everyone knew the winner from the very beginning (yup, it was obvious indeed : )), however the results appeared to be completely one-sided with 94% (or 6189) of voters supporting bonus specials (x5 exp, and such). Greedy-greedy tankers!! :)

Tourneys/champs and in-game contests (MVP, Kill the Courier) got 2% of votes each, while only 63 players gave their voice to creativity contests (video, photo, literary etc) which is extremely low.

On a serious note, you must have noticed that bonus specials has become rather frequent lately.

As always a new poll is up (might reveal the performance stats to support or confront the results when the poll ends :) ).