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World of Tanks Update 8.5: Revenge of the Tanks

by: Nathaniel -
More On: World of Tanks
Update 8.5 for World of Tanks continues the literally never-ending string of tweaks, changes, and additions for Wargaming's flagship free-to-play weapon of war MMO.

Update 8.5 allows players to purchase all of the premium consumables with silver credits and both paying and non-paying players will be able to create 3-member platoons and companies.

Naturally, Update 8.5 adds tanks - lots and lots of tanks.  The Germans get the Leapord 1 added to Tier X.  The Soviet's get the T-60, T-70, and T-80.  And finally, the Yanks will see the addition of a new premium SPG called the Sexton.  The Sexton's best features are a high rate of fire and low reload times.

Update 8.5 also brings a new map to the party, called Pearl River.  Meanwhile three old maps, Siegfried Line, South Coast, and Malinovka, will get the revamped visuals treatment.

For full details and links to the various regional registration pages (for those of you who haven't played it yet), follow the jump.

Wargaming Announces Update 8.5 for World of Tanks
New German and Soviet vehicles will join the game, premium features will become available to non-paying players
 
April 4, 2013 — Wargaming, the leading free-to-play developer and publisher, today announced details for Update 8.5, the latest content refresh for its award-winning World of Tanks free-to-play MMO. This latest update will further bolster the rosters of both the German and the Soviet tech trees, adding new medium and light tanks into the game, and will bring more changes to in-game economy

Starting in Update 8.5, players will be able to purchase all premium consumables with silver credits. In addition, all players, both paying and non-paying, will be able to create 3-member platoons and companies.

The German tech tree will see a new line of iconic medium tanks added to their ranks, topped by the Leopard 1, a deadly Tier X all-rounder effective in both long-range and close combat.   

The Soviet tech tree will also see the introduction of three new light tanks, including the T-60, T-70 and the T-80. Originally constructed during the early moments of World War II, each tank provided the Red Army with excellent battlefield presence with decent armor and deflection angles, while their small stature helped them stay concealed from enemies. 

In addition to the new vehicles for both Germany and the USSR, the game will also be updated with one new map—Pearl River. Three existing maps will get revamped visuals and shading effects, including Siegfried Line, South Coast and Malinovka. Lastly, the American tech tree will be bolstered by the Sexton, a new premium SPG known for its surprisingly fast firing speed and quick reload times.

About World of Tanks

World of Tanks is the first and only team-based, massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armored warfare. Throw yourself into the epic tank battles of World War II with other steel cowboys all over the world. Your arsenal includes more than 300 armored vehicles from United States, Germany, the Soviet Union, France, Great Britain and China, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.

Join World of Tanks:

http://worldoftanks.eu/registration/ (Europe)
http://worldoftanks.com/registration/ (North America)
http://worldoftanks-sea.com/ (Southeast Asia)
http://worldoftanks.kr (Korea)

About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher and one of the leaders in the free-to-play MMO market. Founded as a privately held company in 1998, Wargaming has shipped more than 15 titles and employs over 1500 people across such key regions as North America, Europe, Russia, Asia, and Australia.
Official website: www.wargaming.com