Websites using Warthunder

Okay, let s break down War Thunder, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

War Thunder: Overview

• Genre: Free-to-Play (F2P) Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) combat game. Primarily focused on vehicle combat.
• Developer/Publisher: Gaijin Entertainment
• Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S
• Gameplay: Players control a vast array of historical military vehicles, including:
  • Aircraft (fighters, bombers, attackers)
  • Tanks (light, medium, heavy, tank destroyers)
  • Naval Vessels (destroyers, cruisers, battleships, frigates, coastal vessels)
  • Helicopters (in some game modes)
• Game Modes: A variety of modes are available, ranging from arcade-style battles to more realistic simulations:
  • Arcade Battles (AB): Fast-paced, simplified controls, respawns, and aim assist make it more accessible.
  • Realistic Battles (RB): More realistic physics, limited respawns, and a more demanding control scheme. Requires more skill and strategy.
  • Simulator Battles (SB): The most realistic mode, with cockpit-only view (for aircraft and some ground vehicles), no external views, and very challenging controls.
  • Enduring Confrontation (EC): Large-scale battles that can last for hours.
  • World War: A strategic mode where players participate in historical campaigns.
• Progression: Players earn experience points (XP) and in-game currency ( Silver Lions – SL) by participating in battles. These are used to research and purchase new vehicles, upgrade existing ones, and train crews.
• Nations: A wide selection of nations is represented, including: USA, Germany, USSR, Great Britain, Japan, Italy, France, Sweden, China, and Israel. Each nation has its own unique tech tree of vehicles.
• Key Features:
  • Huge Vehicle Roster: Hundreds upon hundreds of vehicles from the 1930s to the modern day (though some modern vehicles are more experimental).
  • Combined Arms Combat: Battles often involve aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels fighting together on the same map.
  • Realistic Damage Model: Vehicles are modeled with detailed internal components, and damage affects performance realistically.
  • Regular Updates: Gaijin Entertainment frequently releases updates that add new vehicles, maps, game modes, and features.
  • Customization: Players can customize their vehicles with decals, camouflage patterns, and modifications.
  • Squads/Clans: Players can form squads with friends to play together.
• Criticisms:
  • Grind: The progression system can be very grindy, requiring a significant time investment to unlock high-tier vehicles without spending money.
  • Power Creep: New vehicles are sometimes introduced that are significantly more powerful than existing ones, creating imbalance.
  • Economy Issues: The in-game economy has been a frequent source of complaints, with players feeling that rewards are not sufficient to cover the cost of repairs and ammunition.
  • Server Issues: Occasional server instability and lag can impact gameplay.
  • Matchmaking Issues: Uneven matchmaking can lead to frustrating battles.
  • Pay-to-Win elements: While the game is F2P, premium vehicles and account benefits can provide a significant advantage.

Revenue

• Business Model: Free-to-Play with microtransactions.
• Sources of Revenue:
  • Premium Account: Grants increased XP and Silver Lion earnings.
  • Premium Vehicles: Special vehicles that can be purchased with real money. These vehicles often have unique characteristics or are more efficient for grinding.
  • Golden Eagles (GE): The premium currency. Can be used to purchase premium account time, premium vehicles, convert research points, and buy cosmetic items.
  • Cosmetic Items: Decals, camouflage patterns, and profile avatars.
  • Boosters: Temporary boosts to XP and Silver Lion earnings.
• Revenue Figures: While precise figures aren t publicly available, War Thunder is estimated to generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Gaijin Entertainment is a private company, so they are not required to release these figures publicly. They are one of the most successful F2P developers.

Alternatives

• World of Tanks/World of Warships/World of Warplanes (Wargaming): Similar F2P MMO combat games focused on tanks, naval vessels, and aircraft, respectively. World of Tanks is probably the most direct competitor.
• Armored Warfare: A tank-focused MMO with a more modern setting.
• DCS World: A free-to-play combat flight simulator with a very high level of realism. Aircraft are sold as individual modules.
• IL-2 Sturmovik series: Another series of combat flight simulators known for their realism and historical accuracy.
• Hell Let Loose: A realistic World War II first-person shooter with large-scale battles and a focus on teamwork. While not vehicle-focused, it features tanks and other vehicles.
• Post Scriptum: Another WWII shooter focusing on realism and combined arms combat.
• Enlisted: Developed by Gaijin Entertainment (same as War Thunder). It s a squad-based first-person shooter set in World War II, with a focus on historical accuracy and combined arms combat.

Pricing

• Free-to-Play: The base game is free to download and play.
• Premium Account:
  • Prices vary depending on the duration. Examples (subject to change):
    • 1 Day: Around $2-3 USD
    • 7 Days: Around $7-10 USD
    • 30 Days: Around $10-15 USD
    • 90 Days: Around $30-40 USD
    • 365 Days: Around $80-100 USD
• Premium Vehicles: Prices range widely, from a few dollars for low-tier vehicles to $50-70+ for high-tier vehicles. Sales are common.
• Golden Eagles (GE):
  • Prices vary depending on the amount purchased. Example ranges (subject to change):
    • Small packs: $5-$10 USD
    • Large packs: $50-$100 USD

Customer Care Details

• Website: The official War Thunder website (warthunder.com) is the primary source of information and support.
• Support Portal: Gaijin.net support site. This is where you submit support tickets.
• Forums: The official War Thunder forums are a good place to find help from other players and to report bugs.
• In-Game Support: There is limited in-game support, but you can usually find help from other players in chat.
• Social Media: Gaijin Entertainment is active on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, and Twitch. These channels are primarily used for announcements and community engagement, but you may be able to get a response to a simple question. However, complex support issues should be directed to the support portal.
• Response Times: Response times to support tickets can vary depending on the volume of requests. Expect longer wait times during peak periods or after major updates. Be patient and provide as much detail as possible in your ticket.
• Common Issues Addressed:
  • Account problems (login issues, password resets)
  • Payment problems
  • Technical issues (crashes, bugs)
  • In-game problems (vehicle issues, progress problems)
  • Rule violations (reports of cheating or other misconduct)

Important Considerations:

• Free-to-Play Caveats: While War Thunder is free to play, be aware of the potential for a pay-to-win experience. Progressing without spending money can be a long and arduous process.
• Research and Decide: Before spending any money, research premium vehicles and account options to determine what best suits your playstyle and goals. Watch reviews and gameplay videos.
• Sales: Gaijin Entertainment frequently holds sales on premium vehicles, account time, and other items. Consider waiting for a sale to get the best value.
• Community Resources: Utilize the War Thunder forums and other community resources to learn tips and tricks, get help with technical issues, and find squadmates.

I hope this comprehensive overview is helpful! Good luck on the battlefield!