Update 9.16: Supertest

Tank Commanders!

Another update to World of Tanks is close at hand. The Development Team is preparing for the Closed Supertest for Update 9.16, and we can now reveal some information about the Supertest!

What Is The Super Test?

Supertest — a process whereby a project is tested in the early stages of completion.

The Supertest involves testing the concepts behind a new version and determining the most critical issues. In World of Tanks, Supertests are divided into production tests performed during feature development (testing a new map, balancing a new vehicle, etc) and version tests.

Version Supertests are intended to check game's content before they are officially released. Generally, they are performed a month and a half prior to release. If version Supertests prove that the features are ready, Common Tests are conducted so that the general public tery out these features.

What Does Update 9.16 Include?

Recently, we implemented some new game interface features, prepared the first Swedish vehicle for release, adapted the Paris map for Random Battles and introduced the concept of same-tier Platoons. There's even more coming up!

Additional information on Update 9.16 can be found below.

Major Features of Update 9.16

The First Swedish Vehicle

At Gamescom 2016, held in mid-August, we revealed that the Swedish nation would be introduced to World of Tanks in the upcoming update.

We will implement a new Swedish vehicle in Update 9.16: you will be able to train crew and earn additional credits driving the Strv m/42-57 Alt A.2 Premium medium tank, the first Tier VI Swedish vehicle introduced into the game. 

This vehicle mounts the AMX13's oscillating turret on the Strv m/42 Swedish medium tank's chassis. Mounting the French turret allows this vehicle to become the first Tier VI medium tank in the game to boast an autoloader!

The vehicle's crew setup is identical to Swedish top-tier heavy tanks and includes three members: the Commander (who also performs the functions of the Radio Operator and Loader), Gunner (who also performs the Loader functions), and Driver. The new vehicle will be introduced in World of Tanks just after the release of Update 9.16.

New Map: Paris

The Paris map was initially developed for the Rampage mode. The map featured interesting gameplay and was rather nice and atmospheric, so considering the feedback we received, we have adapted the map for Random Battles.

There are several real-life objects located on the map that make it particularly interesting: the Eiffel Tower, Seine River bank, Théâtre National de Chaillot, etc.

The map can be divided into three gameplay areas:

• Urban area suitable for combat between heavily armoured vehicles

• Open area near the Seine River bank suitable for fast vehicles

• Central square with clear view and good firing positions, but little protection

Battle Chat Modifications

Recently we started to get an increasing amount of feedback that Battle Chat between opposing teams provides no value to players in battle. We've heard from players that the chat often becomes too emotional and provocative, and is abused to reveal position of your teammates to the opponents.

To prevent this from occurring, we’ve decided to disable the cross-team Battle Chat in all battle types except Team Training.

In addition, Battle Chat will receive some new features: upon hovering over another player’s nickname or a message, the player will have an option to complain about another player, block messages from him for the course of a single battle, or blacklist him.

Restoring Vehicles and Crew

Players often contact us about selling a tank by accident. Previously, the only way to solve this was to reach out to the Customer Service Center.

From now, players will be able to restore Special or Premium vehicles and dismissed crew members from the Garage itself!

Improved Spotting Mechanism

In Update 9.16, we will continue optimising the performance of our server code. Thanks to such improvements, the time to display a vehicle model upon spotting was greatly improved.

The GIF below shows the difference in spotting mechanics between Versions 9.15.1 and 9.16:

Changes Based on Player Feedback

Vehicle Comparison in Garage

For a long time, players have been asking for an option to compare tanks directly in the game. We will provide this feature in Update 9.16. This feature will make it possible to compare several vehicle characteristics. Additionally, the player will be able to mount different modules, evaluate crew qualifications and the effects of equipment.

Implementing Popular Modifications

We're also enhancing the game UI based on the most popular 3^rd party modifications.

In Patch 9.16, we are adding a two-level carousel and a battle events indicator.

Two-level Carousel

This feature will allow the game to display more vehicles in the carousel. It will be most useful for players who have a lot of vehicles in their hangars.

There will be three available options:

•          Standard Selector

•          Two-level selector

•          Minimalistic two-level selector

Downscaled slots with minimalistic two-level selector for players with resolutions 900 vertical pixels or smaller.

Battle Indicators

We have added an option to display some extra combat information to the battle UI:

Players can choose which indicators are important to them and switch them on or off using the settings panel.

Other Improvements

New Minimaps

In 9.15.1 we started reworking the minimaps into the new format. In this patch, we are adding 14 more minimaps into the game: Cliff, El Halluf, Ensk, Erlenberg, Fisherman's Bay, Kharkov, Lakeville, Malinovka, Arctic Region, Murovanka, Prokhorovka, Swamp, Paris, Widepark and Westfield.