Back in the Republic

After a 10 day delay I am back in Star Wars: The Old Republic and happy for it. Started my Jedi Knight and looking forward to this game.

Although a very clean running game and for the most part without bugs I thought I'd share one I found not to far into the game. Master Satele appears to have shrunk from the last time I met her, but nor worries she was back to full size by the end of ouor conversation. I will say this tho I loved how I looked down to her and she looked up at me, almost like it was planned.  Oh well  the game can't be perfect can it?

 

World of Tanks French Tank Promo Video

New Look for Supremacy 1914

My favorite World War I browser game, Supremacy 1914 recently underwent a overhaul of its look and user interface. I have been trying it out for the past week and really like the changes. The new look is easier to follow and just has an overall cleaner layout. Also added in a recent patch was the new unit Armored car.

Its always a welcome sign when game makers work to improve their games and Bytro Labs does appear to follow this policy.

Behind the Pack

Two games I have been waiting for, Battlefield 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic, have been released and to date I have yet to get them. BF3 has been out since October and SWTOR was released on December 20th. Normally I would be crawling the walls in uncontrollable anguish by now, but have found that although the desire to play these games is still there, the actual act of getting them hasn't happened yet.

This delay can be attributed to several things and I know its just a matter of time before I make these purchases. I am presently spending my time playing World of Tanks and LOTRO as these games have consumed much of my available gaming time. Also I do believe spending 2 months playing SWTOR's Beta has lessened my immediate need to check the game out.

The problem I know I will face once I start playing these games is the fact that I will be very far behind my friends in the leveling process. In BF3 my enemies will be using the most advanced weapons to be unlocked while I will be stuggling along with my starter weapons. While in SWTOR many players (Probably some already have made it) will be sitting at the level cap as I am starting to get going.

I have never been overly concerned in the past of being behind the mark of leveling as I tend to play the game at my own pace, but the fact remains that I am now officially behind the curve and will be playing catch up to friends and enemies alike. Anyone else out there having the same problem as me? What has caused your delay?

WoT Holiday Special

World of Tanks is offering all tanks from Tier 2-5 at a discounted rate during this special offer. Also the very popular X5 first match is making an return. Here is the full announcement below:

Tankers!

You too can ring in the holiday cheer; cruising the battlefields in style this year. Take advantage of deals that will make buying a tank seem like a steal!

Starting at 3:30AM PST (6:30AM EST, 11:30 AM UTC) on December 21, 2011 and ending at 3:00AM PST (6:00AM EST, 11:00AM UTC) on December 27, 2011 all World of Tanks players will have access to the following discounts and bonuses.

• 5x experience for the first victory each day on all of your tanks

• 50% discount on all premium tanks tiers 2-5:

  • Matilda, Churchill, T-25, T-14,  Ram-II, Valentine, PzKpfw 38H735 (f) , PzKpfw S35 739 (f),  T-15 , PzKpfw B2 740 (f), T2 Light Tank, M22 Locust

• 50% discount on all standard tanks tiers 2-5:

  • USSR
    • BT-2, T-26, BT-7, T-28, T-46, A-20, T-50, T-50-2, T-34, AT-1, SU-76, SU-85B, SU-85, KV, SU-18, SU-26, SU-5, SU-8
  • Germany
    • PzKpfw 35 (t), PzKpfw II, PzKpfw 38 (t), PzKpfw III Ausf. A, PzKpfw II Luchs, VK 1602 Leopard, PzKpfw 38 nA, VK 2801, PzKpfw III, PzKpfw IV, PzKpfw III/IV, Panzerjäger I, Marder II, Hetzer, StuG III, Sturmpanzer I Bison, Sturmpanzer II, Wespe, Grille, Hummel
  • USA
    • M2 Light Tank, M3 Stuart, M5 Stuart, M24 Chaffee, T2 Medium Tank, M2 Medium Tank, M3 Lee, M4 Sherman, M7, T1 heavy, T18, T82, T40, M10 Wolverine, T57, M37, M7 Priest, M41

• 50% discount on these gold-purchased features:

  • Increasing the size of your barracks
  • Tank Academy training
  • Tank Academy training for each tanker purchased along with a new tank
  • Crew retraining

Be sure to take advantage of these fantastic deals while they last! On December 27, 2011 at 4:00AM PST the special will end and prices will return to normal.

First Look Screenshots of Patch 7.0

 Here are some shots of a few Camo looks and the cost for implementing them

New Map "Swamp"

Preliminary Patch notes 7.1

Patch 7.0 is still being deployed and already we have patch notes for 7.1. Many of the fixes in 7.1 were expected in 7.0 so the developers don't want to waste any time in getting things rolling. Many tanks will be receiving adjustments to their hit boxes and bugs on maps are being fixed. Oh and the french are coming. Check out the original post here or read the notes below.

Preliminary Patch Notes v.7.1

While 7.0 update is being released for US (at the moment) and EU (later this week) servers, we are launching public test of 7.1 update.

Due to technical reasons and the desire to speed up the release of this update, the public test will be available only for RU server this time (public test of 7.1 requires the support of 7.0 functionality which is not ready for EU and US yet).

World of Tanks v.7.0 - 7.1 test1 patch notes:

- Added basic French Tank Tree;
Introducing lights, mediums, and heavies, all in all 18 vehicles. No premiums for now.
Mind the following changes in comparison with Fench alpha tree:
Lorraine 40t moved to tier 8 medium, while Bat Chatillon 25 t - to tier 9 medium.
Amx-50 120mm was downshifted from tier 10 to tier 9 heavy, and AMX 50B (former AMX 65t) became the new French top heavy.
- Fixed bug with default ammunition resupply after the battle;
It's a v.7.0 bug, when system doesn't save your ammo choice and sometimes restores basic ammo selection.
- Fixed bug when it's impossible to close private channels;
Again v.7.0 bug.
- Fixed client-to-server asynchronization upon the vehicle's destruction by ramming;
Again v.7.0 bug.
- Added tank model (short) after the player's name in brackets for battle interface.
For all messages and notifications, eg chat messages, X destroyed by Y messages et. Eg chat message - Overlord (M46): Hello!
- Changed specifications for all automatic guns and vehicles using them.
Automatic and semiautomatic guns have been reworked into a new system with auto-loading (cartridge reloading) that is being introduced along with French tanks.
Some vehicle specs have also been changed. Detailed patch notes will be available upon the release to the main server.
- Fixed bugs with vehicle armouring: IS-3 (top front turret), IS-4 (side hull and 122mm BL-9 gun mantlet), T95 (side hull);
IS-3 and IS-4 are getting their 7.0 bugs fixed, eg the latter had his side armour decreased by 20mm. Restoring the correct values.
As for T95, applying the changes announced here: http://overlord-wot.blogspot.com/2011/11/upcoming-armor-buffs-of-t95.html
- Fixed bugs in vehicle models: Object 212, Pz VI Tiger, T32, Grille, Pz II Luchs, VK3001P, Loewe;
Just visual stuff.
- ISU-152: 16 armour groups + spaced armor;
ISU is getting its new hitbox. Just as many vehicles in 7.0.
- Fixed the same gun models 7.5cm L/70 and 8.8cm L/56 for JagdPanther;
Visually the guns were the same. Now they are using 2 different models.
- Fixed camo bugs for VK4502A, Pz II.
- Reduced RoF for 8.8cm L/71 guns on JagdPanther and Ferdinand;
These changes were misssing in 7.0, where the long 88 got 220->240 damage adjustment.
- Fixed bugs on maps: Fjords, Marsh, Steppes, Malinovka;
A couple of map bugs got fixed.
- Fixed the red "Texture not found" square replacing clan logo when changing settings;
Introducing the display of clan logos. It hasn't been added in 7.0, since some rework was required.
- Added new options for colour-blind scheme;
Now it's possible to adjust the colour of reload progress-bar and a gun marker.
- Fixed bug with not displayed new invites when invite channel is open;
- Fixed invite channel blinking when there are no active invites;
- Fixed the absence of Commander's modifier in tooltip over a crew member;
- Fixed bugs in fire effects for destroyed tanks;
- Added the option to hide interface when playing the recorded battle ("V" key);
- Fixed bug when getting to pre-battle room for ready but un-distributed tank company players;
- Fixed a system message while receiving/redeeming vehicle that is already in garage;
- Fixed garage freezing when entering the game with "Enter" button pressed.

World of Tanks Patch 7.0 rolling out Tomorrow

The long anticipated patch 7.0 has been announced to be released by tomorrow with some much anticipated features. Here is the original post released.

World of Tanks informs tankers that maintenance will be held on the game server starting from 21:00 PST, December 13^th, until approx. 10:00 PST, December 14^th, due to the release of update v.7.0. The World of Tanks game server and all related services will be unavailable during the period of time stated above. Please abstain from any payments during the period of time stated above!

Starting from 11:00 PST, December 13^th, maintenance will be carried on Clan Wars server due to the release of update 7.0. The estimated downtime for Clan Wars comprises two days and they are expected to be back at approximately 11:00 PST, December 15^th.

All users having premium accounts during the start of the maintenance will have their premiums compensated for a day since 21:00 PST, December 13^th.

Main changes to be implemented with the update v.7.0:
- Implemented several game clusters (multicluster technology).
- Added the camouflage feature. Camo purchase and its mounting are available in the game section ‘Appearance’.
- Added levels of tank companies varied by tier: up to tier 4, up to tier 6, up to tier 8 and up to tier 10 (including tier 10). Implemented tier limits for SPGs, LTs, and TDs in up to tier 4, up to tier 6 and up to tier 8 battles.
- Added the complaint system. You can choose the complaint type while in battle by right-clicking on the player's nickname shown in the pop-up context menu.
- Added a test system for recording and replaying battles. A ‘Record battle to replay’ setting saves battle videos in ‘Replays’ folder.

The new content to be implemented with the update:
- Added new maps – Marsh and Fjords.
- Fixed multiple bugs in tank models.
- Fixed multiple bugs, blockings and jam-ups on the majority of maps.
- Added animated birds on several maps.

I don't know about you guys but I am really looking forward to those birds...Seriously tho the camouflage system, video recording and new maps have got me excited. 

Sith Inquisitor Progression Video

World of Tanks Operation Winter Assault Special

New special announced today for WoT. Big one here is the 50 Percent off on Equipment. So if you ever wanted to buy a Camo Net, Crew Ventilation, Gun Laying Drive or Rammer this is the best opportunity. Here is the full announcement: 

Winter always comes when you least expect it. Cold winds bring over heavy grey clouds stealing the sun and day light. And man, it is cold! Even the hottest blooded tankers get chills, gasoline cools down to a point of condensation, engine oil becomes viscid, tracks are blocked with ice, and a gun barrel grows an icicle.

Staying put and idle in this situation will lead to a certain death. Not only will you risk getting shot by a stray shell, but, most definitely, you will turn into a snow-clad tank hill. The only way out is to move fast and move at all times.

No surprises that some of the major World War II action happened in freezing cold conditions: the Winter War between Finland and USSR, the Battle of Stalingrad, and the Battle of Bulge.

Rally your troops, for we declare the start of the Operation Winter Assault Special. No staying behind defense lines, no hiding in ditches – charging forward is the only goal.

Starting at 11:30 UTC on Sunday (3:30AM PST, 6:30AM EST), December 4th and lasting until 11:00 UTC on Monday, December 12th (3:00AM PST, 6:00AM EST), stock up on gear and ammo for superior fire power:

• Up to 58% discount on premium shells
• 60% discount on premium consumables (new price during the special - 20 gоld)
• 50% discount on equipment
• 50% discount on garage slot purchases