Something to keep you busy

[theOden]

Tried WoT ages ago but the extreme arcade approach made me even prefer playing Tiger vs T34 with the monitor turned off.

As one of the dev's from "americas army" is involved I was expecting MUCH more. Obviously they aim for quick bucks on instant.gratification generation instead.

[Anvilfolk]

So, how "free" to play is it really? I've heard different opinions - people that have wasted more money in this than they have on CoD, for instance, but some people still say it's free.

Do you need to invest money to be competitive?

[Fjordmonkey]

Originally Posted by Anvilfolk

So, how "free" to play is it really? I've heard different opinions - people that have wasted more money in this than they have on CoD, for instance, but some people still say it's free.

Do you need to invest money to be competitive?

Nope, you don't need money to be competitive. To be honest, buying a Gold-tank (premium-tanks that you have to pay RL money for) just makes you a target. And if you don't understand the basics, you won't do good when you get up in the tiers.

If you DO choose to go premium, however, you will see that you gain more XP and credits per match, which again will let you rise up the tech-trees faster. But it's by no means a necessity, you just spend a bit more time on it.

The thing to remember, though, is that WoT attracts the scum of the online world as a general rule. You also have to take it for what it is: An arcadish approach to WWII Tank-combat. It's not in any way true to realism, it has the odd quirk and strange behaviour, but despite that it's still a fun way to pass some time while you wait for something different to come. Just don't expect it to be anything like Steel Beasts etc.

[rkirk77]

Gold Tanks are the "Fast and Easy" answer.. but not really, because they are extremely limited at the same time. They are actually the WORST in every class if you ask my opinion as they cannot be upgraded and are extremely slow.

[Baron]

Originally Posted by Fjordmonkey

Nope, you don't need money to be competitive. To be honest, buying a Gold-tank (premium-tanks that you have to pay RL money for) just makes you a target. And if you don't understand the basics, you won't do good when you get up in the tiers.

If you DO choose to go premium, however, you will see that you gain more XP and credits per match, which again will let you rise up the tech-trees faster. But it's by no means a necessity, you just spend a bit more time on it.

The thing to remember, though, is that WoT attracts the scum of the online world as a general rule. You also have to take it for what it is: An arcadish approach to WWII Tank-combat. It's not in any way true to realism, it has the odd quirk and strange behaviour, but despite that it's still a fun way to pass some time while you wait for something different to come. Just don't expect it to be anything like Steel Beasts etc.

I did get the premium account (9.95 euros for 30 days) to climb a bit faster in the tech trees.

I realized that thats what keeps me coming back playing it, to get that upgraded gun, or the more powerful engine.

Having to deal with "idiots" in the public matches is a necessary eveil getting there, lol.

Another reason i play it is because its very easy getting online playing for 15 min and the end the game. If it where for ex IL2 Sturmovik u could easily waste an hour without anything happening what so ever.

[rkirk77]

Baron : Totally agree.. It's addictive and always brings you back for those upgraded parts!

[Fjordmonkey]

Originally Posted by Baron

Having to deal with "idiots" in the public matches is a necessary eveil getting there, lol.

I have a nice way of dealing with people that behave like utter muppets. I note down their names on a little list, and any time I come across those people, I go after them specifically and relentlessly.

Childish? Quite possibly. But it's both insanely satisfying AND hilarious when they go into a rage because you scrogged them for the 5th time running.

I also tend to deliberately taunt the ones that cannot or will not behave. While also childish, it's often quite a lot more fun than the game itself. It brings a special kind of satisfaction to first kill someone and then have their entire team turn on them when they start behaving like children.

[Ataros]

Originally Posted by Anvilfolk

Do you need to invest money to be competitive?

Yes. Seriously played it with 2 people from my squad waiting for CloD to come out for about 6-8 months. Spent the cost of CloD every 6 weeks. It was fun though

But... you can have the same fun with PzII and AT-1 on low levels if you stick to them and it is free. But... the game is designed to make an impression you gain something by going to higher levels and spending money. You just can not resist unless you are a yogi.

It is much easier to wait for CloD patches than to the next tank upgrade that you can buy 'just' for $15 NOW

Anyone who is going to start playing WoPlanes or WoWarplanes get your wallets ready

Do not say you were not warned.

[SNAFU]

Or go play Navyfield. Is basically the same rip off, but slower. Tried WoT for 5 Minutes put it was too hectically for me eyes and confusing rushing around. Guess I am getting old.

I still play Navyfield once a month just to kill 15minutes and I still wonder about some players I see and which are proud of spending 800€ just see themselves in the top ten of a stupid PC game.

[Strike]

This is really off topic now (Should be in pilot's lounge). But if you wanna kill some time without paying too much money, and you already have a COD monster-rig you should look at some of these titles:

ARMA 2 + Operation Arrowhead (Combined Operations)

- The default game supersedes most infantry/tank/aerial shooters out there, and emphasizes tactics and realism more than most "popular" shooters (like the battlefield series, modern warfare, rainbow six). But to get the full realism potential out of it you need some mods (btw mods make arma what it is. The ultimate sandbox warfare sim - you can have russians fighting clone wars troopers from starwars, or pilot an A-10 strafing taliban IED teams).

The mod for me is A.C.E. - Advanced Combat Environment. It adds a whole bunch of weapons, vehicles and features whilst removing nearly all "HUD" items. It adds wind deflection, and for long range sniping you can adjust the sights by measuring wind strength and direction. Add on top of that the mod called ACRE (Advanced Combat Radio Environment) which coordinates teamspeak with ingame radio systems. That means the game decides who hears what over teamspeak, and that through the use of radio systems. They all have frequencies etc even volume buttons. The cons are that if playing online there's a little (sometimes a lot) of visual LAG. Players seem to jitter around, so does vehicles. But you can live with that mostly since a lot of situations depend on the way you approach the objective. It's not meant to be a close quarters hair-trigger battle, but a long range tactical engagement where surprise is the best attack.

This mod is very well coupled with a realistic soundmod and then you have very very very good immersion. Also has a powerful editor that lets you create your own or tamper with existing missions. Just made one where you start inside a C130 at 15,000 ft and choose your equipment from some crates in the cargo hold. Once you're ready you run off the ramp and that initiates a free-fall dive. Of course you need to remember to pack a chute

Speaking of tanks the armor code is very good in ACE. You can penetrate light armor and houses, walls etc with .50 cal, taking out crew or ammunition storages. Some guns like the one on the Bradley IFV have a variety of munition types, so you can fire Armour piercing or High explosive. High explosive deals more damage to soft targets naturally, whilst armour piercing can punch through even heavy armour. The angle of impact and location and projectile energy all count towards what penetration value you get and how this damages the interior of the tank.

Example of bailout sequence with ACE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-olG4...eature=related

Some ACE with ACRE teamwork

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06dxjkXGXII

Then there's another timekiller:

SPAZ, Space Pirates And Zombies. It's cheap and has hours of fun packed into it. It features a decent selection of ships and equipment with loads of configurations. It's only in it's first release candidate and havn't encountered any bugs yet, but it's easy fun!

Rise of Flight:

Naturally a pretty flightsim, in no means a "rival" to cod because of the scope of the games. Sometimes WW1 is like fighting with sticks and stones when you know there's an alternative that has heavy machineguns and some real payloads in the bombbay. It's my "deathmatch" type game, whilst IL-2 is more serious to me.

Mount and Blade:

Played this for hours and hours. Big sandbox world with a handful of factions. Whoever is at war or are allied is completely random by default, but can be influenced by actions of the player. It's a "300" style game with slaughtering up close, or from a distance by archery that includes a large RPG level up system with plenty of skills and proficiencies to choose from. I am currently one of the "viking's" faction most trusted warriors and kindof singlehandedly obliterated two factions already. You travel the country, embark upon quests and gather food, trade and recruits along the way. There's random Tournaments with different styles according to the local culture etc. Graphics are kindof mediocre, but the ability to switch between first person/3rd person allows for great immersion. Also many good mods out there.