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War Thunder proudly presents

Update 1.53 'Firestorm'

At last, War Thunder Update 1.53 'Firestorm' has hit the game and we are pleased to give our fans all the exciting changes and additions that we have been showing you in our preceding devblogs. Now let us give you a flavour of some of the main features in this major Update. 

Be sure to check out the complete Update Information on our website!

The name 'Firestorm' for Update 1.53 comes from the introduction of a deadly set of new multiple rocket launcher systems: namely, the American M26 Pershing tank with a mounted T99 system, the German Panzerwerfer 42 with its bloodcurdling “Nebelwerfer” and also the Soviet BM-24-8 with the famous Katyusha rocket system. These vehicles provide a formidable barrage of high-explosive rockets and continue to expand the armoured vehicle design variation in the game.

We have also begun to implement an improved version of our core engine, known as Dagor Engine 4.0, which now has had physically based rendering incorporated. War Thunder has always prided itself on its unrivaled attention to detail, even going as far as to correctly interpret the way light interacts with objects within its environment, including the diffusion and reflection of light on shiny and opaque surfaces and materials, such as wood, steel, rubber and glass. In short, it means that War Thunder will look even more realistic than ever before.

Another part of the improved engine is the integration of NVIDIA GameWorks technologies. NVIDIA PhysX Destruction aids in War Thunder’s quest for increased realism by enabling the introduction of larger destructible objects to the game: wall fragments, ruins and entire buildings will all react to in-game ballistic physics. Players will now have the ability to destroy an enemy’s cover or create new firing positions, changing the dynamics of battles both from the air and on the ground. These new dynamics of structural damage will be initially incorporated into three of our more structure heavy maps: “Berlin”, “Stalingrad” and “Advance to the Rhine” on release. 
 
The inclusion of NVIDIA WaveWorks technology generates incredibly realistic waves and foam for oceans, seas, rivers and lakes, which will also factor in wind direction and strength. All of our maps in the game will benefit from this addition.

Fans anticipating British ground forces will rejoice, as an initial set of four exclusive new vehicles become available: the A13 Mk II “Cruiser” tank, the Sherman Firefly with its powerful cannon, the M10 Achilles self propelled gun and the A43 Black Prince “Churchill” Infantry tank. The main British Ground Force line-up will appear in War Thunder by the end of 2015.

Available now are five packs in the Gaijin.net Store giving early adopters the possibility to join in on the British Ground Forces immediately. Click on the respective picture for a detailed view of the Royal Guard Advanced Pack, the A13 Mk.II,  17 pdr. M10 65th. Anti-Tank Regt,  Sherman IC 2nd “Warsaw” Armoured Division and A43 Black Prince.

In total, there are over 20 new vehicles in Update 1.53 'Firestorm', including the amphibious Soviet PT-76 tank, the Cold War-era Jagdpanzer 4-5 “Kanonenjagdpanzer”  and, eagerly awaited by our fans, the top-tier British jet fighter - the Hawker Hunter.

Two new ground combat locations have also been added, a winter map of the Stalingrad tractor plant district, which has been painstakingly reproduced based on real photographs taken during the bloody battles for the city and Advance to Rhine, based on late-war Cologne with its towering cathedral and maze-like streets that will provide the optimum challenge for urban warfare.

There are many more improvements and features in Update 1.53 'Firestorm', of course. To see a detailed list, please feel free to visit the War Thunder Changelog and Developer's Blog and, of course, try out the new Update in-game right now! Have fun!

See you on the battlefield, in Update 1.53 'Firestorm'!

The War Thunder Team