World of Tanks news » 8.1 Public Test #1

Tankers!

Starting October 12th 10:00 PDT(17:00 UTC)  the Public Test Server for the 8.1 update begins!

Please note that clans were not integrated into the test server; nevertheless, they operate as usual on the main server.

The previous test server primarily featured new physics, and we definitely appreciate all of the feedback received from that test; however, this time around we must point out that we're looking for feedback on the update as a whole, and not just the physics.

To participate in the test you need to do the following steps:

1. Copy the game client to the separate folder
2. Install a small launcher update found here (8,74 МB)
3. Update the game via launcher 4 Gb approximately

Attention! Please be sure to install the test game launcher in a different folder, rather than the current game client version! Also switch off the game client before installing the update. Only players who have registered prior to October 8, 2012 at 0:00 UTC can participate in the Public Test.

Please, keep mind certain special features of the public test server:

• Payments are not accepted on the public test server.
• All test accounts will receive a one time crediting of:
  
  • 100,000,000 Free XP
  • 100,000,000 Credits
  • 20,000 gold
• Progress won't be transferred to the main NA server.
• Credit and experience rates will not be increased for this test.
• Please note that the replay system is currently being enhanced. To prevent any client crashes or other malfunctions within the Public Test #1, it is highly recommended that players disable battle recording in their 8.1 Public Test #1 client. 

Scheduled server restarts:     

  W.o.T. Common Test1 cluster - 18:00 PDT (01:00 UTC) on each UNEVEN date of the month. Average duration will be around ~25 minutes.

Important:

We draw your attention to the fact that the test server is subject to EULA and general rules of World of Tanks game server. The restrictions and punishments are the same as on the official game server of World of Tanks. The details of the v.8.0 update public test can be discussed in a special forum section. Bugs related to the 8.0 public test should be posted in this special sub-forum.

Preliminary list of changes of 8.1 test version 1 as compared with 8.0 version:

Table of Contents:

• Content
• Game Mechanics
• Technical Optimization
• Fixes

Content:

- Added base British Tech Tree: medium tanks branch with FV4202 as Tier 10 and heavy tanks with FV215 as Tier 10 tank. IMPORTANT! Please, take in account that the economic, research and characteristic balance of British vehicles is not yet ready and will be changed.
- The following Premium vehicles were added to the in-game store: Tier 7 Soviet TD SU-122-44, Tier 7 German MT Panther M-10, Tier 6 German MT Pz IV Schmalturm.
- The following maps were reworked and optimized for new render graphics: Province, El-Halluf, Dragon Ridge, Abbey.
- The ‘Dragon Ridge’ map is re-introduced to random battles.
- The ‘Prohorovka’ Assault map removed.
- ‘Insufficient credits’ status added to the module hint.

Game Mechanics:

- Added the possibility to purchase premium rounds using credits in addition to the current gold variant (prices are based on 1 gold = 400 credits exchange rates)
- Added the possibility for a platoon creator to exclude game modes for the platoon – this means that platoon will enter only the game modes that are selected in the platoon creator options.
- Added Object 263 to the description of the ‘Lion of Sinai’.
- The majority of tanks were systemized and readjusted for the speed of tank burning (minor corrections)
- Chat messages returned to replays.
- Upon entering the XP exchange window on an elited vehicle that does not have all modules researched (due to the addition/change of vehicles within update), the exchange XP will be unchecked, although the vehicle will still be in the list.

Technical Optimization:

- Some objects on several maps were optimized for new render.
- Optimized drawing speed of some small objects.
- Fixed the productivity slump for several hardware configurations.

Fixes:

- Fixed a rare issue that caused a player to be balanced into game modes he was previously excluded from.
- Fixed a wrong possibility rate to be balanced in a game mode if one of the the other game modes is excluded (for example, this caused the player to be balanced too often in an ‘Encouter’ game, if the ‘Assault’ mode was excluded)
- Fixed the bug that caused throwing a tank out after it drives inside a bunker.
- Fixed the errors in the placing of objects and lighting on maps Ruinberg, Widepark, El-Halluf and Himmelsdorf.
- Removed tank ‘shadow’ from the hangar for cases when the vehicle is still in battle.
- Removed the gap between the tank and the standard hangar surface.
- Fixed mistakes in the models of the following vehicles: Pz IV Schmalturm, SU-122-54, Superpershing, VK 3002 DB, VK 3001H
- Fixed mistakes in the display of camouflage patterns on the SU-100-M1
- Fixed the incorrect display of emblems and inscriptions on following vehicles: AMX 13F3AM, D2, SU-122-54, Tetrarch, VK3601H
- Fixed the display of SPG schematics in status window during the battle (previously used tanks were displayed instead of SPG)
- Fixed the display of SU-122-54 turret armoring
- Fixed the slope angle of the lower armoring plate of the IS-7 (changed to historical)
- Fixed the slope angle of the lower armoring plate of the IS-3 (changed to historical). Fixed the armoring of tank’s underside.
- Fixed water display artifacts with enabled antialiasing.
- Fixed the incorrect re-initialization of dynamic shadows after switching over to the game using Alt+Tab
- Fixed the display of suspension tracks while in air
- Fixed the display of grass in Sniper Mode with this option disabled
- Fixed a rare incorrect interaction between water and fog
- Fixed many small interface errors in the end of battle window
- Fixed an error of replaying the base capture sound during replay pause
- Fixed the rare error with stop of replay reproduction after rewinding
- Fixed the incorrect work of minimap in Clan Wars battles (with Fog of War enabled)
- Fixed the impossibility to reconnect to a Clan Wars battle, if replays are enabled
- Fixed the memory leak upon radial menu opening
- Fixed the update of tank icons in nation tree in research menu
- Fixed the incorrect status for researched modules on vehicles that has not been yet researched
- Fixed the intersection of ammo rack blow-up icon with damage numbers
- Fixed the incorrect sound for hitting the stone surface
- Fixed the call of battle menu only after second pressing of ‘Esc’ button
- Fixed rare bug with unavailability of mouse cursor in battle menu window
- Fixed some small errors in ‘Exterior’ menu window
- Fixed some grammar errors in German inscriptions
- Fixed the daily suspension ban, if the account was online for more than 25 hours
- Fixed incorrect display of penetration mark after ricochet
- Fixed the impossibility to make a screenshot with active battle chat
- Fixed the display of 3 types of shells in hangar for tanks that have only 2 types of ammunition