The latest content update “Red Skies” brings MiG-23M fighter jets, better nuclear blasts and more

Gaijin Entertainment announced that the military online action War Thunder added a new major Content Update “Red Skies”. It adds rank VII aviation to the game, including the Soviet MiG-23M and the Chinese J-7E fighter jets, as well as dozens of other military vehicles, i.e. Soviet Yak-28B tactical bomber, modern Russian T-80BVM tank, German Marder A1 APC, Franko-Finnish ITO 90M SAM and Italian Dante Alighieri battleship. Currently there are more than 2000 real ground, air and naval war machines in the game! The nuclear blast effect allows now to realistically destroy buildings in real time. The latest update also adds two new maps (Red Desert and Sunken City), and commander sights for ground vehicles that are actually equipped with such a device in real life are now fully simulated.

The MiG-23M is the most modern aircraft in the Soviet/Russian tech tree and is currently the fastest fighter jet in the game. It has a variable sweep wing with three positions and a maximum speed of Mach 2.4. The MiG-23M brings down enemies with a twin autocannon, bombs, rockets and air-to-air guided missiles, including the new R-23R with its radar homing head and and the R-23T with a thermal seeker. The MiG-23M infrared search-and-track device is capable of capturing the thermal signature of an operating engine from an enemy aircraft at a very large distance and covertly launching a missile without alarming any enemy radar warning system.

The introduction of rank VII aircraft is a major step for War Thunder that will allow the game to move forward from Vietnam war era signature fighter jets, like MiG-21 and F-4 Phantom II, and gradually add even more contemporary machines in future updates.

The T-80BVM is an upgrade of the old Soviet T-80BV tanks to the level of the modern T-72B3 and T-90M MBTs. The modernization includes an up-to-date fire control system with a duplicate sight for the commander, and the ability to operate the 9M119 tandem ATGMs, as well as the “Relikt” ERA pack instead of the outdated “Kontakt-1″. Thanks to the latter, the protection of the vehicle from HEAT and AP projectiles has been significantly increased.

The “Red Skies” update also brings the thorough simulation of a nuclear blast effect. This allows the player to watch the blast leveling buildings in any map from various points of view. The new algorithm generates the nuclear mushroom, condensation domes and the blast wave that realistically interacts with the sky and objects on the map. Tactical nuclear weapons were added to the game in the “New Power” update and are available in arcade and realistic battle modes to the best performing players. In a situation when the team fights poorly as a whole, a single hero can farm enough points to respawn in a strategic bomber and bring victory to their side with one single successful strike.

The latest update also adds a few minor but quite useful mechanics, like the naval shell chase camera or the ability to help your teammates with firefighting in the vehicle.

Watch the “Red Skies” update trailer HERE.

Full information on the “Red Skies” Update is available at the official website.

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Built with Unreal Engine 4 and including more than 500 hyper-detailed 3D models, plus realistic terrains and weather effects, Panzer Corps 2 is the sequel every strategy gamer has been looking for. You will lead the Wehrmacht war machine all the way from the invasion of Poland to the final defense of the Motherland, and you can even turn the tide and win World War 2 by seizing Moscow, conquering the United Kingdom and even land your Panzers in North America to besiege Washington DC.

You can pre-order Panzer Corps 2 Field Marshal Edition on Steam from today for $59.99, at 15% discount on the full release-day price of $69.99. By buying the Field Marshal Edition you’ll receive special bonuses: the full soundtrack, 4 digital wallpapers, extra scenarios and camo skins, and the first two future DLCs, available later this year after the game release. Watch the Panzer Corps 2 Pre-Order Now Trailer HERE.

But that’s not all – there’s one final surprise: by pre-ordering the Field Marshal Edition you will be able to play Panzer Corps 2 before everybody else. From February 18th to 20th, every player who pre-ordered the Marshal Edition will get the chance to download Panzer Corps 2 and play it for 48 hour, until February 20th.

Panzer Corps Gold gets a permanent price reduction

From today, the original Panzer Corps and all its DLCs are combined in the complete edition, Panzer Corps Gold, including all DLCs ever published and its standalone expansions. And with a huge permanent price reduction: until yesterday, this pack would have cost more than $80 – but now, it’s only $29.99. Every strategy gamer can fill the gap in their videogame collection with this unrivaled classic – plus, it’s a good way to tide yourself over during the wait for Panzer Corps 2, coming out just around the corner on March 19th.

Get more information on Panzer Corps 2 from its official product page.

World of Warship Players Help Muskogee War Memorial Park Save Historic Submarine

Wargaming has partnered with Muskogee War Memorial Park to raise money to repair the USS Batfish, which experienced extensive damage due to flooding earlier this year. The USS Batfish was integral to naval warfare in WWII, sinking 15 Japanese ships, including three Japanese submarines in just 76 hours, making her the most successful submarine killing sub in history.

The campaign kicks off today with the “Save the Batfish” in-game package. Players will have the opportunity to donate $10 to restore the historic WWII submarine and will receive special rewards for their contributions. Items include eight Dragon Flags and a combat patch similar to the patch worn by the sailors who served on the submarine.

“Working to preserve these ships and their history is part of our mission to ensure future generations can fully understand and remember those who served,” said Ray Hazlip, Regional Publishing Producer at Wargaming. “Our community has shown us how passionate they are about preserving naval history as two years ago they raised approximately $300,000 to restore the USS Texas.”

The goal is to help the museum reach $150,000 to cover repairs, which include sandblasting, painting, relocation, a new stabilization platform, and interior floor tiles and gauges which were all damaged by the water. The submarine is an important piece of WWII naval history that the museum wants to protect for future generations.

“To those who do not see it, the Batfish represents a weird roadside attraction dedicated to crazy sailors who wanted to honor their lost friends. To the inquisitive mind with an eye for history, a visitor can learn about the value of service, the impact that the United States Submarine Force had on the war in the pacific,” explained Brent Trout, Executive Director of the Muskogee War Memorial Park. “Simply put, our World War II submarine museums are in danger. Some of them are well funded and in the right place, but others are in jeopardy of being scrapped. Protecting the USS Batfish means saving history and protecting the sacrifice of every sailor who called a submarine home.”

Donations will be taken through GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/savetheussbatfish, as well as in the game. On November 22, players will have the opportunity to learn more about the USS Batfish’s history as Nicholas Moran (The_Chieftain) hosts a Charity Stream at twitch.tv/worldofwarships.

Further details on the campaign can be found at: worldofwarships.com/en/news/community/equipped-with-bat-shark-repellent/

Watch the Save USS Batfish! – A Special Message video HERE.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

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