This past summer marked the 13th anniversary of the release of the video game World of Tanks (WoT), an armored warfare-themed multiplayer online game focused on player vs. player action involving tanks from the 20th century. While this isn’t a particularly noteworthy anniversary, the role that WoT — and similar games — has on popular culture can’t be overstated.
Originally released for the PC by Wargaming, an independent studio that was originally headquartered in Belarus, the game is now available for the PlayStation and Xbox platforms – while its success spawned the sequels World of Warplanes and World of Warships. No one would suggest that these games are especially realistic, yet, they’ve attracted huge followings and spurred interest in all things military tanks, planes and ships accordingly. While WoT may not be exactly a “gateway” for most players into the world of military collectibles or military vehicles, it certainly inspired one hobbyist, and it remains so addictive that real life soldiers are playing it in their spare time.
The Replica Tank Inspired by WoT
Recently, the online video channel ND Woodworking Art, which showcases the work by a Thailand-based “creator” who makes life-sized wooden replicas of classic automobiles and other vehicles, shared its latest creation. Instead of another supercar, the woodworker built a half-scale Swedish STRV 103 tank — a vehicle that happened to be his son’s favorite in the online video game.
The build was essentially a supersized RC tank, beginning with a steel box frame and pneumatic rubber wheels. It included an electric motor and chain drive system with life-like tank treads. The STRV 103 was made easier by the fact that it for a vehicle officially classified as a turret-less tank – essentially a tank destroyer.
The real life vehicle, which is noted for its low profile, is far easier to conceal on a battlefield and harder to target. For this project, it also simplified the construction, but the results were still top-notch!
The wooden STRV can’t crush cars, and its wooden “armor” won’t stop any anti-tank rounds, but who wouldn’t want to take their own custom DIY tank for a spin around the neighborhood?
Ukrainian Soldiers Are Playing WoT to Relax!
After a hard day trying to drive out the Russian invader, literally putting their life on the line, some Ukrainian tank crews and others soldiers relax by playing WoT on their smartphones. That included Lt. Nazar Vernyhora, who last year gained public attention for his command of a real tank that destroyed armored personnel carriers and damaged a Russian tank during a battle outside of Kyiv.
“I’m playing from time to time, when I have a bit of free time,” Vernyhora told The New York Times in August.
When a reporter from the paper of record visited the frontlines in Ukraine, he noted many of the young soldiers played the game when they had a few minutes to spare. It seemed like an odd choice, given that they don’t really need to play a virtual wargame when they’re living it daily.
Part of the appeal is that the soldiers are playing with friends, while the collectible nature gives the real-life warfighters something to focus on beyond the actual battlefield. The game has further helped some of the soldiers hone their ability to work as a team, while some have used the game to test maneuvers they then use in actual combat.
Of course, a mistake on the game lets you respawn and head back into action. That doesn’t happen when real ordnance is headed at you. That fact explains why not every Ukrainian soldier is now loading up WoT – at least not close to the frontlines. When the real bullets start flying, it is phones down and back to business.
“Why would we play World of Tanks when it’s right here?,” one soldier also told The New York Times. That didn’t mean he wasn’t still gaming on his phone, but he and his brothers in arms were just playing FIFA, the popular soccer video game instead!
Gamers Are Spilling Secrets
Though playing World of Tanks and other games offers a way for Ukraine’s soldiers to relax, some in uniform have spilled real world secrets due to their gaming habit. It didn’t involve WoT, but rather the similarly themed – and arguably far more realistic title War Thunder.
In the past few years, there have been several stories of gamers sharing classified materials about current military hardware on the game’s forums. The first noted case was in the summer of 2021, when a British tank commander who played the game released specifications about the British Army’s Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) on the forum to help the developer improve the gaming experience!
He subsequently posted information from the “Challenger 2 Army Equipment Support Publication,” which was essentially the tank’s “user manual.” In that particular case, the images were heavily redacted, yet still carried a “UK Restricted” label. Just months later, another gamer shared part of the manual for the Leclerc Serie 2MBT, which is now in service with the French military. That particular gamer posted the information on the War Thunder forums to prove a point that the creators were wrong about certain specifications of the MBT.
Such oversharing online is a world-wide problem it seems, as yet another gamer from China also leaked details about the DTC10-125, an anti-tank round fielded by modern Chinese tanks. Many of the details about the ordnance were reportedly already well known, yet it was the first time that authenticating documentation had been seen outside of China.
Following those incidents, Gaijin Entertainment — which publishes the free online vehicle simulation — was quick to remove the materials and warned gamers not to post such sensitive information. However, gamers can be quite passionate, so it is possible we’ll see more oversharing.
For some… it isn’t only a game!
Peter Suciu is a freelance journalist and when he isn't writing about militaria you can find him covering topics such as cybersecurity, social media and streaming TV services for Forbes, TechNewsWorld and ClearanceJobs. He is the author of several books on military hats and helmets including the 2019 title, A Gallery of Military Headdress. Email him and he'd happily sell you a copy!
