Obsidian Entertainment and My.com are proud to introduce the the newest addition to Armored Warfare - Update 0.18, bringing one of the most awaited features - the Global Operations mode!
Apart from the Global Operations mode, there are several exciting features in Update 0.18, including:
- Garage 2.0
- Alabino Proving Grounds
- Wheeled Vehicle Physics Update
- PvE Mission Harbinger Overhaul
- Changes to Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
as well as a large number of issue fixes and correction, the list of which is available in the Update Changes section below.
Global Operations
Global Operations is a PvP and PvE hybrid game mode that is unique in the genre, blending longer term strategy with moment to moment tactics. In Global Operations, players participate in large scale, dynamic battles.
This mode introduces improvements to the core Armored Warfare rules, including:
- Respawning to allow players to be engaged in the battle for much longer
- Primary objectives that change throughout the match
- Secondary objectives called “Wildcards” that change the shape and direction of the battle in exciting ways
Each match in Global Operations will be a living, breathing battle space that expands on our existing team and class interaction, adding more opportunities for players of all skill levels to contribute toward their team's victory. This mode is an evolution of the genre and delivers more of what you are looking for in a modern vehicle shooter based on your feedback, combining the popular conquest style gameplay with elements of PvE.
To learn more about the Global Operations mode, please see the following articles:
- Introducing Global Operations
- Global Operations - Developer Questions and Answers
- Global Operations - Desert Crossing
- Global Operations - Tactics
- Global Operations - Wildcards
Please note that the Global Operations mode will initially only be accessible to Tier 5 and higher.
Garage 2.0
We have overhauled the Garage visuals to give it a more polished look in preparation for more advanced features such as the Garage UI overhaul and the Armor Inspector, scheduled to appear in the future. A new, advanced render significantly improves the graphics quality, making all vehicles look far better than before.
With more elbow room for your stock of tanks, an improved camera and updated visuals, the new Garage makes it easier than ever to head your own PMC!
Alabino Proving Grounds
The Proving Grounds is a special map based on the famous Russian Alabino Polygon, home of the annual Tank Biathlon event. It allows players to test any vehicle before actually purchasing it in order to check its mobility and firepower. This special map offers a series of obstacles for the players to navigate as well as some practice targets.
To access the Proving Grounds, right click on any vehicle in the garage and select 'Test Drive'.
Wheeled Vehicle Physics Update
We've updated wheeled vehicle friction in order that light wheeled vehicles - especially those with only 4 wheels - do not break traction as easily if one or more of their wheels lose contact with the terrain. The end result is that light wheeled vehicles should feel far easier to control, especially over uneven terrain.
PvE Mission Harbinger Overhaul
We gave the Harbinger mission a significant overhaul. The Harbinger will now take place on the River Point map and will cover a significantly larger area.
The Lions of Nequiel have descended upon this village to "convert" more believers and sell off the rest for profit. It's your job to take out the Lions before they can capture all the civilians. Once the way is cleared, the ISD can send in helicopters to evacuate the civilians – it will fall to you to defend them before they can lift off with the civilians on board.
Changes to Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
Vehicles with ATGM launchers that were previously stuck in a fixed position have been updated to allow them to fire at pitched angles. This will help prevent cases where ATGMs crashed into the ground whenever a vehicle with fixed launchers fired them at a downward angle. Please note that the artwork changes to allow the launcher models to visually pitch will come at a later date.
We've also reintroduced a 1.5 second delay when switching between primary and secondary weapon systems. This change was made in order to help alleviate situations where certain vehicles were pumping out too much damage when cycling between their two weapon systems in an overly short amount of time.
List of 0.18.2770 Changes
Wheeled Vehicle Movement Changes
We've updated wheeled vehicle friction in order that light wheeled vehicles - especially those with only 4 wheels - do not break traction as easily if one or more of their wheels lose contact with the terrain. The end result is that light wheeled vehicles should feel far easier to control, especially over uneven terrain.
Component Damage
We've removed a feature which prevented certain components (specifically tracks) from taking additional damage when already destroyed and repairing. Tracked vehicles can once again be continually immobilized by shooting the tracks before they are fully repaired.
Updated Shaders
We've updated the in-game shaders to improve the visual fidelity of our vehicles. Players should notice an improvement in the model visual quality in both the Garage and in battle.
ATGM Launcher Pitch Update
Vehicles with ATGM launchers that were previously stuck in a fixed position have been updated to allow them to fire at pitched angles. This will help prevent cases where ATGMs crashed into the ground whenever a vehicle with fixed launchers fired them at a downward angle. Please note that the artwork changes to allow the launcher models to visually pitch will come at a later date.
Weapon System Switch Delay
We've reintroduced a 1.5 second delay when switching between primary and secondary weapon systems. This change was made in order to help alleviate situations where certain vehicles were pumping out too much damage when cycling between their two weapon systems in an overly short amount of time.
Field of View Update
Camera Field of View values have been updated:
- Default Field of View was changed from 80 to 55
- Minimum Field of View was changed 65 from 40
- Maximum Field of View remains unchanged at 110
Miscellaneous
Players with a Negative gold value will no longer be able to log into Armored Warfare. Players will have to return to a positive gold value to be able to log into Armored Warfare.
New Garage
With more elbow room for your stock of tanks, an improved camera and updated visuals, the new Garage makes it easier than ever to head your own PMC!
PvE Screen Improvements
We improved the PvE mission selection screen. The mission start button was moved to a more logical spot and it is now easier to select the appropriate difficulty as well.
Notification Overhaul
In response to player feedback, we've updated our notifications to provide more concise and relevant information to players. As a result, the following changes have been made:
- All notifications except those social in nature now fade away shortly after appearing
- Social notifications will remain visible until acted on to ensure friend and platoon requests aren't missed
- Match result notifications have been streamlined to allow for more details to be visible through the redesigned tool-tip
- The notification log now organizes notices into 3 main categories; Match Results, Social Notices, and a Log of all remaining notices
Base Removed
After evaluating the current Base implementation and determining it was not meeting the goals set out for the feature, we've decided to remove the current Base implementation from the player garage. As a result, the following passive bonuses provided by the Base will now be integrated into player's baseline rewards:
- Premium Account Time Cost: -5%
- Credits: 5%
- Retrofit Cost: -10%
- Repair Cost: -10%
- Commander XP: 10%
- Crew XP: 10%
- Global Reputation: 50%
With the removal of the Base, players should now also notice a decrease in garage load times when first entering the garage and exiting a match.
New Flags
Added the following country flag decals:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Macedonia
- Serbia
- Kosovo
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Slovenia
- Montenegro
- Belarus
Miscellaneous
- Player battalion tags are now visible in the friends list
- The Custom Match tool-tip will now display the minimum number of players required per team when attempting to launch a match
- Added an option in the settings menu to disable grass from rendering while in first person camera mode (sniper mode)
- Added a “Defend the Next Zone” prompt after capturing a multi-stage objective in PvE
- Auto-Resupply is now filled in with a white dot when active
- Players are now able to click on sections of the vehicle overview screen to lead them the appropriate sub-menu
- Combat Notifications for completing secondary objectives are now displayed as white
- Global Chat now has a tooltip
- Updated art asset for player tags in the controls menu
- Custom match neutral observers now have a vision cone on the minimap
- Added player count to the custom match header
- Added a post-match screen for custom match observers
- Platoon leaders queue buttons will now light up when all members are ready, platoon members queue buttons will remain grayed out
- Switching between queues (PvP, PvE, Global Operations) as a Platoon leader will now force unready all members of the platoon
- Custom match Observers now ready up automatically
- Credit conversion discounts are now easier to notice
Tier 3 Prerequisite Changes
To reduce the complexity involved with getting from Tier 2 to Tier 3, the following changes have been made:
- The Prerequisite for Tier 3 blocks in both Wölfli and Marat's dealer trees will now all unlock once the user gets a Tier 2 vehicle within that dealer to Renown. This means that once a player reaches renowned status in a Tier 2 vehicle they will immediately gain the ability to purchase any Tier 3
- The Prerequisite for the Tier 4 SPG blocks will be changed to simply require 50 battles, regardless of the mode. This is no different from the current system, where the player can unlock it through playing PVE and PVP battles, but it simplifies the display to better indicate battles of any mode will count
- As a temporary measure, the Chieftain Tier 5 block will now branch off of the Russian MBT line. Once the remaining British MBTs are added, the line will return to its original format
AMX-10 RCR
- Fixed an issue where the vehicle's gas-tank destruction VFX were missing
- Fixed an issue that caused the stock armor description to have missing strings for the AMX-10RCR
B1 Centauro
- Fixed an issue where one of the vehicle's ERA panels appeared incorrectly placed
B1 DRACO
After carefully analyzing player feedback as well as battle statistics, we came to the conclusion that high-tier battles, where one side had DRACOs and the other side had CRABs as AFVs led to serious imbalance in team scouting capabilities. In such cases, the DRACO was often used as a tank destroyer, not as a recon vehicle. As a result of this analysis, we decided to switch the DRACO class from AFV to Tank Destroyer.
This change accomplishes two things at once:
- Putting the DRACO in a role it is more comfortable with
- Eliminating the abovementioned scout imbalance cases
Challenger 1
- Fixed an issue that caused ammo icons for the Challenger 1 to disappear
M109
- Fixed an issue with the vehicle's model appearing too large in-game
M60-2000
- Added side-skirts to the vehicle's model
Sheridan
- Fixed an issue where the vehicle's hatches were not reducing incoming damage
Starship
- Fixed an issue with the vehicle's cannon mantlet displaying a broken texture
T-15
- Fixed several minor texture issues with the vehicle
T-72A
- Fixed an issue where the vehicle's tracks clipped into the rear sprocket-wheel
VBL
- Fixed an issue with the vehicle's upgraded engine causing a decrease in braking performance
- Fixed an issue where the vehicle's ATGM launcher tubes appeared capped off
VBR
- We've revamped the VBR's movement to feel more responsive when turning at various speeds
Wiesel 1
- Fixed an Issue that caused the Wiesel 1 to flip over while turning at high speeds
Wiesel 1 Wolf
- Fixed an Issue that caused the Wiesel 1 Wolf to flip over while turning at high speeds
WZ-1224
- Fixed an issue where the vehicle's engine would display in the wrong place in the vehicle status panel after being damaged
- Fixed an issue with the vehicle's rear brake light displaying the incorrect texture
Zhalo-S
- Fixed an issue where the vehicle's cannon appeared capped off
General
- Fixed multiple instances of bugged collision across numerous PvE and PvP maps
Coastal Threat
- Fixed an issue where certain trees appeared to "pop" into existence when viewing them in artillery mode
Frontline
- Fixed an issue that caused track marks to appear a lighter color on Frontline – Encounter
- Fixed an issue that caused lighting to change when a player reconnected to Frontline – Encounter
- Fixed an issue that caused Frontline trees to have harsh LOD transitions
Ghost Field
- Fixed an issue which caused shadows to appear overly dark on Very High and Ultra settings
Lost Island
- Fixed an issue at F4 where players could get into a non-playable section of the map
Narrows
- Fixed an issue at F7 where players could get into a non-playable section of the map
Roughneck
- Fixed an issue at I3 where the stairs between structures could not be shot through
- Fixed an issue at H3 where certain structures could be shot through unintentionally
General
- We've fixed an issue which prevented artillery from properly spotting secondary objectives with an illumination round on several maps
- Fixed multiple instances of bugged collision across numerous PvE and PvP maps
Albatross
- Fixed an issue that caused secondary objective timers to become active on reconnection for Operation Albatross
- Fixed an issue that caused the map of the area to be missing from Operation Albatross loading screen
Anvil
- Fixed an issue where while in artillery mode, the camera could clip into the ship at J2-J7
Banshee
- Fixed an issue where the victory audio would cut out during the ending cut-scene
- Fixed an issue where certain trees would remain hanging in the air after being knocked over
- Fixed an issue at C6 where the gas silos could be shot through
- Fixed an issue that caused incorrect loading screen to appear for Operation Banshee
Cavalry
- Fixed an issue that caused secondary objectives on Cavalry to be unable to be completed
- Fixed an issue that caused players to get stuck behind a fuel container on Cavalry
Cerberus
- Fixed an issue that caused the incorrect secondary objective to be displayed on Operation Cerberus briefing screen
Dire Wolf
- Fixed an issue where AI would sometimes drive off the bridge at B1 to their death
- Fixed an issue where AI would sometimes spawn within a player's Line of Sight
- Fixed an issue where destroying the rocket launcher props failed to trigger a sound effect
Frostbite
- Fixed an issue at C5 and C6 where the train locomotive textures appeared blurry on low graphic settings
Hydra
- Fixed an issue at H6 where players could get into a non-playable section of the map
Leviathan
- Fixed an issue where AI would sometimes spawn within a player's Line of Sight
- Adjusted the collision on the destroyed plane prop at H5
Meltdown
- Added a few more enemies as part of the final wave of the final mission objective
Onyx
- Added additional AI spawn points to the second and third primary objective points in order to increase the mission's difficulty
Phalanx
- Fixed a rare issue where the mission could end in 'Defeat" despite players appearing to have successfully captured the base
- Fixed an issue where secondary objective outlines would render for artillery prior to being spotted Fixed an issue causing some AI vehicles to navigate into the lake and drown
Quarterback
- Fixed an issue at D8 where the capture circle overlapped surrounding props
Reactor
- Fixed an issue at I4 where players could get into a non-playable section of the map
Sapphire
- Fixed an issue where the VO for failing the main objective would not complete
Snakebite
- Fixed an issue at I4 where the rear section of the fighter jet could be shot through
Spearhead
- Fixed an issue where voiceover and subtitles would sometimes not play after achieving a victory
- Fixed an issue where AI would sometimes spawn within a player's Line of Sight
Starry Night
- Fixed an issue at G7 where a building explosion visual effect did not properly trigger the accompanying sound effect
Umbrella
- Fixed an issue at G2 where trees were not falling down after being collided with
Wildfire
- Fixed an issue where secondary objective outlines would render for artillery prior to being spotted
Zero Hour
- Fixed an issue where incoming splash HE damage could crash the mission
We added a new turbo diesel engine sound set for vehicles which were previously missing the appropriate sound set. We applied this new sound to all tanks that have a turbo diesel engine, and also layered on the turbo whine to appropriate TD and AFV vehicles that have turbo diesel engines. We also overhauled Garage UI sounds.
General
- Fixed an issue that caused maximum view range indicator to disappear when using a Field Repair Kit
- Fixed an issue that caused hit resolution to display the treads icon when destroying or damaging tires
- Fixed an issue that caused designated target timer to jitter and flicker
- Fixed an issue that caused custom match observers to receive artillery hints
- Fixed an issue that caused neutral observers to be unable to see specialty rounds from artillery
- Fixed an issue that caused no penetration shots on destroyed ERA panels to display “No Penetration - ERA” instead of “No Penetration”
- Fixed an issue that caused ATGMs to fail to automatically begin reloading when switching between queued weapon systems
- Fixed an issue that caused an error to display when APS has been activated
- Fixed an issue that caused artillery salvos to be able to fire shots in much faster succession
- Fixed various instances which would lead to client crashes
Garage and User Interface
- Fixed an issue that caused reputation to display as -1 when viewing another player statistics
- Fixed an issue that caused binding a key with modifiers to reset on client relaunch
- Fixed an issue that caused binding a key with modifiers to not work properly
- Fixed and issue that caused the Garage Vehicle Texture Streaming setting to be reset on client relaunch
- Fixed an Issue that caused F1 Controls menu to display the incorrect information for Custom Match observers
- Fixed an issue that caused the replay menu scrollbar arrows to not function properly
- Fixed an issue that caused players to be able to interact with menu options through the queue window
- Fixed an issue that caused the members list to not be displayed for the group chat creator
- Fixed an issue that caused an incorrect tooltip to be displayed for the customization menu while the player was in queue
- Fixed an issue that caused the dossier to incorrectly sort vehicles by tier
- Fixed an issue that caused the player title to not be displayed in the dossier
- Fixed an issue that allowed players to sell and buy consumables when the number zero was entered into the amount field
- Fixed an issue that caused the dossier’s scroll bar to appear much smaller
- Fixed an issue that caused the FPS/Ping settings preview to appear incorrectly
- Fixed an issue that caused unassigned players to have observer icons while in the custom match lobby
- Fixed an issue that caused the vehicle status menu to remain visible during cinematics
- Fixed an issue that caused the team members to become grayed out for players after using a Field Rebuild Kit
- Fixed an issue that caused teammate stats to appear as undefined when using a Field Rebuild Kit
- Fixed an issue that caused total bonuses to not be sorted alphabetically
- Fixed an issue that caused Camo and decals to applied to the previously selected vehicle
- Fixed an issue that caused currently selected title to not be displayed in the title selection menu
- Fixed an issue that caused audio settings to sometimes reset on client relaunch
- Fixed an issue that caused tooltips in the replay menu to not display
- Fixed an issue that caused Kill to Death ratio to add up to over 100%
- Fixed an issue that caused the battalion window to be cut off at 1360x768 resolution
- Fixed an issue that caused commendations to be cut off at 1366 x 768 resolution
- Fixed an issue that allowed for the opening of multiple vehicle context menus
- Fixed an issue that caused the vehicle context menu to be opened in a previously selected location
- Fixed an issue that caused replay recording red dot to remain visible after restoring default settings
- Fixed an issue that caused replay menu to be inaccessible after minimizing the menu during a cinematic
- Fixed an issue that caused reserved vehicles filter to not properly hide and unhide vehicles
- Fixed an issue that caused the loading screen to overlap with the PvE mission screen when reconnecting to a match that has been completed
- Fixed and issue that caused artillery players to not receive commendations for dealing damage to partially spotted vehicles
- Fixed an issue that caused multiplication symbol to not display
- Fixed an issue that caused a black box appear in place of the reticle when using smoke and illumination rounds
- Fixed an issue that caused deserter status to not be tracked properly
- Fixed an issue that caused decals to be unable to be removed from a vehicle
- Fixed an issue that caused the incorrect key to be displayed in loading screen hints
- Fixed an issue where players could not sell a battle hardened vehicle if a discount to gold purchasing had been set on the server
- Fixed several minor text issues
Vehicles
- Fixed an issue where VFX would fail to appear behind a vehicle's tracks and under its mud flaps if the vehicle drove in reverse
Sounds
- Fixed an issue where a vehicle's engine SFX would continue playing after the engine was destroyed Fixed an issue where engine SFX would sometimes cut out
- Fixed an issue where damaging an ally vehicle's engine or tracks caused the wrong voiceover to play
- Fixed an issue where the intensity of a PvE mission's music was not properly fitting what was happening on-screen
- Fixed an issue that caused loot SFX to continue to play after skipping the animation
- Fixed an issue where the Light Tank ECU Override SFX was not playing for the ability's full duration Fixed an issue where ATGMs fired by other vehicles sounded more imposing than those fired locally
There are several known issues present in Update 0.18.2770. These include:
- Upon reconnection after a disconnect, Credits in Garage sometimes incorrectly display as zero
- Guided missiles, fired from several vehicles (BMPT series and the T-15), are not hitting the area the player is aiming at
- Begleitpanzer 57 drive sprocket model disappears when the player uses a medical kit
- PvE Mission countdowns reset incorrectly upon opening the PvE Mission window
- Artillery special round reticles are missing their textures
We are currently working on a hotfix to eliminate them. Thank you for understanding.
