Review [Issue 31] The 10 Most Memorable Moments of 2014

[hogree 4,179]

Another year of Tanki and one full of times to remember. From controversial updates to long-awaited releases, this article is a memento of those moments that we'll all look back at in two or three years' time and think to ourselves, "Yeah. I remember that." So, what are we waiting for? Let's begin the 10 Most Memorable Moments of 2014!

Changing Equipment in Battle
March 25th


We begin, naturally, at the beginning of 2014 and kick off with what I would class as the first big deal of the year. The long-awaited ability to change equipment was finally brought into the game - and with it, a new dynamic of teamwork and gameplay. Having the ability to switch equipment in a battle not only meant that a team could set up with ideal combinations for their different situations, but also enabled players to join a game and judge first what would be best to use before getting it. This was an undoubtedly successful update - many new players still wonder how players could cope with having to quit the battle every time they wanted to grab a different gun. Clever update on Tanki's part too, because now not only did it provide strategic improvement, but it also meant a large variety of paints in your garage could come in handy as players would be able to change paint at will in their battle - meaning more players would buy more paints, obviously leading to higher income and better business. A memorable moment for all the right reasons.

Release of Tanki Online Brazil
April 16th


Arguably the most substantial event of the year was the creation of Tanki Online Brazil which took full form in early April. Created similarly to the Chinese Tanki with its own separate servers, it was heralded by the appearance of a new map in the game which has turned in many circles into a stalwart. Rio settled in quickly, not least because of its beautiful scenery, and certainly grabbed the attention of players as heads turned to Tanki Online Brazil - of course, co-incidentally or perhaps not so co-incidentally established at the time the world looked towards Brazil for the FIFA World Cup. Now, nearly a year on, Tanki in Brazil is going from strength to strength with an ever-growing playerbase.

Ping Pong Secret Room
May 30th


Don't know about you, but the only thing I can actually remember about The Game this year was the Ping Pong Secret Room. Just simply for the oddness of it all. Linked in with Tanki's 5th Birthday, the Game wasn't the biggest deal with all the discounts flowing around, but the discovery of the Ping Pong Secret Room made everyone intrigued. "The Rock" stuck on the wall? Never... Scarcely believable, but sure enough, when the players took the visit, settling on the platform, their eyes adjusted to the jolly face of a well-known actor placarded across the back of the room. Not a big deal, but certainly memorable.

The Return of the Tanki V-LOG
June 6th


Another event which you sense will live to play an effect for a long time, the Tanki "International Video Blog" returned for good when Semyon took up the job in June, and even though some of the old players will always say Bruce was the best, Semyon's enthusiastic presenting, endless hand gestures and his diligent efforts in providing a V-LOG full of information has given him a place in many players' hearts. Providing up-to-date and relevant news every week, and carrying the role the monthly newspaper is unable to, many players spend Fridays looking forward to catching up with the V-LOG after a long day. Featuring a special video and question every week, as well as the always-entertaining newly-added Test Box at the end, the V-LOG has been a wonderful institution, and the moment Semyon kicked it off again will always be remembered.

Release of Smart Cooldowns
September 29th


And so, we skip forward, zooming past the Double Funds of the summer, to one of the most controversial updates of Tanki's history. Smart Cooldowns. Back then, you needed little more than to mention those two little words to start a heated discussion which could last goodness knows how long. One thing's for sure: the removal of the drug war, though temporary, did have a negative effect to the playerbase of the high ranks. However, Smart Cooldowns in themselves are great little things. Ensuring that both the buyers get an advantage, but that the non-buyers can challenge them was just what the doctor ordered. What the doctor didn't order, however, was the complete removal of Drug Wars, thus causing the controversy. Overall, it was, and has proven to be, a positive update, but no doubt SCD definitely had to go through a few tweaks. Very possibly the most memorable update of the year.

Release of Predictable Drops (And the 100 Crystal Boxes)
November 18th


But this comes pretty close. Predictable Drops were brought out in November with more than a few different opinions on the whole thing. The decision was partly dubious due to the part Crystal Boxes played in the whole thing. Who remembers those mini-gold-rushes for the 100 Crystal Boxes? I certainly do. The day the update came out, opinions were extremely mixed. Some players were in love with these nice big boxes dropping from the sky - but there was no doubt that gameplay was being seriously hindered, especially in CTF Mode. Players would just be camping for the crystal boxes in complete ignorance of all else that was occuring around them. So, of course, as we all know, changes occured (you'll be able to see a bit more about this in the next memorable moment). All the same, the actual Predictable Drops update with the supply markings on the ground have been a hit. Less luck, more tactics in most scenarios which obviously raises the level of interest in the game. Very memorable though, certainly those 100-Crystal Boxes.

R.I.P Crystal Boxes
November 20th


Just two days after the Predictable Drops hit the game, the Tanki developers immediately released things needed to be done. Labelled by some players as the "stupidest update of all time", the developers reacted quickly in what they called the "experiment". In this, along with a slightly odd test where the Gold Box would drop IMMEDIATELY on the alert, Crystal Boxes were to be removed as a test - and, in contrast, the fund would grow higher. This would completely stop those camping for crystals - as there were no longer crystals to camp for! However, it was an experiment that would ultimately bring about mixed reactions, especially after the news came out that it was here to stay. No more crystal boxes. For some, like me, it was great news - I had found earning crystals by the fund so much better and they had been a distraction more than anything. Others differed, saying that the crystal boxes were such key parts of them staying as players since a low rank and ridding them would be ridding a large portion of the playerbase. In the end, the developers stuck to their guns, and crystal boxes have never returned... yet.

StarSeries Season 2 Final
November 22nd


It was a hectic period of Tanki, to say the least. Literally, while the experiment was in full swing, Tanki were hosting their StarSeries Season 2 Lan Finals over in Russia - with four of the top clans meeting together to come and compete for top prize. In a showdown of epic proportions, which was unfortunately understated in its publicity across the English Community, Arcade scraped eGuards to the title - and I mean scraped. Coming in to the final with a 1-0 lead in a Best of 5 Rounds since they had qualified directly without a loss, they immediately went 2-1 down after eGuards took the first couple of maps with relative ease. Arcade supporters were at a loss but after conquering Tribute, they set up a showdown in Barda which closed the $12,000 prize out in a deserving but incredibly close victory for the holders. If any of you ever, and I mean ever, have one hour or so to spare and want to watch something good, I could not recommend you a more entertaining battle on Youtube. Yes, it's commentated in Russian, but it's so worth watching. Link is here. An immense battle, a great watch, and a deserving memorable moment.

Release of Night Mode
December 4th



December was nigh, but Tanki wasn't done yet. Another long-awaited update, promised years ago for the cancelled Tanki 2.0, was finally added to the game - the Night Mode. Adding a new twist to visuals and putting dynamic lighting to full usage, the Night Mode was really popular, especially in its first days, and is turning into a favourite for rank up parties. Also joined with Shaft's laser, the effect of the two combined really lit up a few faces with smiles. The maps graced with the Night Mode were well-chosen, and although not as controversial or debatable as some of the other updates, this update will certainly be remembered as the maps take on more graphical abilities in the future.

Release of Hammer
December 18th



Our last "memorable moment" of 2014, and boy was it memorable?! After name suggestions, careful design and weeks of waiting, Hammer entered the game - the first piece of equipment to be added for over three years. The fact that protection was not immediately dealt out against it didn't go round well in some circles, but its popularity is undoubted, and Hammer has enhanced the diversity of gameplay which Tanki thrives upon. With a character and a look of its own, we can expect to see a lot more of this gun in the future - and it won't be long before we'll think back to the days when Hammer wasn't around and how strange it was... Well, memorable? 100000%. Guaranteed, this event will stick deep into the history of the game.

---

So what about you? You got any other memories from Tanki last year which stick out particularly for yourself? Feel free to share below! Well, another year ends and another year begins. How about popping back here at the end of the year and see how many of them you still remember? Memories are treasures - don't let go of them!
Edited July 30, 2017 by Hexed

[MA3CTPO_HA_XAHTEP 832]

Nice revision! Good job.

[AbsoluteZero 3,729]

Night mode by far the best of this bunch for me. Hats off to the devs for that one. Fantastic lighting and shadows.

[Shaloo7 1,216]

Perfect! Nice one. My favourite was the release of Smart Cooldowns :)

[shayanshiny 1,925]

My Crystals box :(
I hope they will return crystals boxes in new version of tanki.

[jazz20 1,181]

I jumped a bit at Semyon's photo

[Promissory 569]

R.I.P. Crystal boxes. :( Saddest moment of 2014.

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

R.I.P. Crystal boxes. :( Saddest moment of 2014.

R.I.P. Crystal boxes. ^_^ Happiest moment of 2014.

 

Want to know the real reason why crystal boxes got removed?

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=241702&page=11&do=findComment&comment=4297150 :D

 

 

A good piece, a nice Prelude on the next article of your TO History series! :)

Edited January 31, 2015 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[Promissory 569]

R.I.P. DM. 2008-2014. You'll be remembered by everyone, by being once upon a time the most played gamemode after CTF. Now there's even more CPs. :( 2014 got some destructive updates.

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

R.I.P. DM. 2008-2014. You'll be remembered by everyone, by being once upon a time the most played gamemode after CTF. Now there's even more CPs. :( 2014 got some destructive updates.

No, I don 't think it 's the end of DM. Less popular but still plenty of them around.

 

But I agree with you that CP is on the rise.

Main reason IMO is that you often don 't need the same amount of skill

as is required in DM.

And for example a Polygon CP gets (ab)used to Rank fast.

[DarthvaderjonGTR 615]

My favourite was predictable drops and smart cooldowns xD Won 2 competitions with them already :)

 

Brilliant article hogree :) Thanks for the effort :)

[Nimtiz 7]

The only thing I didn't like was shafts laser.

[Promissory 569]

No, I don 't think it 's the end of DM. Less popular but still plenty of them around.

 

But I agree with you that CP is on the rise.

Main reason IMO is that you often don 't need the same amount of skill

as is required in DM.

And for example a Polygon CP gets (ab)used to Rank fast.

The Experiment KILLED DM. Before experiment, 3 hours before server update I would find AT LEAST 4 filled Polygon DMs. Now I can only find filled Duel DMs same time same server, even tried higher and lower accs.

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

The Experiment KILLED DM. Before experiment, 3 hours before server update I would find AT LEAST 4 filled Polygon DMs. Now I can only find filled Duel DMs same time same server, even tried higher and lower accs.

You could be right with the lack of DM 's at your (and mine) rank.

But I 'm not playing at all with this L-o-t-S account, so I really don 't know.

If so, I won 't like it either, but I play around 50% DM and the other 50%

is CTF and DM. (very few CP 's)

 

First want to rank another alt. account (maybe even two) to M3 equipment.

With my alt. Smok-Ti-Thun (Major) I still find an abundance of DM 's.

At least enough to satisfy my hunger for blood... :D

 

I must add that I play DM on all Maps. Don 't have real preferences.

[incredibleimad 16]

ha ha ha

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

ha ha ha

referring to?

[Promissory 569]

You could be right with the lack of DM 's at your (and mine) rank.

But I 'm not playing at all with this L-o-t-S account, so I really don 't know.

If so, I won 't like it either, but I play around 50% DM and the other 50%

is CTF and DM. (very few CP 's)

 

First want to rank another alt. account (maybe even two) to M3 equipment.

With my alt. Smok-Ti-Thun (Major) I still find an abundance of DM 's.

At least enough to satisfy my hunger for blood... :D

 

I must add that I play DM on all Maps. Don 't have real preferences.

The only way I play CTF is XP, because most of the time I can rely on skills of my team. If not, I play DM. Normal CTFs are a sad thing. Mults noobs and stuff. I hate CTF (normal battles. Same with team battles. My team is most of the time useless... and now I cannot even play DM.

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

The only way I play CTF is XP, because most of the time I can rely on skills of my team. If not, I play DM. Normal CTFs are a sad thing. Mults noobs and stuff. I hate CTF (normal battles. Same with team battles. My team is most of the time useless... and now I cannot even play DM.

If we continue our ungoing discussion we might better take it to PM. ;)

 

The way I solve it is seeing the CTF as a DM.

I support "my" team with taking out as many enemies I can and

assisting with flagcaps as much as possible.

Hardly cap myself, even if holding the flag I give it away to keep a happy team.

And for example, a good defender certainly deserves it!

 

Though it 's very nice to have a player in the team that recognizes your role

in a coming victory and offers you the flag to cap.

It doesn 't happen very often, but it 's one of the best things IMO that can

happen to you in Tanki!

Chivalry.... :)

 

Even with zero captures you can nowadays still earn plenty of crystals if you get the highest D/L.

So while ofcourse I like and prefer a team victory much more,

it 's not necessary to keep me playing.

 

Knowing you as a very skilled DM player you won 't have a hard time

to get on top of a CTF 's score list.

Why not enjoy that?

[naruto2004tanki 14]

R.I.P cry boxes :(

[My_Tiger_Psy 4]

I joined about a year ago!  It is nice to see how Tanki has grown and evolved :)

[snipe3000 678]

too many people wish this update would be removed i just wish they would increase gold box chance

[Halinator 52]

Hammer was, to me, memorable because I trolled by it, lets say 10000 times!! LOL

[WarMonkey51Austin 68]

I have been in the game for 1 year and I have to say this was very accurate! RIP crystal boxes, I think we should keep the current fund and add crystals back

[WarMonkey51Austin 68]

Hammer was, to me, memorable because I trolled by it, lets say 10000 times!! LOL

Let's hope you don't get a ban for trolling

[liverpoolaum 811]

awesome