[Issue 38] RIP Tanki: Top 20 Most-Missed Moments

[hogree 4,179]

Over the last six years, Tanki's History has definitely had its Ups and Downs with many memorable moments to grace the game. Some have been memorable for all the wrong reasons but in this article, we'll be remembering some of the most-missed parts of Tanki from its illustrious history! The countdown begins at 20 before we reach the most-missed aspect of Tanki from my perspective. Have your say at the bottom. Let's go!

 

20. Carousel

 

 

Carousel has to be one of the most far-reached memories of the game, of which only a handful of English players nowadays would remember. Released in March 2011, it was added to the game temporarily for the purpose of a "Race" Competition that would take place, one of the first in-game contests to hit Tanki. (To watch the Race Final, click here for a video!) I have fond memories of the map and it creeps into my top 20 due to its fantastic gameplay. The packed centre visible in the image was the only section at which tanks would spawn whilst the course running around the map was perfect for snipers to make a quick getaway. An exciting map though perhaps not as keenly remembered as many other parts of Tanki's history.

 

19. Buying Experience Feature

 

 

The Buying-Experience Fiasco that accompanied the Rebalance is infamous in the minds of many, but it does have that novelty factor about it. The ability to buy 1000 Experience Points for just 100 Crystals (1000 in today's currency) was one of the main talking points for a number of months after the Rebalance came out. Although I used it to a minimal extent (from Major to Major General), did you know that if Lhamster didn't buy experience during that period in early 2013 he would still probably be a Colonel? :lol: Although the Experience Buying did go, the memory of that period of cheap ranking up for all ranks is vivid in my memory.

 

18. Old Ricochet Parkour

 

 

Parkour Junkies will remember this from all the way up till the Physics Changes during 2013. The ease at which Ricochet climbed up walls was something that enabled even the worst parkourists like me to get into smart positions - something impossible with the current physics system. One of the most popular positions was behind a wall in the old Highland which required the knockback that Ricochet gave. The parkour era during the Wolf Battles of 2012 was one of the most illustrious times of parkour in the English Community and displayed the love that many went on to show by joining groups such as the TFP in far more advanced parkour than simple houses, enabled by the newer physics system.

 

17. The Old Homepage

 

 

I know this is an unpopular view but for me, the old Homepage was better than the new. Smart, clear and less cluttered - I was extremely fond of it. So when in February 2014 the new Homepage was released, it wasn't just a sad moment in taking away a part of the old Tanki which I loved but also I genuinely preferred it. On top of that, the "Tanki blog" posts it contained in the bottom right-hand corner of the page was full of great memories for myself including the Scavenger Hunts that Bruce always provided and the very first Tanki's got Talent - on me!! :D

 

16. Moon Silence

 

 

Although I put this low on the list, for many, this has to be one of the biggest "RIP Moments" in Tanki's history. The memory of this map is fond to so many - the Ricochet-Wasp parkours, Halloween gold boxes and the epic drug wars stick out in memory for many involved. With that touch of lack of control just adding an extra dynamism to the map and the beautiful skybox, it was a treasure for many players. Many complained at its removal and still do - and although I never joined in with the massive hype about this map, it is missed by many.

 

15. Downvote Kick Feature

 

 

Another controversial one which I've added to this list due to my own personal convictions of the benefits that this once had. Although it was removed a number of months ago now, it was personally one of the best things to enhance the gaming experience for higher-ranked players. Yes, it was abused, but it was really useful. So although there are mixed emotions on this one, it helped so many potentially ruined games to be played out fairly and for that, I appreciate it.

 

14. The Old Happy New Year Map (2011, 2012)

 

 

Ooh. Now, this is a fun one. Another one that may be foreign to some. Of course the concept is familiar to us all - the New Year's Celebration has had a special map for five years now. However, what I class as the original Happy New Year Map of January 2011 was quite unique in how it was run, particularly due to the constant stream of crystal boxes that fell from the tree. The crystal boxes also held an extra-dynamic factor since each had an unknown value that ranged from 1-10 crystals (10-100 in today's currency). The 2012 Map was designed the same but instead of such a range, there were simply occasional 2 Crystal Boxes to add a twist. As it was designed as the simple Sandbox but also focused on a tree in the middle, it made for an extremely fun battle for the drops at the centre of the map and I was gutted to see it depart to the more snazzy-looking New Year maps of the later years.

 

13. Personalized Battle Names

 

 

Much more fresh in the memory to most of us, the introduction of the new Battle List in late 2014 was unpopular with many - and one main reason was that they could no longer create their own names of battles. Memories of creating names from the No Supplies "Orange Alert CTF" on Server 2, "Join all English speakers" Farm CTF's from the 2011 days and "XP-Ketchup" from the more recent sit fondly in the memory. And although I was one who supported the introduction of the new battle list due to the fantastic organization it gave each server as well as the Formats it was soon followed by, I still miss the time I could add that little notch of banter to each of my battles!

 

12. The Molotov Gold Box

 

 

One for the more veteran players, this "Special Gold Box Event" is certainly one that goes down in Tanki Legend and I wish there'd be something like this again. I'm sure most of you readers will know of the 700-Fund Gold Box that fell for the first few years of the game. During Summer 2011, Tanki hosted a special gold box event for a week where one "secret" map would have a special 1000 Crystal (10,000 in today's currency) Gold Box that would fall each time the battle fund reached 1000 (Same value as earlier) fund. Quickly discovered to be Molotov, it turned into a wild feast for the higher ranks and each player who earned one gained immediate status. For a video, click here.

 

11. Space Madness

 

 

The Space Madness week during April 2011 reaches back into the long-of-old history of the game but was another golden legendary moment that is missed by many veterans who experienced it. If you thought Moon Silence was tough too control, boy you need to get out more. The gravity in this map was virtually non-existent - yes, non-existent is the right word here. You could float here. Taster of the gameplay here.

 

10. Old Massacre CTF

 

 

Legendary for a large amount of the Drugging English Community that grew up during the 2012 era, of whom the majority have left by now. Massacre CTF's were along with Silences the home of the druggers during that period with several 999 Flag battles being hosted in those battlefields. The reason they were so popular is that due to the small number of players (5v5) and position of flags in "Reverse CTF" Mode made for fast-paced quick-capture gameplay. Still remember one time when I was a weak little WO1 against M3's and capping a flag with just a Nitro and M0 Hornet. So much pride in one moment. :D

 

9. Bruce Lunga

 

 

What a legend. The man that kickstarted the English Community. For those who grew up during the 2012 Era of the English Community, you were lucky to have a man like this. The contests that he kicked off and the teams that he helped to establish are the core for the Community that we have nowadays. Although he disappeared during early 2013, his presence in the English Community and role he has played will never be taken for granted. Legend is the best word. Would have finished higher if he was more well-known across the game and he probably deserves it. I may be biased but this guy was a top top top bloke. 

 

8. The 100 Crystal Boxes

 

 

Infamous for many. And yet somehow missed too, almost in a guilty way, by those who experienced the fun that this was. Although yes, it did ruin CTF Battles, it was somewhat fun. Having a couple of days of constant box-hunting. Shameful but at the same time shameless. Accompanying the long-awaited Predictable Drops, it did wreak havoc in the game for a couple of days with the mad hunt for crystals falling from the sky. The sad fact that it led to the removal of crystal boxes marrs it in the eyes of many and yet the Desert DM rushes for the Crystal Box Spots were such fun.  :ph34r: 

 

7. Fully Upgraded Garage at Second Lieutenant

 

 

We reach the top few moments that are missed and this fact does go down in legend just for how odd it seems today. Up until the end of 2012, a complete garage, fully-upgraded, could be acquired by the meagre rank of Two Diamonds (Second Lieutenant). Place a Marshal against a Second Lieutenant and they would be on exactly the same terms. I mean, just look at the picture, a Major with the strongest hull in the game fully-upgraded. Insane to many of the players today who are used to unlocking some of the M2s at as high a rank as Colonel. And don't forget, you could get M3 Smoky by Staff Sergeant. For the buyers, it was brilliant. The low costs also meant that those who didn't buy could feed off it too, although not so well. It has improved with the rebalancing of December 2012, but still legendary nonetheless and certainly missed by the many who quit the game at the major shakup that this caused.

 

6. Blue Fire

 

 

Blue Fire - just an example of the wonderful graphics that once graced Tanki and is treasured amongst many who experienced the glory of it. Nowadays, people look back at it as if it was some kind of joke cheap tacky game. But we loved it and the irony was that there were complaints galore when the new textures came out during 2012. The Blue Flame was but one of the many beautiful things of the old game - the Pink Firebird, Bright Orange Smoky Shots, Booming Yellow Thunders, Fiery Orange Ricochets; not to mention Pink & Purple Railgun Shots and Blue & Orange Isida Beams. Although the lighting was dismal back then, the completely fake and yet vividly powerful colours made up for it!

 

5. Smoky XT

 

 

Smoky XT is one of the few things from the extremely old days of Tanki that many many remember. Just for the novelty factor. The similarity it had to the temporary Railgun XT is legitimate in how it cost fair dollar and was only in the game for a short period of two weeks but its power was above and beyond anything Railgun could have dreamed of. The power of an M3 Thunder with the speedy respawn of the Smoky - it was a sight to behold. To take a glimpse of the gameplay, have a peek here.

 

4. "Normal" Drug Wars

 

 

Some don't miss them - to many, these were the days when druggers spoiled the battlefield. To me, these were the days when the most intense games to grace Tanki Online were played on a regular basis. Drug Wars had a dynamism to them that was quite special. The ability to control when you stay alive with the First Aid and having tanks with so much more power than they would otherwise was so much fun when you came up against another team of hardcores. Oh man, I miss them. You get the artificial ones occasionally made on Silences in RU4 these days but the brilliance of transforming a regular battle into a full-blooded drug war with your friends had such a buzz incorporated that it finishes this high in my list. Oh, baby, I miss you.

 

3. Hall of Fame

 

 

The Hall of Fame goes further back than all other parts of this article, reaching into August 2011 when it was removed for good from the game. Detailing the ability of different tankers in a hall of every player in the game, it was removed for technical reasons and unable to hold on the Tanki Servers any longer. However, although the figures still remain somewhere in a hidden safe in Perm, the Hall of Fame was a thing to be honoured and still held in Tanki legend by many players who wait eagerly for its return one long-lost day. Showing the ability of a player by their kills and deaths had a kudos factor that has been lost to us today, sadly. A legendary item. RIP the Hall of Fame.

 

2. The 700-Fund Gold Box

 

 

We reach our top 2. This was fighting for top spot, believe me, but I edged it to second due to what I felt was certainly a deserving winner. The 700-Fund Gold Box is held in renown from many tankers, some who experienced it, some who didn't. The experience of waiting till the fund reached 700 and then waiting nervously for the next 20-30 fund to see when it would drop was something quite unique in the game. The Gold Box will be dropped soon never carried that effect and neither did the Random Gold Box that reigned during early 2013. It was quite quite quite special. A heart-pumping feeling that grabbed you and I wish that it would come back even though I love the current system to bits. The 700 Gold Box was special and it still is.

 

1. Crystal Boxes

 

 

And our winner. And I think you'll probably agree with me on this. The thing almost all players in this game miss the most. Crystal Boxes, presents dropping from the Sky, wrenched from our lovely screens after the experiment almost a year ago. A special item, it carried so many different shapes and sizes over the years and I still believe it will return to us one day. The feeling of grabbing a crystal as a low rank was special and I feel for all who don't experience it these days. As a high rank, I appreciated what Tanki did in increasingly battle funds but I also miss those special special boxes. RIP is the only fitting way to greet such a legendary piece of Tanki. It's been a long day without you my friend; and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again.

 

My top twenty RIP Moments. How about yours? Have your say below! 

Edited August 14, 2015 by Lhamster

[magnaboy2 656]

I agree with all of them

Except for Moon Silence+experience buying lel xd

Great article though,tells TO newbies something about our past :D

But Bruce Lunga,Almighty01 should have been number one :p

Edited August 14, 2015 by magnaboy2

[Winner_Of_Turkey 2,647]

Love it!

 

Hall of Fame :(

[LAGGER_KING 201]

Moon Silence. R.I.P  :unsure:

[Meliora 1,652]

Speaking of Bruce Lunga, caught this on TV a few days ago. Look at the names.

Great article!

[Scientist 4,224]

I agree, but I guess #1 and #8 are almost the same.

I think I started playing the game right after Smoky XT was removed and that's saaad :(

[DanTheKiller1 2,889]

The real Madness is the one I miss the most

 

Btw,how comes you didn`t add the old Combe CTF battles in the top? or the Pass TDM`s ? xd

[Lhamster 4,081]

I miss so many of them :( Especially the old graphics, Bruce and drug wars!

Edited August 14, 2015 by Lhamster

[canadarules 1,938]

rip to the hof system, blue fire, space madness, old homepage, moon silence and new years map

also bruce was king

[Flexoo 6,980]

you brought all those memories back ,sniff sniff, nostalgy :(

[falcosenna1 8,320]

Amazing article!! Nostalgic, so many memories!!

[anuclearbomb 220]

canyon.

great article, i want to say i was around for all of this but this predates my beginning in gaming, i joined in november, just before the refund/rebalance.

[hogree 4,179]

Btw,how comes you didn`t add the old Combe CTF battles in the top?

Good point. Should have put that in. Legendary map, never understood why they changed it.

Edited August 14, 2015 by hogree

[1stsuperwhitedragon 408]

So many memories :( :( :(

[MA3CTPO_HA_XAHTEP 832]

I would also add Deck-9 which used to be my favourite map.

However, It's great to remember old times... 

[Tap_Dancer 1,360]

I miss the days when shaft didn't have a laser and the recoil was so strong you could flip light hulls by sniping them :( :( :(

[lukey0 27,543]

This was a really special read, so many things have changed in just a few years. Miss the old 700 Gold Box and of cause Crystal Boxes. :)

[tommybau 1,033]

i dont usually look back at the past, but this article gave me feels. i'd like to live some of those moments again for once.

[Cute_re 582]

the best Space Madness :C 

[thunderousrailgunner 1,934]

Crystal Boxes :(

[Penguin40 1,714]

I miss none of them!

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

I miss none of them!

Probably because you joined after all these were removed :lol:

[Penguin40 1,714]

Probably because you joined after all these were removed :lol:

I saw the crystal boxes, personalized battle names and normal drug wars tho. 

[Lankbouv 6,347]

Nice article which reminded me of stuff, but some of your 2012 references must be wrong, as I "grew up" then but don't remember most of the stuff.

[Thug 3,435]

Amazing..! :O