[Issue 42] Five Years of Tanki - My Story

[hogree 4,179]

 

So, this is it. As some of you may know, my time in the English Community is coming to an end as my real life takes the steering wheel and I'll be resigning from my position here as a writer after this issue. Long and short of it is that for what it's worth, I'm leaving. It's time to pack up the bags. And so, for one last time, I thought to myself, why not just go back into the past and relive the memories that have carried through the game for all these years?

 

On the 21st October, I'll be celebrating my 5th birthday since I first filled in that famous registration form: a doubtful 11-year-old back in 2010. Since then, my time in Tanki has quite literally shaped my life. Memories that will last, I can be sure of that. I can't tell you how much I have looked forward to this - travelling through my past in what I can genuinely call MY game over the last five years. So come along. Join me on one last journey.

 

It all began in Spring 2010. I was 11, growing up in the best family in West London. As for Internet gaming, it had got about as far as Club Penguin and minimalistic multiplayer games. It would all change. My first meeting with Tanki would soon appear - in rather strange form. I had noticed that my close friend Brett's regular Gmail status updates were beginning to more often than not be themed upon a rather strange word. "Tanki". Not sure about that, I thought. Bit hardcore. I kept my distance. Didn't bother with the website. Learning a new unfamiliar game - it all seemed far too much for me.

 

It was only when my older brother, Mike, started up an account in May 2010 that I first caught a glance of these strange tanks driving around. I was frankly rather sceptical, but when I saw my brother beginning to favour playing over watching the World Cup which was in full swing at this stage, I began to perk up. I had a couple of tries and soon began to occasionally use my brother's tank. I remember one night us debating on whether to buy Railgun or not. When my brother announced to me that the rules pointed out that I had to create my own account and make my own way in the game, I was slightly annoyed - all this time working up to the rank of Sergeant Major wasted! I consented, taking my backup Club Penguin name, hogree, in following with the rather puzzling family tradition of ending our usernames with "ee".

 

I immediately made myself familiar with the strange sensation of having my own account, albeit reluctantly. Quickly familiarizing myself with the forum, my half-an-hour-a-day allowance was gradually pacing me up the ranks. It seemed Tanki was keen for me to stay around – I still remember receiving the famed Crystal Daily Bonus for three straight days during my time as Sergeant, allowing me to purchase M3 Smoky at Staff Sergeant – kick-starting me on my journey through the game.

 

The hype of the low ranks was memorable for me – the community in full swing and myself excitedly hunting down the next big thing. My most memorable purchase probably came when I cashed out on the alluring M3 Firebird at First Sergeant. It would become the undying love of my heart for the rest of my time in the game and would stick around on the surface for a long long time.

 

Early 2011 and I made my first major decision at the rank of Sergeant Major. Having spent what would be my only money ever channelled into crystals during my entire five years, I had a bonus 1500 crystals to spend – a fair amount of money for the pre-Update-123 currency at the time. There was an obvious choice for me – the paint Hoholama was at this time a 2000-crystal paint, and although it did not have any protection, it not only looked like a dream but also was my ticket into gaining some extra kudos in my new clan Dare Devils, who had chosen the beauty as its clan paint. There was another pointer that ultimately made me decide to dedicate the heap of crystals to what was basically a pile of nothing – the looming presence into what was promised to be the most significant update of all time. Tanki 2.0.

 

Of course, it never happened. 2.0 was a major saga in 2011 and 2012; yet barely remembered today. The promise of a completely new interface, snazzy new graphics – it all seemed too good to be true and it failed to deliver. Nonetheless, at the time, the major consensus was to be pleased with the delay of 2.0. In all forms of society, change has always been viewed with scepticism – this was no exception.

 

Myself, I was beginning to experiment more in the community. After introducing myself to Dare Devils, a newly-formed clan which would later evolve into a major superpower in the game, I saw an opportunity in June 2011 to make myself known in a brand new “Unofficial Clan” founded on the Off-Topic Discussion forum going by the name “The Ironclads”. As a Warrant Officer One eager to work my way into the exciting atmosphere of a clan, I saw this as an opportunity. It would become a defining decision in my future in Tanki.

 

My in-game travels at this time was taking me through my early faves: the glories of Highland Deathmatch, Farm and Hill CTF through the early Warrant Officers were  golden moments. Creating the “Join all English-speakers” games in what was at that time the packed-out Server 2. They really were fantastic times.

 

Changing seasons, and Tanki were evolving towards the system of smaller updates that would define the next couple of years as the game began to make smaller steps towards the envisioned goal of the developers. If you do want to have a deeper look into the past of the game, feel free to read my newspaper work going through the Complete History of Tanki. As I approached the much-envied Lieutenants, my Hunter was evolving into a Viking and my Firebird which had already lasted far beyond its sell-by date was being taken over by the trusty Isida that I would quickly become very familiar with. The controversial update to the New Graphics in mid-2012 would set off a chain of updates that would transform the game from a rough-edged inspiration to a carefully-honed gem. Many were attached to the roughness, however - change for Tanki would be costly to many players. But I was sticking around.

 

A defining moment in my Tanki career arrived in June 2012 when the English Community Revival under Bruce Lunga produced another new contest - the "Best of" videos. With the pre-rebalance tiered system still in place, I saw it as a grand opportunity to go back to using my trusty Firebird which at this stage was largely only used by lower ranks. Building up a large selection of clips, I left the video till the last minute and with my Windows Movie Maker playing up, only managed to publish a short 2-minute video. Nonetheless, the developers rated it highly and with the help of my trusty clan-mates gaining me a solid number of views, I won both the Developers and Viewers' choices, earning me a heap of crystals. I cashed out on an M3 Viking which I was able to equip in the consequent "Winners vs Developers" battle arranged for the winners of the contest. Has to be one of the greatest battles of my career - I nicked the all-important flag in the second round, causing us to win and winning me another pile of crystals which I used to complete my first M3 Set in the purchase of M3 Thunder.

 

My role in the community as a forum member was rising and in November 2012, I was invited to join the newly-instituted Tanki Newspaper Team. Taking the opportunity with both hands, I launched into one of the most beneficial parts of not only my Tanki career but also my real life. It would be another lasting decision that would give me one more powerful attachment to the game.

 

The rebalance of December 2012 exploded into the Tanki scene, unsettling players all around. I used the opportunity to use the experience-buying feature that accompanied the update: getting a quick launch from Major to Major General. With a careful bit of maths coming in, I had just enough cash to spend on a top M3 Combo - a top combination previously unlockable at Warrant Officer Three; now only able to get at the rank of Major General. You can see why it unsettled people. For months, it was simply me and my trusty Rustle-Isida-Hornet roaming the battlefields. CTF; TDM; the new CP Mode; even DM - that was all I used.

 

As situations changed, preferences changed and I entered a new world of No-Supplies Red Alert CTFs on Server 2. With a steady salary coming in from my Newspaper work, I was able to invest in a couple of new M3s - the exciting Thunder and Twins too, after my rank up to Marshal. I must admit, if I do look back over my history in Tanki, the games I most enjoyed were these. Action-packed, team-oriented and overall gameplay perfected. Harmony and Diversity manifested in Tanki which the XP Game Mode and drug wars could never ever offer.

 

The Clan was evolving too - with the rise of the English Community clans during late 2013, IC were no longer one of the major clans but just one of the common peasants. We had never proclaimed to be Tanki maestros, but our motto "We Never Die" was still standing firm against the wave of quitting players which accompanied the after-effects of the rebalance for a fair number of months. It was change all round as I began to enter the world of Skype with characters such as BarKode and MizARee grabbing headlines in a fast-changing English Community. Looking back on it now, I realize how much actually did change during the year in the entire game.

 

I guess that 2014 can be defined by the move towards the XP Battles as I joined in with the Railgun trend which was overtaking Tanki. The challenge of competing with famous top Generalissimos emerging in the new Starladder eSports system was superb incentive for making my way into the realm of XP Battling and I have some golden moments, owning some of the big names in to-the-wire XP Battles. A uniquely attainable sense of enjoyment. Special times.

 

I must confess unashamedly that over the last year, I have lost a part of that passion as an avid Tanki gamer and other things have taken the lead in my life. I always did say that Tanki was merely a part of my life - a means of enjoyment. It's natural for people to worship things in life and I never wanted that to be Tanki, especially as a sinner rescued by the grace of God. Nevertheless, as a part of my life, Tanki has been a jigsaw piece that has fitted in perfectly.

 

Of all the times in Tanki, I must say that the time being a part of an active clan was the most integral as I look back. If you're a young tanker thinking about how to best spend your time in the game, get acquainted with a clan. You may not be successful first time, but try and find your way to one that suits you. People often judge an "online society", but it does give you an insight into a world - a larger world than you can find on your doorsteps.

 

I know this may sound extreme, but this game has definitely shaped my life to some extent over the last few years. Time spent on xat and Skype chatting to my clan-mates, helping to organize teams and events; even writing in the Newspaper itself. It's made me who I am and I won't forget it. Contributing to this community has been such a pleasure for myself and has enabled me to gain not only a fast typing speed and an improved English ability but fantastic memories that will last.

 

One last bit of advice before I sign out. If you've got any questions anywhere in the complex realm of life, don't dumb them down. Look for the answers - and don't stop looking. As for your time in the Tankiverse, don't forget to be humble. The more you realize you've got to improve, the more you will improve. Many these days look on pride as a positive character trait - I'd argue that it's the most dangerous.

 

This is my story. A story of an 11-year-old growing into a 16-year-old within a world populated with tanks. A story surrounded by the intricacies of change and disorder and yet encapsulated by the enduring presence of a superb game. A story that will soon come to an end but will be revisited with fondness in the future.

 

I'm gonna miss it.

 

Edited October 16, 2015 by hogree

[canadarules 1,938]

:o ok me write a 6 year one

i write about flying tanks everywhere and how i would be facing m3's with m0 and with m0 in tier 1

anyways good one

Edited October 16, 2015 by canadarules

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

We'll miss ya, hog :(

[Yisroel.Rabin 16,224]

He's goin'? :(

Edited October 16, 2015 by Yisroel.Rabin

[Quarks 2,255]

Well done. We will miss you.

[Flexoo 6,980]

Undoubtably, you left an indelible mark in Newspaper section, wish you all the best hog :).

[tommybau 1,033]

I have enjoyed your articles for years, Hog.

You were the best reporter in the english community and i wish you good luck with your life!

[Hex 11,520]

Nice article, superbly written!

We will miss you, good luck in your life, remember me :3 :ph34r:

[13rilliant 8]

Nice article, we'll miss you ;)

[Lhamster 4,081]

Superbly written, gonna miss you :(

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

Too many good reporters leaving this month  -_-  :(

 

Bye hog, you will be missed!

[lukey0 27,543]

Wonderful article.

 

You'll be missed hog, good luck in real life! :)

[DonCarnage 1,270]

hogree is leaving? Awwww this really makes me sad :(

 

I'll miss you. Good luck in the future.

 

[Eragon 13,876]

A touching history, five years from now I might remember this story and find similarities of being a veteran player, You helped the forum in your own way I am sure, Good luck and goodbye ;) 

[Ambitious 2,084]

We'll miss you, good luck in real life!

[thunderousrailgunner 1,934]

Bye hog !! Enjoy in your real life and don't forget us !!

Now i gonna really damn miss the Handbook of Gens

[greyat 2,972]

Dear hog,

 

This article is simply another reminder of all the reasons for which we will miss you. By departing, you leave a deep hole behind in not just the newspaper team, nor the community itself - you leave a big hole in all of our hearts. It's not going to be filled up soon.

 

We'll miss you, hog </3

Lots of love,

cat

[AnduinFX 8]

Aww...

 

This is touching.

 

 

It's sad to hear that you're leaving. You're my favourite editor, and you will always be. In our hearts.

 

Godspeed.

[Lankbouv 6,347]

Well, you brought me to this game.  and yeah it has shaped my life similarly.  i know I'll see you in real life, but there'll be no more fun sandbox XP with me begging you to go skype call .-.

 

 

Sad times

[I.WalkAlone 548]

It's a pity that you have to leave. You were a great contributor to this community. Good luck for your future!

Will always remember this beautiful poem of yours:

 

 

Edited October 17, 2015 by I.WalkAlone

[LOLKILLERTOTHEDEATH 1,921]

We'll miss ya, hog :(

On the bright side, I think you have your next article.

[sha77777_super 877]

Good Luck Hog!!!!!!!  ;)

[we all will miss you and your chicken a lot :*]

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

You 'll stay around in the game sometimes...don 't you dare to leave...

 

As all things come to an end: goodbye legendary Writer!

You 'll be missed.

[Raphael2 3,263]

very emotional text.. thank you hog for everything

[Zenyth 6,494]

We'll miss you Hog.