Wargaming (company)

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This article is about War game (disambiguation). For other uses, see Wargaming (company) (disambiguation).
Wargaming
Public
Industry Entertainment
Video Games
Founded August 12, 1998 (1998-08-12)
Headquarters Nicosia, Cyprus
Key people
 Victor Kislyi (CEO)
Andrei Yarantsau (VP of Publishing)
Sergey Burkatovskiy (Lead Designer)
Products Video Games & Services
Revenue Increase €217,9 million (2012)
Increase €6,1 million (2012)
Number of employees
 Increase 4000+
Website Official Website
The Wargaming.net Service Official Website

Wargaming Public Co Ltd is an international game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus.[1] Although its original Belarusian studio in Minsk remains an important hub and has been described as the heart of Wargaming,[2] the company operates across 16 offices and development centres. Primarily focused on TBS and RTS games, Wargaming switched to developing free-to-play online action games in 2009, and has since become one of the leaders in the market. The company's critical and commercial success came after the launch of its first online project, the military-themed team-based game World of Tanks. Wargaming is now working on several follow-ups.

History

Wargaming was founded by Victor Kislyi in 1998 in Minsk, Belarus[3] as a development studio creating multiplayer strategy games for PC.

The company’s first project was DBA Online—the digital version of a miniature tabletop rule set De Bellis Antiquitatis—launched in 2000.Wargaming started working on its first full-scale commercial project—the sci-fi turn-based strategy game Massive Assault—in March, 2002.[4]

Over the course of five years, the company shipped five projects within the Massive Assault franchise.[5]

On November 16, 2007, Wargaming acquired the Minsk-based Arise studio.[6] In December 2008, the company released its first real-time strategy Operation Bagration".[7] On April 16, 2009, Wargaming started working on real-time strategy Order of War, which was published by Square Enix on September 18, 2009. On August 12, 2010, the company released its first online title World of Tanks. On April 12, 2011, World of Tanks was released in North America and Europe.

At E3 2011, Wargaming announced the follow-up to World of Tanks, the flight combat online action game World of Warplanes.[8] At Gamescom 2011, the company unveiled the third part of its military saga—the naval action online game World of Warships.[9]

In October 2011, Wargaming announced the online collectible card MMO game World of Tanks: Generals.

2011 marked the beginning of active global expansion for Wargaming. On July 26, 2011, the company opened the European Business Operations Centre—Wargaming Europe—with headquarters in Paris, France and with a subsidiary office in Berlin, Germany.[10] On August 3, 2011, the company created a direct presence in North America by opening an office in San Francisco, USA.

Throughout 2011, Wargaming joined strategic partnerships with Persha Studia, Lesta Studio and DAVA Consulting,[11] with each operating separate projects under Wargaming.

On February 21, 2012, the Android version of World of Tanks Assistant, the mobile application for World of Tanks, went live in Europe and North America.[12]

In May 2012, Wargaming entered the Korean games market[13] by opening a subsidiary office in Seoul.

In June 2012, Wargaming embarked on a rebranding initiative and announced the Wargaming.net Service,[14] which will unite its games and services into a single battle universe.[15] In the same month, Wargaming had grown to 900 employees throughout the world. On August 7, 2012, Wargaming acquired Australian company BigWorld Technology[16][17] which brought development of the middleware for its MMO projects in-house.

In 2012, Wargaming's revenue was declared to be 217.9 million Euro, with net profit of 6.1 million Euro, declared in an annual report for the Cyprus Stock Exchange.[18]

On January 29, 2013, Wargaming set sights on the console market by acquiring Day 1 Studios,[19][20] developer of the F.E.A.R. franchise. Renamed Wargaming West, the studios are currently developing World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition—the standalone console MMO game, based on the World of Tanks IP announced at E3 2013.[21]

On February 12, 2013, Wargaming announced its own eSports league,[22] the Wargaming.net League.

On February 14, 2013, the company acquired Gas Powered Games, the establishment behind the gaming classics Dungeon Siege and Supreme Commander.

On March 26, 2013, Wargaming announced World of Tanks Blitz,[23] the mobile MMO game centered around tank combat available on smartphones and tablets.

On May 29, 2013, Wargaming branched into the Japanese games market by opening an office in Tokyo.[24]

On July 22, 2013, the company bought Total Annihilation and Master of Orion IPs from the Atari bankruptcy proceedings.[25]

As of 2015, Wargaming owns a significant share of the Cypriot Hellenic Bank, and has shown interest in purchasing land property assets in Cyprus for investment purposes. Wargaming is currently the largest taxpayer within Cyprus.[1]

Strategic partners and studios

  • BigWorld Pty Ltd—Sydney, Australia
  • Wargaming West (formerly Day 1 Studios)—Chicago, Illinois (USA), Baltimore, Maryland (USA)
  • Wargaming Seattle (formerly Gas Powered Games)—Redmond, Washington (USA)
  • Game Stream—Minsk, Belarus
  • Persha Studia—Kiev, Ukraine
  • Lesta Studio—Saint-Petersburg, Russia
  • Dava Consulting—Minsk, Belarus
  • DropForge Games—Bellevue, Washington (USA)

Games and reception

Release Year Title Genre Aggregated Scores
2000 DBA Online Turn-based strategy Not available
2003 Massive Assault Turn-based strategy 80.11%,[26] 77[27]
2004 Massive Assault Network Turn-based strategy 78.15%,[28] 74[29]
2005 Massive Assault: Domination Turn-based strategy 69.61%,[30] 69[31]
2006 Massive Assault Network 2 Turn-based strategy 76.00%,[32] 72[33]
2007 Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power Turn-based strategy 69.47%,[34] 68[35]
2009 Order of War Real-time strategy 71.67%,[36] 69[37][38][39]
2010 Order of War: Challenge Real-time strategy 72.50%,[40] 70[41]
  • RU: 2010
 World of Tanks Massively multiplayer online game 82.15%,[42] 80[43]
World of Warplanes Multiplayer online action game 69.18%[45] 69[46]
    		World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition Multiplayer online action game
    2014 World of Tanks Blitz Multiplayer online action game
    2015 World of Warships Multiplayer online action game 80.93%[48] 81[49]
    2015 World of Tanks: Xbox One Edition Multiplayer online action game
    2016 Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars Turn-based strategy
    TBA Excalibur TBA

    Wargaming has created more than 15 titles; most popular being Online action game World of Tanks.

    The company currently has several projects in the pipeline being developed for multiple platforms. Its flight combat action game World of Warplanes was released in November 2013. The naval action title World of Warships entered Open Beta Test phase in 2015.[50] Other projects in the works include the CCG World of Tanks: Generals, mobile MMO game World of Tanks Blitz and World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition.

    Wargaming Seattle is engaged in the development of an unannounced project.

    Wargaming.net

    Announced in 2012, Wargaming.net is a service developed by Wargaming. The service is designed to support all of Wargaming’s online games, and provide a single point of entry to all Wargaming projects, partners and fan websites.

    Features

    The service includes:

    • Single unified account system—Wargaming.net ID that grants direct access to all Wargaming online titles.[51]
    • Advanced account management system—Improved personal account tools that will provide gamers with increased security, including optimized password and login resets and account restoration.[52]
    • Original payment system, built on the free-to-win principles.
    • Common economics that will allow players to transfer Gold and Free Experience between Wargaming’s titles (World of Warships excluded).[53]

    Unified Premium Account (UPA)

    With the introduction of the Unified Premium Account service, players got the opportunity to maintain Premium time across World of Tanks and World of Warplanes, without any additional expenses.[54] When purchased in World of Tanks, the Premium account is now also automatically activated for World of Warplanes.[55]

    Based on the free-to-win principles, the service illustrates Wargaming’s endeavor to create a fine-tuned, balanced gaming ecosystem, integrating titles with different gameplay through the unified monetization model.[56]

    The concept underlying the Unified Premium Account service contradicts business models previously established in the games industry. Instead of charging players for every piece of new content, it now spans the Premium options across all of the company’s titles.[57]

    The Unified Premium Account for World of Warplanes was activated during the second stage of the game’s Open Beta.[55]

    History

    The service was announced in June 2012.

    In August 2012, Wargaming deployed the OpenID authentication system, enabling players to log in to all Wargaming-related websites using a Wargaming.net ID.[58]

    In May 2013, the first public version of Wargaming.net Service went live.[59]

    Shortly before E3 2013, it was announced that all Wargaming.net ID owners would benefit from the Unified Premium Account service, allowing players to pay for all premium services at once, with the added benefit of an increased experience and credit accrual rate in-game.[60]

    In 2013, the company plans to present the unified payment system and tweak the management of in-game resources across its MMO projects.[61]

    Social activities

    Wargaming is involved in a number of socially significant projects that aid in the preservation of historic heritage. The company has launched a global campaign to assist in the search for and conservation of military history worldwide:[62]

    Awards

    • Best Game Developer Award at GDC Russia 2009 (KRI-2009).[72]
    • Media Award at GDC Russia 2009 (KRI-2009).[72]
    • Best Game Developer Award at GDC Russia 2010 (KRI-2010).[73]
    • Special Award from the Industry at GDC Russia 2011 (KRI-2011).[74]
    • Industry Excellence Award at GDC Russia 2012 (KRI-2012).[75]
    • Best Game Developer Award at GDC Russia 2012 (KRI-2012).[75]
    • Best MMO Award for World of Tanks at the Golden Joystick Awards 2012.[76]
    • Best Booth Award from Massively at E3 2012.[77]
    • Best Publisher Award from MMORPGITALIA.[78]
    • Best Action Download MMO 2012 Award for World of Tanks in the MMO of the Year awards.[79]
    • Best Classic Download MMO 2013 Award for World of Tanks in the MMO of the Year awards.[79]

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    3. ↑ Joystiq Staff. Hit List Q&A: Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi. Joystiq.com January 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17
    4. ↑ Scott Parrino. Interview: Massive Assault In-Depth. Wargamer.com August 2003. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    5. ↑ Elisabeth Cardy. How Wargaming.net launched itself to the top. Joystiq.com September 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-17.4. Nicholas Yanes.
    6. ↑ Wargaming’s Sergey Burkatovskiy on World of Tanks and Working in the F2P MMO Market. Gamesauce.org July 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    7. ↑ Wargaming history. Wargaming.com Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    8. ↑ Joe Martin.World of Warplanes announced. Bit-tech.net June 2011. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    9. ↑ Jim Rossingnol.Full Ahead: World of Battleships Announced. Rockpapershotgun.com August 2011. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    10. ↑ Wargaming.net Expands to Europe. Ign.com July 2011. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    11. ↑ Wargaming.net and DAVA Join Forces. Ign.com June 2011. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    12. ↑ Justin Olivetti.World of Tanks iOS app rolls off the factory line. Massively.joystiq.com February 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    13. ↑ Craig Chapple. Wargaming.net continues growth with Seoul office. Develop-online.net May 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    14. ↑ Jef Reahard. Wargaming.net to unify all its titles in a 'single MMO battle realm'. Massively.joystiq.com June 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    15. ↑ Press Release posted by Curtis Szmania. Wargaming.net announces a global battle portal. Wargamer.com June 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    16. ↑ Craig Chapple. Wargaming.net acquires BigWorld for $45m. Develop-online.net August 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    17. ↑ Dean Takahashi. Wargaming acquires BigWorld middleware firm for $45M (exclusive). Venturebeat.com August 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    18. ↑ Strategies for playing at war: World of Tanks revenues have soared from €18m in 2011 to €218m last year. Bambooinnovator.com June 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
    19. ↑ Ben Maxwell. Wargaming acquires Fracture dev Day 1, opens Chicago studio. Edge-online.com January 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    20. ↑ Dave Tach. Wargaming.net acquires FEAR 3 developer Day 1 Studios to form Wargaming West. Polygon.com January 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    21. ↑ Charlie Hall. World of Tanks Xbox 360 Edition: Wargaming's phenomenon comes to the console. Polygon.com June 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    22. ↑ Tori McGrath. Wargaming.net League Announced for World of Tanks. Gamebreaker.tv February 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    23. ↑ Laura Parker. World of Tanks Blitz coming to smartphones and tablets. Gamespot.com March 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    24. ↑ Wargaming expands with new Tokyo office. Destructoid.com May 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    25. ↑ Adam Solo. Wargaming Takes Master of Orion, Stardock Gets Star Control. Spacesector.com July 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
    26. ↑ Massive Assault rating from Gamerankings
    27. ↑ Massive Assault rating from Metacritic
    28. ↑ Massive Assault Network rating from Gamerankings
    29. ↑ Massive Assault Network rating from Metacritic
    30. ↑ Massive Assault:Domination rating from Gamerankings
    31. ↑ Massive Assault:Domination rating from Metacritic
    32. ↑ Massive Assault Network 2 rating from Gamerankings
    33. ↑ Massive Assault Network 2 rating from Metacritic
    34. ↑ Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power rating from Gamerankings
    35. ↑ Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power rating from Metacritic
    36. ↑ Order of War rating from Gamerankings
    37. ↑ Order of War rating from Metacritic
    38. ↑ http://www.gamespot.com/games.html?type=company&mode=72356
    39. ↑ http://www.strategyinformer.com/company/wargamingnet.html
    40. ↑ Order of War: Challenge rating from Gamerankings
    41. ↑ Order of War: Challenge rating from Metacritic
    42. ↑ World of Tanks rating from Gamerankings
    43. ↑ World of Tanks rating from Metacritic
    44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    45. ↑ http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/632916-world-of-warplanes/index.html
    46. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/world-of-warplanes
    47. ↑ http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/02/04/world-of-tanks-xbox-360-edition-release-date-announced
    48. ↑ http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/640224-world-of-warships/index.html
    49. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/world-of-warships
    50. ↑ World of Warships Now in Open Beta
    51. ↑ CrsNews. Wargaming.net to Implement Global Access Service to All in MMO War Series. Curse.com June 2013.Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    52. ↑ Simon Priest. Wargaming.net unveils unified account system, "direct access to all" MMOs. Strategyinformer.com May 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    53. ↑ David Hollingworth. Wargaming.net announces unified gaming service, and World of Battleships trailer. Pcauthority.com.au June 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    54. ↑ Shawn Schuster.Wargaming's Unified Premium Account goes live. Massively.joystiq.com August 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Unified Premium Account System. Eu.wargaming.net. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    56. ↑ Wywiad z Andreiem Yarantsau z Wargaming.net (World of Tanks), o różnicy miedzy free-to-play, a free-to-win. Antyweb.pl (June 2013). Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    57. ↑ The Language of Monetization Design. Gamasutra.com March 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    58. ↑ Wargaming ID is Now Live on Our Forums. Worldoftanks.com January 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    59. ↑ Wargaming.net Portal Improvements. Worldoftanks.com May 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    60. ↑ Wargaming Announces Unified Premium Account System. Gamasutra.com May 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    61. ↑ World of Warplanes Prepping for Takeoff. Worldofwarplanes.eu July 2011. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
    62. ↑ Russian Kubinka Tank Museum to Restore Maus Super-Heavy Tank Together with Wargaming. Gamershell.com. April 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
    63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    64. ↑ Wargaming and RAF Museum Announce Dornier 17 Final Resting Place. Piratesahoy.net. May 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
    65. ↑ Wargaming to Sponsor Education Center at the Tank Museum in Bovington, England. Worldoftanks.com. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
    66. ↑ Wargaming.net Celebrates National Military Appreciation Month with Charity Drive.Gamepolitics.com. May 2013. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
    67. ↑ Wargaming America to Bring History Alive with Virtual Ship Battles aboard the USS IOWA. Pacificbattleship.com. June 2012.
    68. ↑ Wargaming.net Teams up with The Tank Museum at Bovington. Worldoftanks.eu. June 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
    69. ↑ Wargaming West - Rolling Out for Charity - this weekend!. Forum.worldoftanksxbox360edition.com. October 2013. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
    70. ↑ Grace After Fire Charity Stream. Worldoftanks.com. April 2014. Retrieved 2014.
    71. ↑ http://gamingshogun.com/2016/03/23/wargaming-finishes-ac1-sentinel-restoration/
    72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 PhoeniX_Arseny.Белорусская компания Wargaming.net получила престижную премию на КРИ 2009. Maxigame.by май 2009. Архивировано из первоисточника 2013-09-18.
    73. ↑ IGN Staff. Wargaming.net Wins Best KRI 2010 Game Developer Award from Critics in Russia. Ign.com May 2010. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
    74. ↑ КРИ 2011. Обзор от Goha.ru. Worldoftanks.ru May 2011. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
    75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 Suzie Ford. World of WarPlanes News Wargaming.net Scores Big Awards at Russian GDC. Mmorpg.com May 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
    76. ↑ Jef Reahard. World of Tanks claims Golden Joystick's best MMO award. Massively.joystiq.com October 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
    77. ↑ Jef Reahard. Massively's E3 2012 awards and impressions. Massively.joystiq.com June 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
    78. ↑ Paolo Davide. MMORPGITALIA Editor's Choice Awards 2011. Mmorpgitalia.it January 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
    79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 World of Tanks has won a total of 3 MMO of the Year awards. Mmooftheyear.com 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-18.

    External links

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.linkedin.com/company/wargaming.net
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