War Thunder

War Thunder is based around combined arms battles on air, land, and sea.{{cite web |url=https://www.mmorpg.com/war-thunder/interviews/war-thunder-7th-anniversary-exclusive-interview-with-creative-director-kirill-yudintsev-2000108844 |title=War Thunder 7th Anniversary Exclusive Interview with Creative Director Kirill Yudintsev |last=Bradford |first=Joseph |date=14 November 2019 |website=mmorpg.com |access-date=16 March 2020 |quote=Yes, there are other standalone games about World War 2 era tanks or about modern jets or about one specific helicopter. We have made these types of games before. But War Thunder is the only game that encompasses all of these gameplay experiences. It allows you to jump from a tank to a fighter jet in one gameplay session. |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611111806/https://www.mmorpg.com/war-thunder/interviews/war-thunder-7th-anniversary-exclusive-interview-with-creative-director-kirill-yudintsev-2000108844 |url-status=live }} Vehicles range from pre-World War I (ships only){{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=War Thunder is deploying blue-water navy |work=FullSync |url=https://fullsync.co.uk/war-thunder-deploying-blue-water-navy/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |language=en-GB}} to modern day,{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-06-02 |title=Chinese military secrets leaked on a video game forum |url=https://www.polygon.com/23152203/war-thunder-chinese-tank-weapon-leak-classified-military-secrets-forum |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} with an emphasis on World War II,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/war-thunder-review/1900-6415815/|title=War Thunder Review|first=Brett|last=Todd|date=10 July 2014|website=Gamespot.com|access-date=20 April 2019|archive-date=20 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420133555/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/war-thunder-review/1900-6415815/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/war-thunder-review/|title=War Thunder review|first=Rob|last=Zacny|date=7 August 2014|website=Pcgamer.com|access-date=20 April 2019|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025706/https://www.pcgamer.com/war-thunder-review/|url-status=live}} the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.{{Cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Fraser|date=2018-12-17|title=War Thunder goes faster with its massive Supersonic update|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/war-thunder-goes-faster-with-its-massive-supersonic-update/|access-date=2020-12-13|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030014042/https://www.pcgamer.com/war-thunder-goes-faster-with-its-massive-supersonic-update/|url-status=live}} Players can control aircraft, ground vehicles, and warships from nations with a set of technology trees attached to them. The game also incorporates other nations. These nations are included either as "sub-trees" (parts of the research trees of bigger nations being dedicated to a smaller nation) or premium vehicles, purchasable with real money or in-game currency.

Vehicles are divided into three main categories: aviation, ground, and fleet, while game modes are divided between arcade, realistic, and simulator.{{cite web |url=https://www.psu.com/news/war-thunder-ps4-xbox-one-cross-play-is-still-being-looked-at/ |title=War Thunder PS4 & Xbox One Cross-Play Is Still Being Looked At |last=Harradence |first=Michael |date=2 October 2019 |website=psu.com |publisher=Playstation Universe |access-date=16 March 2020 |quote=Players can take part in different styles of battles depending on their preferences, including Arcade, Realistic, and Simulation matches. |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031163428/https://www.psu.com/news/war-thunder-ps4-xbox-one-cross-play-is-still-being-looked-at/ |url-status=live }} Aviation is divided between fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, fleet is divided between "Bluewater", ships from the size of destroyers to battlecruisers and battleships and "Coastal", smaller ships and boats such as motor torpedo boats, motor gunboats, submarine chasers, and frigates.{{Cite web|title=[Development] Fleet research changes and the first battleships!|url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/6915-development-fleet-research-changes-and-the-first-battleships-en|access-date=2020-12-13|website=warthunder.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101142529/https://warthunder.com/en/news/6915-development-fleet-research-changes-and-the-first-battleships-en|url-status=live}} A single-player mode that focuses on historical battles, and a co-op wave survival mode for battling AI ground vehicles and aircraft, are also available.

Events in War Thunder provide custom missions, usually based on one of the three main game modes, but with alternative settings regarding allowed vehicles, mission specifics, etc. Examples are the recreation of historical battles by restricting available vehicles (e.g., Battle of Britain).

Traditionally, the developers prepare unconventional events for April Fools' Day. These events are used to test planned game mechanics before their broader release to the player base.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

• For 2015, a new game mode called "Unrealistic Battles" featured inflatable rubber tanks firing potatoes and carrots.{{cite web |title=Unrealistic Battles |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/2974/current/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131194917/https://warthunder.com/en/news/2974/current/ |archive-date=31 January 2017 |access-date=12 January 2017 |website=Warthunder.com}} The "tanks" also had overall hitpoints instead of the usual separate modules, parodying the gameplay of World of Tanks, a competitor to War Thunder.
• For 2016, ahead of the announcement of the naval forces update, War Thunder offered playable 18th-century sailing ships fighting in the Caribbean.{{cite web |title=Naval combat setting sail in War Thunder |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/404453/Naval+combat+setting+sail+in+War+Thunder/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131192203/https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/404453/Naval+combat+setting+sail+in+War+Thunder/ |archive-date=31 January 2017 |access-date=12 January 2017 |website=Gamereactor.eu|date=April 2016 }}
• For 2017, War Thunder made playable rank IX main battle tanks and attack helicopters. Available vehicles were the Leopard 2A5, AH-64 Apache (Designated as GM-64 and operated by Germany in-game), Gepard, T-90A, Mi-35 Hind-E and ZSU-23-4 Shilka.{{Cite web |title=Rank IX - War Thunder Wiki |url=https://wiki.warthunder.com/Rank_IX |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=wiki.warthunder.com}}
• The 2018 event, named "Silent Thunder", was based underwater, with submarines.
• The 2019 event, named "Earth Thunder", took place in a fictional American city named "Green Hills" and had players use UFOs.{{cite web |title=[Special] Earth Thunder: We are not their playthings! |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/6128-special-earth-thunder-we-are-not-their-playthings-en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502032402/https://warthunder.com/en/news/6128-special-earth-thunder-we-are-not-their-playthings-en |archive-date=2 May 2019 |access-date=20 April 2019 |website=Warthunder.com}}
• In 2020, Gaijin changed the name of the game to "Space Thunder", featuring space battles.{{cite web |title=April Fools' Day 2020: War Thunder goes to space |date=April 2020 |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/April-Fools-Day-2020-War-Thunder-goes-to-space.459682.0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609075720/https://www.notebookcheck.net/April-Fools-Day-2020-War-Thunder-goes-to-space.459682.0.html |archive-date=2021-06-09 |access-date=2021-06-09}}
• In 2021, Gaijin held 2 events, "Tailspin" and "Warfare 2077". Tailspin was a game mode that took place on a map called "Cape Somerset Bay" that had a cartoon art style. Players took control of new planes belonging to the "Republic of Air Pirates" faction.{{Cite web |title=TailSpin - War Thunder Wiki |url=https://wiki.warthunder.com/TailSpin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619132236/https://wiki.warthunder.com/TailSpin |archive-date=2021-06-19 |access-date=2021-06-15 |website=wiki.warthunder.com}} Warfare 2077 was a futuristic game mode that took place on the "Launch Facility" map and allowed the players to take control of futuristic tanks and unmanned aerial vehicles, teasing the September 2022 addition of drones to the game.{{Cite web |title=Warfare 2077 - War Thunder Wiki |url=https://wiki.warthunder.com/Warfare_2077 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619121925/https://wiki.warthunder.com/Warfare_2077 |archive-date=2021-06-19 |access-date=2021-06-15 |website=wiki.warthunder.com}}
• In 2022, Gaijin introduced a Dune-inspired game mode called "Worm Thunder: Children of Arachis" which involved two factions fighting over cinnamon in the desert while also avoiding being eaten by a giant sandworm.{{Cite web|title=Worm Thunder: Children of Arachis - War Thunder Wiki|url=https://wiki.warthunder.com/Worm_Thunder:_Children_of_Arachis|access-date=2022-06-10|website=wiki.warthunder.com|archive-date=2022-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518063454/https://wiki.warthunder.com/Worm_Thunder:_Children_of_Arachis|url-status=live}}
• In 2023, Gaijin introduced "Mobile Infantry", an event involving battles involving infantry wearing combat exoskeletons, main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and attack helicopters. Two nations were playable in the conflict, being the United States and Russia. The event was the first time fire-and-forget ATGMs were featured in the game, as the ATGM operator for the US side was fitted with Spike missiles. {{Cite web |title=War Thunder Infantry! |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/8174-war-thunder-infantry-en |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=warthunder.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=[Development] Repair Factory: QN506 |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/8183-development-repair-factory-qn506-en |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=warthunder.com |language=en}}
• In 2024, Gaijin introduced "Mad Max" style vehicles partially based of Gaijin's other game Crossout. The event was called "Mad Thunder". "Mad Thunder" gameplay included "you can find ancient electronics, scrap metal, vehicle parts and armor parts, which are all needed to improve your combat vehicles and to craft new ones."{{Cite web |title=[Event] Mad Thunder: Rage and Loot! - News - War Thunder |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/8839-event-mad-thunder-rage-and-loot-en |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=warthunder.com |language=en}}
• In 2025, Gaijin introduced World War One vehicles and aircraft with two playable sides: the Triple Entente and the Central Powers. They also added a map and obtainable World War One vehicles that could be used after the event. The event was a precursor to their next game Aces of Thunder.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Other notable examples include "March to Victory", introducing playable mecha composed of tank parts;{{cite web|title=War Thunder - March to Victory Trailer|url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/war-thunder-march-to-victory-trailer/2300-6424215/|website=Gamespot.com|access-date=12 January 2017|date=2015-08-20|archive-date=2017-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823204716/https://www.gamespot.com/videos/war-thunder-march-to-victory-trailer/2300-6424215/|url-status=live}} "The Pony Nation", introducing the world of My Little Pony, Equestria, as a sixth playable faction (2013);{{cite news|author1=Sethisto|title=War Thunder Adds the Pony Nation|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/04/war-thunder-adds-pony-nation.html|access-date=2 April 2015|work=Equestria Daily|date=1 April 2013|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403051812/https://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/04/war-thunder-adds-pony-nation.html|url-status=live}} and "Gaijilla", featuring a battle against a giant Godzilla-like snail (2014).{{cite web|title=New Japanese war machine in War Thunder!|url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/514/current/|website=Warthunder.com|access-date=15 August 2015|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706084720/https://warthunder.com/en/news/514/current/|url-status=live}}

In August 2020, the game had a tank biathlon-style event featuring select Russian and Chinese tanks performing tasks on a tank range map, with the objective to finish in 1st place after navigating obstacles and destroying targets. The event was partnered with the Information Systems Department of the Russian Ministry of Defense.{{Cite web|url=https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12308187@egNews|title=Конкурс Армейских международных игр "Танковый биатлон" приходит в War Thunder|language=ru|access-date=2020-12-13|website=function.mil.ru}} Logos advertising the game also appeared during the event, notably painted on the side of the tanks during the real biathlon. The event was teased on August 17 with a YouTube video posted to the game's official YouTube Channel, as well as on the official website.{{Cite web|title="Танковый биатлон" скоро в War Thunder|url=https://warthunder.ru/ru/news/14922-tankovyj-biatlon-skoro-v-war-thunder-ru|access-date=2020-12-13|website=warthunder.ru|language=ru|archive-date=2023-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203153912/https://warthunder.ru/ru/news/14922-tankovyj-biatlon-skoro-v-war-thunder-ru|url-status=live}}

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The development of the game, then under the name World of Planes, began in 2009. Gaijin Entertainment used its experience with its previous combat flight simulator games, such as IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey, Apache: Air Assault, and Birds of Steel, in the development. The title was changed to War Thunder during the closed beta due to confusion with competitor World of Warplanes.{{cite web |last=Reahard |first=Jef |url=https://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/world-of-planes-renamed-evolves-beyond-pure-aerial-combat/ |title=World of Planes renamed, evolves 'beyond pure aerial combat' | Massively |website=Massively.joystiq.com |date=2012-01-25 |access-date=2013-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810060045/https://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/world-of-planes-renamed-evolves-beyond-pure-aerial-combat/ |archive-date=2013-08-10 |url-status=dead }}

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Open beta testing started on November 1, 2012 (for users from the Russian Federation; the global beta launched January 28, 2013) for Windows PC with about 200 aircraft and 600,000 players. On May 15, 2014, at 6 million registered players, the first ground forces for Germany and the Soviet Union were introduced.{{cite web|last1=Purslow|first1=Matt|title=War Thunder: Ground Forces now available, 6 million pilots to receive their tank licenses|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/war-thunder-ground-forces-now-available-6-million-pilots-receive-their-tank-licenses|website=Pcgamesn.com|date=18 May 2014 |access-date=2017-01-19|archive-date=2017-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204104513/https://www.pcgamesn.com/war-thunder-ground-forces-now-available-6-million-pilots-receive-their-tank-licenses|url-status=live}} Later added were the American,{{cite web|title=War Thunder update 1.45 goes live|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/282244/War+Thunder+update+1.45+goes+live/|website=Gamereactor.eu|date=17 December 2014 |access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131192430/https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/282244/War+Thunder+update+1.45+goes+live/|url-status=live}} British,{{cite web|title=War Thunder Update 1.63 Desert Hunters released|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/war-thunder-update-desert-hunters|website=Pcinvasion.comn|access-date=12 January 2017|date=2016-09-29|archive-date=2017-01-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131194139/https://www.pcinvasion.com/war-thunder-update-desert-hunters|url-status=live}} and Japanese ground forces.{{cite news|title=War Thunder leaves open beta, officially released|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/12/21/war-thunder-released/|newspaper=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=21 December 2016|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=22 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222171852/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/12/21/war-thunder-released/|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Italy was added as a playable faction.{{cite news|last1=Jakobs|first1=Benjamin|title=War Thunder: Italien kommt als neue Nation hinzu|url=https://www.eurogamer.de/articles/2017-05-02-war-thunder-italien-kommt-als-neue-nation-hinzu|website=Eurogamer.de|access-date=2 May 2017|language=de|date=2017-05-02|archive-date=2017-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009195635/https://www.eurogamer.de/articles/2017-05-02-war-thunder-italien-kommt-als-neue-nation-hinzu|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Ford|first1=Suzie|title=Italy Joining the Fight as the Sixth Playable Faction - War Thunder - MMORPG.com|url=https://www.mmorpg.com/war-thunder/news/italy-joining-the-fight-as-the-sixth-playable-faction-1000044106|website=MMORPG.com|date=2 May 2017|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-date=2 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502160621/https://www.mmorpg.com/war-thunder/news/italy-joining-the-fight-as-the-sixth-playable-faction-1000044106|url-status=live}} At Gamescom 2018, the planned addition of helicopters into the game was announced, and by late 2018, helicopters were fully implemented.{{cite web|url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/5707-gamescom-combat-helicopters-in-war-thunder-en|title=Gamescom Combat helicopters in War Thunder|website=Warthunder.com|access-date=2018-08-25|archive-date=2018-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825150533/https://warthunder.com/en/news/5707-gamescom-combat-helicopters-in-war-thunder-en|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/08/21/helicopters-coming-to-war-thunder/|title=Combat helicopters are coming in War Thunder's next major update|newspaper=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=21 August 2018|access-date=25 August 2018|archive-date=25 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825150602/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/08/21/helicopters-coming-to-war-thunder/|url-status=live}}

In 2022, Tencent announced that the Chinese version of the game published by Tencent would be discontinued on October 17.{{Cite web |title=Tencent Will Terminate Game Service for the War Thunder China Server -- Superpixel |url=https://www.superpixel.com/article/176909/tencent-will-terminate-game-service-war-thunder-china-server |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=www.superpixel.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817200105/https://www.superpixel.com/article/176909/tencent-will-terminate-game-service-war-thunder-china-server |url-status=live }}

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In January 2021, after the logos of War Thunder were seen in a video by Donbas YouTube channel "High Caliber Mayhem", Gaijin was accused of indirectly financing pro-Russian separatists in the war in Donbas.{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Cian |date=2021-01-04 |title=Russian War Thunder Publisher Gaijin Entertainment Sponsors Anti-Ukrainian YouTube Channel |url=https://www.thegamer.com/gaijin-entertainment-russia-anti-ukraine-sponsor/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Joseph |date=2021-01-04 |title=War Thunder Mired In Controversy After Advertiser Sponsors Pro-Russian Militants |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/war-thunder-mired-controversy-advertiser-sponsors-pro-russian-militant |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=TechRaptor |language=en}} High Caliber Mayhem has denied any links to the separatist armed forces and published an explanation claiming that all the money from all advertisements on that channel were spent on humanitarian aid for civilians. The video showing the War Thunder advertisement was removed from High Caliber Mayhem's YouTube channel.

In response to the controversy, Gaijin stated "We do not provide political support to anyone anywhere. We know nothing about politics and prefer to stay out of it. Our agency that ordered an ad in the video in question took it down when they realized they might drag us into a political discussion."{{Cite web |date=2021-01-05 |title=Gaijin Entertainment Responds To Allegations Of Funding Donbass Separatists |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/01/05/gaijin-entertainment-responds-to-allegations-of-funding-donbass-separatists/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Overt Defense |language=en-CA}}

Following an in-game economic change in May 2023 which drastically reduced rewards given for battle actions and an increase in post-battle costs, a large amount of War Thunder players began revolting against the developers by review bombing the game on multiple platforms, such as Steam and Google.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-21 |title=War Thunder reverses economy changes after Steam review bombing |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/war-thunder/review-bombs |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}} In response, Gaijin has since reverted the planned economic change, posted statements regarding the issue and player progression,{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2023 |title=Revising the economy |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/8259-revising-the-economy-en}}{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2023 |title=How progression and economy is built in F2P games and War Thunder in particular |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/8260-how-progression-and-economy-is-built-in-f2p-games-and-war-thunder-in-particular-en}} announced a revision of the economy for mid-summer 2023{{Cite web |last=BOŠNJAK |first=DOMINIK |date=May 22, 2023 |title=War Thunder is Being Review Bombed |url=https://gamerant.com/war-thunder-review-bomb/ |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=GameRant}} and issued an apology for the initial controversial changes.{{Cite web |title=[Development] Economy Revision |url=https://warthunder.com/en/news/8264-development-economy-revision-en |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=warthunder.com |language=en}}

In 2020, Task & Purpose reported{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Jared |date=2020-04-30 |title=Army tank crews are playing video games to maintain readiness amid the COVID-19 pandemic |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-tank-video-game-training-coronavirus/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Task & Purpose |language=en-US}} that the US 1st Cavalry Division tankers were using War Thunder for training during COVID-19 quarantine. After looking at several games including World of Tanks, the soldiers found that War Thunder best met their needs. In 2022 and 2024, the National Military College of Argentina have published photos and videos showing their cadets using a "military simulator" that turned out to be War Thunder.{{Cite web |last=Prototype-27-F |date=2024-04-01 |title=Apparently the argentinian military college is using War Thunder as a training and simulator tool. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Warthunder/comments/1btdui2/apparently_the_argentinian_military_college_is/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=r/Warthunder}}{{Cite web |last=atomicbearfish |date=2022-08-03 |title=Argentinian military college is using WT for training |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Warthunder/comments/wf3n37/argentinian_military_college_is_using_wt_for/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=r/Warthunder}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-02 |title=Armored Training Center of the Argentine Army using War Thunder game instead of a military simulator - Pravda EN |url=https://pravda-en.com/world/2024/04/02/404763.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=pravda-en.com |language=en}} In 2021, a video of Republic of Korea's 3rd Armored Brigade using War Thunder for the Command & Control training session was made public.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otjT27XdBzQ |script-title=ko:워썬더를 이용한 중대 전투지휘훈련 육군 3기갑여단 80전차대대 흑색 창기병 동아리 소개 3분영상 |access-date=2024-04-03 |via=YouTube}}

In January 2024, a Ukrainian M2 Bradley IFV gunner of the 47th Brigade, referred to only as Serhiy, took down a Russian T-90M main battle tank by shooting specific weak points in the tank's armor, claiming that videogames taught him exactly where to shoot.{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Face To Face With A Russian T-90 Tank, A Ukrainian M-2 Fighting Vehicle Ran Out Of Armor-Piercing Ammo. So Its Gunner Got Creative. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/01/19/face-to-face-with-a-russian-t-90-tank-a-ukrainian-m-2-fighting-vehicle-ran-out-of-armor-piercing-ammo-so-its-gunner-got-creative/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Forbes |language=en}} According to media,{{Cite web |title=Tanker in Ukraine Reports His Job Easier Having Played Video Games |url=https://www.gamepressure.com/newsroom/tanker-in-ukraine-reports-his-job-easier-having-played-video-game/z867f5 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Gamepressure.com |date=22 January 2024 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Scarce |first=Ed |title=Bradley Crew Credits Gamer Training On 'War Thunder' To Take Out T-90 |url=https://crooksandliars.com/2024/01/bradley-crew-credits-gamer-training-war |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Crooks and Liars |language=en}} War Thunder is the only game that matches this description. Task & Purpose said:{{Citation |title=Ukrainian Bradley Battles Russian T90M Tank near Avdiivka |date=13 February 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khXMVPpxdxg |access-date=2024-03-08 |language=en}} "People know War Thunder for leaking classified documents, but now it might actually be known as the game that has the first confirmed kill."

In May 2025, a drone operator from New Zealand, referrred to as Cass, destroyed{{Cite web |date=2025-05-23 |title=Gamer turned soldier: 20yo Kiwi with no army experience is fighting in Ukraine |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kiwi-joins-ukrainian-army-to-fight-russian-invasion/ZMKS4BC5DFCAVMVRMIQZAEB7GA/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}} a T-72 tank in a weak spot he knew from his game experience, as "the modelling of tank armour" in War Thunder "is quite realistic".

On several occasions, users of the War Thunder forum have shared restricted and/or classified documents during discussions about the accuracy of the vehicles depicted. In all cases, offending posts are removed by the moderators, and users are warned against sharing such documents. Anton Yudintsev, founder of Gaijin Entertainment, has stated that the development team is never exposed to the contents, reminding users that "it's both illegal and pointless, so they should never do that". Gaijin's policy regarding technical information is

{{quote|IN BRIEF: you are not allowed to publish any Classified information and Export restricted military-technical data other than Declassified Information, as well as some other defense information...{{r|sanyal20241215}}}}

Although users disclose non-public information to win an argument or persuade Gaijin to make changes to War Thunder vehicles, doing so prevents the company from implementing such changes.{{r|allison20241222}} In January 2023, Raytheon denied media reports that security clearance background checks for jobs at the defense contractor investigate whether applicants play War Thunder.{{Cite web |last=Ostler |first=Anne-Marie |date=2023-01-24 |title=This free-to-play war game is responsible for so many leaked military secrets that it's now reportedly considered an official risk on background checks |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/this-free-to-play-war-game-is-responsible-for-so-many-leaked-military-secrets-that-its-now-reportedly-considered-an-official-risk-on-background-checks/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124123258/https://www.gamesradar.com/this-free-to-play-war-game-is-responsible-for-so-many-leaked-military-secrets-that-its-now-reportedly-considered-an-official-risk-on-background-checks/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Wutz |first=Marco |date=2023-01-24 |title=War Thunder leaks are hilarious, but not a security risk |url=https://videogames.si.com/news/war-thunder-national-security-risk |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en |access-date=2023-01-24 |archive-date=2023-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124193915/https://videogames.si.com/news/war-thunder-national-security-risk |url-status=live }}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PC: 81/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/war-thunder/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=War Thunder for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=25 April 2017 |archive-date=5 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205072746/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/war-thunder |url-status=live }}
PS4: 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/war-thunder/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=War Thunder for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=25 April 2017 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616095908/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/war-thunder |url-status=live }}
XONE: 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/war-thunder/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=War Thunder for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112204449/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/war-thunder |url-status=live }}

| EuroG = 9/10{{cite news|last1=Lorenzi|first1=Matteo|title=War Thunder – review|url=https://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2013-10-17-videogiochi-war-thunder-review-recensione|newspaper=Eurogamer.it|access-date=17 August 2014|language=it|date=17 October 2013|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417024052/https://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2013-10-17-videogiochi-war-thunder-review-recensione|url-status=live}}

| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web|last1=Todd|first1=Brett|title=War Thunder Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/war-thunder-review/1900-6415815/|website=GameSpot|access-date=17 August 2014|date=8 July 2014|archive-date=24 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024110523/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/war-thunder-review/1900-6415815/|url-status=live}}

| IGN = 7.2{{cite web|last1=Saris|first1=Shawn|title=War Thunder Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/20/war-thunder-review|website=IGN|access-date=6 May 2015|date=6 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014053339/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/20/war-thunder-review|url-status=live}}

| PCGUS = 78/100{{cite magazine|last1=Zacny|first1=Rob|title=War Thunder review|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/review/war-thunder-review/|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=17 August 2014|date=7 August 2014|archive-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812202028/https://www.pcgamer.com/review/war-thunder-review/|url-status=live}}

| award1Pub = Gamescom

| award1 = Best Simulation Game (2013)

| award2Pub = Russian Game Developers Conference

| award2 = Best Developer, Best Game, Best Technology, Best Sound Design (2013)

| award3Pub = Guinness World Records

| award3 = {{plainlist

|* Most planes in a flight simulation game (2014){{cite web|title=Most planes in a flight simulation game|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-planes-in-a-flight-simulation-game|website=Guinness World Records|access-date=1 April 2015|date=22 January 2013|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611143334/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-planes-in-a-flight-simulation-game|url-status=live}}

• Most players online simultaneously on one Flight Simulation server (2014){{cite web|title=Most players online simultaneously on one Flight Simulation server|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-players-online-simultaneously-on-one-flight-simulation-server|website=Guinness World Records|access-date=1 April 2015|date=3 November 2013|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611131823/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-players-online-simultaneously-on-one-flight-simulation-server|url-status=live}}}}

}}

At release, War Thunder was well-received with generally positive reviews. GameSpot praised it for its variety of airplanes and visuals, whereas IGN criticized the user interface for being "overly abundant and cumbersome" in contrast to the "sparse in-battle HUD".

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://warthunder.com/}}

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