To launch the new Italian tanks in the tank MMO World of Tanks, the developers were able to enlist the legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The Italian goalkeeper makes a fine figure as a tank commander.
What happened? World of Tanks has received a new nation. The Italians now also have a complete tech tree and 11 vehicles available. They start from Tier 1 and go up to Tier 10. Except for the first two light tanks, the Italians only have medium tanks so far.
And then there’s Gianluigi Buffon and his passion for tanks. The record goalkeeper can soon be recruited in the game as an Italian commander for these tanks.
Tank promotion with VIPs
Why is a soccer goalkeeper suddenly a tank commander? At Wargaming, it has become common to bring famous people from the respective country into the game as tank commanders when that nation receives a tech tree.
For example, the Swedish action star Dolph Lundgren and the metal band Sabaton were included when the Swedish tanks were implemented.
Tanks and soccer?
For Italy, Wargaming was also able to get a celebrity: the goalkeeper icon Gianluigi “Gigi” Buffon. This legendary goalkeeper has won nearly every major award in European and international soccer, including the legendary FIFA World Cup. On the field, Buffon is a legend, but what does he have to do with tanks?
According to Buffon himself, quite a bit:
“There are always challenges that stand in your way and can knock you down, but with the right team, there’s always someone by your side. And with some tanks to help, it becomes a bit easier. If you think you’re ready for it, then we’ll see you in World of Tanks!”
This view is also shared by Anton Pankov, the World of Tanks Publishing Director:
“World of Tanks and soccer may not seem like a good match at first glance, but that’s misleading. Whether it’s 15-vs.-15 in our game or 11-vs.-11 in soccer – it’s all about teamwork! The right strategies and tactics are crucial for victory. This makes it very fitting to partner with the legendary Buffon to launch the Italian tanks.”
How do I get Buffon as a tank driver? Until you can admire the goalkeeper in the tank, you will have to wait a bit longer. Buffon will join the game later, but probably still in mid-May. There will be a mission through which you can unlock him.
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What can the Italian tanks actually do?
The tanks of Italy are fast and agile machines. From Tier VIII with the “Progetto M35 mod. 46”, they also get a special new technology called “loading automats”.
What’s so great about the loading automats? Unlike the already known drum magazines, you have a kind of intermediate solution with the loading automat. You can still fire all ammunition in a short time.
Instead of waiting for the entire magazine to reload, the magazine also reloads after every shot. And with variable loading times:
- Shell 1 takes 12 seconds
- The 2nd shell has a loading time of 9 seconds
- Shell number 3 is ready to fire after 8 seconds
Upgrades and experienced crews improve these base values.
What about the consoles? The Italian tanks will only be available for the PC version of World of Tanks for now.
