The World of Tanks 1.0 update is a huge overhaul. It replaces the existing Bigworld client engine with a new, in house engine called Core, allowing for huge technical improvements. 1.0 will bring HD map overhauls, new lighting, destruction and gorgeous skyboxes, but it will also bring a complete overhaul of the in game music system.
One of the more noticable parts of the new music system is just how dynamic it is. No two playthroughs will sound the same, as the soundtrack is stitched together procedurally from randomised chunks. There are also different melodies for the beginning, middle and end of each battle, and a seperate tune for the loading screen on the way in. Finally, the music reflects the circumstances of the fight, rising to a triumphant crescendo if the player is close to victory or descending into a mournful dirge if they are close to defeat. The combination of all these effects is that every match on a map will produce a unique soundtrack that perfectly reflects the story of that battle.
Ruinberg
Ruinberg is soundtracked by the most familiar piece of music in the update: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor (if you don’t recognise the name, imagine Dracula playing a pipe organ, this is the song he’d play). The classic piece brings a dark and gothic feeling to the ruined town.
Mines
Mines is set in the Balkans, and uses the local folklore as inspiration. The tune is designed to convey the notion of a calm valley surrounded by towering mountains, yet interrupted by battle.
Mountain Pass
Mountain Pass is located in the Caucasus mountains, and features a Caucasian soldier singing about missing his family and his home before being called away to war.
Karelia
Karelia’s soundtrack heavily uses church bells to convey a song based on local Slavic epic poetry.
Cliff
Cliff is set in the mediterranean theatre, specifically Greece, and the new soundtrack was composed using traditional greek instruments and motifs from local music.
Fisherman’s Bay
The use of drums and cymbals on this coastal map communicates a feeling of strong waves crashing against a rocky shore during a thunderous storm.
El Halluf, Airfield and Sand River
These three maps are set in North Africa, where many of World War 2’s famous battles were fought. As such it is based on Berber music native to the region, which is very different from middle eastern Arabic music.
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