World of Warplanes adds PvE bots, improved ground targets and a new map

The trouble with breaking into a game like World of Warplanes is that most of the people you run up against have been playing for months or years already, and are going to use that experience to smack you around mercilessly—and it's hard to get a feel for your fighter if you're being blown out of the sky every 45 seconds. That's a shortcoming the new 1.5 patch goes a long way toward addressing with the introduction of a new PvE mode creatively entitled "Battle Against Bots."

The update also adds "complex ground targets," which breaks down large individual targets into smaller components that will have to be destroyed independently, and there's a new map, "Canyon," described as "a mix between the flat 'Asian Border' and the high-rising 'Fjords'." The existing "National Park" map has also undergone a major overhaul, changing its geography, spawn points and other factors.

Other additions include 50 new achievements, matchmaker improvements, a new "Dynamic Observer" mode, two new Premium planes and a bunch of other good stuff. One other important point: After the patch is installed, the WG Stream Mod that allows players to stream their battles to Twitch will also need to be updated. WorldofWarplanes.com has the details.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.