War Thunder

The cover art for War Thunder

*War Thunder* is a free-to-play simulation game developed and published by Gaijin Entertainment. Released in 2013, War Thunder allows players to take part in tense, strategic combat using a wide variety of vehicles of different types such as planes, helicopters, tanks, ships, and more. Vehicles are rendered with accuracy to appeal to players wishing to role-play World War scenarios.

## In-Game Currency

War Thunder has three types of in-game currencies available:

* **Golden Eagles :** Bought with real money or sometimes earnable through login rewards.
	+ **Uses:** Boosters, Vehicles, Modifications, Backup Vehicles, Talismans, Premium account, additional content, premium machines, faster crew development, more zones in hanger, research boosts, battle trophies, and silver lions.
* **Silver Lions :** Can be bought using golden eagles or earned in-game by fulfilling objectives.
	+ **Uses:** New crew slots, standard vehicles, standard modifications, repairing damaged vehicles, purchasing ammunition and ordnance.
* **Research Points :** Earnable through in-game activities, with each item type having its own pool of research points.
	+ **Uses:**
		- Vehicle Research Points: Researching aircraft and ground units.
		- Convertible Research Points: Can be converted into vehicle research points with golden eagles (1 golden eagle/45 convertible research points to vehicle research points).
		- Module Research Points: Vehicle module unlocks.
		- Crew Research Points: Crew Skills.

### Currency Bundles

#### Purchasing Golden Eagles

To purchase golden eagles, players need to click on their currencies from the home page or select any prompts to buy golden eagles. There are six bundles of golden eagles that can be purchased, ranging from 150 to 25,000 golden eagles:

 1000 Golden Eagles
 2500 Golden Eagles
 5000 Golden Eagles
 10000 Golden Eagles
 25000 Golden Eagles

#### Purchasing Silver Lions

There are six silver lion bundles offered that players can buy using golden eagles. The bigger bundle you purchase, the better deal you get.

### Currency Exchange Rate

The currency exchange rate is an estimate calculated by accounting for all currency bundles available for purchase. You can find a detailed breakdown of this process here.

The currency exchange rate is the average rate of all 6 packs: 1 CAD to 112.93 Golden Eagles.

### Payment Methods

War Thunder’s payment methods are tied to the platform the user plays on such as Steam, App Store, Google Play, etc.

The current payment methods for War Thunder through Steam are the following:

* Mastercard
* Visa
* PaySafeCard
* PayPal
* Steam Wallet

### Refund Policy

War Thunder does not allow any refunds for virtual items purchased in the game, with the exception being any technical issues (ex: a double charge on a credit card). For technical issues, players are advised to contact their customer support.

## In-Game Items

War Thunder offers a variety of items such as vehicles, battle trophies, boosters, orders, wager, discounts, and tickets. Prices for these items vary from 99 golden eagles up to 499 golden eagles.

### Boosters

Boosters increase research point and Silver Lion gain, and can be applied either to the player alone or the team. They can apply for the entire duration of the game or provide bonuses for fulfilling certain objectives. Boost effectiveness can range between 10% to 500% and boost duration can be tied to number of battles, successful battles, or fulfillment of objectives.

### Vehicles

Vehicles are the main attraction of War Thunder, with players being able to select from a wide variety of vehicles from different countries with their unique characteristics. There are 5 main types of vehicles which are Army vehicles, Helicopters, Aviation, Bluewater fleet, Coastal fleet. Each vehicle section is separated between researchable vehicles that can be earned through playing the game (Golden Eagles can speed up the process) and Premium vehicles that can only be purchased with Golden Eagles that vary in price.

### Modifications

Each vehicle consists of a variety of parts that the player is able to modify to customize the plane to their preferences. These modifications are typically targeted towards a plan’s mobility, survivability, and firepower. Modifications must be researched to be unlocked, although locked modifications can be purchased using Golden Eagles with varied prices. .

### Backup Vehicles

Backup vehicles can be purchased for 20 golden eagles each (specific to each vehicle) that allow players to use the same vehicle twice in one match in game modes that allow respawns.

### Talismans

Talismans can be purchased for 190 golden eagles and provide a flat 100% boost to research point gain while in battle with other players.

### Item Costs

As of November 15 2023, the current lowest and highest cost items that are purchasable in War Thunder are the following (not including items that are given for free or have to be purchased as part of a bundle):

 **Most Expensive Item** | Rocket Launcher T-34 Calliope

## Battle Pass

The War Thunder battle pass allows players to earn free and premium rewards by playing the game and completing seasonal challenges. Players also earn rewards for multiple logins that cannot be earned through the battle pass. Free rewards are offered every other battle pass tier, but slowly become less frequent until the max battle pass tier of 151. The battle pass offers vehicles, boosters, war bonds, wagers, decals, decorations, and silver lions.

## Subscriptions

War Thunders offers a Premium Account pass where players can spend Golden Eagles for a premium status on their account for a certain number of days. During this time, players are able to gain additional research points and Silver Lions.

## Loot Boxes

### Battle Trophies

Battle Trophies are loot boxes that contain a variety of items, some of which are unavailable in the store, such as golden eagles, premium account time, rare, premium, and gift vehicles, silver lions, boosters, wagers, discounts, decals, titles, and much more. Battle Trophies are separated into several types which increasing chance of getting more valuable items.

* **Soldiers Trophy** - small chance of receiving a premium vehicle.
* **Commander’s Trophy** - Moderate chance of receiving a premium vehicle.
* **Officer’s Trophy** - Likely chance of receiving a premium vehicle.
* **Promo Trophy** - Received through offers or contests, contains everything mentioned above.
* **Special Battle Trophy** - Earned through daily login, includes boosters and wagers with google eagles as a reward.

Players also have the option of buying the vehicle exclusive to the Battle Trophy directly for a steep Golden Eagle cost. The Battle Trophies also have a pity system where if a player opens up 50 Trophies without unlocking the premium vehicle, they will be guaranteed to receive it on the 50th opening.

## Pay-to-Win Systems

War Thunder is controversial as its premium vehicles, which can only be unlocked with Golden Eagles, are very effective. Although there are free vehicles that are able to compete with premium vehicles, players would have to spend a considerable amount of time researching them.

## Limited Time Offers

### Battle Trophies

Battle Trophies offered during events typically last for a limited amount of time (depending on the event), and offer unique vehicles that are removed from the active rotation at the end of the event period.

## Personal Review

**How does the video game’s culture impact microtransaction spending?**

The game’s culture does not incentivize microtransaction spending. Although the main way the game generates excitement is through new vehicles, the game’s community discourages spending due to the high prices of vehicles. Minor microtransactions such as loot boxes and boosts are not viewed negatively but are still not recommended for new players.

**Is it possible to free-to-play while having a good experience?**

It is possible to play for free while still having a good experience since the earnable vehicles are able to compete with premium vehicles that can only be purchased with money.

**What is the value proposition offered by the microtransaction systems and are they substantial improvements over not spending?**

The main value proposition is premium vehicles that are only accessible by spending and are very competitive in the game’s meta. Other microtransactions offer convenience by speeding up progression. These offerings are not substantial improvements over not spending as free items are just as competitive.

**Do microtransactions add “value” or simply add prices to features/items that other games include by default?**

Premium vehicles offer exclusive value, other microtransactions offer convenience. Other games include all items by default or make them earnable so War Thunder deviates in this regard. The community does not support premium vehicles due to their high price and exclusivity.

**Do you need to spend to have fun?**

It is not required to spend to have fun as the earnable vehicles are very competent and paying players do not have an advantage over free-to-play players.

**Is it worth spending on microtransactions in the long run?**

I would not say it is worth spending in the long run other than the occasional boost or loot box to help with progression. The community does not view premium vehicles positively due to their extremely high prices.

**Do I recommend that you spend on this game based on my personal experience playing it?**

I would not recommend spending on this game as it is possible to earn competitive vehicles without needing to pay and get the full experience of the game. None of the microtransactions offered are essential to having fun.

## Resources

1. ↑ War Thunder Wikipedia
2. ↑ War Thunder Wiki - Golden Eagles
3. ↑ War Thunder Wiki - Silver Lions
4. ↑ War Thunder Wiki - Research Points
5. ↑ Gaijin Entertainment Store - Refund Policy
6. ↑ War Thunder Wiki - Inventory and Items