The typical fantasy roleplaying online games can get tiring after a while. Many World of Warcraft players complain that PvP comes down to “feature of the month” specifications and classes, and other classes don't have a chance. Gear becomes an insurmountable barrier between the veteran players and the newbies – tactics get thrown aside for brute strength and damage.

But the field of online gaming is wide and varied, as proven by World of Tanks. We've been keeping our eye on this free-to-play game for quite some time through interviews, previews and a BFF Report, as well as all of the news that comes out of wargaming.net. To coincide with its official launch in North America and Europe on April 12, I decided to dive into this non-fantasy MMO that recently set a Guinness World Record for “Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO server.”

World of Tanks is set to officially launch in North America and Europe on April 12, and the team has marked the occasion by releasing statistics from the beta events.

"Over almost a year of beta-testing World of Tanks recruited about 700,000 players in Europe and North America that took part in 5.6 million battles battering 1.7 billion shells to destroy more than 115 million tanks and artillery units. PCCU number surpassed 25,000 players.

According to the statistics PzIV, KV and M3_Grant were the most popular German, Soviet and American tanks respectively over the course of the beta."

As a special present, an M4A2E4 tank will be given to closed beta testers who registered by Jan. 27 and have more than 1,000 battles on their profiles.

World of Tanks officially launches on April 12, and players can prepare for the big day by pre-ordering one of three exclusive packages. Each one allows users to buy gold for a special 10% off price and includes a unique tank.

• HEAVY package: Tank - M6A2E1 (USA), Free slot, Gold – 25,000 for only $90
• MEDIUM package: Tank - Pz V/IV (Germany), Free slot, Gold – 18,700 for only  $67
• LIGHT package: Tank - А-32 (USSR), Free slot, Gold – 12,500 for only $45

Players are welcome to purchase multiple packages if they'd like to grab the different tanks. However, if you purchase two identical packages you will get only one unique tank, two slots and double the gold.

After nine months of beta testing, Wargaming.net announced today that World of Tanks will officially launch in North America and Europe on April 12. Here are some important details for players who are participating in the beta:

"During preparation stage for release all vehicles, achievements, statistics, inactive/duplicate accounts will be wiped, except vehicles received within PR events! All  players who did a long way from CBT to Release will get some bonuses, stay tuned!"

World of Tanks recently set a Guinness World Record in the category of Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server. We'll have to wait and see if the game can continue to shatter its own record following the official launch.

World of Tanks just announced that the registration for Clan Wars has been officially opened for both servers. Head over to the registration page and create your clan in preparation for the launch of the new game mode.

In case you missed the news, World of Tanks recently set a Guinness World Record in the category of Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server. Have you tried out the game yet?

World of Tanks has been busy welcoming newcomers to the game with a series of tutorial videos. The fourth video was just released and this time the team is discussing game modes. Learn how to join random battle and create platoons and companies by watching the video after the jump.

In addition, today marks the launch of the v.0.6.3.8 patch. It adds the new Westfield map and an interface for clan battles that will allow the World of Tanks team to begin clan registration.

World of Tanks has set a Guinness World Record in the category of Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server! The record was set on Jan. 23 when 91,311 players were logged on the Russian server at the same time. And according to Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi, that number has already been shattered:

“We are excited to see so many people playing World of Tanks and the new record is an important achievement for us. However, with the population of the game growing steadily another week or two would let us report a more impressive record as the current PCCU number surpasses 120,000 players."

If you'd like to join in on the action, simply register to participate in the World of Tanks open beta on the North American server or the European server.

World of Tanks is welcoming newcomers to the game with a new series of tutorial videos. The third video was just released and this time the team is discussing Progress. Learn the basics of how to keep your crew and vehicles up to date. Upgrade your vehicles and get ready to do some major damage.

Watch the full tutorial video after the jump.

World of Tanks is welcoming newcomers to the game with a new series of tutorial videos. The second video was just released and this time the team is breaking down the first battle.

From the first tutorial, players should already be aware of how to manage the personal garage. Now find out what to do during your first battle.

Watch the full video after the jump!

World of Tanks entered into open beta on January 27. To welcome newcomers to the game, the dev team has released the first in a new series of tutorial videos. The team said:

"There is no new information for our closed beta veterans who have already hardened in combat and smelled gunpowder and gasoline, but it can be quite useful for our recruits."

Thinking about jumping into World of Tanks? Watch the full first tutorial after the jump!