The War Thunder team looks back on 14 years of service: from planes and ponies to tanks, choppers, and even frontline infantry
War Thunder, Gaijin Entertainment’s free-to-play military simulation, is celebrating 14 years of continuous operation with the addition of infantry first-person shooter gameplay. The expansion represents the latest evolution in the game’s journey toward a comprehensive combined-arms warfare experience.
Starting as an aerial combat simulator, War Thunder has progressively expanded its scope throughout its lifespan. The game initially focused on historical military aircraft, later adding ground-based vehicles including tanks and tank destroyers, before incorporating helicopter combat. The forthcoming infantry mechanics enable players to engage in frontline combat on foot alongside traditional vehicle-based gameplay.
The 14-year milestone is a notable achievement in live-service gaming, where player retention and continuous content updates are critical to long-term viability. War Thunder’s evolution from a focused aerial combat simulator to an increasingly diverse military gaming platform demonstrates both the studio’s adaptability and sustained player interest in expanded gameplay experiences.
By integrating infantry gameplay into its existing vehicle-focused ecosystem, War Thunder aims to create a more cohesive multiplayer experience where different combat roles and player preferences can coexist. This expansion strategy reflects broader industry trends where live-service games continuously broaden their feature sets to maintain player engagement.