Welcome to the series
Turning Up the HEAT is where we share how World of Tanks: HEAT is being built. You’ll see our thinking on design, tech, maps and balance. Short reads, straight talk.
World of Tanks: HEAT
What this article is about
Today’s post is about monetization: how the store fits into HEAT, the kinds of items you can expect to see, and how we think about time-savers.
Why talk about monetization now
Since the announcement, one question keeps coming up: what does “free-to-win” mean for HEAT? This post sets out our current approach. Details will firm up closer to launch, but our direction is clear.
At a glance:
- Combat first: matches should be won by teamwork and skill.
- Style over stats: the store focuses on ways to express yourself, not power boosts.
- Time-savers: optional progress boosts that speed access to choices you can earn, not a shortcut to wins.
- Built for agility: keeping combat performance out of the store helps us adjust balance when the game needs it.
- Battle pass: free for all, with an optional premium upgrade that lets you choose reward order as you play.
What to expect from the store
At launch the focus is cosmetics. On the agent side that means skins, customisation sets, and colour or material packs. Vehicles get their own looks with camos, paints, and exciting skins. Profile-style items are planned as the live programme rolls out, so your identity can feel as personal as your loadout.
Each season also brings a battle pass. Our current plan is free access to the entirety of the content for everyone, with an optional premium upgrade that gives you total control over the order you claim rewards. Rewards focus on visual customisation, plus a few optional time-savers.
We also plan to offer optional time-savers for players who are short on time. By time-savers we mean items that ease progression, such as agent and tank XP boosts, credit grants, tech-point bundles, and tech boosts. These are tuned with sensible limits and reviewed season by season. If something affects gameplay, our intent is that you can earn it through play. More time playing, less time waiting.
Balance and clarity
HEAT is being built as a fast-paced vehicular hero shooter and to keep matches fair, we need the freedom to tune agents, tanks and abilities when the data or your feedback says it’s right. Our monetization approach supports that, the store focuses on cosmetics and optional convenience rather than combat stats.
On visuals, we review cosmetics for readability. Silhouettes, effect intensity and aiming clarity are checked so style never hides information on the battlefield.
What’s next in Turning Up the HEAT
Next time we’ll step into game design: how we build agent abilities that feel powerful yet believable, with tech that stays grounded rather than magical.
Join the conversation
We want your questions and your takes as development continues.
👉 Join our Discord (https://discord.gg/wot-heat) and jump into the HEAT channels to talk with the team and other players.
If you like where we’re heading, help us spread the word.
👉 Wishlist HEAT (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2100280) to get news and playtest info the moment it goes live.
Disclaimer
This article was generated based on official announcements and news shared by the game developers in the official World of Tanks: HEAT Steam News Hub. While we strive for accuracy, please refer to the official server for the most up-to-date information.
About the Author
World of Tanks: HEAT
Game Developers