British tanks to invade with World of Tanks Update 8.1

Update 8.1 for Wargaming's massively popular action MMO will include the arrival of the Royal Tank Corps, Britian's impressive line of steel machines. The Royal Tank Corps includes 22 tanks, starting from  the "tiny" Vickers Medium Mk I tank, and ending up with the "intimidating" FV 214 Conqueror top-tier heavyweight.

"The Brits invented the first tank, pioneering the evolution of the whole industry, and it's an honor for us to greet them in World of Tanks. They are so close, you can hear their tracks rolling!" said World of Tanks Producer Mike Zhivets. "Their looks are as daunting as their guns, and I'm sure the Brits will make great competitors to other nations in World of Tanks."

The first three branches of the British national tech tree include such British WWII armored stalwarts as the Centurion Mk. I-IV and the Centurion Mk. V-XI medium tanks, the heavily armored Matilda medium, and the legendary Churchill heavies. The goal of 8.1 is to introduce medium and light tanks, known for their speed and heavy firepower, as well as slower, but stronger armored heavy vehicles. Eventually, the British tank fleet will be reinforced by the lines of SPGs and tank destroyers, although these won't arrive until a later update.

Outside of playable tanks, Update 8.1 will introduce an overhauled rendering and lighting system on five more battle arenas (Province, El Halluf, Dragon Ridge, Abbey, and Prokhorovka), and will also add new premium machines: the Soviet SU-11 44, the German PzIV Schmalturm VI and the Panther M10.

Wargaming hasn't yet said when the World of Tanks Update 8.1 will release.