Why Do We Play War Thunder?

War Thunder is the only game of its kind, or so they say. So why do we play it? I've been wondering it quite a bit recently, especially as I approach the 50,000 subscriber mark. As I go over my reasons and why I think most people play it, I want you to tell me why you play it in the comments below. I'm interested to hear!
Top Tips and Tricks From The War Thunder Community: • Top Tips and Tricks Fr...
Top 5 Premium Tanks For Beginners: • Top 5 Premium Tanks Fo...
Top 10 Pro Tank Tips and Tricks: • Top 10 Pro Tank Tips a...
If you would like to support my channel, please consider subscribing. Thank you!
Join the Discord: / discord
Twitch channel: / tankensteinyt
#warthunder #whydoweplay #tankenstein

[@master4098]

I'm a sociopath, and my psychiatrist told me that I can't just go around hurting people. Then I discovered War Thunder and I realized that I can just take people's enjoyment of life away in this game instead.

[@nineonine9082]

You must enjoy British tanks, knowing you need to plant a solid slug of metal into some poor saps head to destroy a tank is sickly satisfying.

[@tizanikandothers]

Same i have soo much experience with this game that I Can fell when the person I killed suffers and gets angry I'm like: dam this dude is about to smash his pc

[@J.i.M.9604]

Same. I love crushing the soul of my opponents and draining their life force to add it to mine.

[@justapanzercrewmanwithwifi1070]

hello anton

[@iidoughnutholes3087]

@@J.i.M.9604 wtf

[@dhc-op2rw]

Why are we still here? Just to suffer? Every game I can feel the pain in my legs, even in my fingers...

[@ZIONOMANIA]

Why do we even play War Thunder? *Just to Suffer?*

[@RRHACKKILLER]

Best question. Why do we still play? Even with all the problems, imbalances, growing pay to win.

[@soto1649]

dude this game too addictive just like DRUG

[@smiley7399]

God help us be removed from this addictive game.

[@Masonjar94]

Yet we come back every day

[@anonymousunknown4811]

I think there are 3 factors that most of the people who still plays WT would agree: 1. Mechanic: WT use complex physics which makes the game realistic instead of health bar like WOT 2. Top tier: top tier vehicles are very powerful, and many would like to have a feel of them on the battlefield 3. Unique game: up until now, WT is the only tank/war game that simulate real life physics. I know some of you will mention GHPC, but that's entirely different game and it still in development + it's not free. It focus mainly on modern tanks instead of wide range like WT which includes WW2 up to modern day and tanks, planes, ships Last but not least, this one probably not very popular, is that it gives the aesthetic of driving a real vehicle instead of just arcade simulation of one because of the physical interaction

[@A.i.r_K]

You summed it up perfectly. There are no alternatives.

[@ZIONOMANIA]

World of Healthbars

[@Orangefan77]

I've got news for you - there are health bars in WT. They just aren't visible.

[@jacobcatterall6070]

I think tanks are cool tbh. Thats why I started. And my interest in tanks only grew as I played and looked up stuff on the tank I was playing.

[@shadowzlicer]

totally agree

[@mushlook7251]

For me, grinding to top tier was what made me start playing the game between 2013-15. After 2015 i was bored of grinding but still played for little things like getting a cool 1 tap from a km away or just rolling around and getting kills with a tank i liked and sometimes even playing reserve tanks just to have some little fun. It wasn't about the grind after some time, but about the little and satisfying thing sin game is what kept me playing for almost 10 years now.

[@sirshnitz2335]

I gave up on reaching top tier, simply a lack of time, im in the 3rd rank on 3 tech trees, and that's far enough for me, i simply enjoy the tank combat, but getting gaijined sucks. The game becomes outrageously swety above about 5.7 br though, so I mainly play around 4.7.

[@mushlook7251]

@@sirshnitz2335 Tbh i probably couldn't have made it if it wasn't for the really small tech trees back in 2014-15. Every once in a while i try to grind a new tech tree and i absolutely agree with you there.

[@venusflytrap2622]

The sad part is when not even the small little things dont cut it anymore. For me it has gotten to the point where there is nothing interesting left due to the playerbase having lost its skill. Back then you very often had really cool dogfights and actually had to know your plane and the plane of the enemy. Now its just headon/missile spam run away meta. Its the same with tanks where the first thing to happen is that your barrel or gunbreech is out and then you have to wait for the enemy to kill you. Too often i had the moment where the barrel was taken out only for my enemy to fail at killing me as he didnt know any weakspots or flanking. You then just sit there waiting for it to end after 10-15 shots to finally get killed as repair now takes forever. Another part that mad it less interesting for me was the mixed nation RB as the earlier RB or former Historical battles were one of the selling points for me to get into WT. Instead of balancing the game out or rather force the players to actually learn the game they got their nemesis nation to aid them. I´d say the more WT went casual the less interesting it got. There are far too often moments of "This shouldnt work" but somehow it still does.

[@sirshnitz2335]

@@venusflytrap2622 I absolutely agree, over 50% of my deaths are aircraft related in ground rb, one team simply spams whatever the most destructive bomber is, there is a servere lack of actual tank combat. I use to play hevy, but now I play light, in particular scout tanks, as that way I can make meaningful contributions to the team insted of having everything I shoot bounce in up tiers, or have my tank 1 tapped form half the map away by the one person who can play the game. I simply gave up on top tier, br compression is less noticeable at lower ranks where every tank can at least damage the other, insted of the massive power gaps in most nations.

[@venusflytrap2622]

@@sirshnitz2335 The problem for GRB is that the maps dont fit actual tank combat. Most maps that are ingame are focused on knifefights in a city where fast and nimble tanks have an advantage (regardless of nation). This translates to the nation having the most suitable line up for such fights having a better chance to win. Not to forget that the maps make nearly 80% of the vehicles in the TT redundant as they cant be played on the maps sufficiently except if you are really good at the game. Another part is that light tanks that are outperforming their heavier peers make CAS even easier. Most times i kill a light tank he comes back with CAS and bombs me back in the last century. Can you do it that easy with a Medium/Heavy/MBT? Rarely as you dont get the first cap and actually have to fight enemies thus your risk is higher. Then you have the weird balance decisions of GJ regarding vehicles as one doesnt get its best ammo or reload due balance while the other one gets its best ammo and reload at the same BR making it far more capable in its role. Examples that come to mind are the russians around 9.0-10.0 that get their 460mm APFSDS while the Leo 2a4 with broken armor doesnt get its DM43 with 460mm of pen while sitting at the same BR as tanks with such capable rounds. It might sound odd but my thought of balance is either everyone gets its best goodies or if you get your goodies then you get a massive drawback for it to counterbalance it. Not the current state of one or two nations getting everything while other nations get basically nothing.

[@DarkButz]

It's a one-of-a-kind game. There's no other video game that has mechanics as complex (and broken) and as many vehicles as War Thunder. It's both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because it's what makes War Thunder unique. Curse because there really isn't any competition. There's World of Tanks, yes, but it's kinda like comparing Gran Turismo and Mario Kart. And because of that lack of competition Gaijin can basically do whatever they want. Though I will admit World of Warships is a MUCH better game than Naval in WT. Also because military vehicles are cool and being able to see and feel how they evolve is also cool. Although I'm playing WT less and less these days, the game's become just too damn frustrating.

[@Miles26545]

It’s such a wasted opportunity :(

[@garryjacky577]

I disagree with world of warships being better than war thunder naval. Gameplay, balance, and pure fun wise sure currenlty it is better. But for me the realism is king I hate the HP system it feels cheesy to me. I've had some fun in war thunder naval and while it is the worst of the 3 modes (air and ground are far better currently) I hope and believe gaijin will make it something that can rival world of warships someday its still in its infancy stage, gaijin just takes forever to do anything. We finally have the hood now just wait till we can have the bismark, Yamato, uss Iowa class, etc. Hopefully someday even submarines and aircraft carriers. Some people think aircraft carriers wouldn't work, I disagree the aircraft carriers could work like this you can send out a squadron of planes and switch between controlling them all and switch back to your ship whenever need be and the bots take over just like with the current recon planes we have now when you aren't controlling them the bots fly them.

[@kkang2828]

I disagree about naval. WoWs is just a fantasy (anime) RPG game disguised as a warship game. Comparing anything in WT to a Wargaming game is like comparing Gran Turismo and Mario Kart, not just the tanks.

[@voidtempering8700]

Have you heard of gunner heat PC, it is a realistic tank simulator that was made because of the pain warthunder brings.

[@DarkButz]

@@voidtempering8700 Yeah. It's okay, I guess. I hope it's gonna be a bit more than a couple pre-set 5-10 minute long scenarios though.

[@adrian-sorin_balan]

I've recently "discovered" WT after watching someone test flight a plane and he let me look at the tech trees back in feb 22. Spitfires got me hooked and I started out with the idea of getting them all. In the meantime I purchased the Wyvern which I literally hated (after playing spitfires only) because it felt so heavy. Shortly after, I watched some of your videos where you were talking about how every plane behaves differently and we should get used to what we fly, what we go up against, like "know your plane and know your enemy" or such, so I learned how to play it and to this day it's my favourite plane. That essentially applies to all other vehicles.

[@Miles26545]

Same thing with the p40 Warhawk because I only knew air ab turnfighting, but it taught me air rb, an interesting case of selecting your battles carefully

[@CS_Mango]

You went from a spitfire to a wyvern. Imagine how much worse it is for people to go from a spitfire to an a4e. Or a t34 to a t72. People go in thinking it's the same before getting lectured by a one shot kill.

[@ianbirge8269]

I've been playing for 10 yrs and have been into top tier of several nations at this point and what still keeps me playing is just the satisfaction of making my warmachine beat the enemy warmachine. Simple as. I still play all tiers, I like switching things up and going back into vehicles I've had spaded for years and just trying them out again and making them work.

[@Frisher1]

Because Atleast for me it's the only game with a Damage system for vehicles that is actually enjoyable, it gets constant updates and has so much content there simply isn't a competitor nor will there ever be for some years, any other competitor at the moment doesn't even come close, and I enjoy the game most of the time, but like other games try hards and such make the game not enjoyable, plus I love military tanks and vehicles wich is the main reason really. They should add a level barrier, Level 15s shouldn't face level 100s at low tier n such

[@Frisher1]

@@imainhunter Well, I only care about having fun. The bad grind has only affected me sometimes Balancing issues barely seen em High tier premiums don't really care about Br compression sucks but I've learned to live with it Tryhards are my problem

[@Frisher1]

@@imainhunter And the level cap should he like 1-50 51-100 level thing, so there is enough players

[@simplewolf5946]

@@Frisher1 Yeah I have to agree

[@J.i.M.9604]

I think battle ratings should be base on battle performance and time period. There should be a barrier between pre cold war vehicles and cold war vehicles.

[@giovannifoulmouth7205]

@@J.i.M.9604 I think BR should be based solely on time of entering service, regardless of it's real life performance in battle. So if you have some OP vehicles then so be it if that's how it was irl.

[@-cinnamaon_studios-7646]

I'll be honest. My reasons are universally the same as yours. My uncle got me into history and games when I was young, him being a fan of both things himself. And my grandfather from Ukraine was a key contributor as well, he was a history professor and served in the Soviet navy. With that, my uncle introduced me to Call of Duty and World of Tanks. Years later, I discovered War Thunder right around the time I first got into building scale models, I showed the game to my uncle and he loved the realistic, yet arcade feel. It's safe to say that it is my favourite game peroid, despite its flaws, and Gaijin's greed, I can't stop myself from enjoying this game. It has everything I'm looking for and nothing less. History. Many of us players come to this game with that common interest in mind and continue to stay drawn in. Myself, I am exclusively a WW2-era player. Reaching the higher, more modern tiers is one of my goals just for the sake of completion. But in the end of the day, I'll never stop having fun with the tiers I play. War Thunder will always remain as one of the greatest gaming experiences I have ever had.

[@mossion]

Cool share. I hope to get as knowledgeable as you

[@tomlawfritz8657]

I really love WWII history and being able to play a rendition of the vehicles i’ve seen throughout my life is very special to me, it has also led me to learn even more about them.

[@mewsy4654]

I just used this video to explain to my gf why I play this game as much as I do. She never understood why I was playing a game where you drive slow vehicles (depending on the tank), deal with losing a track or an engine, spend 10+ minutes taking off from a runway and climbing only to get shot down, etc. To be fair, from an outsider perspective it probably does look boring and more like a chore than a game. But, like you said, that awesome part of being able to pilot famous planes or drive these incredible tanks is magical for those of us who are fascinated with history.

[@mossion]

Haha love the share. Well at least you stay home and don't go out. Your GF could do worse. And why does she not try it out? For sure she'll be better than me at 54 haha 😄

[@g3arjammer837]

For me (as someone who plays every country and been playing since late 2013) I’m a history nerd. Being able to experience all of these vehicles I know and love in a game whenever I want is amazing, while yes Gaijin can be a greedy snail at times they’ve gotten better over the years. I hope to one day have every vehicle I’ve ever wanted in game and be able to play whatever I want when I want to. Either for fun or to revisit a vehicle when I watch a video from a creator on it. This game is very unique, there’s no game like it. That is why I play. I don’t mind spending money on a free game that is like no other game on the market.

[@goon8818]

The history, the accurate damage models, a grind that always makes you have an urge to keep coming back, and PERFECT sim/arcade gameplay. There will never be anything like it. I started when I was around 11 and it'll forever be my favorite multiplayer game even if I'm beyond terrible

[@commanderpeanut8029]

The grind that's purposefully painful and dragged out. It's very appealing, fun with friends, but not perfect

[@samo3923]

@@commanderpeanut8029 every time i play it with my friends we are very rarely good, or at the top, but when we are, we have most kills, we are best squad, and our team will lose the game because this squad tactic doesnt work in this game, 3 tanks going to same place, bullshit thats why i rather play solo

[@ricolives1166]

I play War Thunder because I keep saying to myself the game will go back go 2014/2015 where ai was ground tanks, team killing was a thing, you could respawn more than 3 times and you wouldn't be up tiered every game. *Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity?*

[@killthemall55]

Every game now is literally an uptier. I cant recall a game where it was all 6.7 or all 5.7 etc. there is always 4 enemy and 4 friendly players that are at least 0.7 br higher than you.

[@ricolives1166]

@@killthemall55 every 3rd or 4th game is a full 1.0 uptier. Why should ww2 tanks fight cold war tanks? Even from the 60s? I'm perfectly fine trolling in custom games but public games? I've been saying this since AT THE VERY LEAST 2019 they need to increase more tiers and brs. Enough with .3 and .7. Make it .2s.

[@papapeanut_160]

I quite enjoyed this video and honestly why I play is pretty similar to Tankenstine, I love history and I have more resources than he did in his childhood because I am only a teenager but the feeling of history and awe really keeps me playing, not necessarily the grind for vehicles. Thanks for a another great video Tankenstine

[@Frisian_man]

is'nt it tankenstiennot tankenstine

[@yoshiegg95]

For me it‘s just simply because it‘s fun, espacially with friends. I luckily have completed the grind for the german tree, so I can always adjust to what they want to play, be it having a blast at 5.7, or helping them grind at 10.0, we always have our laughs, be it thanks to amazing kills, or ridiculous bias moments. The key is to just not take it too serious.

[@mossion]

Any pointers for someone who is starting out?

[@yoshiegg95]

@@mossion play with friends so you have the most fun, that's the best advice I can give, if you want to speed up the grind a bit you can look at some premium guides and choose a low tier one that sounds good for you (PLEASE stay out of high tier).

[@mossion]

@YoshiEgg95 not skipping ahead. I kind of like the low tier tanks Lol they slow but fun. Im trying out every unit every country So by the time I get up there oh boy haha

[@ddiggle5897]

It's very much the grind for me that keeps me going. That sense of progression. That being said I totally get you on the historical aspect. While not 100% accurate it's still enough to add unique character to each vehicle and their role. As well as an appreciation for the historical significance. Still it's definitely the grind. I'm in the 7.7 range with soviets and 5.3 range with us tanks that I play on with a friend. The multiplayer aspect definitely scratches the multiplayer need for me though. And I definitely chase the dragon every game for that feeling when you have 12 kills and could argue are the reason your team won. Keep making content man! I recommend you to any one that is getting in to the game

[@waltch5711]

Without progress the game would feel empty like battlefield 2042

[@W3LP3RS]

I like the "historical" combat and rich "gameplay" this game offers you to "experience"

[@Black-Phoenix]

We play war thunder for that big red text that says target destroyed and that gives us that tiny amount of feel good brain juices that make us happy

[@zoltantapai3716]

Outside of all the things mentioned I'm a collector type. The feeling of looking over a slowly growing fully spaded tech tree really does it for me. Also they are great references for model building for my tabletop stuff.

[@ligmagaming6939]

What got me into the game was germany. Specifically german projects from 1945: First jets, gigantic tanks, a literal UFO, etc. that didn't see almost any action due to nazi germany's state near the end of WWII. I just really loved the concepts and wanted to see them in actual combat, how effective they would be, how they would feel... So yeah, you can call it desire to grind for the top tiers :)

[@dominicortega9538]

An amazing video Tankstein. For me, I play warthunder for a few reasons: grinding to the top as my primary driving force, the appeal of combined warfare (it's freaking awesome to play ground forces and see aerial fights whizz past me or to fly a plane and watch the spectacle taking place on the ground. I really feel like i'm in a battle) and the realistic nature of warthunder (it's a lot of fun playing small, fast tanks and hide only to punch enemies from the sides and flanks). That and a bit of the same as you; I grew up on the military channel and watched many a show regarding WW2 and also developed idealized ideas regarding tanks in general. I loved the drama, stories and general tank battles and watching team of similar nations charging into battle is an indescribably subtle joy and awe I get.

[@Anarcho-harambeism]

I finally got to 9.0 nearly at the same time I hit 1000 hours, so I bought the xm1 and harrier on sale, fu ally touching the top and seeing abrams as teammates, has made me so much happier and relaxed,

[@bdmx8224]

Xm1 still worth getting? I only have like 20 tanks in the tree left to grind and heard xm1 is „meh“ nowadays. Thought of getting leopard or t55am instead since im missing more tanks there. What‘s ur objective thought)

[@oozie3799]

I love the team play and if you get a couple players who can work together it is one of the most intricate and rewarding feeling, I personally love top tier jets because of the chess like aspect of strategy with a team

[@mossion]

I wish to be able to help out teamates. I'm still getting the hang of driving and shooting haha So have fun taking me out. That's how you learn

[@theoneandonlyartyom]

teamwork like if that ever happened

[@bigface1352]

Ive been asking myself why I wanted top tier in the first place

[@someweirdo1736]

Theres no better alternative game, so war thunder it is

[@lukemiller8282]

I play War Thunder because of an interest in military vehicles of all types. Especially since I started out when it was Ger/Rus/USA. The idea of being able to fly these planes out and the mixture of damage models and loadouts just really caught my eye, and I couldn't stop playing it. I've always had the second thought of being a pilot, and it scratches the itch I always had. As both I and the game matured, I enjoyed the ground vehicles the game had to offer, enticed by, again, the damage models and the sheer number of options. I found WoT frustrating because A: I was bad. and B: One vehicle per game. At the time, I was pretty bad at WT too, but that was compensated by the fact that I could spawn multiple times and have a second or third chance at getting myself through the game. It was more forgiving, more friendly, and more fun. Nowadays I love putting in a little research on the vehicles which are found in the game, and finding out what makes them special. Learning about the vehicles in the game and their connection to others is really fun to me, and I love seeing the clash of tanks and planes that would really fight each other, similar to what Tankenstein plays for. Most of all, I love War Thunder because of the combination of the vehicle models. I love looking at the vehicles I do or don't have and thinking, "Man, that would be cool to drive around." It always is fun, and always will be. I'm grinding through the Israeli ground tree right now to unlock the Gal Batash. Why? Not because it's super well performing, not because I have some sort of attachment to the vehicle personally, but because it just looks so dang cool. The amount of effort that the developers put into this game is phenomenal, and I couldn't be any more grateful. 6,500 hours and forever rising.

[@majorpark]

Your positivity is contagious. I love hearing you speak cause you spit out facts.

[@glizzyfried5621]

For me. It’s the feeling of having a really good 1v1 against a really good player. That feeling of two closely matched opponents fighting in a plane we both love and using our weaknesses and advantages to ultimately be the victor. Players like these receive my highest honours and respect. That’s why I play War Thunder.

[@georgiaoni6101]

literally yes

[@mossion]

I love plane battles. I am actually very good. Though at times with a mouse, you lose sight and control

[@isaacwinchell1806]

Legit don't know why but the snail is pretty convincing

[@user-br3ix5mq9g]

I have a BA in History (1973) and have had a love of history my whole life. I discovered World of Tanks by accident and played it for a few months, grinding up to Tier 7 but was unsatisfied with it - the unreality of the tanks and how WoT changed each one in order to "Balance" them within their tier. By chance I saw your video of WT versus WoT and became intrigued. WT hit that history lover in me! Loaded it up and fell in love with the game. I'm not very good but I have had more "laugh out loud" moments than I have had in years. And those "laugh out loud" moments are worth it!!! Whenever I feel like it is a grind, I remind myself to play the game for the joy it gives me.

[@hotcoals2291]

I’m honestly ready to close the book on War Thunder. I’ve basically ground out all the trees and feel that there is nothing really left to do anymore. Although it has served as a fun chapter in my life, I feel that there is so much more to see and experience outside this game.

[@smiley7399]

You deserve to touch grass if you've putted it up with WT over the years.

[@Luke-bt7ms]

You will be back

[@hotcoals2291]

@@Luke-bt7ms I don’t think so. Over the past couple months I’ve had an ever decreasing desire to play video games. Idk, I might be getting old but it’s no longer very fun/stimulating to me anymore.

[@zulfbi1231]

Few years ago my friends had encouraged me to sign up and play with them. Now I have something about 500 hours and I’m still not bored! What I love about this game is: - a complex damage system (knocking out the specific crew members, destroying specific modules), - tanks vs tanks gameplay without that pesky infantry :p - the ability to play with ww2 vechicles The game is overall amazing. I’m not gonna mention common problems such as: ghost shells or broken economy because it’s not worth it. WT has more pros than cons and I hope Gajin will keep it that way. I wish you a good luck with reaching 50k subs, I have just subscribed!

[@elitewavez4768]

I got 120 days and boy if I dint spend alit of money I would've quit by now

[@crimsonzaint5995]

Keep it up man. You have great content and view points!

[@Didact357]

I play War Thunder for the same reason as you: I love history, especially military history. But also, I ADORE the know-how and intimacy this game provides. I have reload times and turret traverse speeds and penetration values all memorized. Aside from your run-of-the-mill classic Gaijoob Moments™ War Thunder really rewards a deep understanding. I love the situational intelligence this game requires: knowing where and when to shoot your foe; learning good choke points and expecting enemy movements. No other game gives me that!

[@IM_8685]

YOU ARE WELCOME!!! My man I just started watching you in june so yeah I think the youtube algorithm was in your favour in june,and thanks for great casual commentary videos.

[@AHappyCub]

Because i've lost the will to live but not weak enough to commit not alive (people who commit not alive doesnt deserve respect IMO, cause sure they wont have problems anymore, but at the same time they made people who know and love them sad, which is a big no no for me)

[@neroserafimovich]

Because we hate ourselves.

[@tylerburnell7306]

I play because among other things, I am addicted to that sweet sweet “aircraft destroyed” message.

[@garrettknox5266]

Did the grind all the way to 8.0 US, 8.3 Brit as fast as I could go (that was almost top tier when I started). I discovered I was a poor player and was having no fun. Went back and spaded every tank I unlocked but never played from 1.0 up. Started new tree's I hadn't had interest in and got much better and had lots of fun. I rarely play above 6.3 and almost never above 7.3 and I'm happy with the game and my ability at least half of the time I waste on here.

[@nikasmits2509]

I have no idea

[@irinashidou9524]

Because there’s no good alternatives.

[@zinthos0019]

Precisely and until there is gaijin will never really care about the players sadly

[@hedgeearthridge6807]

It's the content creators to me. I used to hate the game, especially the tanks, but I started really enjoying youtubers like DollarPlays, Oddbawz, Phly, and Tankenstein. I kinda learned how to play correctly from them, and I like the uniqueness of each vehicle and finding things that really fit me and I really love (like Swedish 37mm APDS). Also the progression feels really nice. Though especially in 2.7 with un-spaded vehicles, I get so frustrated that I want to uninstall the game.

[@ayaanshaikh6536]

The excitement of killing a tank you felt was invincible, a rare amazing match, unlocking your favorite tanks and most of all playing with friends only to troll them by shooting off their wings or bombing their tracks and having the same done to you just for some laughs after a long day is whats gotten me hooked to War Thunder.

[@yourlocalcanadian5854]

I play because I'm a masochist

[@USA0312]

Been playing for almost 9 years now and it's just the variety of vehicles and all the mechanics in the game just make it so cool. Yes of course I get frustrated during some games, but after I shut it off for a bit and cool down I can go right back into it. War Thunder isn't perfect, but it sure is a darn good game. My brother and dad got into it and in just a year of on and off playing my dad is at the top tier with the soviets. All the unique vehicles in the game means there's always a plane, tank, heli, or ship for someone that'll suit their playstyle. Love this game and just unlocked the F-14 last night and it's just so much fun, I don't see myself giving WT up anytime soon, if at all. Also love your content bro and congrats on basically 50k!! Hopefully that 100K comes fast because you deserve it!

[@CheezeN7]

I started back when this was Birds of Steel on the PS3. I was a little kid then... I loved history, and I LOVE military vehicles. WoT is too arcadey for me. While I have played some other Sims, and enjoy games like Il-2, War Thunder keeps me gripped on a consistent basis. I play because I want to get to top tier. I stay because I love military vehicles and history. I recently returned after about a 1-year hiatus from the game and I'm having a blast. I've really shelled out some money on the packs for the summer sale haha. I got the AV8-A, XM-1, Object 120, and SU-7 BMK. I've got a lot of high-tier plans in most countries, especially Germany, but obviously after a year-long pause, I need some of those packs to get cool vehicles, but also to get that premium time and premium vehicle bonuses to get back on par. Congrats on your channel growth!

[@jw1343]

The "History Channel was still history Channel and MTV was still playing music" really reached down deep into my soul and pulled back some hella nostalgia

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

I've never been a fan of Warthunder due to it's design compaired to it's competitors like the World of games, Armored Warfare, DCS, Il2 greatest battles and indie titles. But the reason why I play it at all is it's fun gameplay loops kinda like any other game/simcade/ sim I play... Also your most welcome I was apart of that june wave and subed becuase you make great content and are a really nice guy!

[@thomascampbell3435]

After grinding for the f4e for the last 3 years and obtaining it I'm just burnt out tbh but the urge to obtain other historical major aircraft just makes me keep logging in

[@marimbaman1969]

I have been playing War Thunder for 6 years and there have always been constants that I come back to. I always know that War Thunder will be there and I can play it whenever I want. Compared to games like WOT, WOP, and WOWS it’s a lot more realistic and you can play air and ground at the same time. I find War Thunder to be super unique and it has a ton more features than other simulators that I’ve played. Also the fact that I can play realistic WW2 and Cold War vehicles is so cool. Personally I love military history so playing these historic vehicles amazes me.

[@OR56]

I started so I could get iconic WW2 tanks, and I don’t really care much about top tier, I know that low tier=fun tier and the grind is soul crushing enough already at rank IV

[@s2eforme]

Grinding top tier was never something I cared for. The highest goal I set for myself was the T26E1-1 because it looked cool. I mainly focus on WW2 anyways so it's the farthest I'm interested in going. So I definitely feel ya on the history part. The thing that keeps me playing now is meme vehicles. I grind Germany not because I like Germany but because I want to get the Maus eventually. I grind British naval because 1) Britannia rules the waves and 2) I want the Walrus mk.1 float plane on the HMS York.

[@renz_blank5036]

I was a WoT player for like 3 years if I remember, played that game like every day (if studying is not in the way haha) and only got to like Tier 6 with 2 or 3 tanks in it. I got tired stopped playing WoT, then I saw War Thunders ad with the realistic approach for gameplay so I tried it. After a few hours I fell in love, I love how you can actually make a big difference when you "hit" the enemy's tank and not just "hit" and just chip their HP like WoT. And the grind to unlock a new tank is much faster then WoT, in just a year I was already finish with the Rank 3 Russian tanks (not including all the TDs). Its been 4 years now since I played War Thunder even though there are stuff like Ground RB being turned into Air RB, server shenanigans and BR stuff, I still love playing the game due to the immense satisfaction that it gives when I actually do some major damage to an enemy's tank and also being able to play cold war and modern era tanks XD.

[@test-vc5ro]

My reasons are in order of why I still play WT: 1. I love military vehicle history and being able to mess around with them brings me joy 2. For being a free to play product for what it is WT is a wonderful game with its own problems but is better than anything else I've searched for the style of game I want to play. 3. I love being able to just enjoy these relics of history with a community that shares similar interests

[@Sebastian-dx1hd]

im playing this since 2013 but now my principal motivation tu play is flight simulator mode, learn to fly some specific plane and get kills, make objectives with your teammates and always learn something new its amazing

[@kkang2828]

As many will agree, it's literally because it is the only game of it's kind. If there was a reasonable competitor made by people with an actual passion about their product, I'd gladly switch any day.

[@daag1851]

I played many PvP games all of them were some "random" numbers based (examples R6S, HandG), WT is the only game I could return after 4 years and still find the same gameplay as when I quit, and that is why I play.

[@mateusz92380]

8:30 the missile knows where it is at all times

[@raven-seven3786]

Honestly, yeah grinding to top tier is undoubtedly one of my goals. I’ve already done that with the japan air tree and I am one of those people who likes the phantom even over the tomcats (opinion based). The other reasons would be, as you said, loving history and vehicles. I’ve only really grinded fully the Japanese air tree but I’ve almost there with the ground too (up to the type74, last variant). But there are other tech trees I want to finish as well so yeah. I agree with your statements. Also congrats for almost 50k subs mate! Always love your content!

[@williammontgrain6544]

Top tier vehicles are a goal, but the journey is what I'm here for.

[@uberschnilthegreat22]

War Thunder caught my attention back in 2013 when I was a kid, and the chaos of Arcade always held my attention. I can always distinctly remember the Dakas of those 7.7 Vickers on the Nimrods and Fury's, and the buzzsaw sound of the MG17s on the Heinkel 51s. I remember when Spading an aircraft bumped its BR by .3, when injured pilots actually meant you couldn't turn to your aircraft's limit anymore, when fuel tank fires had that harsh blue flame, etc. It gave birth to my love of aviation and made me aspire to be an air force pilot for a while. Yeah, I'll have my gamer rage moments with the game here and there, but War Thunder is something I grew up with, and I'll carry those old memories with me for as long as the snail keeps this fascinating, one-of-a-kind game running, and then some. Arcade still hasn't gotten old, and even now I'm still trying out new aircraft and tanks and finding new appreciations.

[@DieSalami120]

in the beginning the grind to the Jets since I got my first jet years ago it is the realism combined with the simple way of playing it. You have a quite realistic model for planes and tanks without having to learn too much before experiencing fun

[@beqaks8878]

playing war thunder just made me fall in love with WW2 and its fascinating tanks & aircraft. it just expanded my knowledge of military vehicles. War Thunder is unique, cause there's not much games that use tanks and planes combined. the grind is yes, painful and long but for me its not that bad, since i only play it for like 2 hours a day. people complain about this stuff but my goal isn't reaching the top tier, i just wanna have fun with what i unlock slowly on this long journey

[@gfrey5711]

because of your channel, you brought good starter tanks to my attention

[@Mani_Gamer885]

This was the first video I saw of your channel and let me tell you. You got a new subscriber. My motives to play War Thunder are mixed in but kinda like yours. I'm a free to play player and I first joinned in december of 2018 on christmas eve. Ever since I've been playing and also got trough some difficult times in the game but always got the free to pay aspect except recently when I got in a spam of almost 1 year 60 dollars into the game for SL very far appart to help get some jets in the free to play vehicle discounts. Now I'm at rank 7 USA air rank 4/5 usa tanks and rank 4 or 3 in air of every other nation except france, itally, china and israel. I mostly play simulator battles so I feel the arcade felling less than the rest of the game modes but I still remember why I started playing it and why I play it. For me, this game was the most realistic game (that was free and I couldnt buy any games at the time) that didnt have HP and had fuel and ammo that was actually limited and that realistic felling was just amazing for me. I would open the tech tree and see those jets, the legendary f 86 sabre and I would learn a lot of names and especifications thanks to WT. The felling of wanting the p 51, the f 100D sabre (that I saw get added into the game) and those op vehicles while I still had a P 47 D 20 was not boring or frustating but amazing and magic! I just tough "I want this so bad, and one day I will. Look at this plane, so beaughtifull"! Not buying my way to the top now gives me nostalgia and happiness each time I lower some tiers. I remember some lucky moments or some cool kills or funny deaths on those things and just smile. Thank you for this vid, it rly showed me another perspective and also how much people just play for the top tier and I like that there are exceptions to that motive that isnt just me.

[@Sir_Cactus]

I am not that big of a history guy, however, I am really fascinated about military technology. The game gives me the opportunity to "use" such vehicles and tech, which is why I play. The weirder the tech used the better. I just started playing recently, but I am on my way to the Horten Ho 229, which is an unusual aircraft, therefor I want it. So, there is also a bit of grind, but smaller steps, not directly to top tier.

[@Twoface227]

Grew up watching Wings, playing games like Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffles, making plastic models, and going to airshows with my dad. Always enjoyed the history aspect of it, but also the ability to feel like "I have that vehicle". Not in a tangible way, but more like a model on a shelf sort of way. The difference being, I actually get to take them off the shelf as it were, and drive/fly them around. I am pushing for all vehicles in the game (sans naval, it just doesnt do it for me), preferrably spaded. I don't aim to be the best, but I def. enjoy it when I play well, www.

[@Stormcloakvictory]

Larping a tank ace in your favourite vehicle. It feels realistic enough. And i love the cold war era vehicles. That's why I grind. I hate the grind, but yeah gotta pull through before you get to you personal fav vehicles.

[@bucky97]

Low to mid tier is genuinely fun to play honestly. I only have German top tier but every other country up to about 7ish BR and usually enjoy myself. All the people I hear talking about how much they hate the game seem to be top tier players lol

[@hotsnow5042]

I agree with you, and I also grew up in the end of the 80's, and early 90's (I'm 37 now). After I got rid of my first idea "I want to be the diver in the big tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!" I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be one of those people on the History Channel of my childhood. Whenever a game is released, like Battlefield 1942, Medal of Honor, Battlefield 5, etc., I get so excited to play a role that I am fascinated by. Microsoft Combat Sim!?!? I download WW2 planes... So, While I was one of those 21,000 people who stated my current goal is to unlock the top tier vehicles, I say that with the caveat that, I enjoy the 2.3-5.3 BR's far more than the later stuff........ I also like how German lets you play with crew and reaction voice-acting with the nations of your choice. I'm fluent in German and, so, I like it when my crew is shouting that "Victory is within our grasp!" as opposed to the American voice "We're winning........." or some of the other, vastly more mismatched voices to hear coming over German comms ;D

[@edxcal84]

Thats a fair question actually. Originally it was about the grind, I wanted to try new vehicles, I still get that way sometimes. Now though, I'll find a new challenge and try to beat it with whatever line up I enjoy the most. The 5.7 Chinese line up is so brutally good I love using it. Other times I love challanging myself with things like the 6.7 American line up, as much as I like that line up, I'm horrible with it, but I try anyway.

[@markhimmel1997]

The grind is addicting, been playing for a few years and still learning

[@xray235]

Having played since the introduction of ground forces, I gave up on staying up with the grind of top tier and have instead focused on having fun. After 8 years, there is still nothing better than the feeling of hitting a 1600m first-shot one-shot kill with the KV-2.

[@bruhmoment-bo1mb]

war thunder is its own style. not too sim like and advanced like DCS or MFS, but not too arcady like WoT and such

[@BADARMY23]

3:18 *THE* *ROCK* *EYE* *BROWN* *GOES* *UP* + *VINE* *BOOM*

[@nobodyparticular8529]

For me it's several things: 1. You can 1 shot any tank if you can hit it in the right place. Compare it with WoT where the power of a tank is subjective in the amount of hitpoints you can strip away from your targtet. The hitpoints thing really takes the immersion out of the experience. 2. Armor pen is modelled based on the angle of impact. A smart player can mitigate any armor disadvantage if they can angle properly. 3. The game rewards experienced players for knowing precisely where to aim for the enemy tank's weakness (e.g. knowing where to hit the ammo rack on a KV-2 turret, aiming for the commander's cupola on a panther/tiger) 4. The different ammo types can be obtained by grinding instead of having premium ammo like WoT 5. You have to take the time to actually learn how to fly a plane properly (boom n zoom, energy fighting, etc). Flying like you do in ace combat will simply get you killed 99.99% of the time

[@SSecret_Hugz]

Subbed cuz i just picked this up and you've taught me a bunch the last 2 days ^.^ Good Luck on your first 50k subs

[@SWSagume]

Considering myself to be a very "Old Guard Player" to this dorky chaotic somehow immersive game, I breathed its patch history basically over its years of development, so my motivations basically shifted or adapted, as I played the game. However if you ask 14y/o me back in December 2013 after getting my first very own pc setup and seeing that game on videos before, never before I felt so hooked up by the concept of a "free" good looking immersive aerial combat shooter in styles of Il-2 one of my favorite games I wish I could have played more, but never got a joystick for. So having that game which still offered an immersive realistic gameplay representing a very interesting selection of planes from one of the most important periods of time in war technology was a blast. Basically can relate much to your spoken words. Patch 1.37... My goals back then was to get and try out all the good planes I loved from Il-2 and putting more love into them. However I played way more Arcade Battles, but didnt mind it back then it was just this quick power trip gamemode and especially funny to play together with childhood friends in a squad. Grinding the 109s, Spitfires, Yaks, Las and Zero/Zekes getting more and more of all the aircraft I loved, until yeah the what was seen back then as top tier became suddenly a sparking thought and a new goal. My first jet was the F9F Panther and the queue times back then phew x) That was also the time then I got into RB mode 2014... and then even something new good announced with tanks coming and we were all hyped... yeah the comment gets too much. Too round things up, considering my long play time and observation over the years I breathed the changes of this game and constantly got new goals as the games development progressed, seeing lots of good and bad stuff, however I will always hold the fancy memories to heart I had with it.

[@SrTexasBlood]

Whenever I got the IS-2. Ive been having tons of fun. I've been crapping on Tigers and panthers. I used to be a German main and it was a struggle. Bouncing shots has never been so much fun.

[@rockerscum]

I personally play the game because I like tanks, been grinding america for years now and after 5 years I have finally reached the m1a1 Abrams and the m3a3 Bradley. Now, I am not grinding anymore, I am enjoying the game knowing I don't have to worry about repair costs, buying new vehicles. I'd say it's well deserved. I already have the vehicles what I wanted to get for other nations, such as for Germany or USSR or GB, the rest idrc about.

[@oseansoldier]

Because when it is fun, it truly is a great experience.

[@Kaga-ec1py]

What keeps me playing warthunder in all honesty is my friends that I have made in the community I log on every day and hop onto a discord call and we all play what ever BR we want and have a blast. Hell most the time if not every gaming session we have that one joke where we all just laugh all our asses off cause it was that funny then get back to playing we don’t really care about the grind and such we just have a good time! We laugh, curse when we die maybe one or two offensive jokes here and there but in the end we all laugh and have an amazing time and then WE DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN THE NEXT DAY!

[@skyzip4k171]

Killing tanks with a perfect shot is just too satisfying. Also planes are fun. And the mostly realistic gameplay feels nice in comparison to the usually unrealistic flight mechanics.

[@Jay-og6pn]

I got into War Thunder back in 2014 all because I read about it in a US Army Times newspaper. And since then I've been enjoying the game. Yeah sometimes the grind is horrible but I find it challenging for myself. Plus War Thunder has my favorite vehicles especially the M3A3 which I served on as both driver then gunner. Thankfully in game I don't have to worry bout the maintenance part.

[@Ack19771]

Tankenstein, confirmed Russiabo/T-55 lover! Congrats bro, happy for you for the subs.

[@Sigmagnat650]

Part of the draw is history, part of it is my appreciation of complex machines. From a purely gameplay perspective, I think WT is a highly dynamic game. Sure matches may seem the same but when you sit down and reflect on it, there's a lot of thinking, game knowledge, skill, and variation in equipment on the battlefield that keeps it fresh. For seasoned players, those elements may not be noticeable but when a friend or newcomer joins your squadron and you explain things like angling, shot drop, shot placement, weak spots, positioning, tactical awareness, and other nuances, it becomes apparent that there is A LOT to this game. It's not just a point, click, shoot 'em up game.

[@FloridatedH2O]

As someone who basically did the equivalent of forum lurking for War Thunder for a couple years before starting to play in 2016 I know that when I started playing I wanted to grind to top tier (f86 sabre, Kikka, Ki-202, ) but later when I got some friends addicted to the game with me, it was all about grinding to get to a comfortable lineup in a few nations so that we could play ground forces together (my friends never cared for Air RB like me ;_; ) and grinding to get low-mid tier meme vehicles to mess around in custom battles. I'd reached a few of the planes and tanks that were top tier when I started in 2016 and stopped top-tier grinding at that point and then it became a search to find meta vehicles/lineups that were just fun to play and not frustrating (usually around BR 2.3 - 5.3) and collecting low-mid tier vehicles that were either unique or historically significant. I pretty much stopped playing in 2020 and now use WT primarily as an excuse to chat with old friends while we mess around in a custom battle.

[@Gniotuweczka]

I play war thunder because even if im raging cause a bullet flew thrue a tank and did no damage, even if i uninstall it, after some time i just feel like i have to go back, play it again ,fall in love with it, again

[@Cam-Is-Cool-2009]

If you do reply it would be nice if you can can you do a live steam like a hide n seek… the reason that I keep playing is because of you you got me in to this game and I love your content… so keep up the good work…

[@fred-1046]

The satisfaction of shooting a Sherman centre of mass with German 88mm is why I play

[@FetaCheese717]

I enjoy war thunder because I get to fly, drive, and sail vehicles from military history throughout WW2-modern day. While yes my initial goal in war thunder was top tier, I’ve now found joy in spading vehicles and playing less played vehicles in less played nations such as France and Japan. My joy is playing with people you like being with. Just grinding the game non stop by yourself is boring and depressing, but if you do it with friends it creates unforgettable moments.

[@julianmorrisco]

War Thunder got me into DCS. I love the full sim aspects of DCS, but I still play WT for a bit of fun. Right now, I’m loving Naval Arcade but I’ve ground most trees in planes and tanks. Mind you, I don’t like the BRs above where helis and missiles are a step too far for suspension of disbelief - modern battles rely on networking too much for me to enjoy the historic aspects but WWII and early Cold War still feel sorta like realism and I do enjoy them. Infantry aside, you still had one on one mini battles whereas modern stuff leverages combined arms a lot, and WT doesn’t do that well.

[@kendrickmorales7744]

War thunder is a unique game in terms of models and game mechanics there is something to it that keeps taking you back to play it. Like its not easy but not super hard to play. I think the grind is what burns most people. I Just play for fun and appreciation for the overall game. i came from playing shooters and from playing world of tanks what kept me hooked is the complexity the realism and the deep learning curve with every tank. Each tank and tech tree changes gameplay drastically and its not super repetitive like other type of games. There is a lot of flaws with BR balance, monetization and bugs but overall its a unique game and i have over 500 hours on it and its my most played game in steam

[@markp2085]

I voted that I don't grind for top-tier vehicles. My goal had been to grind for an Abrams. But by the time I received my first Abrams, I realized I have more fun in the mid-tiers. I was also always grinding for lions, so I could afford the next time. Now I have many millions in lions, so I just play because I have fun playing. I love playing tanks in VR. It is a while other experience. I just started playing games in VR, and am having a blast. So I guess I am grinding when playing planes so I can see what tier I prefer playing. But, Tanks is what I love playing.

[@waffles4322]

I play on occasion when I wanna change up from my usual games. But the grind is so absolutely insane, I've given up reaching top tier entirely. I want a game that's fun, not one that requires a career in time just to get to the end. People all get sucked in by the cool new modern stuff, only to realize it will take years or hundreds of dollars to reach. fuck that, no thanks.

[@rodrigovb1]

Every time something bad happens in this game, i think to myself "it's an online game, frustration is part of it", because there were others multiplayer games which in my experience, it was worse, for example GTA Online, Battlefield 4, Minecraft PvP (oh boy that was the worst), heck even mobile games like CODM (the meaning of pain) and a bunch of other small games. But in War Thunder, i was really happy when i first played about a year ago, i was doing good and getting less frustrated than in other games. Also, i love history stuff like WW2 + planes and tanks and this game have everything. Edit: one more thing, i first played enlisted then i found wt, which made things "combine".

[@stefansneden1957]

The mix of pvp approachable realism and DEPTH Tanks planes ships boats helicopters 1936-today. So amazing

[@ErikMoroni]

It's just the perfect mix between simulator and arcade. Competitive and casual gameplay. And I've always been a history/war/aircraft nerd so yeah. Fits like a glove, even if it's grindy.

[@psychobreak730]

The aircraft. I’ve always adored aviation, and warthunder is a way for me to appreciate the work and effort and beauty that went into these machines. Now, I love the combat aspect of this game, cause it really makes you feel like your part of history, like you said, but it really makes me feel like I’m one with the aircraft. As much as a digital plane can, that is lol. It gives me the satisfaction of being in control of such a historical and rare vehicle, and it makes me happy that I’m able to get inside of a vehicle that I’ll probably never see or touch once in my life. It’s just, so magical, and that feeling is what keeps me playing.