Wargaming is evolving its tentpole franchise with World of Tanks: HEAT, a new standalone free-to-play tactical vehicle shooter. And now, it’s entering its first closed beta test beginning April 16. 2026 through April 20, 2026, on PC (Steam and Wargaming Game Center), Steam Deck, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nvidia GeForce NOW.
As a vehicle shooter, the gameplay will still be focused on the tank, but with the introduction of Agents, it adds something new that edges into the hero-shooter genre without placing the title in the crowded genre space.
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
What is World of Tanks HEAT?
Set in an alternate post-WWII era, World of Tanks: HEAT aims to be the next reimagining of armored combat while honoring what the franchise has built and introducing new elements to the combat. But most importantly, the HEAT closed beta test is also bringing four multiplayer modes for players to jump into.
Made with Wargaming’s new proprietary engine, World of Tanks HEAT’s primary focus is to bring the franchise’s signature gameplay to more dynamic and fast-paced battlefields. And the key way that this is happening is through Agents.
While World of Tanks HEAT is introducing new gameplay elements, just from seeing the image stills, trailer, and media preview, the franchise’s signature gameplay is still intact, with multiplayer matches still focusing on tank combat above all else.
As you would expect from the genre, each of the elite Agents has unique, game-changing abilities and pilots a roster of experimental vehicles. The coordination comes from balancing your choice of Agent with your choice of tank, since each one also has its own tactical strengths.
Additionally, World of Tanks HEAT allows players to explore “deep customization” with advanced weapon systems, armor modules, and visual upgrades, which is sure to make combat even more engaging without getting too locked into a meta in matches. With cross-platform play and cross-progression, there is no shortage of ways to jump in.
What is the World of Tanks HEAT closed beta?
During the World of Tanks HEAT closed beta, players will be able to explore a diverse lineup of tanks and Agents, supporting different playstyles across three distinct roles: Defender, Assault, and Marksman.
Developing your player identity between your class, Agent, and tanks is sure to create unique combinations, while Agents give Wargaming an even larger way to incorporate future collaborations like we’ve seen in the main World of Tanks title.
The beta will feature four PvP modes across eight maps:
- Hardpoint (5v5): Capture, defend, and hold a rolling series of dynamically changing bases.
- Control (5v5): Capture and hold a single zone.
- Kill Confirmed (5v5): Destroy enemies and grab their tokens, or grab your allies’ dropped tokens to deny the other team points.
- Conquest (10v10): Large teams and multiple capture zones make for a sprawling, dynamic war zone.
Watch the Closed Beta Trailer
What is the release date?
World of Tanks HEAT will launch simultaneously across PC (Wargaming Game Center and Steam, and has been certified for Steam Deck), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nvidia GeForce NOW, with full cross-platform play and cross-progression, but it does not have a set release date. The closed beta will run from April 16 through April 20, 2026.
