Hey everyone! Today, we’re going through the details regarding War Thunder’s infantry mode test and revealing some details about how the new game mode will work.
APPLY FOR THE INFANTRY CBT!
How do I get into Closed Beta Testing?
Submit your participation request through the link above to register your interest. We’ll go through the invitations and if you are picked we’ll send you an invitation to the email that’s linked to your account. The closed beta test (CBT) will be held in several stages, with invitations sent out for each. All participants in any CBT stage will automatically gain access to all subsequent stages.
How does Closed Beta Testing work?
CBT battles will take place in the “Events and Tournaments” section from the hangar on a specially created, detailed location in two game modes. These gamemodes are Arcade and Realistic: Arcade features markers for soldiers and vehicles with mixed lineups, while Realistic has no markers and nation vs nation setups, as well as different respawn rules. In Arcade mode, teams can have mixed lineups, while in Realistic mode equipment and vehicles depend on the selected nation. All weapons and vehicles in the CBT will be modern. At the start of the closed beta, participants will have access to two playable nations and presets containing small arms, engineers and special weapons, as well as combat vehicles from two countries, the USA and the USSR/Russia. Infantry from other playable nations will gradually be added to the game over time.
We’re planning to conduct testing in several stages, with bug fixes and new content added between each stage. The first closed beta session for War Thunder infantry is planned to begin after the release of the December 2025 major update.
Welcome to Granitograd!
Granitograd is a new location for infantry, ground vehicles and aircraft set in Eastern Europe. Battles during the closed beta testing phase will take place in “Domination” mode, with soldiers and vehicles from two teams battling for control over three points within the location: a motor pool building, a school, and a shopping mall. Granitograd features various passageways and countless opportunities for cover. Infantry units will be able to operate within buildings on multiple levels and climb onto rooftops, while armored vehicles can carve new routes through fences and debris with cannon fire or ramming.
Weapons and Attachments
The infantry mode in the CBT will feature preset vehicle and soldier squads, with each side equipped with US and Russian military equipment. Infantry squads will be armed with a variety of small arms, including the M4A1, M16A4, M7, AK-74, AK-12, and ASM Val assault rifles, M249 Para and RPK-74M light machine guns, M110A1 SDMR and SVD-M designated marksman rifles, and MAC 11 and PP-19 Bizon submachine guns, all modified with optical or red dot sights, underbarrel grenade launchers and laser sights, tactical grips, and bipods. Before battle, you can also equip each squad’s soldiers with special weapons and gear from a set of presets, containing engineering charges, hand grenades, grenade launchers, MANPADS, reconnaissance drones, FPV cameras, and additional first aid kits.
During the CBT, infantry will be supported by M1 Abrams and T-72B tanks, M3A3 Bradley and the BMP-3 IFVs, with AH-64A and Mi-24V helicopters available in Realistic Battles. In Arcade Battles, after achieving a certain number of kills, players can initiate a time-limited air battle using helicopters with unguided and guided weapons. Vehicles in infantry battles will be controlled in first-person mode, from the commander’s camera, driver’s camera, or gunner’s sight. Vehicles will not have arcade engine power boosts, and flight models and vehicle mobility match the settings of War Thunder’s Realistic Battle mode.
Take positions!
When in the shoes of infantry, players will remain in the role of a single soldier, but with full tactical control over the entire squad. Squad members automatically follow the commander and assist in all combat situations. If needed, each soldier can be quickly assigned to key positions with the press of a button. Just a few clicks allow a sniper to secure a point and deploy cover for their squad, while an assault soldier can deploy defenses and control possible attack vectors on a captured point. This approach makes commanding each soldier easy and convenient, without distracting you from the battle itself.
The main objective in the Domination mode is to capture and hold control buildings with multiple floors. Clear each floor, seek cover and organize your defenses. Tanks and infantry fighting vehicles can also capture some control areas, but they’re quite vulnerable in urban, close-quarters combat. Their primary role is to support their allies and neutralize enemy vehicles. Each control building contains ammunition and explosive resupply crates for both the defenders and attackers.
Which platforms is the Closed Beta Test (CBT) taking place?
At the launch of the CBT, PC players on Windows, Linux and Mac, as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles will be able to participate. Since Infantry Mode is still in development, some functionality will be limited during the CBT. Specifically, Ultra-Low graphics settings will not be available at the start of the CBT, nor will ray tracing modes be available for consoles.
There’s so much exciting stuff ahead! We invite you to be the first to test War Thunder’s infantry mode. Your opinions and experience will help us to make infantry battles as engaging as possible, so let’s get going!