# Wargaming

> video game development company

**Wikidata**: [Q372471](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q372471)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wargaming_(company))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wargaming

## Summary
Wargaming is a video game development company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. The company is best known for creating the popular online games World of Tanks, World of Warships, and World of Warplanes.

## Key Facts
- Founded on August 2, 1998, in Minsk by Victor Kislyi
- Employs approximately 4,500 people as of 2019
- Headquarters located in Nicosia, Cyprus since 2011 (previously Minsk)
- Notable games include World of Tanks, World of Warships, World of Warplanes, and Massive Assault
- Operates as a joint-stock company and private limited company
- Has subsidiaries including Wargaming West Corporation, Wargaming Seattle, Riot Sydney, and Lesta Games
- Official name: Wargaming Group Limited / Wargaming.net, Inc.
- Website: https://wargaming.com/en/

## FAQs
### Q: What is Wargaming known for?
A: Wargaming is known for developing popular online military-themed games, particularly the World of Tanks franchise and related titles like World of Warships and World of Warplanes.

### Q: Where is Wargaming headquartered?
A: Wargaming is headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus, having moved there in 2011 from its original location in Minsk, Belarus.

### Q: Who founded Wargaming?
A: Wargaming was founded by Victor Kislyi on August 2, 1998, in Minsk.

## Why It Matters
Wargaming has become one of the most significant players in the free-to-play online gaming market, pioneering the "freemium" model for military simulation games. The company's flagship title, World of Tanks, has attracted millions of players worldwide and established a new genre of accessible, team-based online combat games. By focusing on historical accuracy and strategic gameplay rather than fast-paced action, Wargaming carved out a unique niche in the competitive gaming industry. The company's success has also contributed to the growth of the Belarusian tech sector and demonstrated the global potential of Eastern European game development studios. Wargaming's business model, which offers core gameplay for free while monetizing through optional premium features, has influenced countless other developers and helped shape the modern free-to-play gaming landscape.

## Notable For
- Creator of the World of Tanks franchise, one of the most successful free-to-play online games
- Pioneer of the free-to-play military simulation genre
- One of the largest game development companies from Eastern Europe
- Developer of multiple interconnected "World of" game universes
- Successful implementation of cross-platform gaming across PC, console, and mobile

## Body
### Company Structure and Operations
Wargaming operates as a multinational corporation with its legal headquarters in Cyprus while maintaining significant development operations in Belarus and other countries. The company has evolved from a small startup into a major global gaming enterprise with thousands of employees across multiple studios.

### Game Portfolio
The company's flagship franchise, World of Tanks, launched in 2010 and became a massive success, leading to the development of related titles including World of Warships (2015) and World of Warplanes (2013). These games share a common universe and monetization model, allowing players to engage with multiple titles under a unified ecosystem.

### Business Model
Wargaming pioneered the free-to-play model for military simulation games, offering core gameplay without cost while generating revenue through optional premium features, premium accounts, and in-game purchases. This approach has proven highly successful and has been widely emulated across the gaming industry.

### Global Presence
The company maintains development studios in multiple countries and has established a significant international presence through localized versions of its games and regional offices. Wargaming's games are available in numerous languages and support players from around the world.

### Historical Context
Founded during the early days of commercial internet gaming, Wargaming has grown alongside the industry's expansion. The company's focus on historically-inspired military content has appealed to a dedicated player base interested in accurate representations of historical vehicles and combat scenarios.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Wargaming",
  "description": "Video game development company known for creating World of Tanks and related military simulation games",
  "url": "https://wargaming.com/en/",
  "foundingDate": "1998-08-02",
  "founders": [
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "name": "Victor Kislyi"
    }
  ],
  "headquartersLocation": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Nicosia, Cyprus"
  },
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wargaming_(company)"
  ],
  "industry": "Video Game Industry",
  "numberOfEmployees": 4500,
  "product": [
    "World of Tanks",
    "World of Warships",
    "World of Warplanes",
    "Massive Assault"
  ]
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://wargaming.com/en/careers)
5. Quora
6. YouTube API
7. VideoGameGeek