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Stealth and armour placement rule supreme in Tyr, the new tank shooter from former Destiny and Valorant devs, with a public playtest now live
A public playtest has launched for Tyr, a new free-to-play multiplayer tank shooter from Stoke Games, a studio formed of developers who previously worked on League of Legends, Valorant, StarCraft 2 and Destiny 2. The game distinguishes itself within the crowded tank shooter genre by placing heavy emphasis on stealth and reconnaissance, alongside detailed armour mechanics, giving it a distinct tactical identity compared to rivals like World of Tanks.
Tanks in Tyr have colour-coded, unique armour profiles with varying plate thickness, and weapons have different penetration values, meaning shots land more effectively when striking head-on rather than at an angle. Visibility is also tightly modelled: each tank has a set vision range and detection radius shown on the minimap, and vehicles remain invisible to one another until formally detected, with lighter tanks better suited to sniping and heavier ones using terrain cover to close distances. The game features sci-fi hovertanks with special abilities, such as summoning walls, and is set in colourful landscapes. The playtest runs until 2nd August, ahead of an early access release planned for later this year.
In short
- Tank shooter Tyr's public playtest is live until 2nd August 2026
- Made by ex-Destiny, Valorant, StarCraft 2 and League of Legends developers
- Stealth, detection ranges and directional armour penetration are core mechanics
- Early access release planned for later this year
Explained simply
Tank shooters are competitive multiplayer games where players operate armoured combat vehicles in tactical battles. The genre is well established, with successful titles attracting millions of players globally. These games typically reward careful positioning, understanding your vehicle's capabilities, and working with teammates.
Tyr distinguishes itself through emphasis on stealth and detailed armour mechanics. Each tank has realistic armour plating with varying thickness, so where you aim matters significantly and penetration depends on shot angle. Visibility is tightly controlled: tanks cannot see each other until formally detected, with lighter vehicles suited to reconnaissance and heavier ones relying on terrain cover.
The game is being developed by Stoke Games, a studio formed by experienced developers from major titles including League of Legends, Valorant, StarCraft 2 and Destiny 2. It will launch as free-to-play, with early access planned for later this year.
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