Though we feature tanks in several other missions, we recognize the intense interest our players have in using tanks as the primary vehicle and weapon. (One of our most heavily downloaded maps is Mission 49: Desert Rats Tank Battle.) We decided it’s time to introduce a custom multiplayer-only map where, for the first time, tanks are the exclusive means of battle.

We wanted the map to be a wide-open desert landscape, much like the areas in Iraq where our soldiers utilize tanks. But we also chose to incorporate a small village area for players to test their ability to navigate tanks within an urban setting. The hope is that the players in command of the tanks will use the buildings for cover, and that the structures will also be used by savvy foot soldiers—to add an element of surprise to the fight.