BANDAI NAMCO Games America announces BATTLELINE: STEEL WARFARE, a free-to-play tank strategy game coming to PCs this year from developer Creant Studios, with closed beta testing set to commence early next month. The game's official website is where to sign up for testing, and it also offers this announcement trailer with a look at what to expect. Here's word:

BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. announces today an all-new free-to-play game titled BATTLELINE: STEEL WARFARE for PCs coming later this year. BATTLELINE: STEEL WARFARE throws players into the belly of both classic and modern tanks with a new spin on tank strategy gaming. Not only will players fight to advance to the front-lines in battles against one another online, they’ll also conquer nations in BATTLELINE: STEEL WARFARE’s innovative meta-gameplay encompassing entire continents. Starting today, players can sign-up for a chance to play in the BATTLELINE: STEEL WARFARE closed beta at www.battlelinegame.com, which is scheduled to begin early November 2014.

Strategy is key in BATTLELINE: STEEL WARFARE, and each victory contributes to a team’s dominance in the international theater of war. The title is named after the main mode in the game where teams push a visible BATTLELINE back and forth as they take objectives and maneuver on the battlefield. Advancing the BATTLELINE by overrunning your enemy’s positions is the way to win the battle! Players can build Divisions (guilds) with other players to use the combined strength of their tanks to strategically outmaneuver, take down enemy forces and conquer nations. However, be warned that rebellion is possible!

“BATTLELINE: STEEL WARFARE offers a unique and compelling mix of in-tank battles and broader meta-strategy gameplay,” says In Joon Hwang, Director of Digital Games for BANDAI NAMCO Games America. “The broad spectrum of abilities, customizations, and strategies within the game all come together to give players a multitude of choices not found in other free-to-play games.”

With the sheer variety of tanks from the modern era all the way back to WWI, tank maniacs can finally figure out how many T34s it would take to bring down an M1A1. Or match up Western vs. Soviet forces in the ultimate tank showdown. The possibilities are endless!

Players can customize their tanks by leveling up each tank’s attributes and equipping different shells or gear for various effects. Building and capturing bases within conquered territory will also greatly affect the battle, offering gameplay bonuses to allies. Commanders can also equip various consumable items to be used in the heat of battle.