"1) Controls and general “feel” appears very familiar as a WoT player with the new physics engine, you can capsize your tank and get stuck on impassable terrain.
2) Aiming/shooting – simple reticule, there is a limited view zoom (seems approx. x4). No aim time waiting. You can see your shells moving in the air, shell drop and “true” ballistics seem to be evident.
3) HUD – very simple. Hotkeys for type of rounds + artillery support call (again, familiar to WoT players exept arty calling).
4) Artillery – seems to be “off map” support, however MAY be based on Ai artillery pieces that are present on the map and therefore valid targets for aircraft (if they get bombed out, you get on Artillery support!). Calling it down is simple, limited to TWICE per match (per player I assume), the aim reticule is similar to WoT arty in size but does not reduce, accuracy is not good but it puts down a small barrage (think CoHo artillery).
5) Viewing system – REAL VIEW!! If a tank is there…and its within your view range you can see it!! If its hidden…you cannot see it! Simple and OMG so overdue!! NO unrealistic highlighting of enemy tanks when you aim at them, when you see them their ID still pops up but basically it’s the same system as for aircraft (thank god!).
6) Maps – maps are the same size, however, deployment zones for the tanks are similar to deployment areas as they are now on the maps (where ai tanks spawn), so total combat zone is about a third of a full map as we have it now. This is still a large area. I don’t know if you can leave this deployment area however and travel areas where aircraft can go. The level of detail is extraordinary! The screenshots we’ve seen are EXACTLY how the maps look. There is lots of natural cover, roads, gullies, rocky outcrops etc.
My summary: ARCADE battles are a real competitor for World of Tanks. Whilst very similar in gameplay, there are key differences (far better graphics, better spotting system, realistic ballistics etc).