Wargaming West

Wargaming West is an American games studio specialising in the development of online console games. It was originally founded in 1996 in Chicago, USA, under the name Day 1 Studios, and has focused primarily on action games for consoles since its inception. Thanks to its experience in developing modern gaming technologies, the studio has gradually established a strong position amongst North American developers.

Among the studio’s first major projects were the games MechAssault and MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, which were among the most successful action titles for the first-generation Xbox console. Later, the studio also worked on the games Fracture and F.E.A.R. 3, where it put its experience in developing dynamic shooters to good use.

In 2013, the studio was acquired by Wargaming and renamed Wargaming West. The main aim was to create a specialised team for the development and long-term support of the console version of World of Tanks Console. The studio adapted the controls, user interface and game mechanics for the Xbox and PlayStation consoles and, for a number of years, regularly released new tanks, maps, game modes and themed events to keep the community engaged.

In 2021, the studio was renamed Wargaming Chicago-Baltimore to better reflect its operations across two main development centres. Nevertheless, the name Wargaming West remains well known amongst players, primarily thanks to its long-standing work on World of Tanks Console, which helped it become one of the most successful online tank games on consoles. Alongside this series, the studio has also made an indelible mark on gaming history through the development of MechAssault, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, Fracture and F.E.A.R. 3.