War Thunder player risks legal trouble by posting classified UK tank documents for game balance
The Incident Overview
In a startling violation of military protocol, a War Thunder player claiming to be a British Army Challenger 2 tank commander shared classified documents on the game’s official forums. The user, operating under the pseudonym “Tidworth” (a town housing the Royal Tank Regiment headquarters), posted sections of the tank’s Army Equipment Support Publication to support arguments for gameplay adjustments.
Security experts noted the documents contained blacked-out “UK RESTRICTED” labels with suspicious “UNCLASSIFIED” markings added later, suggesting deliberate attempts to conceal their sensitive nature.
This unprecedented move highlights the extreme lengths some players will go to influence vehicle balancing in War Thunder, Gaijin Entertainment’s popular military combat simulator featuring realistic tank, plane, and ship battles.
Historical Context
This isn’t Gaijin Entertainment’s first encounter with classified materials surfacing in their community. Moderators recalled a previous incident where “unclassified” documents were later confirmed as still being classified. The development team maintains a strict policy against using any military documentation that isn’t publicly available and properly declassified.
“We make it very clear that we will not handle any source material unless it is publicly available and fully declassified with the rights to prove that,” stated a forum moderator, emphasizing their legal and ethical obligations.
Legal Implications
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the documents remain classified, putting the poster in potential violation of the Official Secrets Act. Gaijin’s moderation team issued a stark warning about the consequences: “By continuing to disseminate it you are in violation of the Official Secrets Act… an offense which can carry up to a 14-year prison sentence if prosecuted.”
Legal experts note this case raises complex questions about digital security in military organizations and the unexpected ways classified information might leak. The incident also places Gaijin’s UK-based staff in a precarious legal position, as the documents’ warning explicitly mentions liability for unauthorized retention.
Community Impact
The War Thunder community remains divided on the ethics of using real-world classified data for game balancing. Some players argue that maximum realism justifies the means, while others emphasize the importance of respecting national security boundaries.
Practical tip: Players seeking to improve vehicle performance should focus on providing publicly available technical manuals or detailed gameplay analysis rather than risking legal consequences with classified materials.
Common mistake to avoid: Assuming game developers will use or appreciate classified information, even if it improves accuracy. Most studios have strict policies against handling sensitive materials.
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