The Holidays are approaching, and you recognize what which means: tanks. Heaps and much of tanks. And to rejoice the season, Wargaming simply revealed that none apart from Benedict Cumberbatch will likely be the official Ambassador for the World of Tanks Vacation Ops 2026 occasion. You possibly can take a look at an unique behind the scenes have a look at the actor’s look in the sport in the participant above.
Cumberbatch sat down with IGN to dive into his participation in World of Tanks, break down his favourite video video games as a child, and share whether or not Doctor Strange would beat Doctor Doom in a struggle.
“World of Tanks is about pretty much as good because it will get,” Cumberbatch says. “My character in the sport does rather more than simply handing out assignments. From the winter storage, he shares bits of life (and) knowledge by tales that encourage gamers to push ahead. There’s additionally the particular Vacation Ops Problem stuffed with over 50 battle missions that grant unique, custom-made rewards – together with my position as a tank commander with my very own voice in the sport.”
Cumberbatch follows in an extended line of celebrities who’ve participated in World of Tanks Vacation Ops occasions together with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Milla Jovovich, and Vinnie Jones. Cumberbatch says that his favourite tank in the sport is the M24 Chaffee, however that every one the artillery in the sport wouldn’t stand an opportunity in opposition to one of his well-known on-screen characters.
Once we requested Cumberbatch who would win a face-off between each single tank in World of Tanks mixed and Doctor Strange, he scoffed. “Doctor Strange. Come on guys, of course it will be the good Doctor.”
Cumberbatch, who’s appeared in video games like The Nightjar, Sherlock: The Community, LEGO The Hobbit, and Household Man: The Quest for Stuff, says video video games have been an important half of his childhood. “It began with somewhat Nintendo Donkey Kong Jr.,” Cumberbatch says, “which I used to be obsessive about, after which Mario Brothers of course. I had an Atari console which I used to recollect enjoying very fundamental ping-pong with my dad and a relatively scary finish of days nuclear strike sport the place you needed to intercept intercontinental ballistic missile(s)! I bear in mind how stiff the management sticks have been however (they have been) all very fond reminiscences and regardless of the simplicity an incredible deal of enjoyable.
“I had a SEGA Recreation Gear somewhat afterward, however other than that now the console and gaming world variety of left me behind with grownup life. At moments like this I want I may discover a while to whereas away the hours both with a shoot ’em up or strategy-heavy sport. The whole lot that occurred (with World of Tanks) was a totally new expertise for me – participating with the video gaming world and its inventive aspect in such an intense means. It’s been fascinating, and I’m excited to see how gamers will obtain it.”
Cumberbatch, who’s recognized for his appearances in the MCU, on-screen roles like Sherlock and Smaug, and critically acclaimed turns in movies like The Energy of the Canine, August: Osage County, and The Imitation Recreation, says he and the Wargaming workforce recorded tons of of voice traces to provide his character depth and make him “immediately recognizable.”
“Like all issues gaming, (World of Tanks is) wild and intelligent and fast-paced. Right here I’m moving into a totally new world and exploring a task that’s each grounded in a sure actuality that then slowly swirls into magic realism and absurdity by way of some nice comedic beats.
“I’m the digital commander in World of Tanks, however in the guise of a extremely inappropriate therapist. I’m guiding gamers by the battlefield with a gentle hand. My character is eccentric and high-energy but in addition the embodiment of calmness. He’s a tactician and strategist who is aware of that true energy lies in composure and readability of thought.”
Past World of Tanks, followers are wanting to know if Cumberbatch will seem as Doctor Strange in subsequent 12 months’s Avengers: Doomsday. Whereas he’s tightlipped on that chance, Cumberbatch does have an opinion as to who’s the final Doctor in the MCU. Once we requested him who would win in a struggle – Dr Strange or Doctor Doom – he didn’t mince phrases.
“I hope Dr Strange!”
The World of Tanks Vacation Ops 2026 occasion kicks off on December 5, 2025, and continues by January 12, 2026.
Michael Peyton is the Senior Editorial Director of Occasions & Leisure at IGN, main leisure content material and protection of tentpole occasions together with IGN Stay, San Diego Comedian Con, gamescom, and IGN Fan Fest. He is spent 20 years working in the video games and leisure trade, and his adventures have taken him in every single place from the Oscars to Japan to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Observe him on Bluesky @MichaelPeyton