Beyond the screen: How gamers are helping preserve military history

The announcement that the Olifant Mk1B Optimering would be introduced into War Thunder in November 2026 attracted considerable interest among South African military enthusiasts. For most players, it meant another armoured vehicle to add to their collection. Its significance, however, extends beyond the game itself. An experimental South African tank, unfamiliar even to many military history enthusiasts, would now be introduced to an international audience.