Benedict Cumberbatch Joins World of Tanks
World of Tanks is getting into the holiday spirit again, but this time it is doing it with some serious star power. Benedict Cumberbatch has been brought on as the game’s new Holiday Ambassador, fronting a surreal festive advert and stepping into the game as a fully voiced tank commander.
Instead of the usual tough action hero trailer, the new promo feels more like a quirky stage play. Cumberbatch plays a chaotic, almost supernatural therapist trying to coax a shy nerd out of his shell, backed up by a cast of eccentric patients. There are not many tanks and not a lot of Christmas tradition in sight, but it certainly grabs attention in a way a standard gameplay montage never could.
The ad leans on Cumberbatch’s charisma and timing, with Robert Emms delivering a classic underdog performance as Sebastian. Emms may be familiar if you watched Andor where he played Lonni. Together they give the trailer more personality than you normally see in game promos, especially for a long running title like World of Tanks.
This unusual approach makes sense for a game that has been around for years and needs something special to cut through the noise. The result is a campaign that feels less like a typical game commercial and more like a short theatrical sketch that just happens to be funded by a tank game’s marketing budget.
What Is Holiday Ops 2026?
All this oddball advertising is pointing toward Holiday Ops 2026, a seasonal event in World of Tanks. The event runs from December 5, 2025 to January 12, 2026 and turns the game into a winter themed playground with special missions and rewards.
Holiday Ops has become a yearly tradition for World of Tanks players and this version continues that trend with a fresh coat of festive paint. Expect:
- A decorated in game environment with snowy, Christmas style scenes
- Unique missions tied to the holiday event
- Special rewards and surprises for completing tasks
Wargaming describes it as a magical winter adventure, which in practice usually means a mix of grindable missions, time limited bonuses and cosmetic upgrades that give players a reason to log in throughout the holiday period.
The visual side of Holiday Ops 2026 leans hard into the festive fantasy. Screens show tanks parked in glowing winter villages, snowy town squares under starry skies and cozy decorations lighting up the battlefield. It is a big contrast to the usual gritty war atmosphere and fits nicely with the more playful tone of the Cumberbatch advert.
Cumberbatch As An In Game Commander
The collaboration does not stop at the trailer. Benedict Cumberbatch’s character from the advert makes the jump directly into World of Tanks as a fully voiced commander. During the Holiday Ops event, players will receive missions that come from his character, connecting the strange little story of the ad to the daily routine of playing the game.
By completing event objectives, players will be able to earn Cumberbatch himself as a commander for their tanks. That means custom voice lines and a unique presence every time you roll out into battle. For long time players, collecting special commanders has become one of the fun side goals during major events, and adding a well known actor makes that even more appealing.
For newer players or those just dipping back in for the holidays, this kind of content can be a nice incentive. Instead of just chasing currency or standard loot boxes, you are working toward a recognisable character that adds a bit of personality to your garage and your matches.
The event also shows how live service games keep themselves in the spotlight. World of Tanks has been around for many years, and tying its big seasonal update to a celebrity with a memorable advert helps keep it in the conversation. It may not change the core gameplay, but it can draw lapsed players back in and give existing fans something fun and different to enjoy over the holiday break.
The only real mystery now is what Wargaming will do next. Holiday Ops has escalated into a spectacle backed by bigger and bigger ideas. After bringing in Benedict Cumberbatch as a supernatural style therapist commander, it feels like almost anything could be on the table for future events.
Whatever comes next, Holiday Ops 2026 is a reminder of how far game events have evolved. What started years ago as simple bonus missions and modest decorations has grown into full blown seasonal experiences, complete with cinematic ads and Hollywood talent, all built around a tank game that keeps rolling along thanks to its dedicated community.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/benedict-cumberbatch-is-world-of-tanks-new-holiday-ambassador-starring-in-a-bizarre-and-expensive-christmas-advert-that-has-very-little-to-do-with-either-tanks-or-christmas/
