World of Tanks - Free to play Panzer MMO

Got a IS yet? I am quite happy with my King Tiger - even if it is a credit eater.

I lose a game but due to my "skillz" and premium account I get around 20 000 credits, looks at the repair cost : 11 000, and think - not so bad after all. That is until I actually do the repairs and discover the prize is actually 27 000 credits.
WHAT!!?? - a natural reaction as in RL if you were presented with such atrocities at the car repair shop. I am wondering if I am going to continue playing after the release. It is fun and all that in the beginning, but with the BIG GUNS and their costly repairs and ammo - you will spend money on the game, even though it is supposed to be free.
A brilliant game, but the financial concept is mafia like. They are counting on people getting addicted and will not be able to let go of their "prices".

Well, the ammunition for the bigger King Tiger guns is quite expensive, I think that's what's eating up all your credits.

The game is also scheduled to go live on April 12th IIRC.

just trying to strike a conversation...

Oh and... at what time do you stop getting the next tank? Depending on how much you guys play when do you say - This is it. This is the tank I am going to hone. Spending credits on modules etc...

I have with every new tank - got a new crew and gold trained them. Never tried to re-school a crew from a previous tank.
I have followed one tech-line with just one expansion into another from a higher level (Hummel) and have as soon as I have been able moved to the next available tank (this being a beta after all).

I really like my artillery vehicle. It is just sweet on big open maps. Getting 6 kills and the topgun hero mark in an artillery pice just puts a smile on your face.

I had a fun game yesterday right after work, before I went home. What bugs me is that, I cant remember if I played with a premium account. I know I had to "buy" one yesterday.
I was the über tank in that game and after I got rid of the T32, it was a cake walk. My experience points from that game is ... kinda low. I have had games where I didn't kill a single tank and still had experience points doubling that of this game.
So.. conclusion would be that you get more points damaging higher tier tanks than lower tiers?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Yup, that's correct. You also get more XP for doing damage at close range than at long range.

Yes, I've gotten the IS-3 so far. Although I still play around in the KV (Even Pzkfw III Aus.) low tier matches are good fun!

Can someone explain what the game is about? Strategy, action game? A comparison with another game maybe... Is it really free to play or you find out you're at a huge disadvantage if you don't buy in-game stuff with real world money?