Developer Obsidian Entertainment and publisher My.com announce that Armored Warfare will be rolling out update 0.13, bringing new Asian death machines to battle in the close quarters combat of the coastal urban settings of the new map. The new Arms Dealer, Zhang Feng, will update player garages with Main Battle Tanks to alter military conflict zones across the globe.

Update 0.13 includes:

• Third Arms Dealer: Originating from China, a rising new arms dealer named Zhang Feng and his roster of dangerous Main Battle Tanks are available for all Commanders.
  
• New Deadly Premium Tank: Developed as a brand new indigenous tank that would be different from anything previously built in China, the WZ-1224 is a Tier 5 Premium MBT.
  
• PvE Reward System Rework: Changes will be made so rewards in PvE function more similarly to PvP in order for the systems to be equitable and beneficial.
  
• Matchmaker 2.0: Updates to the matchmaking system will provide an overall better experience and more balanced matches.
  
• Retrofit and Commander Changes: Further enhancements and changes to in-game systems to streamline player experience.
  
• Coastal Threat Map: This 1200x1200 meter map consists of several regions that offer plenty of space to flank your opponents - the southern bay area and the north offer wide arcs of fire, while the city can be used by heavier and slower vehicles to advance under cover.
  

In addition, until March 6th, the update allows both the European and North American server Tank Commanders to be able to join one of the mercenary teams and acquire grand rewards. Side with former Colonel Jacek Kowalski of the White Lancers, or align yourself with the Hellhounds, led by the ruthless Colonel Hans Krieger. Support the Polish led or German led mercenaries and fight for a percentage of the profit. Players will fight for their cause and help their side rise to power and defeat their enemies. You can Register Here, but make note, once you decide on your allegiance, you cannot change.

This event will be split into three rounds, each lasting approximately a week, in a best-of-three playoff format. For every round, teams must accumulate reputation, all recorded on the Armored Warfare website. Only raw reputation is calculated, Premium Time does not affect the results. Winners will be announced at the end of each round and overall score will be tracked. However, reputation will be reset for the next round. The mercenary team that first wins two full rounds will be declared overall winners.

The prizes for the contest are:

• All members of the winning team who registered as participants will receive 7 days of Premium.
• All members of the losing team who registered as participants will receive 3 days of Premium.
• At the end of the campaign the top 100 contributors from each team will gain 1500 gold for themselves.

What is Armored Warfare?
Armored Warfare is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online tactical military game that places players into the world of modern warfare. Combatants will have access to the greatest tools of annihilation ever concocted in the minds of men - from modern battle tanks, scouts and wheeled vehicles. Using modern defense systems, such as anti-missile protection and smoke grenades, along with a plethora of armor and ammunition, players can jump into intense battles both PvP and PvE.
You can download here for free. Don't forget to 'Like' on Facebook, and follow any updates on Twitter @ArmoredWar.

Let's start with unfortunate news: John de Lancie will not be able to attend BABSCon 2016 due to being cast for an upcoming stage play titled Mr. Wolf which is running this spring in Los Angeles. He sends his deepest apologies and hopes that everything goes aCORDing to plan at the convention. See what I did there? Ha...please don't fire me.

Now to uppercut those lip corners back into a smile: Andrea Libman and Terry Klassen will be making their presence known this April at BABSCon 2016, joining Lauren Foust, Nicole Oliver, Kelly Sheridan, Josh Haber, GM Berrow, Katie Cook, Andy Price, and Jenn Blake as Guests of Honor.

Andrea Libman, if you don't already know, is the award-winning voice of the foiled characters Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and My Little Pony: Equestria Girls. She started her quest in voice acting as Madeline in The New Adventures of Madeline and as young AndrAla on Reboot. That's taking it back a bit. If you can't be more in awe, Andrea also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of British Columbia (because, why not), plays and teaches the piano, and does running and cycling events for charity.

Terry Klassen is a veteran voice actor best known to MLP fans as the Voice Director My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the voice of Igneous Rock, Pink Pie's father. His list of work is very extensive, dating back to Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) and progressing to Ranma 1/2 and Dragon Ball Z. His most recent projects include Ed, Edd, 'n' Eddy, Littlest Pet Shop, Class of Titans, and Nerds and Monsters, and he even co-created Canadian cartoon Yvon of the Yukon with another BABSCon attendee, Ian James Corlett. He will also be the final judge in The Voice: Equestria at the convention. No pressure, contestants.

Reminders: Entries for BABSCon's The Voice Equestria and Iron Artist competitions end February 29th. All of the procrastinators can thank the Leap Year for that extra day.

What is BABSCon?
The Bay Area Brony Spectacular (BABSCon) is the first convention devoted to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic in the San Francisco Bay Area. It became the second-largest MLP con in its first year, and this upcoming event marks its third year. It takes place April 22nd-24th, 2016 at the SFO Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, CA. Contact info@babscon.com.

All of your voyeuristic fantasies come to life this September 30th through October 2nd, in the magnificent city of San Diego for TwitchCon 2016. The convention center will be blessed with all that is twitchy: games, panels, music, merchandise, and other entertainment.

More information will be announced in the coming weeks and months, so frequent Mission Start Podcast and the twitch blog for updates.

A plethora of hotels are opened for booking in preparation of the 25th Year of Anime Expo. AX has even provided a quick handy guide on policies for booking. Along with the hotels, applications for various events and staff:

Panels and Workshops Application
AMV Competition Registration
Community Stage Performer Application
Maid and Butler Registration
Masquerade Entrant Application
Lounge 21 Performer Application
Staff Volunteer Leadership Opportunities
Meeting & Open House Facebook

Make sure to stay tuned to Mission Start Podcast for more information and updates as Anime Expo's Quarter of a Century Anniversary draws nearer.

BABSCon lets MLP fans use their creativity and artistic ability to win two free Ponyville passes for all three days of the convention.  All you must do is tweet your entry to @babsconsf or post to the Facebook page with the tag #LoveBABS and you are set.

The winners will be chosen this upcoming Friday, on February 19th. Only one category per person can be entered. Please keep all entries "Rated PG" or below. The two categories are Best Photo and Best Art representing Hearts & Hooves Day, each involving BABSCon's elder sister mascot, Golden Gates.

Also, do not forget to submit entries for The Voice: Equestria and Iron Artist before February 29th!

(Hearts & Hooves Golden Gates art by RatofDrawn)

What is BABSCon?
The Bay Area Brony Spectacular (BABSCon) is the first convention devoted to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic in the San Francisco Bay Area. It became the second-largest MLP con in its first year, and this upcoming event marks its third year. It takes place April 22nd-24th, 2016 at the SFO Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, CA. Contact info@babscon.com.