Our previous compatibility notice, wherein we stated that Direct2Drive and Steam versions of the Kingdoms expansion were incompatible with the retail DVD version of Medieval II: Total War, is inaccurate. If you have purchased a retail DVD version of Medieval II: Total War, you may expect full compatibility with the download versions at Direct2Drive and Steam. We apologize for any confusion about this issue.

SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced Empire: Total War™, the revolutionary new instalment of The Creative Assembly’s wildly successful, multi award winning Total War™ RTS franchise. Empire: Total War™ will maintain the series genre leading 3D battles, grand turn based campaign map and rich historical flavour while for the first time introducing 3D naval combat into the series.

Empire: Total War™ is set in the 18th century a turbulent era that is the most requested by Total War’s™ loyal fan base and a period alive with global conflict, revolutionary fervour and technological advances. With themes such as the Industrial Revolution, America’s struggle for independence, the race to control Eastern trade routes and the globalisation of war on land and sea, Empire: Total War™ promises to be amongst the richest and most dynamic PC RTS games of all time.

 

 
Empire: Total War™ will see the debut of 3D naval combat within the Total War™ franchise. PC Gamers will be able to intuitively command vast fleets or single ships upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board taking control your men as they fight hand to hand on the decks.

Along with the revolutionary introduction of Naval Combat, Empire: Total War™ will see further enhancements to the Total War™ series signature 3D battles and turn based campaign map. Real time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map – for many the heart of Total War™ – will see new improved systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents, a refined and streamlined UI, improved Advisors and extended scope taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and the untapped potential of North America.

“Empire: Total War™ is a huge revolutionary step for the series. We’re delighted to introduce true 3D naval combat, something that adds a totally new dimension to Total War™ games.” commented Mike Simpson, Studio Director at The Creative Assembly and the father of the Total War™ franchise. “We’re genuinely excited about what we’re achieving with the naval battles and also by the scale of the improvements being made to the core of the game – the land battles and the campaign. This will undoubtedly be the biggest and best Total War™ game we’ve ever made.”
                                                           
Empire: Total War™ has already been secretly in development at The Creative Assembly’s Horsham studio for over a year and is priming its forces for a release in 2008.

 

Stay tuned to TotalWar.com for all the latest Empire: Total War™ news and screenshots!

PC Zone UK have awarded Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms with a 90% and a 'Classic Award' in their latest issue.

 

In their review, they noted that Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms is:

 

 “True royalty" and "One of the most ambitious and impressive expansion packs of all time". They concluded "Kingdoms' sheer depth and replayability raises it high above any RTS expansion pack I've ever played"

 

PC Zone is flying off of shop shelves now!  

Jack "Lusted" Lusted has written a new Blog detailing the re-balancing of unit stats in Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms.

 

This week's Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms 3D unit is the Samogitian Axeman, and comes from the Teutonic campaign. The two handed axe is their weapon of choice, with heavy mail or partial plate being their preferred armour.

 

Medieval II: Total War has been nominated for "Best PC Game of the Year" at the Golden Joystick Awards. Every vote counts, and we would love to have yours!

Congratulations to James Picton from Queensland, Australia who is this month's Create A Calendar competition winner.  You can download the winning Wallpaper to your desktop in a variety of sizes here.

 

 

 

Head over to our official Blog to take a look at some of the other fantastic entries we had this month, and hear from the artists themselves. 

 

Nominations are now open for our Total Community Awards. If you know someone who should be considered for an award, head over to our official Forums and let us know!

 

Finally, we are excited to announce that The Creative Assembly will be at Leipzig on August 23rd with some HUGE news - and it won't be about revisiting Rome...  

We were delighted to learn that Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms has been awarded 90% in PC Gamer's exclusive 4-page review. Awarding the expansion pack with their coveted "Must-Buy" accolade, they commented:

 

"This feels like four expansion packs rather than one muscular bundle." They also advised that "Only the weak will not be buying this expansion pack, and the weak deserve to be trampled."

 

Elsewhere in this must-own magazine, Medieval II: Total War took the prestigious 5th position in The Top 100!

 

Look out for the September 2007 edition of PC Gamer as it marches into stores near you.