As promised, here is an update regarding Update 2. It is due to go into final testing at SEGA on 16th March. All going well, we then hope to have it ready for release approximately a week later. Because of the new tools included in the update (such as the cinematic editor and battle editor), the update size will be about 650 megs. This also means that we required additional time to set up sufficient mirror sites to cope with demand for the update. The team would like to thank you again for your patience, and will bring you any further news as soon as possible.

 

Has it really been a month already?  The time has once again come to announce our latest Create A Calendar winner.  Congratulations to Arturo Torres Landa from San Diego, California, who sent in the winning entry for March's competition.  You can download the winning Wallpaper design to your desktop in a variety of sizes here.

 

 

Ensure that your artwork is sized to 853 x 640 pixels, and then send your completed entries to: totalwarcomp@creative-assembly.com.  Please visit our Competitions page for full entry terms and conditions.  

 

 

The IEAA (Interactive Entertainment Association Australia) recently hosted their annual Interactive Entertainment Awards event in Sydney, Australia.  They are the governing body of the video games industry in Oz.  We were thrilled to learn that Medieval II: Total War has been awarded the "Best Australian Developed Game of the Year".  For more information on the awards, visit their official website. 

Further to his recent Total War newsletter, Alex from SEGA has posted a new Blog regarding his quest for guidance with Shogun: Total War.  Can you help him out? 

 

In the first part of Mark O'Connell's Medieval II: Total War Campaign Journal, his fledgling English faction was fighting off the constant threat of the Scottish and French.  In the second and concluding part of his 100 year Campaign, find out whether he was able to increase his dominance in Northern Europe, or be wiped off the face of the map for good.  With all-new screenshots, head over to the Campaign Journal now for the epic finale!

 

 

 

In other news, Alex from SEGA has posted an update about Gamespot's recent Medieval II Tournament in our Latest Blog, and also reveals where to download a new Siege Map that was created exclusively for the contest!

Gamespot Tournament TV are broadcasting the final of their Medieval II Tournament today.  As the finalists go toe-to-toe in a Last Man Standing battle, the Gamespot team will be on hand with in-depth gameplay analysis, commentary and interviews.  Tune in from 4pm Pacific Time to see who wins!

  

While thumbing through the latest edition of the UK's PC Zone magazine, a headline in the letters section caught our eye.  "My son recently got an award for an essay on the Roman empire, largely based on Rome: Total War".  James Brown went on to write "His enthusiasm was unsurpassed because he had what he thought was a knowledge second to none!"   

 

It's great to hear that Rome: Total War has made a positive impact on his education, and further reason to spend time studying Total War games every day! 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Tim Archer from Southampton, England who has won February's Create A Calendar competition.  You can download the winning Wallpaper design to your desktop in a variety of sizes here.

 

 

 

In our Latest Blog, we shine the spotlight on some of the other fantastic entries we had this month, and hear from the talented artists themselves.

 

March 2007's Create A Calendar Competition has now officially started, and you have until the 28th February to get your entries in.  This month we are giving away a  copy of Medieval II: Total War, Medieval II and Rome soundtracks, and a familiar piece of Medieval II artwork (pictured below) signed and dedicated by the artist. 

 

  

 

 

In other news, The Guardian has an interesting new interview up with Mike Simpson, Studio Director at The Creative Assembly. 

February 2007's Create A Calendar Competition is now open to United States residents, and you have until the 31st January to get your entries in.  One lucky winner will get a copy of Medieval II: Total War, a Medieval II soundtrack, and an exclusive signed and framed piece of artwork!

 

In our latest Blog, Mark O'Connell (aka SenseiTW) shares the first part of his Medieval II: Total War Campaign Journal.  With all-new screenshots, our guide will ultimately take you through the first 100 years of play!