Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Total War: Rome 2 available this September]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/total-war-rome-2-release-date-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/total-war-rome-2-release-date-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/total-war-rome-2-release-date-september/#comments
Sega has just announced that Total War: Rome 2 will engage all territories across physical and digital fronts on September 3, 2013.

The publisher also announced that patricians pre-ordering the game will receive the game's first piece of downloadable content - the Greek States Culture Pack, which adds three additional playable factions to the game; Epirus, Athens and Sparta - on release day.

There will also be a limited run of 22,000 numbered collector's editions of the game. It includes "Roman-themed games and items" and comes in a "leather-effect" box. It also includes a catapult. A mini catapult, but it's a catapult.

Gallery: Total War: Rome 2 (Collector's Edition and Greek States Culture Pack)

Continue reading Total War: Rome 2 available this September

JoystiqTotal War: Rome 2 available this September originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypctotal-war-rome-2Thu, 09 May 2013 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Try not to lose the Battle of Teutoberg Forest again in Total War: Rome 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/try-not-to-lose-the-battle-of-teutoberg-forest-again-in-total-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/try-not-to-lose-the-battle-of-teutoberg-forest-again-in-total-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/try-not-to-lose-the-battle-of-teutoberg-forest-again-in-total-wa/#comments The Battle of the Teutoberg Forest is an epic historical Roman defeat against Germanic tribes, in which about 20,000 Romans died, including suicidal officers tormented by their failure and soldiers who had their remains desecrated by the barbarians. And now you can play it as a game!

JoystiqTry not to lose the Battle of Teutoberg Forest again in Total War: Rome 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbariansbattlebattle-of-teutoberg-forestcreative-assemblydefeatpcromansavagesegastrategythe-creative-assemblytotal-war-rome-2trailervideoFri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rome 2 looks to continue building Total War's empire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/rome-2-looks-to-continue-building-total-wars-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/rome-2-looks-to-continue-building-total-wars-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/rome-2-looks-to-continue-building-total-wars-empire/#commentsRome 2 looks to continue building Total War's empire Showing off a strategy game like Total War: Rome 2 at a convention can't be easy. With only so much time to show off to the awaiting journalists, games have to rely on spectacle. Yet the greatness of Total War derives from longer play sessions. There, the series' two halves - tactical battlefields and grand strategic decisions - work in harmony. Those moments are impossible to achieve in a single gameplay demonstration, but developer Creative Assembly still has to make that attempt, which it did, with the historical Battle of Teutoburg Forest.

The most notable part of the demonstration was that the game's graphics are fantastic, but that's also the least surprising aspect of a new Total War game. After all, the Total War series has taken major leaps forward in graphics ever since its inception over a decade ago. 2011's Shogun 2 may still look great, but Rome 2 appears to surpass it. The background geography, like the trees, cliffs, and marshes look particularly detailed, while the soldiers had a slightly grittier, less cartoonish look than their samurai counterparts.

It was left to a question and answer session after the demo with three of Rome 2's developers to understand what might make this installment particularly interesting. Much of what they said indicated that they understood the series' flaws and were actively working to fix them. Although not directly stated, many of their statements implied a move away from micromanagement, the bane of Total War and many other strategy games.

Gallery: Total War: Rome 2 (10/4/12)

Continue reading Rome 2 looks to continue building Total War's empire

JoystiqRome 2 looks to continue building Total War's empire originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Creative-AssemblyGDC-2013pcSegatotal-war-rome-2Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Total War Shogun 2 gold edition coming March 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/27/total-war-shogun-2-gold-edition-coming-march-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/27/total-war-shogun-2-gold-edition-coming-march-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/27/total-war-shogun-2-gold-edition-coming-march-5/#comments Total War Shogun 2 gold edition coming March 5Total War: Shogun 2 is getting the "Gold Edition" treatment, Sega recently announced. The collector's edition will feature 2011's Shogun 2 as well as its Rise of the Samurai and Fall of the Samurai expansion packs.

Jump past the break to see a pack shot for the Gold Edition, which will launch March 5.

Continue reading Total War Shogun 2 gold edition coming March 5

JoystiqTotal War Shogun 2 gold edition coming March 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectors-editioncreative-assemblyfall-of-the-samuraigold-editionpcrise-of-the-samuraiSegashogun-2-total-wartotal-wartotal-war-shogun-2Sun, 27 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Team Fortress 2 characters join Sonic & All-Stars on PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/team-fortress-2-characters-join-sonic-and-all-stars-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/team-fortress-2-characters-join-sonic-and-all-stars-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/team-fortress-2-characters-join-sonic-and-all-stars-on-pc/#comments
While the console version has been out for a number of months, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is stuck at the starting line on PC until January 31. Luckily for Sonic and friends, they will be joined by Pyro, Heavy and the Spy from Team Fortress 2 as PC-exclusive racers.

As seen in the video above, the manager from Sports Interactive's Football Manager series and the Shogun from the Total War series are also playable characters in the PC version of the game. Add in the recent 10% off deal when buying the game through Steam, and we're pretty sure Sega wants you to play Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on PC.

JoystiqTeam Fortress 2 characters join Sonic & All-Stars on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblyFootball-ManagerpcSegashogunSonicsonic-and-allstars-racing-transformedsports-interactiveTeam-Fortress-2total-warvalveSat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Total War: Rome 2 introduces tactical map]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/total-war-rome-2-introduces-tactical-map/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/total-war-rome-2-introduces-tactical-map/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/total-war-rome-2-introduces-tactical-map/#comments

After showing off its plans for the sacking of Carthage in this trailer for Total War: Rome 2, The Creative Assembly gives a peek at the game's new tactical map. Although players won't be able to command from it, this is a feature that's been a looooong time coming to the series.

JoystiqTotal War: Rome 2 introduces tactical map originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypcsegathe-creative-assemblytotal-war-rome-2Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Assembly gets Warhammer license in multi-title deal, first game in 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/creative-assembly-gets-warhammer-license-in-multi-title-deal-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/creative-assembly-gets-warhammer-license-in-multi-title-deal-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/creative-assembly-gets-warhammer-license-in-multi-title-deal-fi/#comments Creative Assembly gets Warhammer license in multititle deal, first game in 2013The Creative Assembly is going from legionaries to Lizardmen, having obtained the rights to develop Warhammer fantasy games. Sega announced today that it and subsidiary Creative Assembly have entered into a multi-title licensing deal with miniature makers Games Workshop, with a dev team already working to get the studio's first Warhammer game out for next year. Creative Assembly's license is only for the Warhammer fantasy line and not for the Warhammer 40K universe, as clarified to Eurogamer by both Sega and Warhammer 40K license holder THQ.

The last decade saw THQ pump out a swathe of Warhammer 40K games, but outside of two Namco-published real-time strategies and EA's Warhammer Online, it's been all quiet on the fantasy front. That's something Creative Assembly must hope to rectify, although it's not like the studio is desperate for pies to cram its fingers into. The British developer says it's working on Total War: Rome 2, the as yet unnamed Alien game, the first Warhammer game, and two other unannounced projects.

Continue reading Creative Assembly gets Warhammer license in multi-title deal, first game in 2013

JoystiqCreative Assembly gets Warhammer license in multi-title deal, first game in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblysegathe-creative-assemblywarhammerwarhammer-fantasyThu, 06 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Just try and guess Total War: Rome 2's first revealed faction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/just-try-and-guess-total-war-rome-2s-first-revealed-faction/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/just-try-and-guess-total-war-rome-2s-first-revealed-faction/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/just-try-and-guess-total-war-rome-2s-first-revealed-faction/#comments Just try and guess Total War Rome 2's first revealed faction We'll give you thirty seconds to formulate an educated guess as to what faction Creative Assembly has revealed as the first confirmed group of soldier dudes in Total War: Rome 2. Okay, ready? Go!

What, Belgium? No, it's Rome. Rome, you dummy. The eponymous nation was revealed by the game's official wiki, which will continue revealing factions at an undisclosed rate until the game launches next year.

"As a playable faction," the wiki reads, "Rome benefits economically from its excellence in metalwork, enjoys enhanced military development, and can exploit the masses in order to maintain public order." That's great and everything, but any true military strategist knows that the strength of a nation's soldiers depends entirely on the complexity and inventiveness of its plumbing technology.

JoystiqJust try and guess Total War: Rome 2's first revealed faction originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblyfactionspcplumbingRomansRomeSegatotal-war-rome-2Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega at Total War with David 'Reptilian Agenda' Icke over song rights]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/sega-at-total-war-with-david-reptilian-agenda-icke-over-song-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/sega-at-total-war-with-david-reptilian-agenda-icke-over-song-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/sega-at-total-war-with-david-reptilian-agenda-icke-over-song-r/#comments Sega at Total War with David 'Reptilian Agenda' Icke over song rightsDavid Icke, a former sports presenter and political personality in the UK, launched a scathing attack on Sega and Creative Assembly for denying him rights to a song used in Medieval 2: Total War. Icke planned to use the song "We Are All One" by Angela and Jeff van Dyck in an upcoming anti-war talk at Wembley, London. Sega, who owns the rights to the song, blocked him from doing so. Icke claims on his website this is because Sega didn't want its music to be "associated with a controversial figure."

Icke does have a few controversial ideas. For one, Icke happens to believe that Earth is secretly being ruled by reptilians who've ingratiated themselves into governments across the world, including America's. He also claimed to be the "son of the Godhead," and once warned viewers on British national television they were all going to suffer at the hands of earthquakes and tidal waves.

Continue reading Sega at Total War with David 'Reptilian Agenda' Icke over song rights

JoystiqSega at Total War with David 'Reptilian Agenda' Icke over song rights originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversycreative-assemblydavid-ickemedieval-total-war-2segatotal-warwarTue, 25 Sep 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Total War: Rome 2 marches to PC in 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/total-war-rome-2-marches-to-pc-in-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/total-war-rome-2-marches-to-pc-in-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/total-war-rome-2-marches-to-pc-in-2013/#comments Total War Rome 2 marches to PC in 2013Yes, the rumors are true: Creative Assembly's next game is Total War: Rome 2, a sequel to the studio's 2004 strategy game. The PC exclusive is set to launch sometime in 2013.

Creative Assembly studio communications manager Al Bickham walked me through a very brief demo for Total War: Rome 2, the siege of Carthage. The goal for Total War: Rome 2 is to let players rewrite history in the single-player campaign mode, which lets them conquer the globe as they see fit. But Bickam promised me "more detail to each man" in skirmishes for the sequel, and a more cinematic and epic experience.

Total War: Rome 2 will also transition seamlessly between battles at sea and on land. During my 10 minute overview of the game, I witnessed giant boats carrying Roman soldiers onto the beach, where they hastily assembled siege towers and scaled the massive walls of Carthage. A free camera provided a top-down overview with a map, provided you don't opt into seeing the action at ground level. What I saw was still very early in development, consisting of pre-alpha gameplay with no UI elements and large chunks of Carthage appearing incomplete.

Bickham wasn't too chatty about what's planned for Total War: Rome 2, citing its relative infancy in development, but he did say the game hopes to highlight "the value of one man" on the battlefield.

Gallery: Total War: Rome 2 (PC)

JoystiqTotal War: Rome 2 marches to PC in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypcsegathe-creative-assemblytotal-war-rome-2Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Total War: Rome 2 announcement incoming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/rumor-total-war-rome-2-announcement-incoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/rumor-total-war-rome-2-announcement-incoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/rumor-total-war-rome-2-announcement-incoming/#comments Rumor Total War Rome 2 announcement incomingRome: Total War (pictured) may be getting a sequel, according to the latest issue of Australia's PC PowerPlay. The page highlighting next month's issue of the magazine, as captured by NeoGAF, shows a screenshot of numerous Roman soldiers battling it out, all overlaid by the large Roman numeral 2.

Another forum goer notes that Total War developer Creative Assembly will be at this year's Rezzed exposition in Brighton on July 6 and 7. The next PC PowerPlay, meanwhile, goes on sale July 18.

The studio is supposed to be discussing "the future of Total War," so it seems likely that a sequel is in the cards. A lot has changed since Rome: Total War was first released back in 2004. Notably, the naming convention has been flipped, meaning a sequel will probably be called Total War: Rome 2.

JoystiqRumor: Total War: Rome 2 announcement incoming originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypcpc-powerplayrome-total-war-2segatotal-war-rome-2Mon, 25 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Napoleon: Total War free this weekend on Steam, SOL: Exodus only $5 today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/napoleon-total-war-free-this-weekend-on-steam-sol-exodus-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/napoleon-total-war-free-this-weekend-on-steam-sol-exodus-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/napoleon-total-war-free-this-weekend-on-steam-sol-exodus-only/#comments Steam has a pair of deals worth checking out right now for Napoleon: Total War and SOL: Exodus. First up, Napoleon: Total War is free to play from now until Sunday at 1PM Pacific time. If you like what you play, the game is currently half-off for $10, which is a lot of strategy for something so little -- much like Napoleon.

Also half-off today only is SOL: Exodus. The indie flight sim may not by the grandest space adventure ever digitized, but for $5 there's plenty of value in playing a genre we haven't seen much of in the last ten years.

Gallery: Sol: Exodus (PC)

JoystiqNapoleon: Total War free this weekend on Steam, SOL: Exodus only $5 today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblynapoleon-total-warpcseamless-entertainmentsegasol-exodussteamThu, 14 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Current gen consoles 'can't cope' with traditional Total War]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/#comments Creative Assembly's Mike Simpson says the popular Total War series of strategy games wouldn't work on the current console generation, just in terms of hardware requirements. "They don't have enough memory, by a large factor," Simpson tells Eurogamer. The audience for console games tends to be a little more action-oriented and a little less strategy focused, and the experiences are very different as well, he asserts. But there's hope yet, "for all sorts of reasons."

The user interface is another issue, according to Simpson, but it's fixable through solid game design. While he doesn't mention the Total War version coming to iOS, that's definitely a clear indicator that the game can work on platforms other than PC. And Simpson says that despite the differences, Creative Assembly has some "very clever ideas" on adapting its popular strategy games for the next wave of consoles and the pick-up-and-play style that go along with them.

JoystiqCurrent gen consoles 'can't cope' with traditional Total War originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblymicrosoftmike-simpsonpcplaystationportsps3shogun-2-total-warstrategytotal-warxboxSat, 31 Mar 2012 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sho'gunna like this Total War: Shogun 2 DLC trailer and screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/shogunna-like-this-total-war-shogun-2-dlc-trailer-and-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/shogunna-like-this-total-war-shogun-2-dlc-trailer-and-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/shogunna-like-this-total-war-shogun-2-dlc-trailer-and-screens/#comments
Honestly, we didn't think much on what we'd say about the "Rise of the Samurai" DLC for Total War: Shogun 2 past the headline. It's good though, right? "Sho'gunna"? Like "Sure going to," get it? ... Listen, just watch your trailer, OK? It's late, and you've got soccer practice in the morning.

Continue reading Sho'gunna like this Total War: Shogun 2 DLC trailer and screens

JoystiqSho'gunna like this Total War: Shogun 2 DLC trailer and screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypcsegashogun-2-total-wartotal-war-shogun-2Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Next Total War in development at The Creative Assembly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/next-total-war-in-development-at-the-creative-assembly/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/next-total-war-in-development-at-the-creative-assembly/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/next-total-war-in-development-at-the-creative-assembly/#comments Total War developer The Creative Assembly is hard at work on the next installment of the strategy franchise. Eurogamer confirmed with Studio Director Tim Heaton that work began on the next installment while the studio was finishing Total War: Shogun 2. "Absolutely, we're on the next," said Heaton.

Sega recently announced that Total War: Shogun 2 sold 600,000 copies. Creative Assembly's Mike Simpson said the series has a "long tail" and that the original Shogun sold "more copies in the second three years of its existence than it did in its first three years." Of course, that wasn't at full price. There's no word yet which period of history (or future) the next game will be set in.

JoystiqNext Total War in development at The Creative Assembly originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypcSegashogun-2-total-warthe-creative-assemblytim-heatonTotal-WarTue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Multiplayer war in Total War: Shogun 2 encapsulates nearly everything]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/multiplayer-war-in-total-war-shogun-2-nearly-encapsulates-every/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/multiplayer-war-in-total-war-shogun-2-nearly-encapsulates-every/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/multiplayer-war-in-total-war-shogun-2-nearly-encapsulates-every/#comments Sega has released a multiplayer trailer for Total War: Shogun 2. The war does appear large, though we're not so sure it's total. There are clearly some empty spots on the battlefield, and they're not even filled with corpses! Then again, we suppose "Substantial War" doesn't have the same ring to it.

Continue reading Multiplayer war in Total War: Shogun 2 encapsulates nearly everything

JoystiqMultiplayer war in Total War: Shogun 2 encapsulates nearly everything originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Creative-assemblyPcSegaShogun-2-total-warThe-creative-assemblyFri, 18 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Total Demo: Shogun 2 on Steam Feb. 22, pre-order bonuses announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/total-demo-shogun-2-on-steam-feb-22-pre-order-bonuses-announc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/total-demo-shogun-2-on-steam-feb-22-pre-order-bonuses-announc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/total-demo-shogun-2-on-steam-feb-22-pre-order-bonuses-announc/#comments By all that is bushido, a demo for the name-reversing Total War: Shogun 2 will be available on Steam beginning February 22, 2011, Sega has announced.

Additionally, the publisher has teased some pre-order bonuses available from your local GameStop or BestBuy. Honorable GameStop samurai will receive (online or in-store) the historic Battle of Kawagoe, while those who partake in the Best Buy bounty will unlock 1,000 Koku, the in-game currency used to purchase new buildings, train new units and upgrade towns.

Shogun 2 is still scheduled to wage total war on PC this March 15.

Gallery: Shogun 2: Total War (art)

Continue reading Total Demo: Shogun 2 on Steam Feb. 22, pre-order bonuses announced

JoystiqTotal Demo: Shogun 2 on Steam Feb. 22, pre-order bonuses announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblydemopcpre-order-bonussegashogun-2-total-warWed, 16 Feb 2011 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Shogun 2: Total War is now Total War: Shogun 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/27/psa-shogun-2-total-war-is-now-total-war-shogun-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/27/psa-shogun-2-total-war-is-now-total-war-shogun-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/27/psa-shogun-2-total-war-is-now-total-war-shogun-2/#comments Throwing away ten years of tradition, the Total War franchise name is finally taking its place at the front of the title. Eurogamer reports that Shogun 2: Total War, announced this past summer, will henceforth be known as Total War: Shogun 2. A Sega representative explains (yes, really), "Both Creative Assembly and Sega have intended to invert the Total War naming convention for some time ... We wanted to identify all of these as one series using a more obvious naming convention for players."

No word yet if Sega plans to retroactively fix the rest of the series' now backwards titles.

JoystiqPSA: Shogun 2: Total War is now Total War: Shogun 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypcsegashogun-2-total-wartotal-war-shogun-2Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shogun 2: Total War confirmed, will have hero units and siege battles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/shogun-2-total-war-confirmed-will-have-hero-units-and-siege-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/shogun-2-total-war-confirmed-will-have-hero-units-and-siege-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/shogun-2-total-war-confirmed-will-have-hero-units-and-siege-ba/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So much for secrecy -- the cat is out of the bag early, as Sega has revealed that, yes, Shogun 2: Total War is the next game in the historical war simulation series from The Creative Assembly. The game is a direct sequel to the first game in the Total War series (released 10 years ago, if you can believe that) and will have players fighting as competing warlords in 16th century Japan, working to reunite the country under one unified ruler. The game promises the "ultimate refinement of the original formula," combining a new AI and technical polish with the gameplay that made the first title so popular.

IGN has an early preview, and says that hero units will make an appearance in the series for the first time, fighting alongside about 40 units that will all be upgradeable. Siege and naval battles will mix up the gameplay and Creative Assembly hints at more features, including a set of agents that "that uses a rock-paper-scissors mechanic," and some new ideas for multiplayer, including eight-player battles and personal avatars.

Sounds strategically interesting. We're scheduled to see the game in action at E3, so we'll let you know more then.

JoystiqShogun 2: Total War confirmed, will have hero units and siege battles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblypcrtssegashogun-2-total-warstrategythe-creative-assemblytotal-warWed, 02 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[All-Stars Racing, Napoleon: Total War dated in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/all-stars-racing-napoleon-total-war-dated-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/all-stars-racing-napoleon-total-war-dated-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/all-stars-racing-napoleon-total-war-dated-in-europe/#commentsSega has dated two its upcoming games for Europe, including the fanservice-filled racing game Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. The mascot racer will arrive there on February 26, three days after the North American release date. In addition, as tweeted by the game's official account, Napoleon: Total War will be out in on February 23 -- a date that is accurate for both Europe and NA. No word on Napoleon & Historical All-Stars Racing, however.

Yakuza 3 remains at an unspecified "March" date for both Europe and North America. Similarly nonspecific are Alpha Protocol, Resonance of Fate, and Infinite Space, which Videogamer reports are all still "spring," with Valkyria Chronicles 2 following in the summer.

JoystiqAll-Stars Racing, Napoleon: Total War dated in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblyDSeuropeMicrosoftnapoleon-total-warNintendosegasonic-and-sega-all-stars-racingsumo-digitalWiiXbox-360Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[First video of Stormrise, Sega's 2009 RTS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/first-video-of-stormrise-segas-2009-rts/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/first-video-of-stormrise-segas-2009-rts/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/first-video-of-stormrise-segas-2009-rts/#commentsFiled under:

When a trailer for a video game trailer begins with the phrase "The following trailer has been rendered using the game engine," an implicit statement has been made. That statement reads thusly: "The graphics in this game are so good, you won't believe it isn't pre-rendered." That is not the case with Stormrise, an upcoming real time strategy game from Creative Assembly (Viking) and Sega (lots of games). It doesn't look bad by any stretch, but we found the disclaimer a little unnecessary. Anywho, what we get to see is a bunch of soldiers facing off with Predator-like monsters, enemy soldiers, and what look like miniature Brumaks (sort of). The video concludes by saying "A change is coming" for console RTS games in 2009. Seems like everyone is trying to reshape the console RTS genre these days.

Given Creative Assembly's experience with the Total War RTS series, we're eager to see what's in store. And to see some real gameplay, of course.

JoystiqFirst video of Stormrise, Sega's 2009 RTS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblysegastormrisethe-creative-assemblyThu, 11 Sep 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq E3 eyes-on: Stormrise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/joystiq-e3-eyes-on-stormrise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/joystiq-e3-eyes-on-stormrise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/joystiq-e3-eyes-on-stormrise/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Real Time Strategies have never been a good fit for consoles, thanks to their over-reliance on a mouse and keyboard. The Creative Assembly are hoping to change that with Stormrise by creating a fully intuitive, pad-based control system. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to try the controls out for ourselves, but from what we saw it has some potential.

Selecting units is as simple as flicking the right analogue stick. Holding it in any direction will bring up a radar screen, showing your troops throughout the level relative to your currently selected unit. Rotating the right stick will let you highlight your units and, letting go of the stick, select them. Quickly "whipping" the right stick in any given direction will select the nearest unit in that direction, allowing you to switch between units swiftly.

Once selected, the game's viewpoint switches to above and behind the unit, allowing you to see what they see. They can then be moved to any visible ground using a 3D cursor. This seemed to work well, but there are also other methods of controlling units that seemed to work even better, depending on your play style.

Continue reading Joystiq E3 eyes-on: Stormrise

JoystiqJoystiq E3 eyes-on: Stormrise originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblyE3e3-2008joystiqfeaturesPS3segastormrisethe-creative-assemblyXbox-360Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Stormrise devs call PC market a 'strong niche']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/stormrise-devs-call-pc-market-a-strong-niche/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/stormrise-devs-call-pc-market-a-strong-niche/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/stormrise-devs-call-pc-market-a-strong-niche/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


You may think that strategy games are the domain of the keyboard and mouse, but don't tell that to the guys at Creative Assembly. During E3, company reps walked us through several minutes of their upcoming console-focused RTS, Stormrise, but not before while lamenting the reason for the studio's move beyond the PC -- a market project director Ken Turner calls a "good, strong niche."

Awwe, thanks man, that's so sweet of you to...hey wait a sec! Why you! "We're hoping that there will be other people out there who'll appreciate what we can do," explained Turner, who calls the now three-and-a-half year old effort a "breaking away" project for the company. He further noted that Creative Assembly "targeted the console directly," and "distilled it down to an interface where 90% of what you do is with two thumbsticks and one button." After watching Stormrise being played his words certainly ring true, though admittedly it's hard to hear his point beneath the claxon of so many PC gamers' disdain.

JoystiqStormrise devs call PC market a 'strong niche' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblycreativeassemblye32008pcPS3segastormriseXbox-360Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega announces console-specific RTS in Stormrise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/sega-announces-console-specific-rts-in-stormrise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/sega-announces-console-specific-rts-in-stormrise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/sega-announces-console-specific-rts-in-stormrise/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Okay class, it's time to take out your notebooks and no. 2 pencils. Today we're going to be learning a new word -- verticality. The word traces its origins back to the Total War chaps at Sega-owned The Creative Assembly, who coined the term to describe the studio's latest project, Stormrise, a new real-time strategy game "built from the ground up" specifically for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Who here can tell the class what verticality means? Billy, put your hand down. No one? Verticality, according to Sega, is a means of allowing players to control multiple layers of units, from the sky to beneath Stormrise's "bleak and barren" earth. Currently gathering resources for a 2009 release, the game represents The Creative Assembly's first attempt at creating a RTS for consoles, so if they fall on their face we must do our best to keep any criticisms constructive. Class dismissed.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

JoystiqSega announces console-specific RTS in Stormrise originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblycreativeassemblyPS3segastormrisethe-creative-assemblyXbox-360Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Viking: Battle for Asgard achievements pillage and plunder our gamerscores]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/viking-battle-for-asgard-achievements-pillage-and-plunder-our-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/viking-battle-for-asgard-achievements-pillage-and-plunder-our-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/viking-battle-for-asgard-achievements-pillage-and-plunder-our-co/#commentsFiled under:


Those of you fellow achievement fiends will be happy to know that the full achievement list for the upcoming action slasher, Viking: Battle for Asgard, has made its way online.

All the standard unlocks are available to pad your gamerscore, like finishing the game on any of the three difficulty settings (they'd better stack, else there be hell to pay!) and defeating up to 500 specific enemy classes. One of the cooler achievements has to be, "Hero Of Midgard: Lead your army to victory at the final battle for all Midgard," which we're stoked about since we didn't realize Viking crossed over with Final Fantasy VII!

Oh, no wait that's Midgar. Never mind.

JoystiqViking: Battle for Asgard achievements pillage and plunder our gamerscores originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008-releasesachievementscreative-assemblysegavikingviking-battle-for-asgardWed, 05 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Viking website is up, new trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/viking-website-is-up-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/viking-website-is-up-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/viking-website-is-up-new-trailer/#commentsFiled under:


As journalists, this is exactly the sort of thing we're supposed to avoid, yet try as we might, we can't help but be inordinately excited for Viking: Battle for Asgard. It's like someone took the narrative style of 300, infused it with the tale of Beowulf, and then tossed in the epic battles of The Lord of the Rings. How can anyone not dig that? It doesn't hurt that the actual gameplay looks rock solid too. Granted, we won't know if it actually feels solid until we can lay our hands on a controller, but so far all the right pieces seem to be there. We say all of this to inform you that a new trailer has been released and also that the official website is now open for business. The website offers the usual melange of character and game information, all wrapped up in a pretty slick package. Check it out if you're so inclined, and don't forget to peruse our own image gallery below. Finally, find the new trailer after the break.

Continue reading Viking website is up, new trailer

JoystiqViking website is up, new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblysegavikingviking-battle-for-asgardThu, 07 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[See why Hel has it in for the Vikings battling for Asgard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/see-why-hel-has-it-in-for-the-vikings-battling-for-asgard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/see-why-hel-has-it-in-for-the-vikings-battling-for-asgard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/see-why-hel-has-it-in-for-the-vikings-battling-for-asgard/#commentsFiled under:

Up until recently, Sega's been relatively tight-lipped about the storyline surrounding Viking: Battle for Asgard.

Sure, we know the basic premise - Hel, the aptly named goddess of the underworld, unleashes her minions of wannabe Uruk-hai upon the vikings of Midgard. After Hel slaughters everything that breathes, the goddess Freya shows up to resurrect one of Midgard's fallen, Skarin, and imbues him with extraordinary powers. It's now up to Skarin to avenge his fellow vikings.

While that may sum up enough for some, we've been left wondering why Hel is hatin' on the poor vikings in the first place. Well, Sega recently cleared the air on Hel's intentions by giving us a full character background with some saucy images of this naughty little vixen and even more gameplay screens. Read on to see Hel's full character background straight from Sega's mouth.

Gallery: Viking:Battle for Asgard


Continue reading See why Hel has it in for the Vikings battling for Asgard

JoystiqSee why Hel has it in for the Vikings battling for Asgard originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblysegavikingviking-battle-for-asgardTue, 05 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Viking trailer pillages XBLM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/viking-trailer-pillages-xblm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/viking-trailer-pillages-xblm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/viking-trailer-pillages-xblm/#commentsFiled under: ,


Fanboys, it seems an apology is in order. You see, two trailers for Viking: Battle for Asgard were released late last year, a fact that escaped our notice. Why the apology you ask? Simple really, because the game looks hot to death, son. Graphically, the game looks very impressive, with hundreds of soldiers on screen at any given time. Throw in some nice fighting animations complete with very detailed and bloody dismemberment and you've got a decent looking game. Oh, and let's not forget the giant beasts of war. It's like someone squashed God of War and Lord of the Rings together and then covered there creation with manly viking paint. Both trailers have been embedded after the break. Watch them if you want, but you should know that the first trailer is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. As you might expect, it looks even better on your TV. We've also added a new Viking image gallery for your enjoyment. Now, if you'll excuse us, we could really go for some mead right now.

Continue reading Viking trailer pillages XBLM

JoystiqViking trailer pillages XBLM originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblysegavikingviking-battle-for-asgardxblmThu, 31 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Viking: Battle for Asgard screens make us say, 'hmm']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/new-viking-battle-for-asgard-screens-make-us-say-hmm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/new-viking-battle-for-asgard-screens-make-us-say-hmm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/new-viking-battle-for-asgard-screens-make-us-say-hmm/#commentsFiled under:


After seeing these newly released Viking: Battle for Asgard screens, it's a wonder that Sega doesn't have a mailbox full of lawsuits from all the other franchises that have "inspired" the game. We've already seen how suspiciously close the game's bad guys look to that of Peter Jackson's orcs, but you can also make the case that the game's giants look a lot like the El Gigantes from Resident Evil 4, too.

But hey, we're probably just nitpicking, right? The real story here is that Battle for Asgard appears to feature some really epic battles that are sure to be loads of fun, and these screens prove that. And even if the game is borrowing heavily from a few well-established franchises, at least they know who they should be emulating.

Gallery: Viking:Battle for Asgard

JoystiqNew Viking: Battle for Asgard screens make us say, 'hmm' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblysegavikingviking-battle-for-asgardSun, 13 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST