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[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[Total War: Arena's ongoing quest to reshape competitive strategy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/total-war-arena-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/total-war-arena-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/total-war-arena-preview/#comments Creative Assembly has a good thing going with its Total War franchise. For seven games now, it's been remarkable successful at combining real-time tactics and turn-based strategy, making money and consistently expanding its studio. Their next game, Rome 2: Total War, a sequel to the most beloved game in the franchise, is as close to a sure thing as exists in the game industry. But the game after that? That's Total War: Arena, announced at the Game Developers Conference, and it's a major risk, one with even greater potential reward.

Create Assembly has enough confidence in its games and its audience that the reveal wasn't a movie or demo of the game. Instead, it used a set of abstract illustrations to demonstrate its ideas for Arena. A few of these examples used Rome 2 assets, and that game will provide the initial base for Arena, but it wasn't graphics that were announced.

Total War: Arena will be an online battle between teams of a maximum of ten players apiece, with the individual players controlling up to three units. It will be free-to-play, with in-game experience and currency used to upgrade your units or purchase new ones. The monetization scheme will be based on purchasing "accelerators" which will help you gain experience and/or currency quicker, as opposed to pay-to-win or gated content.

Continue reading Total War: Arena's ongoing quest to reshape competitive strategy

JoystiqTotal War: Arena's ongoing quest to reshape competitive strategy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcthe-creative-assemblytotal-wartotal-war-arenaThu, 25 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Total War fan will live on as a character in Rome 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/total-war-fan-will-live-on-as-a-character-in-rome-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/total-war-fan-will-live-on-as-a-character-in-rome-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/total-war-fan-will-live-on-as-a-character-in-rome-2/#comments Total War fan immortalized in Rome 2
The Creative Assembly has decided to include the likeness of one of their fans, named James, in the upcoming Total War: Rome 2. James visited the studio last year the day after the game was announced, and unfortunately passed away from a bout with liver cancer just recently. The Creative Assembly says he was the first person in the world from outside the studio to play the game, and character artist Mauro Bonelli offered to assemble a model of James from reference photos and measurements.

The screenshot above is a mockup for now, as Creative Assembly community manager Craig Laycock says the company isn't sure where he'll end up. But he will be in there, according to Laycock, and the team is "determined to make it a fitting tribute" to their fan when the game is on shelves later this year.

JoystiqTotal War fan will live on as a character in Rome 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactercoolcraig-laycockfanjameslikenessliver-cancermauro-bonellipcrepresentationsadthe-creative-assemblytotal-war-rome-2Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 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[Total War: Rome 2 trailer is full of murder and intrigue, light on strategy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/03/total-war-rome-2-trailer-is-full-of-murder-and-intrigue-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/03/total-war-rome-2-trailer-is-full-of-murder-and-intrigue-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/03/total-war-rome-2-trailer-is-full-of-murder-and-intrigue-light/#comments
Have the folks at The Creative Assembly been studying up on Spartacus?

JoystiqTotal War: Rome 2 trailer is full of murder and intrigue, light on strategy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>live-actionpcreal-time-strategyromesegateaseteaserthe-creative-assemblytotal-war-rome-2Tue, 03 Jul 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[Creative Assembly's untitled Alien project aimed at next-gen too]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/creative-assemblys-untitled-alien-project-aimed-at-next-gen-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/creative-assemblys-untitled-alien-project-aimed-at-next-gen-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/creative-assemblys-untitled-alien-project-aimed-at-next-gen-too/#comments ImageThe Creative Assembly has revealed that its Aliens game, which has been known to be in production since last year, is expected to pounce on next-generation PlayBoxes, in addition to current systems. We'd like to imagine it's kinda like the scary little mouth hiding inside of the bigger, scarier mouth.

"The successful applicant will be working on a AAA multi-platform title on current and future generation consoles set in the Alien universe," the job listing for a programmer read. Now, we know what you're thinking: Wii U, right? Sure, let's not rule it out, but the wording specifically calls out experience in Xbox 360, PS3 and PC development.

You may best recognize The Creative Assembly from its work on Sega's Total War series of real-time strategy games.

JoystiqCreative Assembly's untitled Alien project aimed at next-gen too originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliennext-generationsegathe-creative-assemblyuntitled-alien-projectFri, 04 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai brings progress (and death) to Total War]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/shogun-2-fall-of-the-samurai-brings-progress-and-death-to-tot/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/shogun-2-fall-of-the-samurai-brings-progress-and-death-to-tot/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/shogun-2-fall-of-the-samurai-brings-progress-and-death-to-tot/#comments
Sega has announced a new standalone expansion for Total War: Shogun 2, called Fall of the Samurai, that introduces new units, a new campaign map, and new content to the acclaimed tactical strategy title. As you can see in the trailer above, the biggest new addition to the title is the inclusion of more modern Western troops and weapons, including a Gatling gun, as well as British and US troops and marines.

There are six new playable clans to deal with the American, British and French foreign powers, and there are 39 new units in total (including ten new ships), as well as four new historical scenarios to play. Multiplayer is also getting revamped, as are a few other gameplay mechanics, including siege battles.

Sega and The Creative Assembly plan to have the title ready to go in March of next year. If the trailer is any indication, the samurai should probably start making bulletproof armor right about now.

Gallery: Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai

JoystiqShogun 2: Fall of the Samurai brings progress (and death) to Total War originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionpcsegashogun-2-fall-of-the-samuraistandalonestrategythe-creative-assemblytotal-wartotal-war-shogun-2Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:10:00 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[Another Alien title in the works, this time at The Creative Assembly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/another-alien-title-in-the-works-this-time-at-the-creative-asse/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/another-alien-title-in-the-works-this-time-at-the-creative-asse/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/another-alien-title-in-the-works-this-time-at-the-creative-asse/#comments Many studios have tried and failed to make games with the iconic film series Alien at the center. The Creative Assembly, it seems, are the next to step up to the plate, announcing today that the UK-based RTS studio is working on an "action" Alien game. But unlike TCA's popular Total War series, the game is headed to consoles as well.

A message posted on the studio's website cursorily details the project, only saying, "New team. New console project. Alien IP." Rock, Paper, Shotgun happened to be at The Creative Assembly's offices when the game was announced (how fortuitous!), and learned that the title will be developed by the same crew who worked on Viking: Battle for Asgard.

Additionally, TCA will be growing the team dramatically, opening a "new 10,000 square foot studio" to accommodate as many as 200 workers.

Update: Sega provided Joystiq with this statement regarding the project: "We can confirm work is underway at Creative Assembly on an unannounced title in the Alien(s) universe and the Creative Assembly are looking for highly talented staff worldwide to help in the development process."

JoystiqAnother Alien title in the works, this time at The Creative Assembly originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20th-century-foxaliensegathe-creative-assemblyuntitled-alien-projectviking-battle-for-asgardThu, 12 May 2011 11:34:00 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[Shogun 2: Total War trailer assembles for battle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/shogun-2-total-war-trailer-assembles-for-battle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/shogun-2-total-war-trailer-assembles-for-battle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/shogun-2-total-war-trailer-assembles-for-battle/#comments There's totally a war going down between the old and new shogun, and this latest CGI trailer for Shogun 2: Total War from The Creative Assembly and Sega really demonstrates that. Thankfully for us, it's a virtual war based on events that took place long ago. Whew!

Continue reading Shogun 2: Total War trailer assembles for battle

JoystiqShogun 2: Total War trailer assembles for battle originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cgipcrtssegashogun-2-total-warstrategythe-creative-assemblySat, 12 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shogun 2: Total War gameplay demonstration is longer than most actual wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/shogun-2-total-war-gameplay-demonstration-is-longer-than-most-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/shogun-2-total-war-gameplay-demonstration-is-longer-than-most-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/shogun-2-total-war-gameplay-demonstration-is-longer-than-most-a/#comments You can't get much more bang for your buck than this gameplay demo video for Shogun 2: Total War. Well, actually, all the trailers we post are free, so there's no "buck" required. Regardless, at sixteen minutes and change, this one's guaranteed to take a good chunk out of your day.

Continue reading Shogun 2: Total War gameplay demonstration is longer than most actual wars

JoystiqShogun 2: Total War gameplay demonstration is longer than most actual wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diarypcrtsshogun-2-total-warthe-creative-assemblyFri, 17 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shogun 2: Total War deploys to retail on March 15, 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/shogun-2-total-war-deploys-to-retail-on-march-15-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/shogun-2-total-war-deploys-to-retail-on-march-15-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/shogun-2-total-war-deploys-to-retail-on-march-15-2011/#comments On March 15, 2011, Shogun 2: Total War will wage war for your dollars (and maybe a few cents, too) when the next installment in The Creative Assembly's strategy series launches on March 15, 2011. The sequel will not only boast a new AI system "inspired" by Sun Tsu's Art of War, but also a host of graphical upgrades including deferred lighting and tweaked fire and explosive damage. There will also be some new mo-cap combat animations to see.

Along with the announcement, Sega sent along some new screens. Assault our gallery below and conquer them with your eyeballs.

Gallery: Shogun 2: Total War (11/11/2010)

JoystiqShogun 2: Total War deploys to retail on March 15, 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcRTSSegashogun-2-total-warstrategythe-creative-assemblyThu, 11 Nov 2010 20:41:00 EST<![CDATA[European developers rally to help ex-Realtime Worlds employees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/european-developers-rally-to-help-ex-realtime-world-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/european-developers-rally-to-help-ex-realtime-world-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/european-developers-rally-to-help-ex-realtime-world-employees/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's when things seem at their darkest when the true light and goodness of humanity can really shine through ... or something like that. Following APB developer Realtime Worlds' decision to go into administration -- and the 75 percent staff cut the studio was forced to undergo -- fellow game developers Codemasters, The Creative Assembly, Blitz Games Studios, Activision and Sony Europe have announced recruitment events in the coming weeks to help the displaced staff get back on its feet.

There should be plenty of openings to go around for the 185 unemployed artists, writers and programmers -- Codemasters alone is reportedly looking for 150 new hires to fill its UK studios and The Creative Assembly is staffing up to work on an "unannounced AAA title" for Sega. Not to be outdone, Activision's also making a huge hiring push -- though these unfortunate souls will be relegated to the dance cages located in the foyer of Bobby Kotick's Miami-based "party palace." (Fine, we made that last part up. Please don't sue us.)

JoystiqEuropean developers rally to help ex-Realtime Worlds employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionAPBblitz-gamescodemasterseuropelayoffspcrealtime-worldssceesony-computer-entertainment-europethe-creative-assemblyThu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:00 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[Rumor: Shogun 2: Total War to be shown at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/29/rumor-shogun-2-total-war-to-be-shown-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/29/rumor-shogun-2-total-war-to-be-shown-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/29/rumor-shogun-2-total-war-to-be-shown-at-e3/#comments A Turkish site named Oyungezer has reportedly leaked news of a direct sequel to the very first game in the critically acclaimed historical combat Total War series. The site mentioned in a deleted post that Shogun 2: Total War would be on display at E3 in a few weeks. Soon after, Voodoo Extreme posted a leaked fact sheet for the game, which will reportedly be developed by The Creative Assembly and published by Sega. According to the fact sheet, it will contain character progression across nine different Japanese clans, as well as improved war simulation gameplay on both land and sea. The fact sheet sets the release date in 2011.

Joystiq contacted Sega to ask about the rumor, and we were told that it "can't comment on news about the next Total War game," so it looks like Sega's lips are sealed, at least until E3.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqRumor: Shogun 2: Total War to be shown at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 May 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-progressione3-2010fact-sheetrelease-datesegasequelshogun-2-total-warshogun-total-warthe-creative-assemblytotal-warturkishSat, 29 May 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Napoleon: Total War whipping out The Peninsular Campaign this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/napoleon-total-war-whipping-out-the-peninsular-campaign-this-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/napoleon-total-war-whipping-out-the-peninsular-campaign-this-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/napoleon-total-war-whipping-out-the-peninsular-campaign-this-su/#comments
Click to enlarge ... the picture. What are you, 10?
Stop giggling -- this is a serious expansion to the critically acclaimed historical strategy game about the fight between Napoleon and various European powers over the Iberian Peninsula in the early 1800s. The Peninsular Campaign (seriously, stop) adds a new campaign map to Napoleon: Total War featuring Britain, Spain and Portugal countering Napoleon's French forces, as well as three new agent types (priest, provocateur and the Guerrillero) and new features for multiplayer.

Extra content and new challenges will make the game longer and harder (really?) than ever before. For those interested, the add-on pack will be available exclusively through Steam later on this summer. The rest of you, get your minds out of the gutter.

Gallery: Napoleon: Total War - The Peninsular Campaign

JoystiqNapoleon: Total War whipping out The Peninsular Campaign this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 May 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentexclusivehistorynapoleon-total-warnapoleon-total-war-the-peninsular-campaignsegasteamsteam-exclusivestrategythe-creative-assemblythe-peninsular-campaigntotal-warThu, 27 May 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Total War games 66% off on Steam this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/total-war-games-66-off-on-steam-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/total-war-games-66-off-on-steam-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/total-war-games-66-off-on-steam-this-week/#comments Strategic war game buffs, take note: All of the Total War titles on Steam are receiving a massive discount this week, to the tune of a whopping 66 percent off. In fact, you can pick up the Total War Mega Pack, which includes Medieval II: Total War, Rome: Total War -- including the Alexander and Kingdoms expansions -- and Empire: Total War for $20.39. Additionally, the Empire: Total War Downloadable Content Pack, containing all the Empire content released thus far, is available for 10 percent off at $16.19.

Incidentally -- but probably not coincidentally -- the latest game in the series, Napoleon: Total War, releases February 23.

JoystiqTotal War games 66% off on Steam this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealsmedieval-2-total-warnapoleon-total-warrome-total-warsalessegasteamthe-creative-assemblytotal-warTue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab a friend and watch this Napoleon: Total War trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/grab-a-friend-and-watch-this-napoleon-total-war-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/grab-a-friend-and-watch-this-napoleon-total-war-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/grab-a-friend-and-watch-this-napoleon-total-war-trailer/#commentsThe latest trailer showcasing Napoleon: Total War takes us for a decidedly multiplayer spin. Whether it's playing through the three multiplayer campaigns (Italy, Egypt and Europe) or one of the historic battle recreations for up to eight players, it's apparent that the quest for RTS enjoyment isn't one you'll have to face alone. There's even drop-in support for the main campaign, allowing one of your friends to take over for any of your ill-fated CPU opponents in a given match.

JoystiqGrab a friend and watch this Napoleon: Total War trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>multiplayernapoleon-total-warreal-time-strategyrtssegathe-creative-assemblyThu, 28 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Imperial Edition' of Napoleon: Total War not short on goodies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/imperial-edition-of-napoleon-total-war-not-short-on-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/imperial-edition-of-napoleon-total-war-not-short-on-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/imperial-edition-of-napoleon-total-war-not-short-on-goodies/#comments The "Imperial Edition" of Napoleon Total War includes DLC that may give it a boost over the standard edition. The special edition steps up the presentation with a wall chart displaying the history of the French general's conquests and includes codes for 10 exclusive units. It also comes with the five units found in the Elite Regiment bundle, but that's already included in the standard edition's box set.

Actually, thinking about it, the Imperial Edition can get off its high horse, it's not all that fantastic. Availability and pricing for the special edition in the States has yet to be announced.

[Via Big Download]

Joystiq'Imperial Edition' of Napoleon: Total War not short on goodies originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>napoleon-total-warthe-creative-assemblytotal-warThu, 26 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stormrise only supports DirectX 10, is Vista-exclusive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/stormrise-only-supports-directx-10-is-vista-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/stormrise-only-supports-directx-10-is-vista-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/stormrise-only-supports-directx-10-is-vista-exclusive/#commentsIt's now confirmed that The Creative Assembly's upcoming RTS title, Stormrise, will only support DirectX 10 on the PC, thus making it exclusive to Windows Vista by default.

In an interview with PC Games Hardware, Stormrise lead designer Artem Kulakov confirms the title's DX10 support, making it the first (and possibly only) Vista-exclusive game (Update: Uh, except for all those other ones). According to Kulakov, the reason for only supporting DX10 is to make it easier to port to console platforms and to give the developer an "opportunity to increase performance and improve visual quality."

While we aren't experts in the field of how to launch a new franchise, we suspect that limiting the potential user base to only those with Vista (and without some hacking skillz) seems counterproductive to the goal of making a profit.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqStormrise only supports DirectX 10, is Vista-exclusive originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dx10rtssegastormrisethe-creative-assemblyvistawindows-vistaWed, 04 Mar 2009 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Avert your eyes! Stormrise box art revealed, hideous]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/avert-your-eyes-stormrise-box-art-revealed-hideous/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/avert-your-eyes-stormrise-box-art-revealed-hideous/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/avert-your-eyes-stormrise-box-art-revealed-hideous/#comments
Stormrise is an upcoming console RTS from The Creative Assembly, developer of the Total War series. Among the standard promise of intuitive console controls, Creative Assembly is introducing "verticality" to console RTS players. Units can be deployed in the air, on rooftops, at ground level, or below the planet's surface. Okay. So far, so good ...

Uh-oh, wait a minute. Stormrise's box art looks like the class project of a paint-by-numbers after school program. Sure, it's the game inside that matters -- and we're excited for it -- but imagine if, instead of saying Stormrise on the cover, the box read RoboCop vs. Zombies. This art would still totally work, and probably be twice as rad.

JoystiqAvert your eyes! Stormrise box art revealed, hideous originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>box-artboxartfuglyreal-time-strategyrtsstormrisethe-creative-assemblyWed, 04 Feb 2009 14:45:00 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[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 still looks incredible]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/viking-battle-for-asgard-still-looks-incredible/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/viking-battle-for-asgard-still-looks-incredible/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/viking-battle-for-asgard-still-looks-incredible/#commentsFiled under:

Sure, we've played games with basically the same premise, location and enemies as Viking: Battle for Asgard, but one thing's for certain, we haven't grown tired of them yet. Battle for Asgard is shaping up to be a must-buy, and with The Creative Assembly, which is responsible for the excellent Total War series, at the helm, we're confident that it will deliver the goods.

The game has a spring 2008 release date, which is great, because we should finally be finished with our immense backlog of games to devote our attention to it.

JoystiqViking: Battle for Asgard still looks incredible originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>segathe-creative-assemblyvikingviking-battle-for-asgardWed, 12 Dec 2007 20:45:00 EST