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: 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 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[Steam sale this weekend on The Binding of Isaac (also Modern Warfare 3, Total War)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/steam-sale-this-weekend-on-binding-of-isaac-modern-warfare-tot/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/steam-sale-this-weekend-on-binding-of-isaac-modern-warfare-tot/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/steam-sale-this-weekend-on-binding-of-isaac-modern-warfare-tot/#comments To celebrate the first birthday of The Binding of Isaac, the game will be 75 percent off, as well as the game's The Wrath of the Lamb expansion. The sale begins at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern).

Also, as a reminder, both the Total War series and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are on sale this weekend through the digital distribution service. Total War: Rome Gold is still only $1 for the next few hours.

JoystiqSteam sale this weekend on The Binding of Isaac (also Modern Warfare 3, Total War) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3steamthe-binding-of-isaactotal-warFri, 28 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[All Total War games 75% off, Modern Warfare 3 free weekend on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/all-total-war-games-75-off-modern-warfare-3-free-weekend-on-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/all-total-war-games-75-off-modern-warfare-3-free-weekend-on-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/all-total-war-games-75-off-modern-warfare-3-free-weekend-on-st/#comments Get Total War Rome for a buck, MW3 50% off on SteamSteam is demonstrating to power of war this weekend with deals on the Total War series and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Today, pick up Total War: Rome for 90 percent off ($1), or the Total War Master Collection, which includes every Total War game, for 75 percent off ($31). Individual Total War games are discounted 25 percent, with daily deals on certain titles.

This weekend Modern Warfare 3 is free-to-play and is selling for 50 percent off ($30). All of these deals end on Monday, October 1, at 10 a.m.

JoystiqAll Total War games 75% off, Modern Warfare 3 free weekend on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3macmodern-warfare-3pcSTEAMtotal-wartotal-war-romeThu, 27 Sep 2012 20:45:00 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[Steam Summer Sale, Day 7: Super Meat Boy, LA Noire, Total War, Indie Bundle 7 and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/steam-summer-sale-day-7-super-meat-boy-la-noire-total-war-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/steam-summer-sale-day-7-super-meat-boy-la-noire-total-war-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/steam-summer-sale-day-7-super-meat-boy-la-noire-total-war-i/#comments Steam Summer Sale, Day 7 Super Meat Boy, LA Noire, Total War, Indie Bundle 7 and moreWe're gonna let the "Ouch, my wallet!" jokes simmer for a couple days (or until we can think of a good one, whichever comes first) and instead we'll just give you all the straight poop on today's Steam Summer Sale offerings.

Amongst today's Most Discounted Things[TM] is the Carpe Fulgur series, which includes Chantelise - A Tale of Two Sisters, Fortune Summoners and Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale. Today's offering also boasts a heavily discounted Total War mega pack, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion and Super Meat Boy. In addition, there's a new Indie Bundle that features Q.U.B.E. and Dungeons of Dredmor, among other titles.

Oh! Here's one: What's the difference between a second mortgage and the Steam Summer Sale? With a second mortgage, at least you get to keep the house!

... No? Okay, maybe next time.

JoystiqSteam Summer Sale, Day 7: Super Meat Boy, LA Noire, Total War, Indie Bundle 7 and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chantelise-A-Tale-of-Two-SistersDungeons-of-DredmorFortune-SummonersLA-NoiremacpcqubeRecettear-An-Item-Shops-Talesins-of-a-solar-empire-rebellionSteamsteam-summer-sale-2012super-meat-boyTotal-WarWed, 18 Jul 2012 15:30:00 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[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[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[Grab every Sega game on Steam for $90]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/grab-every-sega-game-on-steam-for-90/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/grab-every-sega-game-on-steam-for-90/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/grab-every-sega-game-on-steam-for-90/#comments If you're a supporter of all of Sega's ludological offerings -- not just the ones that include attitude-infused blue rodents -- you'll want to check out the Sega Complete Pack on Steam. For $90, you can grab all of Sega's PC games currently available on the platform; a list that includes Empire: Total War (and all its expansions), Space Siege, The Club, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Aliens vs. Predator and a whole lot more. (Sorry Mac users, but almost all of these games are still only available to the Windows crowd.)

If you're looking for something a bit more cost-efficient, Steam is also offering Aliens vs. Predator alone at half price, for $24.99. But why not chip in the extra $65 and pick up more Total War games than you could ever play in a single lifetime? That seems like a sound economic decision to us.

JoystiqGrab every Sega game on Steam for $90 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 May 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-vs-predatorbundledealsalesegasonic-and-sega-all-stars-racingspace-siegesteamthe-clubtotal-warTue, 18 May 2010 23:30:00 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['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