JoWood Launches Official "Against Rome" Website

Set in Europe at the time of the migration of nations (about 200-450 AD), "Against Rome" takes the player to that part of the continent that has not yet succumbed to the Roman Empire. This vast territory, which the Romans disparagingly called barbaricum, is the home of numerous primitive nations. Skirmishes, raids and plunderings were the order of the day for these barbarians and are, therefore, the great theme of this game. It was here that the forces rallied which would eventually cause the fall and decline of the mighty Roman Empire.

Atlanteans Call On The Titans for Divine Intervention in "Titans" Expansion Pack

The career of a Greek hero from the lost city of Atlantis chronicled in the original Microsoft title "Age of Mythology", takes a new turn in the soon-to-be-released "Titans" expansion pack. A new faction, the Atlanteans, will have the ability to call upon Titans for divine intervention and cultural bonuses that will let it manipulate time and space. The Atlanteans will also have the intriguing ability to convert some of their regular units into powerful hero characters. "Titans" is scheduled for a September 2003 release.

Norse Mythology featured in "Mythica", new PC game from Microsoft

From the grassy fields and eternal spring of Asgard to the fiery heart of Muspellheim, the world of Norse mythology envelopes players of Microsofts upcoming title Mythica. Using godlike powers, players can dispel droves of menacing monsters with a single blow or battle massive, monstrous beasts such as the Midgard Serpent.

Mythicas "Private Realms" technology provides story lines and environments that react to each players actions. Here players become the central characters in a heroic tale where actions have lasting consequences in their own persistent game world.

"When playing Mythica, players will feel like genuine Norse heroes on a personalized journey unique to them," said Adam Waalkes, studio manager for role-playing games at Microsoft Corp.

Medieval Total War Vikings Invasion Expansion pack to feature Battle of Stamford Bridge

The Battle of Stamford Bridge will be the new historical battle added to the Vikings Invasion Expansion pack for Medieval Total War due out in May. The expansion pack will include a dozen new soldiers types. Players who take up the banner of Spain can recruit the all-new javelinmen units, players who play as Russia will be able to recruit steppe heavy cavalry, and players who side with Byzantium will be able to add lancers to their armies. A fierce new weapon called the organ gun is also introduced. The organ gun essentially consists of several large arquebuses (early precursors to the rifle) mounted on the same artillery structure This powerful new weapon will fire extremely damaging salvos that will cut into your enemies' numbers and morale.

Legion Gold offers 3 new campaigns

Brand new features in Legion Gold include:
* 3 new campaigns including the Hispania, Germanic, and Elysium fantasy campaign
* Battle system - improved strategic and tactical elements
* Improved - diplomatic, economic and management elements
* 3 levels of difficulty - provide a challenge to all gamers

Pax Romana

Experience the glory years of the Empire in Ancient Rome! Pax Romana is the first strategy game in which all the players must collaborate in order to survive while, of course, struggling against each other in a bid to become the sole ruler of Rome. Wannadoo plans to release this title in Q4 2003.

Players try to escape the curse in "The Eye of Isis"

The Eye of Isis, a priceless Egyptian statuette, has mysteriously disappeared. In occult circles, rumour has it that an ancient curse hangs over the statuette, ready to strike anyone who dares touch it. No victim of the curse will escape madness or a painful death.
Indestructible, the curse is apparently a gaseous entity which possesses all bodies and objects within its reach, thus avenging the Eye of Isis against all those who dare defile the idol. Release date October 2003.

Wannadoo to release "Crusaders" October 2003

Between 1150 and 1250, the Holy Lands went through a pivotal period dominated by fear and chaos, and where everything could change dramatically from one moment to the next. The strategic choices made by the Frankish barons in the region were to reveal themselves crucial to the survival of the Eastern Roman Empire. On the one side, three well-known western monarchs were involved in the Crusades: Richard the Lion-Hearted, Philip Augustus and Frederick Barbarossa. On the other, the unifier of Islam, Saladin, was growing ever more powerful and was mortally opposed to the Crusades.
As an ambitious young noble, will you be able to take advantage of this knife-edge situation to establish your own stronghold in the Holy Land?

Save The Leopards

The Romans passion for wild beast hunts during the games in their amphitheaters resulted in the extinction of a number of species of animals once found within the realm of the Roman Empire. Buka Entertainment of Russia has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to use a game to encourage players to develop strategies to conserve a particular wildlife species.


"This unique game represents a model of absolutely real situation with leopards population. At the very beginning of the game you are given certain monetary funds and you should use them properly to save the remaining leopards in the Far East: you may spend them on fire-fighting, forest reserves and etc. You are free to choose a strategy, but remember: if you manage to heighten leopards population from 30 up to 100 units within 30 years you win! Afterwards you may report about the strategy you invented for leopards saving to the WWF executives."

I also noticed that JoWood Productions is planning to release a game called WildlifePark that also looks promising. The first strategy game I ever played (that hooked me on strategy games) was called "Eco: East Africa" where you are the administrator of a wildlife preserve in East Africa and must juggle the needs of the animals, local villagers, tourists, researchers, etc. and build a successful preserve with a diverse, thriving population of animals.

Sphinx announced for Q3 2003

An ancient Egyptian Universal Empire once joined several worlds through Solar Disc portals. The old empire was destroyed and the civilizations in each world have suffered different fates, some of them have continued contact and others have lost it. These worlds have been separated for such a long time that many of them would not recognize each other.

The legend says that two forces, one negative, one positive, are trying to recover the old empire and all of its crowns again. The chain of communication between the worlds remains partially abandoned, partially destroyed and so unstable that to use it is a sure way to cause even more problems and dangers. For that reason, long time ago the Great Wall in Heliopolis was built to protect the civilians. Many people have used the portals but disappeared without trace.

As Sphinx, you will travel throughout the world via magic portals to stop the evil plans of Set and retrieve the stolen crowns of Egypt. This new adventure game for the PlayStation 2 and the GameCube is being developed by THQ and developer Eurocom.

Ancient Conquest on sale at GoGamer for only $6.90 (US)

Inspired by the legends, gods and myths of Greek Mythology, Ancient Conquest is the story of Jason, a Greek hero who must sail to a distant island to find and retrieve the Golden Fleece to lift a curse that has been laid upon his land. Throughout your journey you must recruit other heroes to help you on your quest. Their skills will help you on your journey and aid in your epic battles to defeat barbarians and Persians who robbed you of your ships and settlements.

I, Gladiator for PS2 and XBox set for fall release

In the year 106 A.D., you are a Roman slave who must learn how to use a multitude of weapons to fight both within and outside the arena. Your opponents are both human and mythological. Sort of a "Gladiator" meets "Jason and the Argonauts".

Robin Hood Defender of the Crown available for PC in June

In this time of lawlessness, only an outlaw can lead the people to freedom. One man, the embodiment of true honor, vows to save his people and restore peace to the land. This man is known as Robin Hood. From the small-scale skirmishes with the Sheriff of Nottingham in Sherwood Forest, Robin finds himself drawn into the larger the battlefields of England, and the hero of the poor must become the savior of an entire nation.

Medieval Total War Viking Invasion Expansion pack to be released mid-May

"We felt the era of Nordic raiders offered the perfect opportunity to add new flavors to the Medieval: Total War experience," said Tim Ansell, founder and managing director of Creative Assembly. "Players can now sweep west from Scandinavia to raid, pillage, and conquer just as they did over 1200 years ago."

Dreamcatcher to release "The Omega Stone"

Decipher cryptic Mayan codices. Search through the ruins of Chichen Itza, discovering lost chambers, tombs, and passageways overlooked for centuries deep within the exotic Yucatan jungle. Explore the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge. Uncover a secret sect of Celtic Priests and Guardians and explore the sacred Celtic grounds. Discover the secret linking all of these ancient civilizations in The Omega Stone.

Egypt II The Heliopolis Prophecy

As a young Egyptian woman called Tiffet, search for a remedy for the strange illness afflicting her adopted father and discover if simple negligence and subsequent cover-ups of the spoiled wheat crop, is causing the disastrous illness throughout the city.

Empire Earth Gold released

Empire Earth Gold that includes the original Empire Earth, the Empire Earth Art of Conquest expansion pack, and an Official Strategy Guide with award-winning strategies and advice from tournament champions for both games has been released by Vivendi. The bundle also includes new terrain and graphic enhancements for improved, realistic environments.

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Eidos "Praetorians" nears release

The three factions in the game--the Romans, the Germans, and the Egyptians--have distinct looks to their units and buildings and each side seems to have different strengths: the Romans naturally have the best infantry, the Germans have strong cavalry, and the Egyptians have tough chariots and better special abilities, particularly the commander, which can summon a mirage to create decoy units. Stealth, ambushes, and scouting also play an unusually important role in Praetorians' battles.

For more see Eidos Interactive.

New Screenshots Released for "Rome Total War"

Rome Total War" by developer Creative Assembly continues to look very promising with the release of additional screenshots. "Tim Ansell, managing director of The Creative Assembly claims "The cinematic battles are beyond anything ever before seen in a game!" Creative Assembly continues to collect kudos for its award-winning strategy game "Medieval Total War" with the announcement of its 2002 EMMA International award for technical excellence in sound.

Introduce your Sims to the Roman Empire!

A very talented artist, beall_c@denison.edu, has graciously provided a wealth of objects and "skins" to help Sims enthusiasts introduce their virtual characters to the Roman Empire and its neighbors. He developed some Celt ruffians and suggests: "For real fun, get a group of these ruffians and make them live like barbarians-- no toilets, beds, entertainment; then invite them over to your legions fort and watch the fun begin." He has even produced skins based on the film "Gladiator"!