Let The Battle Begin!

EA Games to resurrect feudal Japan in Shogun: Total War Warlord Edition for the PC.

Posted by Staff
Feudal Japan is under attack from invading Mongol hordes in Shogun: Total War Warlord Edition for the PC, the successor to the highly acclaimed real-time strategy game - Shogun: Total War from Electronic Arts. Shogun: Total War Warlord Edition will offer a new enemy that threatens to destroy the country, an array of new and improved features as well as reintroduce players to the original Shogun title that delivered a revolutionary style of gameplay through its epic size battles. The title will allow players to take command of thousands of warriors, each with his own unique Artificial Intelligence (AI) and fighting characteristics to unify Japan under his own powerful warlord.

Players will take on the role of a sixteenth Century Japanese general - the Daimyo (clan leader) - leading and controlling massive real-life clans, each with its own characteristics. Shogun: Total War Warlord Edition stays true to the inspirational writings of the mysterious warrior-philosopher Sun Tzu, author of the seminal book on strategy, The Art of War. Unlike any game to date, Shogun: Total Warlord Edition utilizes more than 300 rules taken from Sun Tzu's work to ensure accurate and unpredictable AI character behavior and reaction.

The Warlord Edition builds upon the excitement of battle found in Shogun: Total War with the inclusion of Kublai Khan's invading Mongol hordes that try and conquer Japan in the greatest external threat the Samurai ever faced. Players can play from either side - assume the side of Kublai and the Mongols or engage in battle against them. In addition, players can take on the role of one of Japan's greatest Daimyos (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu) to fight their infamous battles in the "Campaigns of the Three Unifiers."

Adding to the game experience are new features such as six battlefield units including the Kensai (sword saints), Battlefield Ninja, Korean Auxiliary Infantry and the Mongol Cavalry. Players can also improve their holdings with new region upgrades as well as their armies with new buildings, such as the Drill Dojo and Strategy School where AI generals learn the teachings of Sun Tzu. There are also new strategy map scenarios that take players straight into the fiercest conflicts of the Sengoku Jidai for quick tactical battles.

Additional key features include:
Multi-player campaign strategy map - up to eight players via LAN or the Internet will be able to engage in battle across Japan in the quest of becoming Shogun. Additionally, the network connection has been updated to improve performance and stability.
Map Editor - Create and/or edit new maps to share over the Internet.
Scenario Editor - Define the strategy map starting positions and set up individual campaigns for both single and multi-player games.
Multiple Battle Modes - two new additions in which the goal is to defeat the enemy Daimyo or capture tactical points such as castles.
Unit Training -- Improve solider skills and equipment.
Stunning Art - Crisp Full Motion Video animation and high resolution still art.

Fans of the original Shogun title will appreciate the upgrades and improvements made such as: graphics capable of taking full advantage of several 3D graphics cards which result in polished unit graphics, textures and special effects; advanced AI for more challenging enemies; and a more intuitive interface with streamlined camera views and improved battlefields controls.

The game is currently under development for a Spring 2001 release under the EA GAMES™ brand. Shogun: Total War Warlord Edition for the PC is being developed by UK-based Creative Assembly, produced by Dreamtime Interactive and will be published in North America by Electronic Arts.

More information and art on the Shogun titles can be found on the product web site at: http://www.totalwar.com.