Sega and Valve announced today that Empire: Total War will make use of Steamworks for its release on the Steam delivery platform.
Empire: Total War retails for $49.99 and will be released on February 3, 2009.
Steamworks will support both the retail and electronic versions of the Empire: Total War game giving players game updates, downloadable content, friend-list support and achievements. To play single-player Empire: Total War, players need only to connect to the internet once via the Steam client after installing the game.All those who pre-order Empire: Total War will receive Rome: Total War immediately. That's right, two games for the price of one and the ability to immediately play one of those games.
Steamworks will serve as Empire: Total War's multiplayer backend, providing server browsing and match-making functionality, bolstering Total War's new level of commitment to multiplayer game modes and features. Further details on multiplayer will be announced soon.
"We are delighted to be working with an infrastructure as effective as Steam" said Mike Simpson, Studio Director at the Creative Assembly. "Having their matchmaking and support systems on board for Empire; Total War makes a huge difference both for players and for the development team. It not only helps make multiplayer slick and sizzling, it also frees up a huge chunk of the team's time which helps make the whole game better."
"Total War has become one of the most successful franchises in PC strategy gaming, one of the industry's mainstay genres," said Gabe Newell, president of Valve. "We're honored Sega selected Steamworks as they expand the franchise with leading-edge online services."
Empire: Total War is set in the 18th century, a turbulent era that is the most requested by Total War's loyal fan base and a period alive with global conflict, revolutionary fervor and technological advances. With themes such as the Industrial Revolution, America's struggle for independence, the race to control Eastern trade routes and the globalization of war on land and sea, Empire: Total War promises to be the richest and most dynamic PC RTS game of all time. Empire: Total War will be released on February 3 in North America and on February 6 in Europe and other territories worldwide.
Empire: Total War retails for $49.99 and will be released on February 3, 2009.