FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

SEGA of America and SEGA Europe today announced Empire: Total War, the revolutionary new installment of The Creative Assembly’s award-winning Total War RTS franchise. Empire: Total War will maintain the series’ genre-leading 3D battles, grand turn-based campaign map and rich historical essence while also introducing for the first time 3D naval combat to the series.

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 discord, 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 among the richest and most dynamic PC RTS games of all time.

Empire: Total War will see the debut of 3D naval combat within the Total War franchise. PC gamers will intuitively command vast armadas or single ships upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummeling the enemy with cannon fire, gamers can close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board, taking control of the sailors as they fight hand to hand on the decks.

Along with the revolutionary introduction of naval combat, Empire: Total War will see further enhancements to the Total War series’ signature 3D battles and turn-based campaign map. Real-time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map — for many the heart of Total War — will see new improved systems for trade, diplomacy and espionage, a refined and streamlined UI, improved Advisors and extended scope that takes in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and the untapped potential of North America.

Empire: Total War has already been in development at The Creative Assembly’s Horsham studio and is priming its forces for a release in 2008. For more information, visit www.totalwar.com.