News

Creative Assembly confirms Total War: Rome II for PC in 2013
Posted: 02.07.2012 13:59 by Jamie Davey Comments: 53
SEGA and The Creative Assembly today confirmed the development of Total War: Rome II, which will be released exclusively for the PC in 2013.

Total War: Rome II takes players into the dangerous political machinations of Rome’s senate, while asking them to struggle with family dilemmas and question the loyalty of ‘friends’ and allies.

Will you help forge an empire? Restore the Republic? Or grasp the reins of power for yourself, and assume the hated title of tyrant? Who will you conquer? Who will you betray? Who will you sacrifice?

 
"Our games have always encompassed a grand vision", said Mike Simpson, Creative Director. "But we’re now pushing that vision at both ends of the spectrum. From the immense reach of the sandbox campaign right down to the human-level drama of a single warrior on the battlefield, we're aiming for an unprecedented level of detail and scale".

"In our 25th year of games development, it feels fitting to return to our most critically acclaimed era", continued Rob Bartholomew, Brand Director. "There’s been a multi-generational leap in technology since the original game and we are ready to set another benchmark in gaming."

Total War: Rome II will be released exclusively for the PC in 2013.

Comments

By the_fourth_horseman (SI Veteran Member) on Jul 02, 2012
the_fourth_horseman
jolly good !
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
Well then that's settled, late Republican Rome. Right around the time the Empire was formed no doubt. I am intrigued with their "Republic or empire" suggestion there, possibly a bit more of an involved political system?
By JustCommunication (SI Core) on Jul 02, 2012
JustCommunication
Looks like I was wrong about not doing a full-Europe map again as well. I haven't been able to find the quote again anyway, but reading a Eurogamer preview seems to suggest they're going big again. That's a relief!

Yeah, text does read very much like late-republic era, probably will have Carthage again as a faction so you can simulate the Punic wars... shame. I'm a bigger fan of post-Augustus Rome and the Post-Marian Legions.. I imagine they'll be mid-to-late game abstracts again like before. Never mind... I'll always have Roma Surrectum.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
Well the problem with post Augustus is....who are you fighting exactly? You're it! ^^

Pre Marius I'd love to see though, before Rome got it's hands over all the penninsula.
By the_fourth_horseman (SI Veteran Member) on Jul 02, 2012
the_fourth_horseman
That means you'll be running a huge faction right from the start right?

I enjoy conquering and expanding more than defending and retaining...
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
nocutius
Same here, most of the fun comes from creating the empire from the ground up.
By danfreeman (SI Core) on Jul 02, 2012
danfreeman
Agreed with conquering everithing on your own,what i liked a lot in original RTW was that at the beggining you were focused on expanding the empire along with the other major famillies and later you had to fight to ensure you reign supreme,now it looks like you`re just gonna do the latter which makes me a little dissapointed.
By JustCommunication (SI Core) on Jul 02, 2012
JustCommunication
Yeah, I see your point, but there was still a lot of wars and expansions... the invasion of Briton wasn't until AD 40 something, and if you started it at the beginning of Augustus' reign you'd still have a lot of Gaul, Germany, Egypt etc... To expand into, and then you just fill it with enemies who want you dead.

Maybe give me the late-republic time frame, but the high-imperial Legions :P that would be all kinds of a-historical win.

I wouldn't be so dismissive danfreeman just yet though... It’s possible you have to work with other Roman factions... they do want to delve more deeply into the political aspect, but ultimately at this stage its a "wait and see" thing.
By danfreeman (SI Core) on Jul 02, 2012
danfreeman
Oh i`m sure i`m going to enjoy it regardless and who knows,maybe they`ll release a dlc that will make you fight at the beggining of the roman empire :)
By Longsword (SI Core Member) on Jul 02, 2012
Longsword
Just seeing this announcement makes me excited. Rome: Total War has always been my favorite in the series. And just seeing naval battles? Pardon me while I go watch a key scene from Ben-Hur ;)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
As long as they don't cut Rome up into three neat little factions like last time. That made NO sense.
By JustCommunication (SI Core) on Jul 02, 2012
JustCommunication
Historical abstration for the purposes of creating an entertainment product rarely does :P
By danfreeman (SI Core) on Jul 02, 2012
danfreeman
Actually it did make quite a bit of sense,you have to remember Roderick that romans were very corrupt,and every family wanted to be the biggest no matter what,the situation with the three major families and the senate fighting each other was very realistic,when the romans weren`t at war with other countries they were at each other`s throat,a lot of times even when they we`re at war they kept trying to earn favor among the senate or the people,they were a very political empire.
Edit:They just decided to put you in charge of a family instead of the whole empire,that to me was a brilliant move.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
I have a stack of books on Ancient Rome taller than I am! I'm quite aware of the politics ^^

My point is that the way they just took the map and cut out three little section that three predetermined families ruled with absolute power like it was a kingdom makes no sense at all. Families don't own hereditary titles in Rome, it's all up for grabs. And the guy that was governor of Syria only had the station for a year, then it passed to another official quite likely from a different family. Nothing was static, it all shifted.

Now I'm all for leading families! I just think it's too hard to do right for a game like this.
By Longsword (SI Core Member) on Jul 02, 2012
Longsword
You know what's strange? Herod has yet to comment on this...
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
By Averruncus, you're right! This is a sign of the apocalypse! *sacrifices a goat*
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
Just google it people...
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
Kres
Screeeeeeeeeeeeeenshooooooooooooooooots! Wohooo. That looks so good, I'm sure it wont work! Without a CTD or two, every few minutes. Don't buy it people! It's a trap

Herod despises RTW2 Longsword. We might not see him here. He doesn't want to contribute to the idea :)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
But he comments on EVERYTHING! Well, everything even remotely noticeable. Once again I must insist we sacrifice someone to Averruncus!

...ehm, did I say someone? I meant something, of course *giggles nervously*
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
Kres
Wait no early era? Just later roman era? Oh yes, we'll get that in DLC if that wont be added in. That's the main campaign that I'd want to play.

Well thanks to Herod we seem like a much more active site. God bless Herod and Australia.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
Late Republic, early Empire seems to be the timeframe, yes.
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
Kres
So both are in the timeframe? Jolly good then. Hmm early empire... Is that start of the Rome? Like pre-gauls? You seem to be the man to ask. :)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
SirRoderick
Not 100%, but that seems to me how they're pitching it.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 02, 2012
nocutius
I hope they support mods this time around, though I doubt it.
By Longsword (SI Core Member) on Jul 03, 2012
Longsword
Oh, I googled it... I suppose a sacrifice could be made, just don't look at me to volunteer. XD

On a side note though, from what I hear CA announced that the world map will be much larger than in previous Rome: Total War, so perhaps expanding all the way out to India?
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 03, 2012
herodotus
Aha....I'm late today (comes from sleeping through the night for once).
Well, Pre-Empire leading to Early Empire makes sense but you do still need a European map as Julius Casar of course invaded Germania, Gaul and Brittany.
Egypt would also need to be represented, perhaps separately as a theatre of it's own as they did with America in "ETW" for Mark Antony of course spent his final years there and Augustus hooked up with Cleopatra himself before returning to Rome. That is the pivotal moment in the ending of the Republic so it would need to be included.

As far as neat little factions like in "RTW" go, as a historian I also baulk at that. As a gamer, though I understand. That's what Total Conversion Mods are for. Make these games more relaitic than the vanilla version for those who seek it.
Still can't go past "Rome Total Realism 6.0" for "RTW", or that pornographic-sounding one JC mentioned in the earlier 'announcement' from PCPowerplay (Aus).

Kres, I don't despise "RTW 2" and will buy it as I have all "TW" games - aside from "TWS2" which some decent and big hearted chap gifted me. What I don't like is CA's lack of imagination and the fact they have jumped on the DLC bandwagon with the vigour of a teenage boy in a cathouse.

Roderick, thanks mate. I comment on everything? Bugger me, I'd better shut up before someone gags me (oooh, bit of excitment there)....mutter, mutter >_
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 03, 2012
herodotus
PS. As far as commenting goes, if a staffer takes the time to research and write an article, and you read it I think it is only courteous to at least leave some comment and/or feedback. So there (pokes tongue out, sticks two fingers up)-:D!
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 03, 2012
SirRoderick
Did I ever say that was a bad thing? I do the same thing don't I?! ^^
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 03, 2012
herodotus
You certainly do, my friend you certainly do. Just having a dig, from one prolific poster to another:)
By JustCommunication (SI Core) on Jul 03, 2012
JustCommunication
Seriously, it's Latin for "Rome Arises" or something. Google it :P

Yeah, game design forces certain realities onto history... I imagine they will abstractly merge early and late republic-era Europe into one, so you'll have Carthage, you'll have the various Gallic and Germanic tribes, there various Greek states could just be 'Greece' again... saying that, they seemed to have a lot of fun really delvinv into Japanes culture... maybe they'll spend more time doing each culture more accurately this time? Who knows.
By Praetorian (SI Core) on Jul 03, 2012
Praetorian
Can't wait for this!
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 03, 2012
herodotus
Time to drag out my old, worn dvd of "Ben Hur" again, re-watch the series "Rome" (shot on location) and perhaps even read "I Claudius" and it's sequel again. I don't think I could face all my multiple non-fiction volumes just yet.

Praetorian, long time no hear. It took this announcement to bring you out of rerirement?
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jul 03, 2012
Kres
If they go for Vanilla only, I would spend like 10% of my usual TW time on it. Which sucks of course. Please allow mods CA. And disallow CTDs.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 03, 2012
herodotus
There'll be too much of a backlash if Mods are unsupported and CA know it, or soon will. Plenty of time for them to 'readjust' their way of thinking before release. As for CTD's....ask PI to build you a new PC, Kres:)
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jul 03, 2012
Kres
I'm not the only one with CTDs and I just built the damn PC... This is the new one meh. No other game crashes, for that reason... Yes if we talk enough about mods, and we are, and others are, they will keep it. I bloody hope
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 03, 2012
nocutius
Mods are pretty much mandatory for a game of this kind. It's too bad TW games are getting more and more locked so they could sell us more DLC.

Where are the days when a single edit of an info file would let you play ALL factions on the map. Now they want $ for the privilege :(.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 03, 2012
herodotus
I believe they will be hoping that DLC will cover the needs of the few who simply want small mods. It won't.

Two things that can be cleared up straight away from these discussions here; there will not be 3 Factions like last time but there will be more diversity in the barbarians (please, no more pink Germans).

1. Q: "Will there be multiple roman factions or single one in the grand campaign?"

A: "Currently planned as one."

2. Q: "Will the germans, celts etc. look more realistic in terms of armor, weapons and clothing? (like in the Europa Barbarorum Mod)?"

A: "A question I can answer now (being unit design lead and all). There will be a lot of diversity between the various 'Barbarian' factions. Certainly based in history".

- Jack Lusted (CA)
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 03, 2012
nocutius
That is good to hear. It's always disappointing to see the Germanic tribes being almost an afterthought, the fact that they were never conquered is quite relevant.
By JustCommunication (SI Core) on Jul 04, 2012
JustCommunication
Yeah, they're also going to have all factions available at once... not that weird "We only really worked on Rome, so you'll have to unlock the other factions first" set-up.

Wonder how they are going to simulate inter-family roman politics when you control the whole faction though? Unless you don't? :O dun dun dun!

@nocutius It's an achievement, sure, but relevent?... Rome expanded to a lot of places... a lot of people weren't conquered. A lot of people were conqurered... The Germanic tribes were just there on border, that's it.

About from that one mishap with Varus and the constant border wars, there's nothing really historically significant abotu the germanic tribes during this period I would say. But I'm CA will give them more attention this time.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
nocutius
It is relevant, if Rome had the ability to conquer them with acceptable casualties they totally would cause it would have made their border look nicer :).
I guess they were just too much trouble for what they were worth :)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
SirRoderick
The German tribes didn't all neatly stay on their end of the river you know. Frequently they were used as mercenaries and Caesar had to fight them more than once.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 04, 2012
herodotus
True Roderick, and as you no doubt know the Emperor Tiberius and his nephew (who supposedly had his Uncle murdered) the mad Gaius Caesar, or Caligula as he is better known had the Praetorian Guard wholly made up of Germanic warriors. They owed their allegiance to the Emperor only, and hated all other Romans.

In Germania the boundaries were pushed as far as they could, and then regular trade and commerce was practiced through the markets set up in 'the wall', a rather loose affair and not at all like Hadrian's in Britain. It was Rome's failure to defeat the Germanic Tribes and disarm them that was to bring about the fall of Rome.
I look forward to refighting Varus's Campaign, as well as that of Germanicus, Caligula's father and brother of Claudius (incestuous bunch that they were).

In gaming turns, as opposed to history though, you need to have them better researched and realised as we gamers will WANT to keep pushing the boundaries and invading, conquering, further. Then, also as gamers we will want to play the Germanic Tribes, unite them and perhaps march on Rome sooner than they did....before the dark times; before the Empire (good line for a movie - must write that down:p).
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
Kres
They still didn't fixed the CTDs: http://forums.totalwar.com/showthread.php/35440-7xxx-Series-AMD-cards-freezes-and-lock-ups/page70

Just freking amazing. Why would I be excited about RTW2!
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 04, 2012
herodotus
Two words, Kres: NVidia. Well one word, but it sounds like two.
I had loads of issues with my ATI (now AMD) cards and decided to just pack it in. Go with the flow, in other words - plus it has PhysX.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
nocutius
PhysX is totally overhyped, it provides very little in unique benefits.

I must be very lucky I guess, most of my cards were ATi and I never had any problems at all, except with one Nvidia card.
Strange world :).
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
SirRoderick
Except when you want a laptop...their Optimus crap WILL come back to haunt you if you're a gamer.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
nocutius
Or their entire 9xxx mobile series :).

Nvidia is not as problem free as it's trying to make itself look, it all comes down to personal experience.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 04, 2012
herodotus
I knew this would kick off a AMD vs. Nvidia debate. Mooohahaha.....
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
nocutius
Congrats, I guess your scheme worked :)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
SirRoderick
I'm saying they all suck some of the time. Pick the right card for the right system ^^
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 04, 2012
herodotus
That's it, keep it going...hehe.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 04, 2012
SirRoderick
Holy crap, I'm getting REALLY weird imagages now D:
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jul 05, 2012
SirRoderick
A great read this: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/07/02/total-war-rome-2-preview/

I'm liking some of the accents the devs put on this game, especially what they did with Legions, I'm hoping that will be a well developed mechanic.