Activision snags Medieval: Total War

Activision has announced that it will publish Medieval: Total War, Creative Assembly's upcoming sequel to its popular real-time strategy game Shogun: Total War, which was published by Electronic Arts in June 2000. The new game will feature a number of improvements, including better graphics, streamlined controls, and new historical scenarios.

Like its predecessor, Medieval: Total War will feature a combination of turn-based empire building and real-time battles. Players will control one of 12 nations through 400 years of medieval history, and they must oversee the growth and development of their empire by managing resources, trade, diplomacy, and military conquest. The game includes more than 100 types of units, a variety of terrain types, and a powerful 3D engine that supports more than 10,000 troops in real-time battles.

Although the company declined to comment on why Activision is publishing the sequel instead of Electronic Arts, Tim Ansell, founder and director of The Creative Assembly said, "We are very excited at the prospect of working with Activision on Medieval: Total War. They have the drive and ambition we are looking for in a publisher to build Total War into the number-one historical RTS franchise. In Activision, we have found a publisher who understands what Total War is about. Shogun: Total War was just the beginning. We have exciting plans for Medieval: Total War and beyond."

Medieval: Total War is scheduled for release in 2002. For more information, take a look at our previous coverage of the game and visit the official Total War Web site.