Though the official press release seems to elude us, various reports indicate
that Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion has shipped to stores, and Creative
Assembly's RTS expansion should be available in both Europe and the U.S. (thanks
Frans). Here's what looks to be the whole deal courtesy of
Gaming Age:
SEGA Europe Ltd and SEGA of America Inc. today announced the availability
of Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion, the widely anticipated PC CD-ROM
expansion to the million-selling hit, Rome: Total War. From the creators of the
award winning Total War franchise and recently acquired SEGA studio The Creative
Assembly, Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion reflects 200 hundred years of
change along with updated battle AI, and new maps and gameplay features.
Tear Rome apart by leading hordes of barbarians or stand and defend the Empire
as a leader of one of the two former Romes, the Western and Eastern Empires. 200
years have now passed since the main campaign in Rome: Total War. The expansion
offers RTS gamers 10 new factions and new gameplay features such as night
battles, combat effects, and fighting styles. Players can now control vast
armies and over 100 new units as they battle across an updated European map that
now reflects the historical changes since Rome: Total War.
"Fans of Total War and RTS games can now defend or sack the Roman Empire with an
unparalleled level of historical accuracy and gameplay options," said Scott A.
Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "SEGA is committed
to maintaining the vitality of the Total War brand and will continue to support
fans with great expansions and leading edge RTS content."
Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion commences just after the last Emperor of a
unified Rome has died. His successors in Rome and Constantinople are now uneasy
allies and rivals for power. The ‘barbarians' are massing along the borders, and
in some cases are living inside what used to be Roman territory.