Matrix Games announces they will publish Armada 2526, Ntronium Games' upcoming "spiritual successor" to Armada 2525, a space opera game released in 1991 (in case you thought the title was designed to avoid litigation from Zager and Evans). The Armada 2526 Website has details on the game and a link to a first trailer on YouTube. Matrix Games says they are "particularly excited to be working with founder and director of Ntronium Games, R.T. Smith. Mr. Smith has been creating strategy games for more than 20 years, including the original 4x space classic Armada 2525. Most recently he was the project director and lead designer for Medieval 2: Total War, having earlier served as designer and programmer on the previous Total War games." Here's word on the game:

Armada 2526 continues the great tradition of space opera games. You guide your race from its first interstellar journeys. until it becomes a mighty galactic empire. Along the way, you'll explore the galaxy, conduct research, diplomacy and trade, found new colonies, maneuver mighty star fleets, and fight epic battles.

Although the game is complex, and the possible strategies endless, powerful help and advisor features, help you get up to speed quickly. Unlike many games in this genre, Armada 2526 focuses on providing a game that can be finished in a reasonable time, and emphasizes battle and strategy over economic micro-management.

It will be available for PC running Windows 7, Vista or XP