Creative Assembly announces that those who preorder Total War: ROME II will be entitled to future "privileged access" to Total War: ARENA, the upcoming free-to-play installment in the strategy series. Here's word:

Announced today, owners of Total War: ROME II will receive privileged access to Creative Assembly’s in-development F2P title Total War: ARENA when it becomes available.

Including advanced beta access, exclusive in-game Legion Armoury bonuses and approximately $15(USD) of in-game currency (terms and conditions apply, see www.totalwar.com/arena for details), ROME II players automatically earn ‘Legion’ status and will be able to experience the massed battle MMO before the game opens up to all.

Total War: ARENA was revealed to be Creative Assembly’s first F2P title in production at this year’s GDC in San Francisco in March, during Lead Designer James Russell’s talk on strategy mechanic design.

Total War: ROME II is released on September 3rd.