Empire: Total War Multiplayer Beta Opens Monday Alongside More Downloadable Content

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The long-promised beta for Empire: Total War's upcoming campaign multiplayer mode will launch next Monday, December 7, publisher Sega revealed today.

Open to all Empire: Total War (PC) owners, the beta will enable two players to "go head to head or cooperative against the AI on the full campaign map of Empire: Total War, including all 3 theaters of war." Released in March 2009, the historical strategy game suffered a one month delay so developer Creative Assembly could prepare the mode.

"After over 6 months of internal testing, we're happy to finally give all players of Empire: Total War a taste of the future of Total War," explained creative director Mike Simpson. "Information and user feedback gathered from this Open Beta should help us getting the Campaign Multiplayer mode ready to be a regular feature in upcoming titles in the Total War series."

The open beta will be distributed through Steam, with Sega noting that owners of the game can "sign up for the Beta Program on www.totalwar.com," though sign ups don't appear to be active at this time.

Also due Monday is another batch of downloadable content for the game, "Elite Units of the America," which will bring 15 new elite units to the American, British and French factions for $3.25. Creative Assembly is readying a standalone story-driven off-shoot of the strategy series, Napoleon: Total War, for release in February 2010.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    December 1, 2009 4:10 PM

    I'm sure everyone just felt that. No cause for alarm, it wasn't a tsunami, just me spooging all over.

    My friend and I have been waiting for this shit FOREVER. At least once a week we'll randomly IM the other "WHERE THE FUCK IS MY EMPIRE:TW CAMPAIGN MP"

    • reply
      December 1, 2009 4:15 PM

      I... had forgotten and given up on this. Holy shit.

    • reply
      December 1, 2009 4:24 PM

      Also, how are we supposed to get this beta? Will it be available via Steam or what?

      • reply
        December 1, 2009 4:25 PM

        Sounds like it'll be available via Steam, yes.

        • reply
          December 1, 2009 4:29 PM

          Thank you, Sir Faylor. You have made this day awesome.

          • reply
            December 1, 2009 4:44 PM

            I had intended to include that little tidbit in the article (it was in there at one point), so I've updated. Here's what I added:

            The open beta will be distributed through Steam, with Sega noting that owners of the game can "sign up for the Beta Program on www.totalwar.com," though sign ups don't appear to be active at this time.

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