"Europa Universalis: Rome combines the best of the Empire Building, Conquest and Warfare genres, wrapped into a title that contains all main characteristics of a typical Paradox Interactive game," said director of development Johan Andersson. "This project has the potential to become the most talked about grand strategy game to date."

PC gamers can expect to manage everything from country, culture, provincial and character options when the game launches worldwide in Q2 2008. Its multiple options are said to make the title, which is set between Punic War to the start of the true Empire, "infinitely customizable and truly unique."

"A truly challenging strategy game portraying the Roman Era has yet to be released and we believe strategy gamers have been kept waiting for long enough," noted Paradox executive VP Fredrik Wester.