The first official modding tool for the Creative Assembly’s Total War series has been released today.
The editor enables modders to create their own Total War: Shogun 2 and Fall of the Samurai custom maps for use in multiplayer and versus AI.
The map editor, referred to as TEd, allows modders to alter typography and place hundreds of assets such as trees, buildings, coastal batteries, rivers, choke-points and custom deployment zones says publisher SEGA. Modders can also construct “vast and intricate castles from their component pieces”, continues the announcement.
The Creative Assembly has announced a new downloadable content pack for Shogun 2, called Rise of the Samurai.
The campaign is set 400 years before the events of Shogun 2’s main campaign and describes the Gempei War and the ascendancy of the Samurai as Japan’s ruling caste.
Rise of the Samurai will introduce 16 new unit types, 10 new naval units, 10 new mons, 10 new retainers, four new heroes and four new agents. New units include Foot Samurai and Sword Attendants. New heroes include the female Onna Bushi and the Testubo warrior monks.
Total War: Shogun 2 developer The Creative Assembly has released a significant patch for the real-time strategy title.
The patch includes DirectX 11 support for the game, four new maps and a raft of fixes.
You can see all the changes on Total War: Shogun 2’s official forum.
SEGA has released a playable Steam demo for Total War: Shogun 2, the sixth instalment of The Creative Assembly's Total War strategy franchise due to launch on March 18th 2011.
You'll need a Steam account to install and play the demo, and we've mirrored the files over at GP Downloads (3.7GB).
The makers of Rome and Empire: Total War will release the sequel to the game that started it all. Shogun 2: Total War will take long-time veterans and newcomers alike to the next level of strategy gaming on PC. Based on 10 years of experience in making Total War, Shogun 2 is the perfection of the series with a new Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionary multiplayer modes, brand new campaign map options and epic 3D real-time battles.
It is the middle of the 16th century in Medieval Japan. The country, once ruled by a unified government, is now split into many warring clans. The player takes on the role of one Daimyo - the clan leader - and will use military engagements, economics and diplomacy to achieve the ultimate goal: re-unite Japan under his supreme command and become the new Shogun - the undisputed ruler of Japan.
Features:
- Total War Redefined: Shogun 2 is the ultimate refinement of the original formula with a new, cutting-edge AI, more polish and online functionality than ever before. The result is the perfect mix of real-time and turn-based strategy gaming that invites both veterans of Total War and new players to experience the enjoyment and depth of the series.
- New Character Progression: Choose from 9 different clans and compete on and offline for the undisputed supremacy of Medieval Japan. Gain experience to level up your own character-warlord as well as your generals and agents.
- A Complete Single And Multiplayer Offering: Play through the Main Campaign in single player or invite a friend online to play competitively or cooperatively in Campaign Multiplayer mode. Join 8-player multiplayer battles with your own upgradable avatar and climb the online Leaderboard to show the world who reigns supreme. Also including exciting new modes of team play for clans, a first in the Total War series.
- New Generation AI System: Developed according to Sun Tzu's principles in the Art of War, the Artificial Intelligence constantly analyses its situation and reacts to your every move with greater precision and variety.
- Improved Land And Naval Battle Gameplay: Land battles never felt so realistic with new multi-staged castle sieges and terrain features changing according to the weather and time of the day - turning each engagement into a tactical challenge. Set buildings on fire to force garrisoned troops out and use your units' special abilities to turn the tide of the battle.
- Naval combat also offers more variety with the addition of coastal battles. Islands can work as effective cover for your ships, while sand bars and reefs can be used as traps against an enemy fleet.
- Accessible And In-Depth Empire-Building Gameplay: A streamlined User Interface makes management of your kingdom much easier. Build and govern cities, recruit and train troops, conduct diplomacy and manage your agents - each feature is now introduced with comprehensive tutorials, gradually revealing the depth of the Shogun 2 campaign map - the heart and soul of the Total War experience.
Minimum Specs (Required for playing Total War: Shogun 2):
- 2 GHz Intel Dual Core processor / 2.6 GHz Intel Single Core processor , or AMD equivalent (with SSE2)
- 1GB RAM (XP), 2GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
- 256 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card (shader model 3)
- 1024x768 minimum screen resolution
- 20GB free hard disk space
Recommended Specs (Recommended for optimum game play of Total War: Shogun 2):
- 2nd Generation Intel® Core™i5 processor (or greater), or AMD equivalent
- 2GB RAM (XP), 4GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
- AMD Radeon HD 5000 and 6000 series graphics cards or equivalent DirectX 11 compatible graphics card
- 1280x1024 minimum screen resolution
- 20GB free hard disk space
