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New Details Revealed about Paradox Interactive’s Upcoming Strategy Title

Paradox Interactive today announced that the latest developer diary entry for the upcoming grand strategy title Hearts of Iron 3 is now available on Giant Realm. In the three most recent diary entries, lead developer Johan Andersson discusses a variety of topics including reserve divisions, mobilization, and command structure.

The most recent diary entry discusses artificial intelligence. Johan Andersson writes: 

“I suppose the big question is: does the AI cheat? Well the AI doesn’t cheat but it can do something you can’t. It can consider and evaluate more than its current plan. We don’t consider this a cheat because you will do the same, it just is able to talk directly to its theatre HQs to find out exactly what they need whereas you guess these things and then find out when the plan is put into action. Even while the German Western Theatre is off blitzing France a higher-level AI can look at and consider a plan for the invasion of Britain and start thinking is this worthwhile, what units it will need, and start building them.” 

To read the latest developer diary entries for Hearts of Iron 3, please visit: 
http://giantrealm.gameriot.com/author/johan-andersson 

Hearts of Iron III is now in the Beta stage of development. Over the past few months, the team has been stabilizing the foundations of the AI, tightening up the rules and mechanics of the game, along with implementing brand new artwork and interface features.

Hearts of Iron III is scheduled for release in Q3 2009 and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive. It will also be available for digital download at all major digital download portals.

Swedish wizards of strategy Paradox Interactive, aims to cast a potent spell of enchantment upon you. From across the lands of Eiola, an explosive new trailer has been summoned to demonstrate the might of the arcane arts. This deadly power holds the key to victory, as the war continues to reclaim the lost – Elven Legacy.

Magic. It is a power without equal. Available to each of the warring races. This ancient energy can be manipulated by warriors and champions alike. Yet only the most sage of priests and sorcerers can master its greatest secrets. Manifesting itself in one of three ways, magic can take the form of a myriad of powerful spells. It can also be bound to mystic objects called Artifacts. Some lie strewn across the land, hidden in secret lairs. Others can be found in the possession of conquered foes. Magic can also be granted as innate talents called ‘Perks’, to warrior regiments, as they level up in experience.

Behold the manifestation of ultimate power, by clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQWsnpLx-00

More destructive than the largest war-machines, magic can strike down a mass of enemies in one fatal blow. Yet it can possess a subtle touch, curing the wounds of an injured champion or mage. Magic can also be used to augment the protective and offensive capabilities of your troops. Making the weakest warriors a force to be reckoned with. In some cases, magic can terrify the opposition into paralysis, removing their effectiveness in battle. While some spells enable spectral beings to be conjured into existence, to fight on the side of the caster.

Magic is truly a force to be reckoned with. It possesses the ability to alter the balance of power on any battlefield, granting victory to those who can successfully yield its potency. Yet care must be taken with its use. For by its very nature magic can only be discharged a finite number of times, before requiring the need to be restored. This can only be performed after each battle is decided. So use it wisely!

The Elven Legacy demo was recently released and allows players to play the tutorial along with one mission from the Campaign mode.

The demo can be downloaded from the following location;

http://www.elven-legacy.com/index.php/downloads/demo/

Elven Legacy is available from retailers everywhere, along with all good digital download outlets for a suggested retail price of €29.99.

Paradox Interactive have released in game footage for Hearts of Iron III, the long awaited third instalment of the World War II Strategy series set for release towards the end of 2009.

The video footage is showcasing France 1939, the war has begun and the French troops are massing on its eastern frontier preparing to repel the inevitable German invasion.

However France does have diplomatic options to strengthen its defences. Buying production licences can allow the French army access to better equipment or perhaps transfer troops to allied command for joint operations could improve the position. Diplomacy is just another continuation of politics.

Click here to view the in game footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6-MTvAGLgE

Hearts of Iron III is now the Beta stage of development. These last months has seen the team stabilizing the foundations of the AI, tightening up the rules and mechanics of the game, along with implementing brand new artwork and interface features.

With the Beta crew now in place the testing has already started and Hearts of Iron III is scheduled for release during the latter half of 2009.

The third instalment in the critically acclaimed World War II strategy series, Hearts of Iron III will feature a plethora of brand new features to satisfy veteran and novice players alike, including a huge game map with more than 14,000 land and sea provinces.

Hearts of Iron III is scheduled for release in Q3.

A game presentation from earlier this year is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxu4-7Zo9OA

Galaxy Online: New Server Released

Galaxy Online (http://go.igg.com) is very happy to announce that a new server named “Gemini” was launched on 4:00 a.m. (GMT-4), March 27^th.

We thank all players’ wonderful support since Galaxy Online beta test. We are really heartened by this. Your encouragement also stimulates us to make further development. The existing “Aries” server is pushing its upper limit as most of lands have been conquered. In order to relieve population stress and offer better service as well as invite more new players to join Galaxy Online, a brand new server with untouched galaxies is now ready for new and experienced players to explore.

As celebration for the launching of Gemini, we now have confirmed two exciting activities here:
Composite Strength Competition
In the game, the six factions do not usually compete with each other because they seldom leave their own territories. Now, we are excited to initiate a competition between the factions and reward the top 100 players. When the competition deadline expires, the players who rank 1st to 100th on the “Composite Strength” list in the game will be awarded different amounts of Mall Points.

Shootdowns Contest
When the event ends, the top 30 players on the “Shootdowns” list in the game will be the winners of the contest. The player who shoots down the most ships (excluding ships they’ve shot down while doing quests) will rank higher on the “Shootdowns” list. The top 10 players will be awarded 200 Mall Points each and those who rank 11th to 30th on the list will be awarded 100 Mall Points each.

First come, first Served. Remember time is everything is this unique game.

For more details, please click http://go.igg.com/news/view.php?aid=156just

“Fight, Manage & Rule! Build your own Trading Empire.”

Today leading Publisher Paradox Interactive announced that they have acquired the worldwide publishing rights to the naval war strategy game, East India Company. The game developed by Finland based Nitro Games Ltd. is based on the historical East India Companies of the 18th century. Players will enjoy building the world’s largest trading empire and engaging in fierce battles in spectacular naval battle mode.

“East India Company is an excellent addition to the Paradox portfolio of quality games. With a combination of challenging gameplay and outstanding production value, East India Company is sure to impress the most demanding gamers”, Says Fredrik Wester, Executive VP of Paradox Interactive.

“We are very pleased to have Paradox Interactive publishing the game.” said Jussi Tähtinen, CEO of Nitro Games. “We feel that their long history and experience in publishing successful titles in the strategy game genre is essential in bringing East India Company to the worldwide market.”

East India Company brings strategy games to new levels giving the player a full control from company management to taking the Direct Command of a single ship in a naval battle with accuracy previously unseen in strategy games. Through trading, diplomacy and war the players will rule the nations from Europe to Far East.

Game Summary
In East India Company, players will enjoy building the World’s most powerful trading empire and engaging in vigorous battles in both single player and multiplayer modes, all within a breathtaking cinematic game environment.

Players will fight, manage and rule nations from Europe to the Far East with eight nationalities to choose from: British, Dutch, French, Danish, Portuguese, Swedish, Spanish and Holy Roman Empire.

Starting modestly, you will build your fleet, establish connections to far away countries, and keep the rivaling nations at bay. Choose from a wide array of ship classes, including a variety of transport and military vessels. Create diverse fleets and assign each of them specific trading routes. Control and upgrade well situated ports as you form your strategy for domination.

Conflicts and wars are inevitable. When hostile fleets engage each other, the spectacular naval battles are fought from a real-time tactical level. Devastating broadsides are fired with a deafening roar and cannon balls tear through enemy ships and their crew. For greater tactical depth, command your ship and give independent orders to each of your fleets. Fight against the other European powers to create a trading empire that will rule above all others in this groundbreaking strategy war game!

Game Features
• Spectacular cinematic and epic naval battles
• Two Command Modes: Give orders to all your ships in RTS mode or take the helm of a single ship in Direct Command-mode.
• Unique combination of war and trading
• State of the art diplomacy AI
• Eight playable nations: England, France, Holland, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire
• Over 10 realistic ship types; from small sloops and cutters to the East Indiaman and warships
• Realistic yet fast-paced naval combat
• Hire fleet commanders who will gain new skills and increase the abilities of your fleets
• Take over ports and protect your shipping routes to create the largest trading empire
Multiplayer (internet or LAN)
• Supports up to 8 simultaneous players
• Player statistics tracked on the EIC game server
• Several game modes for with single and team approach
• Raise your ranking by thwarting your opponents

Read more about the game: http://www.eic-game.com/

Behold the History of the Elves

Paradox Interactive today released the introductory trailer for Elven Legacy, the upcoming fantasy strategy game developed by 1C:Ino-Co. The trailer provides a brief look at the premise of Elven Legacy by showcasing the opening storybook segment of the game. 

To view the trailer, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSmuXrOLtHw

With over 100 various units in nine arms and five powerful heroes,Elven Legacy delivers a world filled with magic and a thrilling storyline with multiple endings. Through an epic quest to restore the former glory of the Elven race, this fantasy strategy game offers both depth and scope. With the accompanying tools, players can also create their own missions and campaigns, and share them through multiplayer.

Elven Legacy is scheduled for retail release in April 2009 and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive and will also be available on all leading digital download portals for a suggested retail price of $29.99 / €29.99.

Due to the increasing population, Galaxy Online (http://go.igg.com) will open its second server—Taurus today.

Recently, the number of Galaxy Online players on GO server(s) has increased dramatically. In order to relieve the population stress and offer better service as well as invite more new players to join Galaxy Online. The GO team has decided to launch a new server named Taurus at 5:00am EDT(GMT-4）on March 9^th.

Meanwhile, the GO team will be holding the Composite Strength Competition and the Shootdowns Contest events on the new server. The events will last around half of a month. Players who rank 1st to 100th on the “Composite Strength” list in the game will be awarded different amounts of Mall Points. Start your new adventures now!

For more information, check out Galaxy Online official website at http://go.igg.com/news/view.php?aid=84.

New Independent Games Label presents main features in upcoming turn-based strategy game

Today Paradox Interactive label Mezmer Games officially announces the game Legio from Sweden-based developer ICE Game Studios.

Legio is a turn-based strategy game for one to two players. The game takes place in a mythical fantasy world where magicians, warriors and monsters battle for domination. Playing Legio is an intense experience, requiring careful strategic thinking, rewarding both courage and cleverness!

The game is a mix between chess and a turn-based war game. Both players control an equal army of characters, with the goal of eliminating the other player’s army. Learning to play Legio is quite easy, but it is a great challenge to master all the various strategies.

Read more about Legio and get in touch with the developers at: http://www.mezmergames.com/group/legio

Key Features
- Legio is easy to learn but difficult to master. The rules of Legio allow for many different styles of play, from very aggressive strategies to strictly defensive play.
- Offers both single-player (vs. the computer) and two-player games (hotseat on the same PC, over a LAN, or over the Internet).
- Provides different game modes, from simple Player vs. Player challenges to full Elimination Tournaments.
- The Legio universe is an immersive fantasy world with a rich back story, populated by unique creatures and characters.
- Hundreds of unique animations for various attacks, mortal blows and other special moves.
- A dynamic music engine changes the musical theme to reflect the gameplay.

Legio is planned for a late Q2 release, with an SRP of $19.99.

In the world of 2029 Online (http://2029.igg.com ) , there are three races on the Helen Continent which is the main activity place for players, Humans, Dryad and Electronic Elves. Each race has its unique cultural, Character traits, profile and owns different technology and advantages. Also, different race is good for using different weapons. Here below is the introduction for each race from the game:

Humans
Humans were forced to leave their motherland behind which was destroyed in a massive explosion and then travelled to Helen Continent to carve out a new existence. As for technology, they have a blind faith in the fuel propulsion system. Compared with other races, Humans take a pretty reserved attitude towards developing high tech industries.

Humans have an average height of 1.6 to 1.8 meters. Their weight varies from 50KG to 80KG. They commonly wear fiber clothes or some sort of metal armor. Some Humans prefer to be distinct in their makeup or clothing by making changes to their hairstyle, wearing jewelry, painting tattoos or piercing their bodies.

Dryad
Dryads are powerful because they are ardent disciples of nature’s power. In Dryad’s society, biotechnology has been developed thoroughly, and their research into genetics has impacted on their manufacturing capabilities. They have devised a number of products that use genetics as their basis, using and altering natural substances to produce what they need.

Male Dryads are 2 to 2.5 meters tall. But they look smaller because they always hunch their bodies while walking. They weigh approximately 130kg. Female Dryads have an average height of 1.5 meters and weight around 55kg. The large difference in body size between male and female Dryads produces diversification in their physical appearances. Male Dryads have rubbery skin and are muscular green giants with curly hair, sturdy shoulders and big hands with solid fingers. Female Dryads are attractive and feminine. All Dryads like to wear tight fitting clothes made of metal, which represents longevity and will outlive many other forest residents.

Electronic Elves
Electronic Elves are conceited and gloomy and their disdainful attitude often engenders hostility from other races. However, their superior ability means that despite their frustration, other races do not often cause aggression. Electricity and magnetism defines Electronic Elves’ technology. They widely use electromagnetic power in daily life, production and even in battles with magnetic materials.

Electronic Elves are about 2 meters in height, but nobody knows their weight as they always float in air. Besides their slim figure and animal hair, a pair of huge ears is the biggest feature of their appearance. Since they seldom do sports, their legs are weak and thin. Electronic Elves love wearing robes and big earrings and also like flaunting the sound produced by the continuous collision of their robes and earrings when they move.

For more information on races from 2029 Online, please visit http://2029.igg.com/gameinfo/info.php?acid=25 .