The game is now content complete, launches in October

Apr 26, 2013 22:42 GMT  ·  By

Developer The Creative Assembly and publisher SEGA announce that they will introduce Pontus as the ninth playable faction for their upcoming Total War: Rome 2, delivering the civilization via a free downloadable content package after the game is out.

The other playable forces in the strategy title are: Rome, Carthage, Macedonia, the Iceni, the Arverni, the Suebi, Parthia, and Egypt.

The announcement also says that all content is now locked for Rome 2 and that the team is at the moment eliminating bugs and polishing the overall presentation, and working on DLC.

The description of Pontus reads, “a mixture of Greek and Persian influences ensures the forces of Pontus are both advanced and reliable. Their bronze-shield pikemen represent a formidable military backbone, and their swift, deadly scythed chariots are rightly feared.”

Pontus is near the Black Sea, and that means players will have to mix naval units and ground-based armies in order to take out their enemies, which includes the Parthians and the Greeks.

Trade will also be a powerful force for Pontus, as it offers important goods to its neighbors in order to get access to the money it needs to sustain its wars.

The Creative Assembly adds, “A progressive kingdom, Pontus enjoys healthy diplomatic dialogue with Greek states and successor kingdoms, and is noted for its resolution in battle, particularly against barbarian forces.”

The new Rome is designed with a new engine that will allow players to use land and naval forces on a tactical map at the same time.

The developers have also hinted at deeper political and diplomatic systems, which will simulate internal turmoil and the way civilizations interacted.

Total War: Rome 2 does not have an official launch date, but rumors suggest that it will be launched on the PC at the end of October this year.