14 DAY TRIAL // Video game developer The Creative Assembly and publisher SEGA have been delivering a range of information about their upcoming Total War: Warhammer during the past few weeks, including a first look at the entire campaign map and the way the Orcs will be able to exploit the environment to their advantage.
A new blog from the two companies addresses the major changes that they are making to the building and settlement system, which has been central to all the titles in the franchise.
Because the new Total War uses the Warhammer universe as created by Games Workshop, it features a more focused set of options centered on the production of units or the development of money or influence that can improve the power of a faction.
The Creative Assembly explains that five levels of buildings are offered in each settlement, with a core hub offering bonuses based on the faction and slots that can limit some of the expansion options.
The studio explains that a province system is being used and that, "The province capital can reach the highest upgrade, level 5, while the villages are limited to 3 levels each. As a result, you’ll likely want to build the income-generating buildings and lower-level recruitment buildings in the minor settlements – which are much more vulnerable to attack – and reserve the province capital slots for the high-end stuff."
Two of the factions, Chaos and the Vampire Counts, also influence the land directly by corrupting it in different ways, convincing the population to act against their rulers and decreasing administrative efficiency.
Bands or savage Orcs and neutral factions can also raid a settlement that's not well defended and reduce its development by one level or demolish buildings outright if they are not defeated in battle.
Total War: Warhammer will make each faction unique
The Greenskin race will have a reduced building tree that will show their focus on combat and will give them options for heroes and units, without too much interest in securing more money.
The human-dominated Empire has a higher level of civilization and can exploit natural resources to trade and get extra income and to unlock new types of options for battle.
The Dwarves in Total War: Warhammer will also be able to exploit the mountains they call home to get more money and to improve their units.
Unique buildings can be created in some locations, including the Great Temple of Ulric in Middenheim, the Gunnery School in Nuln, or the brightstone mine on Mount Gunbad.
The Creative Assembly also wants to make actual combat feel unique, introducing wizards for the first time and allowing gamers to control some very powerful units, including Steam tanks and powerful creatures.
The Lords of each faction will also have a dual role, able to influence strategic matters on the map and also to boost the power of their armies when they engage their enemies to wipe them out.
Total War: Warhammer will be launched on April 28 of next year and can only be played on the PC.
