Want some real-time strategy with a WWII flavour online, for free? Well THQ knows you're out there and is bringing Company of Heroes to you. Developer Relic has been busy with Company of Heroes Online and THQ has decided it's free-to-play. Singleplayer is given away freely too.
Publisher THQ has flicked the switch in the US for a Company of Heroes Online beta website, and they want you signing up right now. In fact if you get the client before September 8th then you get a free in-game pack. It's Allies vs. Axis with 3 divisions each, with 17 different maps.
Tragic news as developer Relic's Brian R. Wood, lead designer for Company of Heroes Online, has been killed in a car accident North of Seattle. His car was struck head-on by a 21-year old driver allegedly under the influence of drugs at the time. Wood's 6-month pregnant wife is in hospital.
In honour and to "continue his contribution" to the industry, Company of Heroes developer Relic has begun the 'Brian Wood Memorial Game Internship'. He was an "integral part" of Relic and helped "establish and sustain" Company of Heroes as 'AAA'. The internship begins February with 3 annual placements.
The team behind Company of Heroes thanks all who have participated in the open beta for Company of Heroes Online as they announce it ends soon. March 31st will see it close as they gear for launch. Those who registered before February 1st can get Company of Heroes Gold Edition for just $4.99.
Danny Bilson, THQ's Core Games VP, has revealed via Twitter that a new RTS game from Relic Entertainment will be announced in August. "The big announce for the next Relic RTS should come in August...that's the plan." said Bilson on his Twitter account.
THQ has announced that the company would be readjusting its focus more on the hardcore games, and would be eschewing family games. This shift in focus was the result of sales in the past few years.
The cover of the June 2012 issue of PC Gamer will feature Company of Heroes 2, the sequel to the 2006 tactical real-time strategy game set in World War II. The game will once again be developed by Relic.
THQ's recent financial struggles have forced the publisher into a position to where it will not have a booth on the show floor. The games will be present for preview, and will be demoed behind closed doors.
Relic has revealed that there will be an official reveal of their upcoming tactical real-time strategy game Company of Heroes 2 on the 7th May. The game was first outed by Game Informer announcing the title as the magazine's cover story for the June 2012 issue.
THQ has formally announced Relic Enterainment is developing Company of Heroes 2, which will be hitting PC in early 2013. The game will take place on the Eastern Front where players will experience "some of history’s most brutal and devastating conflicts on the Eastern Front, challenging players to take command of the iconic Red Army and repel the Nazi invaders from the very gates of Moscow."
Lead director Quinn Duffy of Relic's Company of Heroes 2 says they and THQ learnt some "vital" things from their time with Company of Heroes Online. It's too early to talk multiplayer. Online play is an "important part of the legacy" of Relic, said Duffy, and it's a "vital part" for fans. Company of Heroes Online wasn't a throw away project as lessons have been applied.
Developer Relic is working on Company of Heroes 2, which means there's little time for a full production of the next Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War instalment, but that's okay. The studio are "doing some rethinking" about how they approach RTS; what's the "best way to present" the strategy genre? There'll definitely be more "RTS 40k stuff," says Danny Bilson.
Fans of Company of Heroes will get their first taste of the sequel, as THQ has released the debut teaser for Company of Heroes 2.
THQ has announced a new engine being created specifically for Company of Heroes 2 called the ColdTech system, which will realistically not only model weather systems but also have an effect on soldiers, who could freeze to death.
Jamie, why am I so tired?
It's a close run thing this year...
THQ has revealed the Digital Collector's Edition for the highly anticipated real-tiume strategy sequel, Company of Heroes 2. They also unveiled the pre-order bonuses as well.
In our interview with Relic's Quinn Duffy, the Principle Designer revealed the team had to have the player get the "sh*t kicked out of them" for the first year and half, as the Germans crushed the Russians. They had the difficult task of creating "victory without winning" as the player could only 'hold them off'. Even when the tide turned the Germans were "always dangerous" - it was no steamroll to Berlin.
THQ has announced some ominous news that the publisher will be delaying three of their highest profile games: South Park: The Stick of Truth, Company of Heroes 2, and Metro: Last Light.