Longbow Games today announced the release of its flagship Real-time Strategy (RTS) game Hegemony: Philip of Macedon. Six years in the making, Hegemony: Philip of Macedon is a strategy game that will appeal to gamers and history fans as it follows the story and conquests of Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. The game is available for $29.99 from Longbow Games at: www.longbowgames.com.

“After six years we’ve finally released the game that we hoped it would be with the quality, gameplay and historical reverence that war gamers and RTS players demand,” said Jim McNally, CEO of Longbow Games. “Philip of Macedon was a great leader and in many ways paved the way for Alexander the Great to conquer the world. We know fans of the genre and those that have an interest in how Greece was conquered will enjoy the game.”

About Hegemony: Philip of Macedon
Hegemony: Philip of Macedon lets you conquer the ancient Greek world in this PC RTS war game that follows the rise of Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. Players campaign across a continuous satellite-accurate map of ancient Greece encountering the full range of warfare from reconnaissance to raids to field battles to mountain blockades. The game also features:

- Innovative supply system – Siege and starve the enemy by cutting their supply lines or burning their crops, all the while building and protecting your own supply network to support your growing empire.
- Steeped in history – In-game pedia and 100+ historical objectives recreate the rise of the Macedonian empire.
- Detailed and stylized world and map – Transition smoothly between the detailed 3D world and the stylized board-game map while maintaining complete control over your empire.
- Subjugate your enemy – Chase down and capture routed enemy units to create slave gangs to work your mines or build your forts. But don’t leave them unguarded or they could rebel and wreak havoc in your empire’s heartland!
- Conquer the seas – Build or capture a fleet of triremes to protect your coastlines, raid enemy merchants, or drop an army at your enemy’s backdoor.

About Longbow Games
Longbow Games is a Toronto based developer and self-publisher dedicated to technically innovative and artistically unique games for the PC. Their latest project, Hegemony: Philip of Macedon signals a change in direction for the company as they explore new frontiers in the RTS genre. For more information, please visit: www.LongbowGames.com

In The Tarot’s Misfortune, players take on the role of tarot reader, Rosalee, who awakens disoriented in prison and must embark on a thrilling journey. Exploring the town of Luzio, players will piece together cryptic clues and find the lost tarot card deck to uncover the secrets of the village. To advance through each of the 12 beautifully detailed levels, players must uncover specific hidden objects in Luzio. Gameplay is intuitive yet addicting so both experienced casual gamers and newcomers to the genre will be entertained and enchanted.

“We believe we’ve succeeded in creating a game that will keep players of all levels captivated by intertwining challenging puzzles along with an intriguing storyline,” said Michael Grills, Director of Operations at Triple Hippo Studios.

To learn more about The Tarot’s Misfortune, please visit: http://www.tarotsmisfortune.com.

To play The Tarot’s Misfortune on Big Fish Games, please visit: www.bigfishgames.com.

About Ph03nix New Media

Based in Alberta, Canada, Ph03nix New Media is a game development company focused on creating inspiring and entertainment multi-platform games. Founded in 2003 by entrepreneur, Jon Lam, Ph03nix New Media specializes in designing casual games, and has received widespread recognition for the Curse of the Pharaoh series, which topped the charts on leading casual game portals. Ph03nix New Media is backed by AVAC Ltd. and received $1.1 million in investment funding. In 2009, Ph03nix New Media launched the iPhoenix Fund, an investment fund focused on development for the iPhone platform. Additionally, the company acquired Blue Unit Studios, a Calgary-based iPhone game development studio, and formed Big Stack Studios and Triple Hippo Studios, the iPhone and casual games divisions of Ph03nix New Media. For more information, please visit: www.ph03nixnewmedia.com.

The pre-order announcement coincides with the release of the Achtung Panzer: Kharkov 1943 demo, offering a taste of the game’s focus on realism and both tactical and strategic depth.

For more info, visit www.paradoxplaza.com/games/achtung-panzer-kharkov-1943 or join the Achtung Panzer fan page on Facebook where one copy of the game will be given to fans daily leading up to the release of the game.

Achtung Panzer: Kharkov 1943 Main Features:

• Great replayability and flexible AI behavior: “smart” AI analyzes tactical movements of player and chooses the best strategy based on opponents’ behavior, rather than following scripts. It allows players to complete the same scenarios using different tactics as if playing with a human player.
• Painstaking landscape reconstruction of Kharkov region in scope and size
• Thorough re-creation of weapons, artillery and vehicles: all battle characteristics, including missile trajectories or number of crew, were modeled according to military archive materials and WW2 chronicles.
• Dynamic change of day & night, and weather effects that affect combat – terrain traversal, visibility on the battlefield, disguise abilities of all forces, etc.
• Destructible environment: blast and destroy almost everything, from ground terrain to houses and enemy defenses. All traces of previous battles (shell-holes, broken vehicles, corpses, etc.) are left on the battlefield until the end of the scenario.
• Real ballistics: bullets and projectiles follow authentic trajectories. Proper shot longitude, number of frags and their range are calculated.
• Real vehicle damage system: engine, suspension, weapons, aiming appliances can all be damaged separately, affecting the combat abilities of the vehicle.
• Real soldiers’ behavior: every soldier has some basic parameters, such as experience level, fatigue and morale that affect his behaviour and effectiveness.
• Military Encyclopedia with 3D model viewer and detailed data on all units, describing their historical and in-game characteristics.

About Paradox Interactive

Since 1999, Paradox Interactive has been a leading global developer and publisher of PC-based strategy games. World-renowned for its strategy catalog, the company holds a particularly strong presence in the United States and Europe. Its steadily-growing portfolio includes originally developed titles such as the critically acclaimed Europa Universalis and the Hearts of Iron franchises, as well as publishing titles such as the Elven Legacy series, Mount&Blade and Majesty 2. Paradox stands poised to make an explosive entry onto consoles during 2010 with the release of Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West. For more information, please visit www.paradoxplaza.com and follow @pdxinteractive on Twitter.

The overall story line is the main draw to Three Cards to Dead Time, as you play as Jess Silloway, who has just discovered that she has a rare “gift”.  Of course, this “gift” has almost cost her her life, and the lives of her adoptive parents.  During your game play, you’ll play as her to unravel mysteries, save your family and friends, and discover memories from people long gone.  You have to determine who your heart belongs to – your boyfriend or the PI that you have hired to help you – and you have to fight for your life against both real people and ghosts of the past.  Let me tell you right now that the story line is excellent in this casual hidden objects game, it’s a superb addition to an already great game.  Anyone that is looking for a casual game that actually has a realistic feel to it needs to try out Three Cards to Dead Time from Big Finish Games.

When it comes to the overall game play in this great little game, anyone that loves hidden objects games will find the game play is different from others out there.  It’s more challenging, and the different games that you have to play to solve the puzzles will really push your brain to the limits.  Personally, I love the fact that you don’t have to play the level’s different areas in a specific order.  You have the freedom to choose where you want to play first and also have special areas where you get to choose how the story line will go.

The challenge of Three Cards to Dead Time is much better than other hidden objects games out there, as you really have to use your brain to find the objects needed.  For example, you don’t just have a list of objects at the bottom of the screen to search for.  Instead, the game will give you a phrase or question or linked objects – such as objects on a tarot card, or linking objects together such as salt and pepper and so on.  The game really makes you use your brain, which gets you more involved in the game overall and gets you involved with the characters as well.

One more thing that I absolutely loved was the voice acting in Three Cards to Dead Time.  Normally the voice acting in some of these types of games really sucks (to put it nicely) and I am by far not a fan of most of the music and background noises out there.  But the developers really put in some major time and effort here.  The voice acting actually adds more to the game overall, as it provides a “real” feel to the game overall.

Now, let’s talk about the graphics in Three Cards to Dead Time – once again, this is a jewel.  The graphics are extremely good, as in computer animated movie good.  The graphics are actually believable, and the areas where you have to find objects doesn’t just look like there are different things cut and pasted in from other games or pictures.  You’ll actually have some times during the game play where the graphics in the hidden object levels are so good that you won’t be able to find the objects – even on the easy mode.  As you can see for yourself from the screen shots throughout this review, the graphics are impressive to say the least.

I really enjoyed reviewing this game and have gone back through it and played it a couple more times as well after the review.  It’s interesting to play the game on the different difficulty levels – although the toughest difficulty is still too much for me!  So, if you’re looking for a great way to play a casual game without giving up the RPG feel, check out Three Cards to Dead Time.

Customers who pre-order East India Company: Privateer will be given early access to the free add-on “Designer’s Cut.” The add-on, which introduces new gameplay enhancements based off of input from both the game’s developers and East India Company fans on the Paradox forums, will release to the rest of the public on October 27.

East India Company: Privateer Features:

• Two new campaigns in which you play the game as a privateer and complete missions for different nations.
• New missions, including destroying forts, locating and either sinking or capturing enemy ships, blockading enemy ports and escorting friendly fleets.
• New commander skills to fit the life of a privateer, such as “False Colors,” which allows the player to get close to the victim without them perceiving a threat, and “Critical Hit,” which gives the player a chance to hit an enemy ship’s magazine, causing the enemy ship to explode.

East India Company: Privateer requires the original game East India Company, which is now available at 50% off for a limited time with the purchase of Privateer at most digital download portals. The expansion East India Company: Privateer will be exclusively available for digital download at all major digital download portals for a suggested retail price of €9.99 and $9.99.

For more information on East India Company: Privateer, visit the official East India Company website at www.eic-game.com.

About Paradox Interactive

Since 1999, Paradox Interactive has been a leading global developer and publisher of PC-based strategy games. World-renowned for its strategy catalog, the company holds a particularly strong presence in the United States and Europe. Its steadily-growing portfolio includes originally developed titles such as the critically acclaimed Europa Universalis and the Hearts of Iron franchises, as well as publishing titles such as the Penumbra series, Supreme Ruler 2020, Elven Legacy, Mount&Blade and Majesty 2 – The Fantasy Kingdom Sim. For more information, please visit www.paradoxplaza.com and follow @pdxinteractive on twitter.

About Nitro Games

Nitro Games Ltd. is a Finnish game developer that produces high quality video games for worldwide distribution. Since it’s founding in 2007, the company has grown rapidly and become one of the largest game development studios in Finland producing games for both PC and Next-Gen console platforms. The company focuses on creating interesting titles with strong intellectual property values. Company offices are located in Kotka and Helsinki, both in southern Finland. The development team is comprised of skilled professionals who know what it takes to make a game that is fun to play and easy to sell. Read more at www.nitrogames.com.

Since it’s release, the forums have been flooded with gamers eager to share their views on Majesty 2. Join the discussion on the official Majesty 2 forum.

Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is available in retail and for digital download on all leading digital distribution platforms. For more information about Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, please visit the website.

Developed by BattleGoat Studios, in Supreme Ruler 2020 GOLD, one must grab control of a nation on the brink of total anarchy. In Global Crisis, you face an even more devastating and realistic experience through a sandbox-style campaign that incorporates real-world headlines and political strategies with thrilling gameplay.

Features:

• Over 30 scenarios spread across the original campaign and the thrilling expansion as players march towards World War III
• Control one of more than 250 territories from around the world in single-player or multiplayer modes
• Use high-resolution NASA satellite imagery to manage your sprawling empire
• Control hundreds of actual military vehicles using a sophisticated tactical command system
• Realistic world using detailed diplomatic, economic, and political models
• Great flexibility, either through modding or a limitlessly customizable Super Sandbox mode

For more information, please visit the Supreme Ruler 2020 official website or www.battlegoat.com

Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is scheduled for release on September 18, 2009 and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive. The PC title will be available for digital download on all leading digital distribution platforms.

For more information about Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, please visit http://www.majesty2.com and follow @pdxinteractive on twitter.

About Paradox Interactive

Since 1999, Paradox Interactive has been a leading developer and publisher of PC-based strategy games. World-renowned for its strategy stable, the company holds a particularly strong presence in the United States and Europe. Its steadily-growing portfolio includes original titles such as the critically acclaimed Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron franchises, as well as the best published titles like Penumbra: Black Plague, Supreme Ruler 2020, and the greatly-anticipated Majesty 2 — The Fantasy Kingdom Sim.

In the demo, players will have the opportunity to engage in three different scenarios including “California Dreaming”, “Ethiopian Empire”, and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Additionally, strategy fans will have the opportunity to play up to four in-game months at a time.

In Supreme Ruler 2020, choose one nation out of over 250 to rule as you attempt to avoid a world filled with chaos and haunted by an impending World War III. In Global Crisis, the challenge continues as you march through a sandbox-style campaign that pushes the player to make careful and precise decisions based on real-world diplomatic, economic, and political models.

Features:

• Over 30 scenarios spread across the original campaign and the thrilling expansion as players march towards World War III
• Control one of more than 250 territories from around the world in single-player or multiplayer modes
• Use high-resolution NASA satellite imagery to manage your sprawling empire
• Control hundreds of actual military vehicles using a sophisticated tactical command system
• Realistic world using detailed diplomatic, economic, and political models
• Great flexibility, either through modding or a limitless customizable Super Sandbox mode

Supreme Ruler 2020 GOLD will be available for purchase in retail stores and via digital distribution channels on September 18.

For more information, please visit the Supreme Ruler 2020 official website http://www.paradoxplaza.com/SupremeRuler2020 or http://www.battlegoat.com.

About Paradox Interactive

Since 1999, Paradox Interactive has been a leading developer and publisher of PC-based strategy games. World-renowned for its strategy stable, the company holds a particularly strong presence in the United States and Europe. Its steadily-growing portfolio includes original titles such as the critically acclaimed Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron franchises, as well as the published titles the Penumbra series, Supreme Ruler 2020, Mount&Blade, Elven Legacy and the greatly-anticipated Majesty 2 – The Fantasy Kingdom Sim. Read more: http://www.paradoxplaza.com.

Download the Supreme Ruler 2020 GOLD Demo demo via GamersGate: http://www.gamersgate.com/DD-SR2020G/supreme-ruler-2020-gold

Witness the many aspects of gameplay featured in Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim. Build guilds to attract heroes and order them to remove nearby monster’s lairs. Explore the map and locate sites for the construction of trading posts. Defend caravans as they return to market, providing the gold to expand the local town.

Research magical items, potions, weapons and armor so that heroes can equip themselves for the tasks you assign them. Gather your heroes into mutually beneficial parties, so that they may stand a chance against the unknown dangers hiding in the darkness.

Watch the exclusive trailer below.

Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is scheduled for release on September 18, 2009 and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive. The PC title will be available for digital download on all leading digital distribution platforms.

For more information about Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, please visit www.majesty2.com.