company-of-heroes-2
Latest
Attend a 'Theatre of War' in Company of Heroes 2
Sega recently announced a new mode for Company of Heroes 2 called Theatre of War. Shipping with the game in June, the mode will include new solo and cooperative scenarios based in different, well, theaters of war. Sorry, theatres. The game will launch with 18 missions from noteworthy battles in 1941 in the Theatre of War mode, nine for each of the German and Soviet Red Army factions. At later dates, Relic will add new missions to the mode for Company of Heroes 2 players to download. The game will launch June 25 on PC. %Gallery-187462%
Company of Heroes 2 closed beta enters Facebook 'Like' phase
"Operation: Facebook Like" is in effect for the Company of Heroes 2 closed beta. For a "limited time," the CoH2 closed beta will be made available to folks who click the "like" button on the game's Facebook page.Once they've done so, new recruits will be able to access a key generation tool while the closed beta is active. Players will need the Steam client to access the beta and redeem the key."After a successful first phase, we are delighted to be able to open the closed beta up to all of our Facebook fans and invite them to help us test and improve the game," said CoH2 Producer Greg Wilson.Company of Heroes 2 will roll out onto the eastern front in North America and Europe on June 25.%Gallery-185213%
Invitation to war: Company of Heroes 2 beta key giveaway [Update: We're out of keys!]
Update: We're plum out of beta keys. Now go play it and tell us what you think in the comments.Company of Heroes 2 from the now Sega-owned Relic Entertainment is currently in closed beta testing, and Joystiq has infiltrated the publisher's stronghold and acquired 1,000 codes to give away to its most dedicated soldiers.The Company of Heroes 2 closed beta has a level cap of 40 and features six maps, including two areas not seen in previous testing. Multiplayer and skirmish modes are available across all maps for players to wage war versus AI or human members of their own personal axis of evil in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 battles.If you were lucky enough to acquire a code, redemption is simple: Select 'Add a Game,' then 'Activate a Product Code on Steam' and enter your unique key.
Pre-order Company of Heroes 2 for some accompanying DLC
If you're confident enough in Company of Heroes 2's continued existence after the death of its publisher THQ, you can pre-order the game now, and get some incentives for your trouble.Pre-ordering from "participating retailers" worldwide will offer postlaunch access to a single-player "Theatre of War" episode, along with multiplayer vehicle skin packs, and two additional commanders for each multiplayer army. "The German army will receive the Joint Operations Doctrine, specializing in precise artillery strikes and the Offensive Spearhead Doctrine for players who want to use heavy armor and airstrikes to crush their opponent," Sega reveals. "The Soviets will unlock the devastating Anti-Infantry Tactics Doctrine, enabling units like flamethrower tanks and the Conscript Support Tactics Doctrine which allows for rapid reinforcement in the heat of battle."Company of Heroes 2 really does appear to be happening. Sega has a June 25 release date on it, and it's in beta now.
Company of Heroes 2 closed multiplayer beta begins April 2
Company of Heroes 2 will hold an "exclusive, early access beta phase" starting April 2. Phase one of the beta operation will include pre-order customers only, with a second phase in the following weeks for a "wider audience." The Company of Heroes website will have more details when available.The closed multiplayer beta will grant access to six maps and feature 1v1 - 4v4 gameplay, as well as the ability to play with teammates against the AI. According to publisher Sega, "Players also get access to the first 40 levels of progression, and the ability to customize their loadouts to suit their play style using the all new Army Customizer."Company of Heroes 2 will be ready for RTS action in North America and Europe on June 25.
Company of Heroes 2 deploys June 25
Sega has just announced that Company of Heroes 2 will march to retail on June 25 in North America and Europe.Company of Heroes and developer Relic Entertainment were the most expensive properties in the THQ asset auction earlier this year, going for $26.6 million. The studio and franchise almost ended up in the hands of Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks (Fallout, Elder Scrolls), for $26.3 million."Our acquisition by Sega has given us the chance to work with a new partner that has a great track record of working with long standing PC franchises," said Company of Heroes 2 executive producer Jonathan Dowdeswell. "It gives us great confidence to know that we have a well aligned team working to bring the best experience we can to gamers around the world."Sega is one of the few publishers supporting high-quality real-time strategy games in the market. The publisher is also responsible for the Total War franchise.%Gallery-180858%
Company of Heroes movie will arrive on DVD, Blu-ray Feb. 26
THQ may have had its last stand, but the Company of Heroes movie is apparently still a go, as we've gotten word that it's still coming to DVD and Blu-ray on February 26. The full-length film, based on Relic Entertainment's critically acclaimed real-time strategy series (now owned by Sega), stars Tom Sizemore, Vinnie Jones, and Neal McDonough. It follows a band of soldiers trying to stop Nazi Germany from creating an atomic weapon during the Battle of the Bulge.Will it be any good? We don't know yet. But if you want to honor the old THQ brotherhood (and get a nice taste of the setting before Company of Heroes 2 comes out), you can grab a copy of by the end of the month.
Braving the elements in Company of Heroes 2
There's a panicked struggle at the heart of every engagement in Company of Heroes 2's multiplayer mode. While a lot of real-time strategy games will emphasize squad matchups as a primary means of success in force, Company of Heroes 2 has a much more dynamic environment constantly providing interesting variables to every skirmish.Much of my own success was ensuring my squads were pressed up against a wall or moving from building to building – staying out of the open. Most real-time strategy enthusiasts and really anyone who's seen a war movie in their life will tell you that's basic stuff, but what makes it feel so special in Company of Heroes 2 is just how rewarding it is to see it impact gameplay. A squad with good cover can take on several adversaries and still live to tell the tale.%Gallery-173116%
Company of Heroes movie trailer traps soldiers behind enemy lines
The last time THQ got involved in the movie business, things didn't turn out so well for the associated game. But we have faith all will be good in the adaptation of real-time strategy series Company of Heroes. This first trailer has it all: Nazis, explosions and Tom Sizemore squinting at stuff.
Company of Heroes 2 debuts gameplay on ice
In Soviet Russia, ice breaks you... especially when one tries to drive across it in a multi-ton vehicle that's being bombarded by mortars. Here's some gameplay footage from the upcoming Company of Heroes 2. Grab the series up to now for whatever price you want in the Humble THQ Bundle.
South Park: The Stick of Truth pushed past April; Metro and Company of Heroes also delayed
South Park: The Stick of Truth, Metro: Last Light and Company of Heroes 2 have all been hit with delays, THQ announced today. South Park: The Stick of Truth will now launch in "early Fiscal 2014" (that's from April 1, 2013, and onward). Company of Heroes 2 and Metro: Last Light are now expected to ship in March. The South Park RPG, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, was previously slated for March 5, 2013. THQ's flagship RTS, Company of Heroes 2, and the post-apocalyptic FPS Metro: Last Light, didn't have official dates locked in, but are now expected "later than initially planned."
Company of Heroes 2 calls for smart, aggressive decision-makers
While the rhythms of authenticity and graphics aren't faint, the drum Relic Entertainment is keenest to bang with Company of Heroes 2 is that of getting commanders to play smart. Quinn Duffy, the game's director, tells us that from a gameplay standpoint the biggest thing his team is focusing on is re-injecting tactics into its real-time strategy."We want to be rewarding smart players," Duffy told us, "It's not an APM (actions-per-minute) game. To play Company of Heroes 2 you need to play smart and be aggressive in your decision making. We want smart players to be able to maximize the value of their units. A guy playing smart with his defenses and his cover and his movement, you want him to beat up on a guy with three squads."
Company of Heroes 2 deploys Digital Collector's edition, pre-order goodies
War may never change, but it certainly has gotten more expensive. The frugal warmonger must secure funds for a conflict as early as possible, and THQ is hoping to capitalize on this need with pre-order incentives for Company of Heroes 2.Plunking down money right now will grant you German Rotbraun and Soviet Leningrad skins for medium-weight vehicles. Pre-ordering through Steam will enlist you in the Steam Pre-Purchase Tiered Reward Program, which grants players goods in Team Fortress 2 and Relic Entertainment's Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 2. A pre-order through Origin tosses in the Soviet Bryansk Front vehicle skin for heavy vehciles, while pre-ordering directly through THQ awards a free Command Pass that unlocks bonus multiplayer maps and entrance into "exclusive member's only events." The Command Pass will also be available for purchase following launch.A $99 Digital Collector's edition is aimed at those who find their war coffers are overflowing, granting access to the first three single-player content packs post-launch, some additional vehicle skins, and a veteran badge displayed next to your name. Plus, this edition will pack in the original Company of Heroes and its two expansion packs.%Gallery-166158%
Relic auctioning collectors items for cancer society
Relic is selling memorabilia on eBay – not to help its precarious parent company THQ – but for the nobler cause of the Canadian Cancer Society. The studio is gathering money for an event called Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, where each team has to raise $10,000 to participate in a dawn 'til dusk hockey tournament. All the money goes directly to the charity. Also, we can't think of a more Canadian charity event we'd care to write about today."We're closing in on our goal, but we still need a bit more money – so we're holding an auction for some signed swag," Relic designer Ryan McGechaen told us. "We have a ton of cool stuff, including an unopened copy of Homeworld 2 signed by the dev team!"Other items up for auction, signed by their respective development teams, include a Company of Heroes 2 notebook, Space Marine: Collector's Edition for Xbox 360 and several posters. Check out the items on eBay – shouldn't it be eBeh?
Freeze to death in Company of Heroes 2
Company of Heroes 2 will feature death by brutal Soviet winter. Relic's upcoming strategy game for 2013 will utilize a "ColdTech" system, exposing infantry units to extreme cold, where they can "gradually freeze to death unless the player keeps them warm." This can be done by building fires and garrisoning troops in buildings with Soviet snuggies.The winter maps will also blast blizzards and snow that can accumulate on buildings and vehicles, but can also be melted or removed. The depth of snow will impact troop movement and reveal vehicle tracks.If you're an awfully cruel commander, remember to triple-dog dare troops to lick a frozen pole.%Gallery-161004%
Company of Heroes 2 wants to remind you of World War 2's Russian casualties
War is hell, and it never changes, as we've been repeatedly told by video games. Company of Heroes 2, however, isn't about a fictional future proxy war or some such – it's about the Russian front during World War 2. It's about firing on your own soldiers who were terrified enough to retreat. It's about being handed ammo without a gun because there isn't enough money to afford the luxury of both guns and ammunition, and being told to grab a gun from one of your fallen comrades when you get a chance.In case it weren't clear, the trailer above for Company of Heroes 2 attempts to elucidate that reality – a reality you'll be carefully navigating come next year when the game launches on PC.%Gallery-159400%
Entering the Rzhev Meat Grinder in Company of Heroes 2
If seeing Soviet forces engage the Germans in the PC-exclusive Company of Heroes 2 taught me anything, it's that the war would have be lost if I was at the helm of the world's defense.At a pre-E3 event in Los Angeles last week, Vancouver-based developer Relic Entertainment revealed the newest entry in its strategy series. Company of Heroes was a landmark title for the developer, solidifying its presence in the genre with one of the best RTS games ever released, followed by standalone expansions. I sunk hours pushing Jerries back from the brink of world destruction in the original Company of Heroes and its expansions, but the newest game seems unrelenting.%Gallery-155918%
Company of Heroes 2 officially announced, arrives 'early 2013'
THQ announced this morning that Company of Heroes 2, the sequel to its critically-acclaimed 2006 real-time strategy title, will storm retail in "early 2013." The sequel parts ways with the commonly covered Western Front of World War 2 and has players taking control of the Russian Red Army to the east, as they repel the Nazis.Relic will utilize the "state of the art" Essence 3.0 Engine for prettier environmental destruction and graphicalizations. "Company of Heroes 2 is a true successor, introducing a new front, new protagonists and new technology," said Greg Wilson, producer at Relic. "While retaining the unique mix of strategic gameplay and competitive multiplayer that made the original Company of Heroes such a success."Due to its current financial condition, THQ won't be showing Company of Heroes 2 on the E3 show floor, but will hopefully be giving a taste of the title in meeting rooms upstairs at the show in a month.
Company of Heroes 2 official reveal coming May 7
Company of Heroes 2 was already revealed yesterday, thanks to magazine scans, but some promo materials sent to Joystiq today say we'll get a "briefing" next Monday, May 7.
Company of Heroes 2 revealed on PC Gamer cover
Comrades, Company of Heroes 2 will make for glorious cover on upcoming issue of PC Gamer. The reveal first leaked on NeoGAF, alongside word that the RTS will engage operations in 2013.It will focus on the Eastern Front of World War 2, with keyboard and mouse commanders controlling the Russians. Snow will feature prominently, affecting movement and forming cover.Game Informer got in touch with publisher THQ, which said it would share more details soon. You know, probably after the cover makes it to stands.
