Relic Entertainment
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'Company of Heroes 3' will take the classic RTS series to the Mediterranean in 2022
Eight years after its second entry, a new Company of Heroes game is in development at Relic Entertainment.
Company of Heroes 2 summer multi map out today, winter on Sept. 10
Company of Heroes 2 developer Relic has added new graphics, fresh design and extra letters to the series' classic multiplayer map, Semois, now named Semoskiy. The upgraded map comes in two free variants, summer and winter, with summer available in today's patch, and winter due on September 10.
Company of Heroes 2 sales halted in Russia
The sale of real-time strategy game Company of Heroes 2 has ceased in Russia, a Sega spokesman told VideoGamer. The decision to halt sales followed complaints about the game's depiction of the Soviet military, which were directed to 1C-SoftKlab, a Russian retailer that recently opted to stop selling the game. "Sega and Relic are aware of the press stories circulating concerning Company of Heroes 2 and the historical context of the game from a Russian perspective," Sega said in a statement. "At this time we cannot offer any further comment, however we are taking this issue very seriously and are investigating these concerns thoroughly with all relevant partners." Controversy surrounding Company of Heroes 2 stemmed from its portrayal of the Soviet army during World War 2, which depicts "the best of the USSR as an instantly evil thing," according to vocal detractors. A petition demanding Valve remove the game from Steam has amassed 17,160 supporters, who claim the game is an inaccurate representation of events from the war, as it shows Russian soldiers fighting without being properly equipped for battle.
Former rivals Creative Assembly, Relic find 'kinship' on the battleground
Previously competitors in a niche genre space, The Creative Assembly and the formerly THQ-owned studio Relic Entertainment are now under the same umbrella at Sega. This has fostered a "kinship," The Creative Assembly's studio communications manager, Al Bickham, says – a kinship largely fueled by a similarity in studio cultures. "I think there's a growing kinship between us that is very heartening. It's fantastic. What is absolutely amazing about us being under the same umbrella is we started to do a bit of information sharing," Bickham explains of Relic Entertainment. "We're at E3, we're at the booth next to each other and chatting and seeing how it's going and all of that. But also we've had delegations from Relic come and visit, see how we do things and we've done the same."
Gearbox remaking Homeworld 1 and 2 for Windows
Gearbox announced plans at PAX Australia to warp drive HD remakes of Homeworld 1 and 2 to Windows this year, following their recent acquisition of the franchise from THQ for $1.35 million. Direct ports of the original games will also be made available on unspecified digital distribution platforms for Windows. Gearbox Software CCO Brian Martel expressed his fondness for the series in April after the purchase, stating his intent to make them "accessible on today's leading digital platforms" in a statement released by Gearbox. Relic Games, creator of the Homeworld franchise, was sold to SEGA during the liquidation of THQ's assets and is currently working on Company of Heroes 2. Part of the Homeworld development team has since left the mother ship to begin work on a more grounded RTS, Hardware: Shipbreakers.
Company of Heroes 2 review: Cold front
It hasn't been easy to wait for with Company of Heroes 2. First, it's been seven years since the original was released and achieved instant-classic status. It was a sharp change from almost everything else in real-time strategy, and cemented developer Relic's reputation as one of the best strategy studios in PC gaming. An Eastern Front expansion or sequel seemed like a no-brainer, but Relic never got around to it, and Company of Heroes was set aside as Relic became a Warhammer 40K studio. With Relic finally returning to Company of Heroes in a sequel set against the bloody grandeur and brutality of the Eastern Front, greatness seemed preordained. Which is probably why simple goodness feels slightly disappointing. Company of Heroes 2 just feels like More Company of Heroes. It's still a great design, but most of its sequel's innovations are fairly conservative, and along the way it's also borrowing some dubious features from modern mainstream shooters, like a grindy progression system filled with perks and unlocks. Even the Eastern Front never quite comes alive. RTS games are partly powered by how well they communicate their theme, how well they connect the game you're playing to the story it's telling, and Company of Heroes 2 sometimes seems a little more like an Eastern Front skin than a fresh take on an old design.%Gallery-192671%
Keeping your eyes open in the cold of Company of Heroes 2
After navigating a troubled road alongside former owner and publisher THQ, developer Relic Entertainment has found a new home for its library of titles with Sega. Though shifting to a new company with different policies and directives could hurt a studio's progress, a recent mission playthrough at E3 tells us that Company of Heroes 2 has not suffered in the transition. Last December, Relic previewed the seasonal combat on show in the multiplayer mode (which has been in open beta for most of June), its E3 demo for Company of Heroes 2 focused on a single-player mission, one based on the historic Battle of Leningrad between the Russians and Germans in World War 2. In addition to Relic's RTS design expertise in action, the mission had a new technology on display: a feature known as "TrueSight." Using this new system, darkened areas of a map only become visible based on the realistic line of sight a soldier has on the battlefield, with terrain and objects able to obstruct their views to the dangers that lie in wait.%Gallery-191374%
Company of Heroes 2 open beta extended through June 23
The Company of Heroes 2 open beta, originally scheduled to conclude yesterday, has been extended through this Sunday, June 23, until midnight Pacific. In this latest phase of testing, beta recruits will have access to new multiplayer maps in the rotation. Players will also receive double XP this weekend in auto match multiplayer modes. A general reminder that all that major wartime experience will transfer over to the full game if players pick up CoH 2 within 60 days of launch (and use the same steam account as the beta). Company of Heroes 2 storms the Stalingrad of retail next Tuesday, June 25.
Company of Heroes 2 open to beta recruits
Relic Entertainment's open beta for Company of Heroes 2 rolled out today on Steam and will last until June 18. The open beta features competitive and cooperative modes, as well as six of the game's map. Players can earn up to level 45 rank, and their progress will be retained into the final retail copy – if they purchase the full game within 60 days of launch. "We have been working hard since the closed beta balancing and improving all areas of the game as well as adding new matchmaking servers," said Greg Wilson, the game's producer. "COH2 has had one of the most successful beta programs we've ever run at Relic and the support of the fans has been a critical factor in making the game more balanced and stable for launch." Company of Heroes 2 will launch June 25, so that's two full weeks of open beta testing for field commander tactics.
Company of Heroes 2 cinematic trailer keeps good company
This cinematic trailer for Company of Heroes 2 shows soldiers discussing the price of victory in war. The game will launch June 25 on PC.
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%
Homeworld intellectual property purchased by Gearbox Software
Gearbox Software, best known for the Borderlands series, has purchased the rights to the Homeworld intellectual property during the recent THQ back catalog auction round.Gearbox Chief Creative Officer Brian Martel has "great love and respect for Relic's brilliant, fun and innovative game and personally spearheaded the acquisition," according to a studio statement.The company's subspace communication continues: "Brian intends as first priority to direct Gearbox's interest to preserve and assemble the purest form of the original acclaimed and beloved games, Homeworld and Homeworld 2, with the intent of making them accessible on today's leading digital platforms."The Homeworld series was originally developed by Relic Entertainment, which was purchased by Sega during a previous round of the THQ bankruptcy auctions.It is unclear at this time if Sega bid on Homeworld. We do know that Galactic Civilization developer and Sins of a Solar Empire publisher Stardock was in the running. CEO Brad Wardell tweeted us, "I'm surprised. I was wondering who had outbid us. It'll be interesting to see what they do with it. As long as I get [Homeworld 3]!"
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.
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.
Report: Sega purchases Relic during THQ auction
Update: A letter from THQ CEO Brian Farrell and president Jason Rubin to their employees appears to corroborate the below information, as well as provide further details regarding the results of the auction. Sega may be the proud new owner of Relic Entertainment, based on initial signs coming out of this week's THQ asset auction. Relic developer Kyle Berndt has tweeted that he is now a Sega employee, indicating that the company may have been purchased by Sega during the auction proceedings.No official announcements have been made regarding the fates of THQ's various studios and their respective intellectual property, but we're keeping our collective ears to the ground as more news continues to trickle down.
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 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.
