Empire: Total War goes Steam

Sega Europe announced today that Empire: Total War will use Steamworks as its online client. This means that Steam will be used for multiplayer, updates, downloadable content, friend lists and achievements.

“We are delighted to be working with an infrastructure as effective as Steam” said Mike Simpson, Studio Director at the Creative Assembly. “Having their matchmaking and support systems on board for Empire: Total War makes a huge difference both for players and for the development team. It not only helps make multiplayer slick and sizzling, it also frees up a huge chunk of the team’s time which helps make the whole game better.”

“Total War has become one of the most successful franchises in PC strategy gaming, one of the industry’s mainstay genres,” said Gabe Newell , president of Valve. “We’re honoured Sega selected Steamworks as they expand the franchise with leading-edge online services."

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 to be Steam'd

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009, or Football Manager 2009 as it is called here in Europeland, is to be released on PC download service Steam, as well as physical release via Amazon. Football games generally don't do very well in the US, so the lower download price may attract a wider audience.

The only football manager game I've ever played is "Football Manager" on the ZX Spectrum, by Addictive. I can say that it wasn't addictive and the best part was watching the stick-men/players kicking the pixel/ball around.

I bet the model was disappointed that his face was cut off.