Warrior Kings

Warrior Kings is an epic real-time strategy game that uses true 3D to propel you into a living, breathing, bleeding medieval fantasy world. A world for you to master and rule - so what are you waiting for? Cry "Havoc" and let slips the dogs of war! (or at least click on a couple of the links in the menu.)
Imagine another time, another place, another earth. An earth that has shaped itself in d ifferent ways, where history has taken a different path. Our tale begins with the Empire of the One God, a mighty Empire currently at the peak of its power, an empire that controls much of the continent called Orbis.
This Empire is jointly ruled by the secular and religious authorities - the Holy Protector, the commander of the army, and the Supreme Patriarch, spiritual ruler of the Empire.
For centuries, the Holy Protector has kept the barbarians and pagans of Outer Orbis at bay and the Supreme Patriarch has ensured that the True Way of the One God has prevailed throughout the Empire. Tensions and political infighting have dogged the empire from time to time, as different Protectors and Patriarchs have vied for control. Yet, broadly speaking, the Empire has benefited from a long period of peace and stability.
All that has suddenly changed. When the old Patriarch died, the Great Cardinals went into seclusion to elect a new Patriarch. However, the Cardinals made an unexpected choice: Icthyus Granitas was elected as the Supreme Patriarch, in somewhat unusual circumstances. Five of the Cardinals died of a mysterious fever during the election process and several votes had to be retaken due to procedural irregularities. Rumours abound about the past of this new Patriarch - but nothing has ever been proven or charges ever levelled against him.
Under Icthyus Granitas, power and wealth has been strongly centralised at Telamagna, the City of the One God, but the Empire as a whole has begun to crack at the seams. The Holy Protector, Karlem Agnus, once a vigorous and mighty warrior, seems more interested in affairs of the body, rather than affairs of state. He follows the orders of the new Patriarch almost blindly, no matter how nonsensical they seem to the army and the Assembly of the Tribunes. People in the city whisper of dark deeds at the Palace of the Holy Patriarch, of order and civilization sacrificed on the altar of ambition.
Those Great Cardinals who object to the Patriarchs rule disappear, fall ill, or seem to change their minds overnight. Others are replaced with stooges and lickspittles of his choosing. Nobles who oppose him are arrested on trumped up charges of treason or heresy, and summarily executed or exiled. The restless people live in fear. The murder of Tribunes and Captains who oppose the Patriarchs rule is almost a daily occurrence. The army has turned from protecting the Empire from enemies without, to suppressing so-called enemies within.
The Outer Provinces of the Empire have been stripped of their garrisons to police the richer, wealthier and more taxable provinces of the interior, with inevitable consequences. Barbarians and raiders plunder almost at will. Petty princelings and mercenary adventurers from beyond the borders of the Empire grow bolder day by day.
There is much discontent, and the aristocracy have turned to one of the most respected members of the Senate to act as their leader, the Baron Amalric of Cravant.
Unfortunately this has only served to present the Patriarch with a clear target. On the pretext of rampant heresy in the province of Cravant, the Patriarch issued a new edict, stating that the Baron of Cravant has been led astray, and calling on true followers of the faith to stamp out witchcraft and heresy in that province. Shortly after, one of the Patriarchs henchmen, Lothar, the Bishop of Ostrovir, moved against the Duke. Backed by many mercenaries and Imperial troops, he arrested the Duke on false charges, and put him to the sword. But the Dukes son, Artos, escaped with his life, swearing to avenge his fathers death...
You control Artos and the future of House Cravant. Can the young Artos prevail against the might of the Empire, or will he fall victim to the power of the corrupt Patriarch and his evil minions? His destiny, and the future of the Empire are in your hands...
Main features:
- A true 3D game environment with terrain that matters - that is it allows for actual strategic advantage. You can exploit this realistic 3D terrain of rolling hills, deep forests and hidden valleys to out manoeuvre your enemy.
- A highly developed game interface that enables intuitive play by using positive visual cues.
- An evolving game path - that is the game becomes more complex as it develops.
- Rich graphics rendered with historical accuracy.
- A choice of 3 races to join - Imperial, Pagan and Renaissance - each with their own unique features, strengths and weaknesses.
- A massive single-player campaign with three separate and distinct paths.
- Over 35 building types and over 60 different types of unit (pikeman, peasant, etc).
- Internet Play supports up to 8 simultaneous players to participate in on-line tournament matches, playing full-on multi-player games.