The Total War series is a popular franchise, developed by British Video Game Developer, Creative Assemblies. Their 16 mainline games combine turn-based strategy with real-time tactical battles, and feature aspects of large-scale empire management. The games are mainly based in iconic historical settings, with titles like Shogun: Total War (2000), Rome: Total War (2004), Total War: Pharoah (2023), for example.
The franchise has experimented with mobile games in the past, starting with the release Total War Battles: Shogun to iOS and Android in 2012. Since then, four additional Total War games have made their way to mobile markets. The task of adapting these intricate titles for mobile devices is usually handled by Feral Interactive, a British video game developer and publisher that specializes in adapting games to new platforms. The company has successfully translated two of Total War’s complex games into a mobile format as of yet, and is currently working on the franchise’s upcoming mobile game, Total War: EMPIRE.
Originally announced by Feral Interactive on September 5, 2024, the game’s official release date has already been revealed by the company via a post on X (formerly Twitter). They declare that Total War: EMPIRE is set to launch on both the App Store and Google Play Store late this November. Potential players are encouraged to pre-register or pre-order the game for $19.99, before its release. The game’s official mobile release date trailer is included in the post, showcasing brief clips of gameplay and colonial-themed graphics.
The game plans on bringing players into the 18th century, where they will be prompted to lead one of eleven different factions across the globe, competing for control in an era rife with exploration and colonization. It will follow European powers as they battle across continents, travelling through Europe, India, the Americas, and beyond. According to Pocket Gamer, most of Total War: EMPIRE’s gameplay will center around Naval warfare, as players “command fleets in real-time to both conquer and secure vital trade routes.” The incorporation of 18th century specific advancements, including the use of gunpowder and new industrial technologies, make the game stand apart from others in the Total War franchise. Pocket Gamer predicts that these features will play “a significant role, making tactical and technological superiority essential.”
For anyone interested, Total War: EMPIRE’s official website is available to provide further information and potential future updates on the game.