BattleForge coming on March 24th

by: John - posted: 1/29/2009 3:21:00 PM

If you like card games like Magic the Gathering and RTS games, BattleForge is the game for you. Beta testing has been going on for a while but the final game is set to launch on March 24th. There are multiple ways you can play this online only game and I saw a quick demo of it while I was at CES. They've built in a marketplace so you can trade, sell, and buy cards all within the game. Phenomic Studios will only be selling booster packs though. I'm going to keep my eye on this one to see how well it does as games where you need to invest more money to play seems like a hit or miss unless you're a really popular MMORPG.

Redwood City, CA. – January 28, 2009 – Phenomic™, an Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) studio, today announced that the real-time strategy (RTS) BattleForge™ will ship in North America and Europe on March 24 for PC. Prior to launch, players can get into the BattleForge Open Beta by registering at www.BattleForgeCardHunt.com. Worldwide, pre-order customers will receive four exclusive units, one from each faction: Fire, Frost, Nature and Shadow. These units will feature exclusive card artwork and in-game animation. They will also be leveled-up, giving player’s a head start as they prepare for battle online. For more details on pre-ordering BattleForge, please visit www.battleforge.com.

Developed in Ingelheim, Germany, BattleForge is an epic RTS fantasy game that combines the pace of RTS gameplay with the customization of trading cards in an online environment where friends can play together. BattleForge pioneers strategy gaming with its online multiplayer design and robust community features

In BattleForge, players use virtual trading cards to build the perfect army and lay waste to their foes. The cards are the tools of war each representing a spell, building or unit that is conjured directly onto the battlefield. This interface enables players to customize and combine factions, and play with a unique army of their own design. With no base building and production queues, BattleForge players are instantly immersed into fast-paced RTS action.

BattleForge features single-player and cooperative scenarios, as well as, Player vs. Player (PvP) ranked duels. Co-op battles are played in teams of two or four, or players can hurl themselves into epic 12 player battles for the greatest rewards. In these scenarios, players must work cooperatively to fulfill the mission and earn rewards. With co-op play, guilds, chat rooms, and a robust marketplace featuring direct trade, an auction hall, and in-game mail, BattleForge is the first RTS to combine the social and community aspects of an MMO with an exciting RTS.

Featuring action-packed co-op and PvP, the ability to build your own army, and robust community features, BattleForge offers unique RTS gameplay that is easy to learn but still prepared to handle expert players.

Developed at Phenomic Studio, BattleForge has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB and 12+ for PEGI. For more information about the BattleForge, visit www.BattleForge.com.