On Monday, a special beta version of Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest will be available for download via Sierra's FTP servers. Gamers interested in participating in the beta test will be able to play a single multiplayer map through all 15 of the expansion pack's ages and test out the new units, powers, and buildings being added to Empire Earth. The beta will also include a sneak preview of the new multiplayer interface built for Empire Earth that is designed to make Internet gaming easier and more fun for gamers of all skill levels.

More information about Empire Earth and the beta test program can be found HERE. The game is scheduled for release this Fall.

Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest includes three new single-player campaigns set in ancient Rome, the Pacific Theater of World War II, and Asia in the 22nd century. In addition, each of the 21 pre-designed civilizations in the game gains a unique special power, building, or unit. Examples include: the Kingdom of Italy's Metallurgy power, which allows them to pay building costs with gold or iron interchangeably; Great Britain's S.A.S. unit will be able to plant demolitions and swim across water; and the United States' market building will allow that civilization to trade abundant resources for scarce ones.

In Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest, gamers can become the greatest conqueror of all time by creating, building, and leading a civilization to transcend the ages - from the discovery of fire, to flight, to the next frontier: space.

From Prehistory to the Space Age of the 22nd Century, Empire Earth serves up gaming on an epic scale. Empire Earth and Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest cover over 500,000 years of human history, from the discovery of fire to the laser battles of the future. Each player takes control of a fledgling civilization and strives to forge the greatest of all empires.