From an original concept by Codemasters, KDV will lead the design and development of Maelstrom. KDV's past credits include Perimeter, the innovative RTS, released to critical acclaim in 2004 when it received a PC Gamer Game of the Month award and also picked up "Best PC Game", "Best Game Design" and "Best Technology" awards at KRI Russian Game Developers Conference.

Now, building on KDV's engine and innovative gameplay mechanics, Maelstrom is set to win over PC gamers with its contemporary sci-fi theme and action packed tactical gameplay, which includes upgradeable transforming units and weapons of maelstromic destruction.

Maelstrom takes place on a devastated future Earth where, in the wake of an apocalyptic ecological disaster, the planet is threatened by an alien invasion.

In this savaged world, water has become the most valuable of resources and divided the remaining humans into two factions. Now, they must wage war against the invaders and each other in a desperate struggle for supremacy and survival.

Depending on which of the three factions you choose to fight for, it's all-out destructive war as the factions battle for control of the entire planet. Each with unique identities and abilities, Maelstrom's three factions are:

• The Remnants:
  • Led by ex-US military General James Buchanan, The Remnants are the underdogs in this bleak future. However, these cunning, low-tech resistance fighters are large in numbers and even more resourceful in their guerrilla battle tactics.
• The Ascension:
  • Ascension Industries is headed by Arlan Khan. Commanding total respect, his supporters are highly intelligent and logical, yet ruthless exploiters of future technology such as transforming robotics. However, where they obtained such tech remains unknown...
• The Aliens:
  • The mysterious alien invaders are desperate for a new planet to inhabit and take resource from. Masters of Bio-engineering, they range from huge beasts to large swarms of small creatures.

With an exciting mix of strategy and third-person action-packed missions set in totally destructible and stunningly realised environments, Maelstrom will launch Q3 2006, exclusively for PC. Prepare to be caught in the maelstrom of war with more online at www.codemasters.co.uk/maelstrom