Empire: Total War is set in the 18th century, a turbulent era that is the most requested by Total War's loyal fan base and a period alive with global conflict, revolutionary fervor and technological advances. With themes such as the Industrial Revolution, America's struggle for independence, the race to control Eastern trade routes and the globalization of war on land and sea, Empire: Total War promises to be amongst the richest and most dynamic PC RTS games of all time.

The game is set in the years 1700 to the early 1800's, a turbulent age of gunpowder, revolution, discovery and Empire Building. This period has all the ingredients for a great Total War title: fascinating changes in warfare and its technology, a large number of competing factions hungry for power, and gloriously exciting and colorful battles. This is a time when an old world is being swept away at a tremendous rate by the juggernaut of the industrial age. Revolutionary ideas are in the air, and at least one monarch meets a bloody end!

This Multiplayer Beta will allow 2 players to go head to head or cooperative against the AI on the full campaign map of Empire: Total War, including all 3 theaters of war. The free Campaign Multiplayer Beta is only available for owners of Empire: Total War, to get access sign up for the Beta Program on the official website.

Also on December 7th, the Elite Units of the America Downloadable Content for Empire: Total War will be released, adding 15 new elite units to the American, British and French factions of Empire: Total War. In the last half of the 18th century, the political upheaval from thirteen of the British Colonies in North America ultimately led to the 1776 Declaration of Independence and changed history for ever. The 15 units from the Elite Units of America Downloadable Content have all played a major part in the American Revolution. Though their background owes a lot to European military traditions, their identity is tied to the destiny of the United States, and gave these men courage and audacity like no other soldier on the battlefields. The Elite Units of America are only available via Steam for the price of $3.25.

Along with the revolutionary introduction of Naval Combat, Empire: Total War will see further enhancements to the Total War series signature 3D battles and turn based campaign map. Real time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare.

Empire: Total War contains a revolutionized Total War campaign spanning 3 continents and featuring new, enhanced systems for Trade, Diplomacy, Missions and Espionage. There will be an all-new fully animated campaign map with all buildings and upgrades visible. The campaign will also feature a huge cast of historical figures including Peter The Great, Malborough and Charles XII of Sweden. The game will include 10 playable factions including Britain, Prussia, France, Spain, America and the massive Ottoman Empire.

Enhanced auto management, revolutionized UI, improved advice system and tutorials all combine to introduce new players to the concepts of Total War, quickly and easily. Empire: Total War will boast a full re-write of the AI with a wider range of strategies and tactics, providing a formidable opponent on land, sea and on the campaign map.

New Real-Time 3D Naval Warfare takes Total War's unparalleled battle action to the high seas with players commanding single ships or vast fleets. These will be the most exciting and realistic sea battles ever seen in a PC game. They will feature a realistic sailing model, cannon and musket fire, boarding actions, fully destructible sails, rigging and hulls and a full range of weather effects to influence battles. These will play out on stunning, ultra-realistic seascapes, as cannons and muskets blaze away, cutting through the smoke and fog to splinter, pierce and shatter hulls, sails and masts, laying waste to crew members and sending them to Davy Jones' Locker.

The minimum system specifications are:

• Operating System: Windows XP 32(SP2), Windows Vista 32 OS.
• Processor: 2.4 GHz Single Core Intel or AMD equivalent processor.
• System Memory: 1GB RAM (XP) 2GB RAM (Vista).
• Graphics Card: 256MB DirectX 9.0c compatible video card (shader 2.0 or higher).
• Sound Card: Directx9.0c compatible sound card.
• Windows compatible mouse & keyboard.
• 15 GB free uncompressed hard drive space.