Having recently celebrated its 30th year anniversary, Nobunaga’s Ambition is one of the longest running franchises for Koei Tecmo Games in Japan, and during its lifetime it has received high praise by an ever-growing fan base across an array of platforms. Now, its latest chapter, Sphere of Influence,marks the series’ return to North America after 6 years of absence.

Set against a backdrop of a fragmented nation, players take the mantle of a Daimyo, a feudal lord of the Sengoku era (15th-16th century Japan), and fight for the great ideal of uniting the war-ridden country under one rule, and become Shogun. Providing the choice to play as either a historical personality or a uniquely created character, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence is both a full-scale historical simulation and a bona fide strategy title, and offers an extremely wide pallet of choices for the player to shape the world as they please.

Fans who purchase the game from Steam during launch week (between the 1st and 9th of September) will enjoy a launch discount of €10 and receive 3 additional playable scenarios:

• ‘The God of War Descends, which tells the tale of Kagetora Nagao, 4th son of Tamekage Nagao, who replaces his weak brother as head of the Nagao clan. When the liege lords of his clan are unwilling to recognize such a young and inexperienced youth he must force them into submission and prove his superiority as a commander. This is the origin story of Kenshin, the general who became known in Japan as the ""God of War"".
• ‘Stronger than an Alliance’, which follows the stories of two young men, Takechiyo Matsudaira and Kipposhi, who will grow up to be two of the most significant figures of their time, Ieyasu Tokugawa and Nobunaga Oda. This scenario explores their time growing up together and sheds some light behind the forging of their strong alliance and friendship. 
• ‘Dawn of Revolution’, in which Nobunaga finds himself caught in a struggle for control with many other powerful lords. This scenario centres on Nobunaga's grand plan to unite the land, and the historical drama it ignited.

Koei Tecmo also released a series of assets focusing on the civil development aspects of the game. Forming the backbone of any successful nation, urban and rural infrastructure and development offer significant assistance in the formulation and growth of the player’s domain. Investing in upgrades for the castles and towns under the player’s control, diverging funds to improve living conditions, boost agriculture, or build constructions like market places or theatres, has a direct effect on population growth and satisfaction, which in turn helps create a bigger and more successful fief with sustainable economy and a larger, more advanced army.

Each of the castles and towns can be developed separately, giving players more freedom in how to shape each of them and incorporate regional assets (i.e. seas and lakes, fertile land, mines etc) into their planning. As a result Castle Towns can grow to look very different from one another!

Additionally, players can invest in building roads that link their towns, castles, and strongholds. In this way armies can travel distances a lot faster, which presents yet another strategic choice as roads can just as easily be used by invading enemy armies.

Invest in market towns, create a cultural capital, or reinforce a stronghold; all the tactical choices you make in Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence will have an impact in the land and play their own part in how this magnificent historical drama unfolds.

The game is named after one of the most prominent and infamous figures of the Sengoku era (Warring States) of Japanese history, Nobunaga Oda. He fought to realize his dream of a united Japan and a new world. Though he fell before his dream was accomplished, he left behind a revolutionary legacy of castle towns and technological improvements, developing culture, modern warfare, and a new system of economics.

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of influence, centering around creating a realistic, dynamic, and dramatic playing experience, requires a high level of concentration and skill as players will need to master three key verticals in order to become a well-rounded ruler and successfully beat the game: Creation, Diplomacy and War.

• In ‘Creation’, players must strengthen their clan’s standing, and deal with everyday issues like building farms & roads, growing the economy, entering trade agreements with neighbouring fiefs, etc.
• ‘Diplomacy’ is a playground for cultivating diplomatic relationships, employing spies, creating alliances, gaining the loyalty of subordinate officers, and growing in strength via marriage, oaths of fealty and treaties.
• Finally, to succeed in ‘War’, players must train troops, level up officers according to the clan’s needs, fortify defenses, strategically position armies, and attack (or defend) to further their goals and grow their dominion.