Stronghold: Warlords will allow players to control AI commanders across the battlefield.

From the 3rd century BC China through to the coming of the Mongol Empire in 1200 AD, Stronghold: Warlords allows players to relive famous historical battles and sieges against great khans, imperial warlords, and shogun commanders.

Stronghold: Warlords is Firefly’s first Stronghold to recreate the castle economies of the Far East. Stronghold: Warlords lets you take command of Mongol hordes, imperial warriors, tribal fighters and samurai clansmen as you lay siege to Japanese castles and fortified Chinese cities. Besiege historical rulers using new gunpowder-fuelled siege weapons, classic units and a completely new way to play Stronghold.

Firefly Studios has just announced six new castle economy features coming to Stronghold: Warlords.

By taking Stronghold east Firefly will explore new castle economies, religion, new resource chains, and introduce other series improvements such as a brand new roads system and mini-economies for the titular warlords.

“Self-publishing means we can give the sim side extra time, meaning the return of classic features like torture and fresh game modes,” said Simon Bradbury, Designer and Founder of Firefly Studios. “It’s nice having that freedom to iterate on the daily life aspects of what it was like to live in a castle, with proper systems-driven gameplay and detail.”

From dancing bears and peasants skipping around the maypole to jousting, and even the controversial gong system, Stronghold has always added plenty of little touches simulating the bustle of a larger feudal city. City builder elements are what define Stronghold both as an RTS and a simulation of castle life, with Stronghold: Warlords adding a host of new sim elements:

• Boost troop morale with opera houses and martial arts performances
• Strike fear in the hearts of peasants and boost productivity with torture devices!
• Connect roads to streamline certain industries and resource chains
• Build temples and boost the Spirit of your populous
• Get friendly warlords to boost your industry with their own mini-economies
• House your peasants in luxury accommodation to keep them happy

For the first time ever Stronghold: Warlords allows you to recruit, upgrade and command AI warlords across the battlefield with their own unique perks and characteristics. Each warlord under your command boosts your control of the battlefield allowing you to fortify borders, forge weapons or team up for a pincer attack! Each campaign mission, skirmish game, and multiplayer battle means a fresh set of warlords to command and new strategic depth. By unlocking more powerful castles, armies and abilities each Warlord has the potential to disrupt the flow of battle and turn the tide in your favor.

Stronghold: Warlords is scheduled for release on PC in 2020.