[PC] Age of Wonders 3

[TiLT]

Triumph Studios just announced that Age of Wonders 3 will be released this fall for PC. I'm not well-versed enough the series to recognize how it will be different from the old ones. Perhaps the rest of you can help figure it out.

From the game's description page:

Key features include:

• Explore, expand and exploit a living fantasy world. Discover wondrous locations and gather legendary heroes.
• Develop your domain, with many classes having the ability to change terrain and climates to suit your needs.
• All new 3D graphics that provide a crisper and more detailed overview of the world and battle maps.
• New styles of play are possible with the introduction of RPG style leader classes like warlord, theocrat, rogue and sorcerer, along with a wide selection of specializations.
• Command a variety of races. Pick your starting race and shape your people’s destiny using your leader’s unique skills.
• A brand-new tactical battle system renders each battlefield and siege in great detail; new rules include flanking and a massive set of special unit abilities.
• An epic story campaign with two playable factions; Choose the mighty Commonwealth Empire or join the Court of the High Elves, founded after the reunion of the Dark Elves and Wood Elves.
• Compete online in extensive multiplayer modes and scenarios.
• High replay value through random maps, difficulty modes and tools allowing user created content.

[EddieA]

This is an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

[ATB]

I just found AOW2 in a box in my attic. Was thinking about firing it up again...

[skystride]

Cool.  I think I prefer AoW2 over most of the HOMM titles.  Hope this one will be good.

[Lockdown]

Holy cow! This is fantastic news.

[CeeKay]

turns out one of the funding partners is Notch.

Turns out the "big partner" helping fund Age of Wonders 3 isn't Epic Games but is Notch, creator of Minecraft, real name Markus Persson.

He's contributed to such a degree that Dutch developer Triumph Studios (Overlord) doesn't need a publisher for Age of Wonders 3, although distribution and co-publishing deals aren't ruled out.

Why is Notch doing this? Because he's a fan of the Age of Wonders series.

[EddieA]

Here are some new screenshots.