Dawn of War II

[Nathan]

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Announced

Debut Teaser

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Developed by award winning Relic Entertainment, Dawn of War II ushers in a new chapter in the acclaimed RTS series - taking players to the brutal frontlines of war to lead an elite strike force on a mission to save the galaxy.

It's the 41st Millennium in the Sub-Sector Aurelia - a cluster of worlds on the edge of the Galaxy - where a battle of epic proportions is about to commence. Ancient races will clash across the planets that dot this section of space, battling for the greatest of stakes - not only the claim to the land and its bounty - but the fate of each race.

With a focus on fast-action RTS gameplay, Dawn of War II brings to life the science fiction universe of Warhammer 40,000 like never before. Experience the intimate brutality of battle as you play through your chosen race's epic campaign. Clash with enemies on battlefields ablaze with visceral melee and ranged combat. Lead and develop your squads from raw recruits into the most battle hardened veterans in the Galaxy.


HIGH-RES Screenshots


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Latest News. Posted: April 3, 2008


Sequel to Multi-Million Unit Selling Real Time Strategy Series Features Vicious Frontline Combat, Extensive Co-Op Campaign and Cinematic Visuals


AGOURA HILLS, Calif. April 3, 2008 -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II, the highly anticipated sequel from one of the industry's premiere Real-Time Strategy (RTS) developers, Relic Entertainment, is scheduled to bring the 41st Millennium's savage warfare to life like never before in spring 2009. Powered by an enhanced version of Relic's proprietary Essence Engine 2.0™, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II will take players to the brutal frontlines of war where they'll experience intense action and visceral combat through a non-linear single player experience and a fully co-operative multiplayer campaign. Set in Games Workshop's (LSE: GAW) highly popular Warhammer 40,000 science fiction universe, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is being developed exclusively for Windows PC.


In addition, THQ is pleased to announce that gamers purchasing copies of the recently released Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® - Soulstorm™ will be able to participate in an invitation-only multiplayer beta program for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II set to take place at a future date.


"The original Dawn of War and its subsequent standalone expansions have established the series as one of the industry's leading RTS franchises," said Brad Carraway, vice president, global brand management, THQ. "Dawn of War II will re-define RTS gaming to gamers worldwide, delivering brutal frontline action and tactics, and allowing players to get straight to the action with unprecedented fast-paced RTS gameplay and a full co-op campaign, all in stunning cinematic detail."


"We started with everything fans loved about the original Dawn of War and then added more than they ever could have hoped for in the sequel into Dawn of War II," said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "Leveraging our critically acclaimed Essence Engine 2.0, gamers will develop and lead an elite strike force through Games Workshop's war-torn universe, engage in devastating combat among the ruins of fully destructible battlefields, and be immersed in an ever-changing single-player and co-op multiplayer campaign."


About Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is set in the grim, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop's (LSE: GAW) Warhammer 40,000 universe - a dark, futuristic, science-fiction setting where armies of technologically advanced warriors, fighting machines and hordes of implacable aliens wage constant war. Developed by critically acclaimed RTS developer Relic Entertainment, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II ushers in a new chapter in the acclaimed RTS series, as ancient races - including the dauntless Space Marines and savage Orks - clash across ruined worlds on a mission to claim the galaxy and preserve their own existence. Powered by the re-vamped Essence Engine 2.0, the next evolution of Relic's proprietary game engine made famous in the award winning Company of Heroes, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II will deliver fast-paced RTS action with ferocious melee and ranged combat in fully destructible environments. Immersing players in an in-depth non-linear single-player campaign and a fully-co-operative multiplayer mode, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is set to deliver the most visually-stunning Warhammer 40,000 setting ever created. For more information on Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, please visit www.dawnofwar2.com.

[sandwraith]

That pro-Space Marine trailer sucks. The Warboss wouldn't job like that and a Force Commander doesn't move like Prince of Persia.

That being said, I hope Relic knocks this one outta the ballpark, the Warhammer games they've made kick so much ass. Hopefully they'll incorporate the cover system from Company of Heroes and finally bring in the Tyranids. Starcraft 2 ain't out yet but already we've got a Starcraft killer in the works. WAAAGH!

[Raiden]

Finally, DOW2 is announced; I was afraid that Relic will just release more expansions for DOW1 instead. I haven't brought Soulstorm yet, but I will probably do so eventually. I'm just not thrilled with the news that they brought back CD check, and many of the new units seemed rather lackluster (like the new air units).

[sandwraith]

Soulstorm isn't Relic's direct work I'm told. It's by a sister company or subsidiary called Iron Lore. Lots of fans aren't too happy about their work either. that being said, I can't wait to try out the Dark Eldar and kick ass again with the Tau.

[lollycop]

I play the miniture board game then this. I find it more productive and its more relaxing.

[sandwraith]

The miniture game I wanted to start but its way outta my price range. The miniatures, the paints, the rulebook and Faction books....its a lot to consider. Plus I suck bad at paints. Really...

[Raiden]

I hope DOW2 starts with these races:

Space Marines
Chaos
Elder
Orks
IG
TYRANIDS

If they don't have Tyranids, then there is really no point of making DOW2 imo.

[Nathan]

They better be. The whole reason they weren't in the first DoW or any of the expansions, was because Relic said they couldn't do them with the current engine. Now with DoW2 announced, they should be one of the starter Races.

[sandwraith]

The Tau need to be a starter race. They're like the only good guys in all of DoW!

[Nathan]

Debut Gameplay Teaser. HD (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/34903.html) and SD (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/34904.html) version.

[TrekBiker]

I hope they have a story mode. The campaign mode in Dark Crusade and Soulstorm was cool, but I am a sucker for story modes where the objectives are more than "blow up your opponent". I'm sure they could probably have both modes.

Also, I like how they add new things and tweak the rules for races like the Necrons, Dark Eldar, and Sisters of Battle. It makes it feel like they are really different, and makes things more interesting since everyone is not always after the same resources.

I'd also like to see more customization for the heroes in particular, like more wargear options.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

More proof of gamespot incompetence. Check out how bad this interview is, I feel sorry for the Relic guy.

http://www.gamespot.com/video/945727/6194355/videoplayerpop?

[Nathan]

A couple new vids.

Exclusive E3 2008: Trailer (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/36029.html)

E3 2008: Cinematic Trailer (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/36579.html)

E3 2008: Gameplay Trailer (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/37237.html?type=)

[zanos]

Never played this game. But the sequel looks amazing. Reminds me alot of starcraft.

[Raiden]

Never played this game. But the sequel looks amazing. Reminds me alot of starcraft.

Starcraft originally was to be a WH40K RTS game (from what I've heard). But after Game Workshop pulled out, Blizzard decided to modify the game and get rid of the WH40K setting, but you can still see some similarities between SC and WH40K. Terrans are like Space Marines (and they even have marines as their grunt units), Protoss are Elders, and Zerg is Tyranids. With SC2 and DOWII on schedule to be released next year, it'll be interesting to see which one prevails in this RTS battle.

[Microchip]

New update, Tyranids are going to be the forth race.

There is an updated trailer showing this off at IGN. Here's a link to the article...

http://pc.ign.com/articles/900/900039p1.html

[Nathan]

GC 2008: New Enemy Cinematic (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38608.html)

GC 2008: Meet the Tyranids Trailer (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38613.html)

[Raiden]

New update, Tyranids are going to be the forth race.

There is an updated trailer showing this off at IGN. Here's a link to the article...

http://pc.ign.com/articles/900/900039p1.html

Awesome! Looks like I'll be picking up this game. :up:

[Vile]

The Tyranids look amazing.

[Nathan]

Dawn of War II
Exclusive Space Marine Campaign Walkthrough

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HD version (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40921.html?type=) | SD version (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40922.html?type=)

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Looks sweet.

[Raiden]

Any vid of Tyranids in DOWII?

[Nathan]

Just the "Meet the Tyranids" vid and at the end of the Intro.

But there are a bunch of screenshots (http://www.dawnofwar2.com/us/screenshots) on the official site.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

New screens

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/gorays/screen_010.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/gorays/screen_011.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/gorays/screen_012.jpg

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http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2008/231/reviews/945727_20080819_screen005.jpg

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[Raiden]

Wow, those Tyranids are friggin' awesome! I'm going to get DOW2 for sure. :up:

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Minimum Requirements –
* Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista SP1
* P4 3.2 GHz (single core) or any Dual Core processor
* 1 GB RAM (XP), 1.5 GB RAM (Vista)
* A 128MB Video Card (Shader Model 3) - Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT / ATI X1600, or equivalent
* 5.5 GB of Hard Drive space


Recommended –
* Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista SP1
* AMD Athlon 64×2 4400+ or any Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2 GB RAM (XP and Vista)
* A 256MB Video Card (Shader Model 3) - Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT / ATI X1900, or equivalent
* 5.5 GB of Hard Drive space


http://kotaku.com/5124938/dawn-of-war-ii-specs-will-wage-an-endless-war-on-your-pc

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Dawn of War II Fighting Piracy With Free DLC

Dawn of War II (http://www.dawnofwar2.com/us/agegate) developer Relic Entertainment (http://www.relic.com/) plans to combat piracy not with DRM, but with free downloadable content meant to reward the people who actually buy their game.

Relic plans to release a steady stream of free downloadable content as a way of rewarding people who buy their game and indirectly enticing pirates. "We really want to give our players a top-notch experience and we want to reward our players for playing our game," Jonny Ebbert, lead designer of Dawn of War II, said in an interview (http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/warhammer40000dawnofwarii/interview.html). "Free downlodable, regularly accessible stuff that enhances the game and then that's an incentive for people who didn't buy it."


Unlike DRM-based anti-piracy measures, Ebbert believes this incentive-based approach rewards gamers instead of punshing the innocent. "We want to give out steady doses of free downloadable content because we believe in rewarding people who buy the game and the reason we don't like DRM solutions is because they punish the innocent and they have to jump through all these hoops," Ebbert said. "We don't want to do that so we're going with the approach that Valve pioneered to just reward the people who actually bought the game with cool stuff."


So, Relic has big plans. Their track record for supporting their games isn't exactly solid, however, based on the example of the original Dawn of War (http://www.dawnofwargame.com/us/home/agegate). Relic, though, will be the first to admit to that. "Our support of Dawn of War wasn't up to snuff," Ebbert said. "We did that to ourselves by making a very difficult patching pipeline, so one of the firs things we did was make it very easy to patch Dawn of War II."

They seem to be stepping up their content delivery game already - a multiplayer beta for Dawn of War II will be available starting later this month. Owners of the Dawn of War expansion Soulstorm will get early access beginning on the 21st, while the general public will get their hands on the beta - which includes all the Dawn of War II races - a week later on the 28th. The beta will be available exclusively through Steam.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/88560-Dawn-of-War-II-Fighting-Piracy-With-Free-DLC

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

The multiplayer beta is hectic, really face paced.

Screens


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[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

StarCraft II / Dawn of War II Special

http://uk.pc.ign.com/dor/objects/850126/starcraft-ii-terrans-wings-of-liberty/videos/starcraft2vdow2_011509.html;jsessionid=as65eeis0k6 63

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II Multiplayer Beta, Now For Everyone! (http://kotaku.com/5140663/warhammer-40k-dawn-of-war-ii-multiplayer-beta-now-for-everyone)



Anyone can get into the multiplayer beta now.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

IGN review.

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/954/954749p1.html

"Closing Comments

Relic has made a lot of bold decisions with Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, some of which are sure to turn off parts of the RTS hardcore base, the most obvious being the elimination of base building. Yet as players we can't continue to accept the same kinds of games, complain about stagnation, and then turn our backs when somebody does something different. In the campaign portion of the game Relic blended elements of action-RPGs and real-time strategy games and succeeded in producing a new and entertaining kind of experience. The missions could be more interesting and quality of narrative delivery stronger, but what's here is a terrific alternative to the standard base-bashing real-time strategy campaigns, hopefully something Relic is able to expand and further improve with expansions. A full multiplayer suite and four playable races are there waiting for you when you're through with the campaign, and should provide lots of fast-paced bouts of brutal conflict online and in skirmishes against the AI. While the overall formula could still use some fine-tuning, the current product is one part hypercharged tactical combat, one part streamlined competitive RTS, and entirely worth playing."

[Vile]

this game is just too cool! 'Nids FTW!

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Theres 50% off Relics games on steam this weekend.

[Drz]

So theres a sequel coming with Chaos included, anyone got any news on this? Theres suppose to be a PC Gamer issue with the new info.
http://i38.tinypic.com/hs2k21.jpg

Found this. :)

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

The game needs more variation, the basic gameplay mechanics are good but it's just the same thing over and over again, sometimes on the same maps.

[Drz]

http://i38.tinypic.com/oh4qqt.jpg

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

http://ve3dmedia.ign.com/images/05/97/59785_ChaosRising.jpg

http://ve3dmedia.ign.com/images/05/98/59817_DawnOfWar2ChaosRising-05.jpg

http://ve3dmedia.ign.com/images/05/98/59816_DawnOfWar2ChaosRising-04.jpg

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http://ve3dmedia.ign.com/images/05/98/59813_DawnOfWar2ChaosRising-01.jpg

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/dawn-of-war-ii-chaos-rising-review

[RavenLF]

I like the first Dawn of War ( I use to play 40k) what I've heard of this new one it's going to be good, don't know if I plan on getting it or not.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Plays nothing like the first, at least in single player.
RTS/RPG with 4 units then spamming massive armies.

[dheeraj4uuu]

not allowed.

[Nathan]

What the hell? :huh:

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

http://store.steampowered.com/sub/4587/

Pretty good, £26 for the lot.
Dawn Of War II cost £29 alone when it came out over here.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Dawn of War II Retribution dumps Games For Windows Live for Steamworks (http://news.bigdownload.com/2010/09/15/dawn-of-war-ii-retribution-dumps-games-for-windows-live-for-stea/)


When developer Relic (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/relic) released Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War II (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/warhammer-40,000-dawn-of-war-ii) back in 2009 it used Microsoft's Games For Windows Live (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/games-for-windows-live) clients for updates, achievements and other features, The first expansion pack Chaos Rising, released earlier this year, also used Games For Windows Live. Today, Relic announced that the next game in the sci-fi RTS series, Dawn of War II Retribution (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/dawn-of-war-ii-retribution), will switch over and use Valve's Steamworks (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/steamworks) system.

Relic stated that the switch to Steamworks will allow them to do things for Retribution like "guest passes, free multiplayer weekends, pre-loading and the ability to provide fast turn-around on future patches and updates." Unfortunately Steamworks support won't be added to the original game or Chaos Rising nor will the content in Retribution be added to those to games when Retribution is released in the first quarter of 2011. The good news is that owners of the original game and Chaos Rising will be able to participate in a multiplayer beta of Retribution via Steam sometime in 2011.

This is the latest game franchise to dump Games For Windows Live for Steam. Bethesda Softworks (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/bethesda-softworks) announced earlier this year that Fallout: New Vegas (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/fallout-new-vegas) would use Steamworks after using Games For Windows Live for Fallout 3 (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/fallout-3) and Square Enix used Steamworks for Kane and Lynch 2 (http://news.bigdownload.com/tag/kane-and-lynch-2) after using Games For Windows Live for the original game.

[Nathan]

Finally got a new PC, bought the Complete Edition and having a total blast. :awesome: I totally don't mind that the base building is gone, I like that it goes straight to the action.

[El Bastardo]

Yeah, the first two are pretty good. Retribution's campaign gets a little tiring, but it still has its perks.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Bought Retribution a few days back and I am reallly enoying it much like Choas Rising They both seem alot better than the main game to me.
I recently read they were making DOW3, I hope they don't re-add base building and expand upon the loot aspect. Upgrading the fellows with stuff is a good carrot dangler.

[El Bastardo]

Retribution shows its glaring flaw right around the time you start a second campaign.

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

My character seem abit over-powered. I'm barely even needing to micro-manage now.
I like the sound though, that mission with the exterminatus had the speaking make the room vibrate.

[Nathan]

Last Stand gets a new Hero.

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