E3 2002: Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria preshow report

The next installment in the Warlords series will be on display at Ubi Soft's booth at the 2002 E3, and the publisher has released some preliminary details and screenshots just prior to the show. Like its predecessors, Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria will blend turn-based strategic gameplay with robust RPG-style character development in the context of a fantasy world. Heroes play a vital role in the armies you'll field in battle. Their attacks and magic will be among the most powerful available, and their mere presence will aid the morale of friendly troops. You'll be able to develop these heroes, and they'll be persistent throughout the game. They will also be able to be equipped with magical treasures.

The game will feature both field-based combat and siege warfare. Additionally, you can opt to use diplomacy to settle disputes, in place of steel, when the situation warrants. The computer can also automatically resolve battles, when playing out an entire skirmish isn't a desirable option.

You'll be able to upgrade the settlements you hold, as well as construct entirely new ones. Roads can similarly be built to connect these settlements. The units themselves, as well as the spells that your magic users can wield, can also be upgraded. Resource gathering, furthermore, can be set to full automation, which can relieve the tedium involved in maintaining expansive holdings.

There will be six factions in Warlords IV, including the evil Volturnans, whom Ubi Soft says are even more evil than the vile undead. The publisher is also promising that the game's AI opponents will be both challenging and resilient. Additionally, the game will support multiplayer games via the Internet.

We'll have more information on Warlords IV for you from the E3 show floor.