For we who are about to die

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For we who are about to die

Deep Silver and Deep Red go behind the scenes on their ground-breaking new PC title, Heart of Empire: Rome. Set for launch february 2006, Heart of Empire: Rome will allow players to build the magnificent city of ancient Rome to their own design. With such a historically lush backdrop as the Roman Empire's principle city, Deep Red is taking the 'tycoon' genre far beyond the normal traditions of tycoon gaming.

During Heart of Empire: Rome, the player is tasked with organising gladiatorial games, in honour of the Emperor. This is a great privilege and allows the player's game self to further their career and political ambitions, by boosting the Emperor's popularity with the mob, without spending too much of his money. The gladiatorial combats add authentic Roman colour to the game, recreating the infamous policy of bread and circuses used by the emperors to maintain the favour of the mob and so control them.

To arrange and pay for gladiatorial games, the player can select the Colosseum on the Heart of Empire screen, provided they have enough political power to gain access to the great amphitheatre. The player pays for games using funds built up while playing scenarios. The more money invested; the greater spectacle the games will be. The principle reason for putting on games is to please the Emperor. The game features four competing political factions, one of which the player joins at the start of the campaign game and supports from then on. When the player puts on games for the Emperor, provided they are worthy of his majesty, the Emperor gains popularity with the people. In return, he rewards the player and his faction with Imperium, which allows them to achieve their political goals more easily.

The gladiators within the game represent six of the most well known types. Gladiators fought in specific pairings, with their weapons and armour deliberately balanced to complement each other, with the intention of providing a more entertaining fight for the crowd. The game's fight sequences reflect this historical fact.

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