Three new scenarios and a new rating system for quick matches.
Microsoft Game Studios and Big Huge Games today announced the simultaneous availability of three free Rise of Nations multiplayer scenarios and a new feature-filled update that includes a new multiplayer ratings site and a quick match option. The scenarios and update are now available for download at the official Rise of Nations site (http://www.riseofnations.com/).
The three new multiplayer scenarios add new gameplay elements. In the “Italian Renaissance”, the first player to reach the Enlightenment Age is the winner. The twist is that there are only three libraries on the map and players are not able to build additional libraries, universities or cities. In “Europe”, five NATO nations defend against threats to Europe from encroaching units of the USSR. And finally, “Capture” pits four nations against each other on a single island far from the motherland, and only a lone scholar living on the island knows the way home. The path home will be revealed to the first player to capture the scholar for three minutes. Units will upgrade as players get more more kills, but if they take the scholar out of his territory, they will lose time from their three-minute timer.
With the release of the new update, gamers can track their Rise of Nations fame on a multiplayer ratings website (http://gamestats.gamespy.com/riseofnations/rankings0.html?rank=0). It contains a listing of the top rated players, as well as other multiplayer-related information such as the most popular nations. The new update also adds improved multiplayer connectivity, new multiplayer user interface options including a quick match feature, a quick match lobby and added support for multiplayer saves and player mods. For more information about the update visit http://www.bighugegames.com/riseofnations/patch_text.html.
Rise of Nations is available wherever games are sold for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (U.S.).
