Namco et Warhammer

Namco Hometek vient d'annoncer avoir acquis la licence "Warhammer" tout court (pas 40 000, donc). Aucune info n'a pour l'instant filtré concernant les jeux prévus, si ce n'est qu'ils seront aussi bien destinés aux PC qu'aux consoles nouvelle génération.

On espère quelques détails bientôt (au prochain E3, par exemple).

Santa Clara, Ca., (March 8, 2005) – Global video games publisher, Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that the company has signed a licensing agreement with Nottingham, UK-based Games Workshop Group PLC, to create interactive games based on the dark, medieval fantasy world of "Warhammer." The exclusive, long-term deal will allow Namco to publish multiple games for the PC and also allows for future console and handheld gaming versions.

“'Warhammer' is considered among the greatest fantasy gaming brands in the world,” said Grantley Day, Director of PC Development for Namco Hometek Inc. “We plan to extend its rich characters, environments and lore to the video game arena, with some blockbuster titles for the PC.”

Games Workshop created the "Warhammer" world more than 22 years ago, as the setting for its wildly successful tabletop fantasy wargame of the same name. Since then the game has been released in 6 editions, had dozens of supplements, and been the basis for tens of thousands of unique model soldier designs, making it one of the most well documented and detailed fantasy settings in existence. The world itself is a dark and forbidding fantasy realm, where Elves, Orcs, Dwarfs, Undead, and many other races clash constantly in mighty battles seeking domination over each other. Meanwhile, the insidious forces of Chaos strive to undermine the basic fabric of society both from within and by the direct invasion of its legions of daemons, beastmen and warped human champions.

The "Warhammer" community stretches across the world, supported by Games Workshop's 300+ stores, 4000+ independent retailers, and many games clubs, tournaments and events such as the annual Games Days in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Australia. There is also a thriving web community based around the official website and many thousands of fan sites.

“We feel sure the legions of 'Warhammer' fans will be excited at the prospect of this partnership with such a distinguished company as Namco,” said Jon Gillard, Business Development Manager for Games Workshop. “Namco has created some of the greatest video game franchises of all time, and we are confident they will make some incredible games set in 'Warhammer's' rich and engaging world.”