For history buffs who own a PSP, PS2, or a PC, The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome is like manna from heaven. Developed by Slitherine Software, this title should appeal to an audience that has far too often gone unnoticed by other developers.

Gamespot was lucky enough to score an interview with the development director of the game Iain McNeil. In the interview, he discussed quite a few points that should catch the attention of those who haven't picked this game up. One of the more important details that McNeil discussed is the game's focus. He maintains that this is a "real blend of action and strategy."

Before a battle starts, you have the chance to create a battle plan, which is where the strategy comes in, and your men will carry out this plan in battle.

Some players may choose to wing it and skip this section and jump straight into the battles. Once in the battles, it's fast-paced action all the way. In the larger battles, there are thousands of men giving the game a truly epic feel, which has not been seen on consoles before.

In addition to that, this game was also built to be historically accurate considering they did secure a History Channel License for the game. McNeil gave two major reasons why they decided to obtain the license and how it benefits the game overall.

Firstly, they have thousands of hours of high-quality footage, which we were able to search through and use to create the movies you see in the game. These really add to the atmosphere when combined with the superb music and voice-over, allowing the player to become fully immersed in the period.

Secondly, having a well-known license like the History Channel brings the game to the attention of people who might otherwise have missed it. It has also allowed us to do a lot of TV advertising, which has not been possible in the past. The History Channel has been really supportive and it has been great to work with them.

So there you have it. This is a history game for the most discerning war gamers out there. If you want to read the full interview, feel free to click on our read link. The game has already been released so there's no reason not to check it out to see if it's for you. More updates on The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome as it happens.

Indie game developer Slitherine Software has launched its own "brainchild" project in order to provide resource assistance for other independent game developers of the industry, helping to bring their own games to market. The Kameleon Project, as its called, is the outsourcing resource for the little guys.

 

Music direction and content, artists, programmers, concept designers, marketing and advertising, business or even the basic advice - Kameleon Project will provide them all. They've already worked with one other independent game developers, namely Firepower Entertainment and DoubleThink Studios, for the war title Commanders - Europe at War, and it's the first title to come out as a result of the project.

Although they've focused on aiding the production of a 2D strategy PC game, slated for a May 2007 mastering, the Kameleon Project is also available for indie developers hoping to deliver their titles to the consoles. With the hefty licensing issues aside, the project should be able to provide further options and support for game developers who are focused on making great games and not great marketing.
 
Does this mean we could expect more indie games to show up soon? While the PC community has been the current brunt of the indie market, it would be interesting how it turns out for the console gamers out there. If you've got word on a great game that could use some backing, inform the people behind the project through the "Read" link below.

OK, so history can be a bit boring sometimes. It's a good thing that companies like the History Channel are looking at other avenues of education to spread the knowledge among the younger generation. Case in point: Great Battles of Rome.

Developed by Slitherine Software and published by Black Bean, The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome lets players take control of Rome's vast armies in a series of campaigns to expand the Roman Empire. There are reportedly over 100 playable battles. There are also seven PSP-exclusive campaigns that feature the gods.

So far, there hasn't been any video that show us the gameplay details (the official website does mention that this strategy-based title can let players control up to 20 units at a time), but we do have a trailer for you guys today. Check it out below. The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome hits Europe on May 7 and is available for PC, PS2, and PSP.

The subject matter of The History Channel's latest gaming project tempts a cliche: "Arma virumque cano... genus unde Latinum, Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae." The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome, being developed for the PSP, PS2, and PC by SBK07 devBlack Bean Games, with Slitherine Software and the History Channel, relives over 100 battles between the Roman legionnaires and the barbaric tribes up north, including the Punic Wars, and Julius Caesar's campaign all the way to the shores of modern-day Britain.

If you have no idea what this writer just said, right up to the Latin, try visiting a local library.

The game features a mix of strategy and action, the press release says, featuring customizable army setups and a choice of whether to draw up the order of battle or leave it to the AI and take nothing but the action. We suspect an AI-squad action game in the veins of Bladestorm, Dynasty Warriors, or 300, but no further clues can be inferred from the screenshots (presumably from the PC or the PS2 version) below.

Hey, it's not a video game that'll rock the world, but you know what they said about being ignorant of history. Which is why a trip to the library every now and then isn't so bad.

If you guys have been following interesting mods that have been piling up for some of our PC titles, then the UK-based Lordz Game Studio should be familiar. And if you happen to be one of the guys who enjoy some of their mods, then consider this more good news. Now, if you're a history buff with a taste for Clausewitz and Jomini, all the better.

LGS has just announced that in light of its successful mod development, it will now be partnering with publisher/developer Slitherine Software to work on its very first commercial title. The game, a strategy game set in the Napoleonic wars, will make use of Slitherine's Arcane Legion engine - which was a nominee for the technical excellence award at the Independent Games Festival.

And while further details are still a bit sketchy for this upcoming PC title, we do know it will be coming out in both a multiplayer and single player mode. For now, we'll just have to satisfy ourselves with these early concept art to give us a grasp of what's under development.

The rest of the concept art after this jump!