Thirteen years after the first Warlords fought its way onto computers, the long-running PC strategy series started a new chapter when Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria shipped to stores today.

　　Published by Ubisoft and developed by Infinite Interactive, the game eschews the real-time combat of spin-off Warlords Battlecry II. Instead, the game returns to the turn-based system of the original SSG-developed Warlords franchise, albeit with improved graphics and gameplay. The new game has assembled an army of new features, which include: New speed tactical system, which speeds up combat. 3D-rendered height-mapped terrain. Persistent warlords that can be re-used in campaign, skirmish, or multiplayer modes. Enhanced AI for craftier opponents. A new open-ended, dynamic, nonlinear campaign. Unique multiplayer features that allow both allied play and free-for-all online play for up to eight players. Ten factions with unique units, weapons, and combat styles. Automated combat casting and high-quality graphical effects. 120 different fantastical units that grow stronger with experience. Variable victory conditions in both single- and multiplayer modes. Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria is PC-only and sells for a suggested retail price of $39.99. Its real-time combat sibling, Warlords Battlecry III, will be published by Enlight Software in Q2 2004.