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The first teaser for Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm has been unintentionally leaked.

GameTrailers uploaded the video, but quickly removed it when they realised their error which usually means that it was authentic. They weren't quick enough though as internet users have managed to get a hold of the trailer and upload it on to YouTube.

Graham returns to Mount & Blade, a franchise he's explored with delight and disdain in equal measure in the past.

Sega has released a demo of Creative Assembley's Total War: Shogun 2 via the Steam download service.

You can queue up the download right here.

We’re very excited to announce that the demo for The Creative Assembly’s upcoming PC strategy game Total War: Shogun 2 is now available for download on Steam! You will experience a small taste of Total War's battles and Campaign game play in this demo, as you play through the Chosokabe tutorial campaign that introduces you to the feudal Japanese world of Total War: Shogun 2. Fight different types of land warfare with the tutorial battle stages and finally master the historic battle of Sekigahara, keeping in mind that all of this is just a small taste of the full Total War: Shogun 2 experience.

Paradox Interactive, purveyor of fine strategy videogames, has announced the PC RTS Naval Warfare: Arctic Circle.

The game is the first in a series that will feature high-tech warfare between NATO and other forces using the very latest in weaponry.

Expect to see the game released in Q1 2012.

There are more details and a video interview after the break.

Sega has announced the minimum and recommended specs for Total War: Shogun 2. Can your PC handle it?

Minimum Specs (Required for playing Total War: Shogun 2):
- 2 GHz Intel Dual Core processor / 2.6 GHz Intel Single Core processor , or AMD equivalent (with SSE2)
- 1GB RAM (XP), 2GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
- 256 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card (shader model 3)
- 1024x768 minimum screen resolution
- 20GB free hard disk space

Recommended Specs (Recommended for optimum game play of Total War: Shogun 2):
- 2nd Generation Intel® Core™i5 processor (or greater), or AMD equivalent
- 2GB RAM (XP), 4GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
- AMD Radeon HD 5000 and 6000 series graphics cards or equivalent DirectX 11 compatible graphics card
- 1280x1024 minimum screen resolution
- 20GB free hard disk space

Sega has released a new trailer for Creative Assembly's Shogun 2: Total War - this time focussed on the game's story.

Check it out after the jump:

You know what would be really great? A Total War game where the AI didn't suck and didn't have to be fixed by the community. Five games down the line and many expansions later it seems The Creative Assembly is finally waking up to what fans think of the franchise's CPU opponents.

CA community manager Craig Laycock has described the AI as "a big thorn in our side" and promised Shogun Total War 2 will solve the prlblem.

"Mike Simpson, our creative director, has basically said, 'This game is not going out the door until the AI is perfect'," Laycock said. "In terms of Shogun 2, we’re not going to release it until it’s perfect. There’s the line-of-sight stuff we’re introducing – basically, if any of our designers are playing the game and see something stupid, it’s like everyone stops. Everyone gets around the PC to have a look at it, and see what can we do to fix it. We want to get it so there’s nothing stupid happening in the game."

Source: Gameplanet New Zealand

Paradox Interactive has launched free DLC for the epic strategy game Lionheart: Kings? Crusade.

The New Allies DLC is free for those who bought Lionheart Kings' Crusade during the first week and ongoing until the 17th of October.

You'll find further details of the content on the official site.

The Crusades used to be an overlooked period in history for gaming, but recently it has become quite the popular setting. The Total War series has holidayed there twice and first instalment of Assassin’s Creed was also based there. Now Paradox is getting in on the action and they too have now based an entire game around the period.

I must admit that I do find this period fascinating. Also, the cult status of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller coupled with the fanaticism of ensuring Jerusalem was in the right hands certainly lays the foundation for conflict and it’s this conflict that fuels most games based around this period.

Sega has released seven new screenshots from Shogun: Total War, Creative Assembley's visit to the era and location that began the whole Total War series.

One wonders if CA is running out of ideas - I guess we'll know if the next game announced is Medieval: Total War III.

Check out the new shots after the jump:

bitComposer says it is working on a new version of its classic second Jagged Alliance isometric strategy game.

Jagged Alliance 2: Reloaded takes 1999's Jagged Aliance 2 and reworks it with new 3D graphics and user interface.

Details after the jump:

Paradox Interactive - one of the best publishers of strategy games - has just sent over this video of Lionheart Kings' Crusade.

You can check out the video after the jump, but here's a quick rundown of the game's features:

* Play through two single-player campaigns -- Crusader and Saracen.
* Oversee hundreds of soldiers in real-time epic battles.
* Command your forces, conquer territory, and expand your realm on a fully 3D map.
* Strategically manage your army between missions.
* Rewrite the past with famous historical characters serving as the main heroes.