Hoecs Games

Not much here in this trailer for the upcoming expansion that’ll look any different to Company of Heroes fans, but the emphasis on driving right up to buildings then shooting them must be indicative of something. Maybe the Krauts liked to see the whites in the building’s eyes before they blew ‘em up, who knows.

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Earlier this week, THQ got around to formally announcing the long-known-about Company of Heroes expansion pack, Tales of Valor. Problem is, that’s about all they announced. No details. Well, Relic have since spoken with Edge, and now, we have details. Seems the game will come with three “mini campaigns”, which instead of being centred around a single, long story like the existing campaigns, will be shorter affairs. One of those three will revolve around the exploits of SS Panzer commander Michael Wittmann, who at the Battle of Villers-Bocage destroyed over 20 British vehicles in only 15 minutes.

The other two “mini-campaigns” are still a mystery, but we’d be surprised if there wasn’t one each for the Americans and British. In keeping with the smaller, more intimate feel Relic are going for, Tales of Valor will also introduce a feature called direct-fire. It’s described as a feature “in which a tank’s turret…will follow the player’s mouse cursor, allowing a tank’s turret to move and control independently from the vehicle’s path.”. Anyone worried this will break the game should know that in singleplayer, you can turn it on and off, and it won’t be making its way into multiplayer.

Good Company [Edge]

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There was some good news from the THQ camp today, with the publisher announcing a second expansion for Company of Heroes — the real-time strategy World War II game that everybody loves — would ship in spring of 2009. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor will follow previous expansion Opposing Fronts with “a ton of rich, new content” including “new campaigns and multiplayer modes, brand-new units, additional maps and the introduction of the ‘direct-fire’ feature,” according to developer Relic Entertainment’s own Tarrnie Williams.

It will also restrict the WWII game competition from using a very marketable [Something] of [Something] option as a potential title. Tales of Valor is very catchy and a good get for THQ.

A press release proving the whole thing is true is right after this.

THQ Announces Company of Heroes(R): Tales of Valor(TM) for Windows PC

Next Chapter in Award-Winning Franchise Features All-New Single-Player Campaigns, Multiplayer Modes and Innovative “Direct-Fire” Feature

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 3, 2008—THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced Company of Heroes(R): Tales of Valor(TM), the next standalone chapter in the widely acclaimed real-time strategy (RTS) franchise, is currently in development for Windows PC. Featuring three intense campaigns, brand-new multiplayer modes and an innovative “direct-fire” feature that allows even more tactical control during the heat of battle, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor will immerse players in some of the most historic, tide-turning clashes of World War II. Internally developed by Relic Entertainment, the game is currently scheduled for release in spring 2009.

“Company of Heroes is one of the most critically acclaimed RTS series of all time,” said Peter Matiss, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “With Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, Relic Entertainment is delivering an all-new, standalone chapter in the franchise and continues to push the boundaries of innovation and quality in the genre.”

“In Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, we’re offering players a ton of rich, new content including more strategic options in single-player and multiplayer,” said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. “With fresh new campaigns and multiplayer modes, brand-new units, additional maps and the introduction of the ‘direct-fire’ feature, we’re once again committed to delivering the best in strategic gaming.”

About Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor

Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is the next standalone chapter in the award-winning Company of Heroes franchise, featuring all-new content, including three single-player campaigns, new multiplayer modes, additional maps and units. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor also introduces a new “direct-fire” feature that allows players more tactical control of their units and more strategic options in-game. Developed by internal studio Relic Entertainment and powered by Relic’s proprietary Essence Engine(TM), Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is fully compatible with Company of Heroes and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, allowing players who own the entire series complete access to the epic battles of World War II. For more information on Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, please visit www.companyofheroesgame.com.

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