Anno 1404
 | |
| Developer(s) | Related Designs (Windows) Keen Entertainment (Nintendo DS & Wii)[5][6] |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Designer(s) | Dirk Riegert (Lead Game Designer) |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, Wii |
| Release | Consoles Windows |
| Genre(s) | City-building, Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Anno 1404, also known as Dawn of Discovery in North America or as Anno: Create a New World on Nintendo DS and on the Wii, is a real-time strategy and city-building game developed by Related Designs for Microsoft Windows and by Keen Entertainment for Nintendo DS and for the Wii. It is published by Ubisoft. It is the prequel to Anno 1503 and is the latest installment in the Anno series. The game was released in May 2009 for the Nintendo DS and for the Wii, with its Windows counterpart following in June 2009.
Summary
Anno 1404 takes place in year 1404. The King Georges' land suffers from drought and famine. Aware of the distress of his citizens, he decides to remedy the situation by sending his two sons, William and Edward, to explore new fertile territories that could produce enough goods to satisfy the inhabitants. Despite being brothers, both sons share a very different personality. In fact, Edward suggests fighting to collect the resources, whereas his brother Williams, offers a more peaceful approach to it and suggests that they should explore new and unsettled lands in the south of the Kingdom.
With the agreement of his Father, William settles to the South where he discovers the oriental culture. He befriends with the locals and in return, they teach William new technologies and secrets to take back to his Father's Kingdom. However, suddenly the Sultan is kidnapped and his aggressive sister takes over the control of the Orient. She cuts all friendly relations with George's Empire, and wants to attack them. Having not totally met his needs for resources, Georges sends anew his sons to find more goods, in whatever way possible in order to be prepared for an imminent attack.
Gameplay
As with other Anno games, the player starts as an unarmed country which has to colonize and expand in the game world. While the player expands, other computer controlled rivals are expanding and strengthening. As the player progresses through the game, players have access to lodge activities and troops which allow them to invade and ultimately to defeat other players.
Anno 1404 features a new interface, bigger islands and worlds to explore, a modifiable sandbox mode and other features new to the Anno series.[7]
Copy protection
A controversial aspect of the Windows version of the game is its rigorous DRM system based on Tagès. It enforces users to activate their game online by submitting an activation code after each installation or significant hardware change. The game can thus only be used if the computer has an internet connection, even though it lacks multiplayer functionality. It can only be activated three times by default; Ubisoft stated more activations can be requested if necessary. As a benefit from this system for the player, the game can be played without the installation medium in the drive, and self-made backup copies can be used without further restrictions.
References
- ^ Wii&NintendoDS Release in Europe
- ^ Wii&NintendoDS Release in North America
- ^ Gets Euro Release Date
- ^ Ubisoft Official Site
- ^ http://keenentertainment.com/products/recent/anno_createanewworld_DS/anno_createanewworld_project.html
- ^ http://keenentertainment.com/products/recent/anno_createanewworld_Wii/anno_createanewworld_project.html
- ^ Goldstein, Maarten (2008-08-20). "GC 2008: ANNO Goes Back In Time, ANNO 1404 Announced". Shacknews. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
External links
