Epic
Combat Role-Playing Game Expected in Spring 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo
GameCube
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- May 9, 2002 -- The brutal and spectacular gladiator battles of
the ancient world serve as inspiration for Gladius, a turn-based action role-playing (RPG)
game from LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC. Gladius follows the grand saga of two young
heroes, Ursula and Valens, as they recruit and train a team of warriors to contend in the
fiercely competitive gladiator games. The game supports both single and multiplayer modes
and is expected to release spring 2003 on PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube.
At the heart of Gladius is a unique mix of dynamic game play that requires players to
develop and manage a school of gladiators who, over time, gain experience, learn new
skills, improve their abilities and finally test their might in epic battles. Players
fight with deadly weapons and powerful magic, learn vital combat tactics, and enhance and
customize characters.
"Gladius takes action RPG to a whole new level," says Tom Byron, director of
product marketing for LucasArts. "Besides signaling LucasArts' return to original
game development, Gladius features a distinct style of play that is wrapped in an epic
storyline. Players will experience a game that has incredible depth in terms of character
development, but also has a unique layer of strategy related to how players manage and
balance their team."
The overall scope of Gladius is huge, offering an estimated 36 hours of play in each of
the game's two story lines which take players on a challenging journey across four diverse
geographical regions. Each land contains a variety of warriors that players must recruit
and train. Battles occur throughout the game's 20 arenas and 12 other locations. During
fights players have a high level of interaction by way of an arcade style swing meter
which enhances the power of attacks. A successful fight will earn victorious players
highly coveted certificates and the approval of the Emperor. With each certificate
collected, players move one step closer to unlocking the next region.
Players control a school of gladiators that can come from 16 unique classes, including
the powerful Imperial Legionary; the witches of the Galdr class, who can sing magical
songs and chants; and the javelin throwing Peltast class. In all, the game offers more
than 100 customizable character types, hundreds of skills, and over 400 unique weapons,
helmets, shields, and other accessories with which to equip warriors.
In Gladius, players may choose to take on the role of Ursula or Valens. Ursula, from
the northern land of Nordagh, is the daughter of a great barbarian king. Valens is the son
of one of Imperia's greatest gladiators. A bloody conflict between their two homelands
gave rise to a vengeful dark god, which nearly destroyed all of mankind. Only with the
help of the revered Valkyrie was the dark god defeated, but it came at a great cost of
many lives. This gave rise to an uneasy peace that has existed for decades between the two
lands. Now the two young heroes must fulfill their destinies to keep the world from
heading into another disastrous war. Ursula and Valens join forces and travel across many
lands, competing in gladiator tournaments where they recruit a variety of warriors. They
also become immersed in the evil plot to revive the dark god. Once this wicked plan is put
into action, the gladiator games cease and the small band of fighters go on a challenging
quest to solve the mystery of the dark god an defeat those who would bring him back to the
land of the living.
Gladius features a story mode as well as exhibition battles against computer-controlled
opponents or up to four players in cooperative mode. Upon finishing the game, the
tournament system remains open so players can continue to build up their characters and
explore the game's four unique territories.