Total War developer nabs Warhammer fantasy license

Warhammer's fantasy battles are in experienced hands, as Total War developers The Creative Assembly have signed a multi-game deal for the property with Games Workshop. The studio's development slate now includes five games, Eurogamer reports, including Total War: Rome 2 and an Aliens licensed project.

The deal only covers the gritty swords-and-sorcery universe originally spawned by the tabletop strategy game, with the first title not planned for launch until after 2013. THQ still holds the license for games based on Warhammer 40,000's gritty chainswords-and-psychics universe, such as Space Marine and in-development RPG Dark Millennium.

"With this year being our 25th anniversary it seems fitting for us to embark on such a dream project with such a well-established partner," Creative Assembly studio director Tim Heaton said. "The incredibly rich and detailed Warhammer world is something we grew up with, and has left an indelible imprint on us as both designers and gamers."

Electronic Arts' MMORPG Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning will not be affected by the deal.