archon posts

It's a game that many of you might have never heard of yet it has been one of the most influential PC game titles in history. Archon, created by Free Fall Associates in the early 1980s, mixed fantasy battles with chess-like strategy elements to create a game that developers have since taken elements of and put into their own games.

Last year the new game developer React Games announced it had gotten the rights to the Archon franchise and after a release for the iPhone earlier this year they are close to releasing their version of the game for the PC which will include both the classic game and a new version with lots of new features. Big Download got a chance to chat with the company's founder Chad Lee to find out more about the game which is currently in beta testing. People can get the beta version now by pre-ordering the game at the Archon Classic web site.

Nearly a year ago, React! Games announced plans to bring the classic strategy game Archon to the PC. Now it looks like that time is coming as a new press release announces that they will be taking pre-orders for the PC version on October 15.

The developer first released a version of Archon for the iPhone earlier this summer but for the PC version you can expect lots of additional features such as switching from the original 8-bit artwork to one with enhanced graphics (there's a screenshot of the latter above this post). Also look leaderboards, multiplayer for up to four players, achievements and other features The game itself will be released sometime before the end of 2009. Pricing has yet to be announced. There's also no word on the previously announced Mac and Linux versions.

The classic fantasy-themed board game hybrid Archon has a number of fans since it was first released in 1983 by Free Fall Associates. It has been the inspiration for many strategy and board games ever since. Now it appears the original is getting a true revamp via new game developer React! Games.

The company announced earlier this month (but just spotted today) that they plan to release a new version of the game sometime in 2009. Details of the revival are still unannounced but a post on Kotaku features a quote from React! Games co-founder Chad Lee who does state the game will be released for the PC, Mac and Linux platforms. We will hopefully get more info on this new Archon revival sometime in the new year.