Anticipation for the Open Beta is building. Just this week, the Gods & Heroes Facebook fan page crossed the 100,000 “likes” milestone for the first time!

I have to say, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to watch this project go from a speculative phone call in early 2010, to a full blown labor of love. It has been a difficult road full of unexpected challenges ranging from mundane small business growing pains to a very personal grave illness. Regardless of the obstacles, this team has always found a way.

For those of you who have been with us for a while, I’d like to say “thank you.”. Although it started small, the Gods & Heroes community has always been positive but pragmatic, vocal but open-minded, and critical but appreciative.

I hope that in the past few months we have demonstrated our commitments to transparency and follow-through. In the spirit of these two values, I recognize there are quite a few questions about where to get the game, how Open Beta and launch will work.

Honestly, we’ve been in the process of finalizing our digital distribution deals for some time, and there’s one key contract still under way… Steam. I can tell you this: you will be able to purchase the game on almost every digital distribution platform you can think of, including Steam and Direct2Drive. Our goal was to announce the details of those deals by today, but unfortunately, there are still a few small details to work out. Hang in there, we’ll have the details for you as soon as the legal team puts the last contract on my desk.

Which brings me to Open Beta. Open Beta will begin June 6th and run through June 12th. The purpose of the Open Beta is for potential customers to demo the game and for the development team to work out any last kinks in the service.

Therefore, during the Open Beta, you will be able to play through a limited set of game content, up through about level 14. Except for Rome, all maps above level 14 will be inaccessible. If you want to find out what happens after the Volcanic Vents, please pre-order the game and join us during Headstart or at game launch!

After Open Beta, we will do a character wipe in preparation for Head Start. If you Pre-order the actual game box from a retailer, don’t worry if for some reason the game doesn’t arrive on the 21st. Your Headstart codes will stay active for several days after launch. For more on how to get the game and the different phases of Launch, please visit www.godsandheroes.com.

The Heatwave team is also working hard on post-launch content including new classes, new maps and new game systems that will deepen the game in the weeks and months immediately following the launch. We’ve come a long way in a short while, and we’re looking forward to many years of enjoyment in Roma and beyond!

Regards,
Anthony Castoro, Executive Producer
The Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising Development Team