THQ and Shanda Interactive Entertainment announced an online-only version of THQ’s RTS PC game Company of Heroes today. Titled Company of Heroes Online, Shanda will work with series-developer Relic Entertainment to develop the game for a 2008 release across Mainland China.
Company of Heroes Online will basically act as a persistent version of Company of Heroes. Players will build their character from private to general through a variety of multiplayer co-op missions, gameplay modes and PvP combat. Other than that though, no other details have been released yet.
Through the deal, Shanda retains the license to operate Company of Heroes Online throughout China while THQ and Shanda share the license for a possible future release across the world.
Brian Farrell, CEO of THQ, stated, "This new deal is a significant milestone for THQ as it supports two significant growth drivers for the company – building our product offering across Asia and expanding into new digital revenue streams. Shanda’s leadership position in the online space makes them the ideal partner to serve as both co-developer of Company of Heroes Online and operator of the game across China."
THQ and Relic Entertainment also has Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, the first standalone expansion pack to the game series coming this fall.
