Indie developer Illwinter has announced that the next installment in the “hardcore” 4X Dominions strategy series that began in 2002, Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension is in development. Once more you will take on the role of “a powerful being that rules a nation and aspires to godhood.” The player will be dealing with Pretender Gods that “vary from magically powerful arch mages to huge titans or large monuments,” reads the game’s description.

Dominions 4 will feature over 2000 monsters, over 800 spells, over 300 magic items, around 75 different nations (“varying from Marignon with paladins, witch hunters and inquisitors to under water nations like the Lovecraft inspired R’lyeh”) and three eras that range from early magical to technological with steel weapons and armor. In addition, Illwinter pormises the game will be very mod-friendly.

Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension will be available on PC, Mac and Linux, and with a release date sometime around August 2013.

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