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Slitherine has announced the renaming of its World War II turn-based strategy game, Battlefield Academy, to its new title: Battle Academy. The renaming is the result of a settlement reached with Electronic Arts over the use of the Battlefield name, a dispute which had delayed add-ons and other updates. The resolution also results in the release of a Mac OS X edition of the game, and the release of a new add-on: Operation Market Garden.

The OS X version of Battle Academy includes cross platform multiplayer with Windows edition players, an interface designed specifically for Mac users, cross platform saved game files, and the ability to continue multiplayer matches on a Mac that originally began on a PC.

The Operation Market Garden add-on challenges players to capture Arnhem bridge. It features 8 new single player missions, four multiplayer maps, the introduction of a new campaign mode, new forces, new terrain, and new buildings.

Battle Academy

Originally launched in August 2010, the game was immediately proclaimed by both critics and players as one of the most innovative and enjoyable strategy games of the year for novices and grognards alike. The product was originally scheduled to have a number of add-ons and platform adaptations, but these have been held back after allegations of copyright infringement was initiated by Electronic Arts.

Settlement has now been reached and the game is back with a change of name BBC BATTLE ACADEMY, together with a wealth of new content to rekindle the flame and continue the success that has been badly curtailed.  Slitherine may have lost the field, but have certainly won the battle!

Apple Users Now Able To Play Against PC Users

BATTLE ACADEMY re-launches in a grand style, with a brand new version for Mac users. This iteration of the game has exactly the same content, but a completely renewed and intuitive UI to make it more accessible for the different control systems available on Apple devices. The game is fully compatible with the PC version, so any player that bought the PC version will be able to use their save-games in the Mac version.

Moreover the multiplayer system is also fully compatible, so any Mac user is able to play against PC users through Slitherine’s acclaimed PBEM++TM. This system makes the game completely ‘portable’, so that any game started on PC can be continued on Mac and if required switched back again to PC.

“We are very proud to bring this franchise to Mac”, said Philip Veale, Technical Director of Slitherine. “There is an increased demand for our genre of games on the Mac  and we are sure BATTLE ACADEMY can easily challenge to become the most played strategy game on the Apple system. Players find it so easy to get into the game and start head-to-head battles, through our PBEM system.  We have taken the decision to make the game fully integrated with other platforms and we will continue to do this in future iterations as well!”.

Battle Academy - Operation Market Garden

Additionally a brand new add-on is now also available for both PC and Mac: BATTLE ACADEMY Operation Market Garden challenges players to use all their tactical skills to capture Arnhem bridge and secure a crucial victory against the Germans in one of the most complex engagements ever fought. Eight brand new single player missions, four multiplayer maps and the introduction of a campaign mode which includes carrying over units from mission to mission, make this new add-on an incredible package that any BATTLE ACADEMY player will just have to have to play.

“We listen to our players as much as we can,” said Iain McNeil, Development Director of Slitherine. “We have been asked for a campaign mode and we know this has been the top demand from our players. It took us a lot of development resources and time, but we decided that we just had to bring this to our loyal fan base, and it makes the expansion an amazing package. We are sure we are going to make a lot of our fans happy with this one”.

Battle Academy Demo

Slitherine is also launching a brand new BATTLE ACADEMY demo, for both PC and Mac. The demo is a custom created mission with a movie-like flavor, taking players to a small village in Normandy. It’s the perfect introduction to the series and makes an ideal step into the realm of BATTLE ACADEMY for anyone who has not yet  had a chance to play this great game.

Slitherine

Battle Academy

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