Publisher SouthPeak games has announced that Stronghold 3 will be coming to the PC in 2011. It has been about five years since the last game in the Stronghold franchise, and developer FireFly Studios has promised improvements across the board this time around.

SouthPeak Games’ CEO Melanie Mroz describes the new game:

They know where their money is, and that’s castle building. This has been greatly improved, providing players with superior control over the placement of buildings. Players now can use a precision that compliments their carefully planned tactics. Also, village planning is no longer confined to a grid system. Players can now create castle walls that flow gracefully.

“FireFly Studios are creating a true masterpiece, pushing the boundaries of what can be expected in this type of game. Millions of existing fans are sure to be excited by this incredible leap forward and new fans will be introduced to a game of superior quality and exceptionally broad appeal.”

Improved gameplay elements also include:

  • Realistic physics and cutting-edge graphics Story-driven gameplay engages players across two campaigns: combat or economic Dramatic nighttime sieges add a new dimension Besiege other players’ castles or defend your own in a range of online multiplayer modes Play through accurately re-created sieges from the pages of history

I’m excited to see the addition of night sieges, and I think this takes the game to a whole new level. With enemies hiding in the dark, one will have to choose their tactics even more carefully than ever. They say the new graphics engine promises “stunning detail.” Hopefully, with that and some killer AI, they can provide a living, breathing world with believable medieval life- like a top-down Middle Ages version of GTA IV, so to speak. This game will really come down to how much the graphics and physics engines can live up to the hype.

Stronghold 3 promises to bring some RTS castle defense sweetness to your PC early next year. This could be a welcome change from the simple castle defense games we’ve all been playing on our little mobile devices. I’m looking at you, iPhone. A full-fledged PC title with great graphics and all the bells and whistles is just what the doctor ordered. I for one can’t wait to see what FireFly Studios has in store.

Well, Ranters, any of you PC gamers excited about the announcement for Stronghold 3?

Stronghold 3 will be released globally for Windows PC in the first quarter of 2011.