Firefly Studios have finally revealed the release date for Stronghold Warlords, the next chapter in the long running series. The game will release on PC on September 29th, almost two decades after the release of the original game.

At launch Stronghold: Warlords will include full multiplayer functionality, support for AI opponents and a unique co-op mode allowing two players to work together building, defending and besieging from the same castle

“Multiplayer will include the ability to play in teams with friends and against the AI, but also the option to control a single castle cooperatively” said Nick Tannahill, Marketing Director at Firefly Studios. “For instance, in co-op one player could handle the economy from the start while the other builds up an army. Then later during a siege that player could control defensive units like Fire Lancers and Archers, while the other triggers castle traps and puts out fires.”

Multiplayer will also feature the game’s new Warlord mechanic, with smaller AI powered castles dotted around the battlefield that can be conquered through force or diplomacy. Once captured players can team up with these characters, all of whom have their own unique archetype and abilities, to outnumber and encircle rival players. Upgrading them to unlock more powerful castles, armies and perks, Warlords can be used to boost your economy or crush opponents entirely with a decisive pincer movement.

For those that need to know, the game is releasing on Steam and will feature full Steam Workshop support.