Archon will be coming back with new multiplayer game modes that support up to four player team and versus battles as well as classic 8-bit or modern versions of the game. The new PC title will also include online leader boards, achievements, HD resolution and online support.

Chad Lee, owner of developer React Games, says the decision to bring the classic back to the PC was driven by the game's success on the iPhone.

"In bringing Archon to the PC we've really focused on maintaining the classic feel of the original game," said Brad Moss, Design Lead at React Games. "That said, there were aspects of the title that needed updating for the modern audience. For example, the addition of 4 players was never in the original, but it adds so much fun it feels like it always belonged there."

Other additions include the ability to level up characters, power-ups and new board layouts. Pre-sales for the game kick off on Oct. 15, Lee said.

React Games is also about to launch a new Archon-based iPhone game. This one, unlike the first which was a remake of the original game for the iPhone, will be a single-player experience with four campaigns, 60 quests and unique enemies and characters.

The game will also support Ngmoco's Plus+ tech, meaning it will have awards and a leader board.

Archon: Conquest was submitted to the App store earlier this month, Lee said, so it should be out any day now.
Lee also said that

React Games

The latest update to hit the App Store for the game for free includes plenty of fixes and tweaks as well as newly enhanced AI settings for the game. I'm told future updates will include feature requests from the game's forums, visual enhancements, and multiplayer.

The game is also getting a free lite version this Monday. To tide you over, here's a batch of new codes that React Games sent our way for the title.

73KRJE7RY3KP
FXWPM6YLNAP4
KFJRR3NW34L3
XKX6K6Y3HWYE
TFMX9MMA4HFT
4X9EPX9FEP39

For those of you who may have missed out, Archon is a classic board game from developer Free Fall Associates that takes chess and adds an element of arcade combat, creating what could almost be said to be an action real-time strategy game. React! Games has been working diligently on creating a new version of the title for the iPhone, and if the latest screenshots are any indication, it's coming along quite nicely.

React! founder Chad Lee dropped us a line to update us on the progress of Archon Classic.

Right now the game features a single-player mode that utilizes a virtual direction pad for control during battle sequences, with the option of using the iPhone's accelerometer to control combat. They've developed a bit of AI they call "Smart Aim" in order to help the players find their marks, explaining that it's "really hard to get a fast twitch response on the iPhone". The screen also zooms in and out during combat based on the distance between combatants, which should add a nice dynamic feel to the battles.

The first version of the game will feature the classic game with several difficulty levels. Future updates will introduce multiplayer, achievements, and stat recording.

We are very excited about this game...it's not a simple port from another platform, but a game made specifically for the iPhone, taking advantage of it as a console. This game really plays a lot bigger and better than most other games on the iPhone and will definitely be a favorite of everyone who actually play it.

Chad also wanted to let everyone know that they'll be organizing giveaways at the game's official website leading up to release, with t-shirts, posters and even custom skinned, limited edition iPod touches up for grabs for those registered in the forums.

As for when the game releases, all we know now is that they're very close. Check out the latest screenshots below.

When we'd last left our intrepid action board game it was in the hands of Myriad Interactive early last year, with big plans to do...something. Now we discover that React! Games picked up the license earlier this month, and plans on releasing a new version of the game by the end of this year. While only the PC has been confirmed so far, React! is eying every platform possible. Says React!'s Chad Lee:

We are moving as fast as possible to get it out by fall 2009 (at the latest). Our goal is to get it out on all the platforms, but the only ones that are "officially announced" are the PC, Mac, Linux. Please tell everyone to register on the forums and give us your two cents...we are using the forums to help guide us in making this game for the fans. So every opinion counts!

You heard the man! Go hit up the React! forums to let them know where you want Archon to show up!

REACT! GAMES SECURES ARCHON LICENSE FROM FREE FALL GAMES

Salt Lake City, Utah: December 12, 2008

React! Games signed a license deal with Free Fall Games to develop the Archon title across multiple platforms. The original Archon game, made in 1983 by Free Fall Associates, proved an instant classic with its perfectly balanced gameplay. It was originally developed on the Atari 8-bit computer and was later available on the Commodore 64, the NES, and a variety of other machines throughout the 1980s.

“It's a dream come true. After years of pursuing the opportunity to remake this game, we've finally done it. With its perfect combination of action and strategy, this license will appeal to both the nostalgic gamer and the newcomer alike,” says Chad Lee, founder of React! Games.

"Archon fans have had to wait far too long to play one of their favorite games on a contemporary machine, but this time we think they'll finally get their wish. We've been inspired by Chad Lee's enthusiasm and determination, and we believe React! Games can do this project justice. We are eagerly awaiting Archon's return!” says Jon Freeman, cofounder of Free Fall Games.

Although development will be across multiple platforms, no details have been released yet.

React! Games was created to handle the development of the Archon title with Chad Lee as the Managing Director. Mr. Lee has worked on a previous noncommercial version of Archon called, “Archon Evolution” which had received high acclaim from the community worldwide, even garnering over 300,000 hits on the website before production ceased. Mr. Lee also owns Studio 4d1 Animation which serves the film, television and video game industries.

React! Games is a privately owned company.

For more information, visit React! Games at www.reactgames.com and the Official Archon website at www.archonclassic.com