Hinterland happiness

Tilted Mill did a 180 and is now offering the enhanced edition of their game for free to previous owners. This makes me happy.

For those of you who dont know, Hinterland is a fun little rts/rpg for $20 on most digital download services and now for retail. Its one of my favorite games right now. Here is the press release:

June 10, 2009 – Tilted Mill Entertainment -- independent developers of strategy, simulation and role-playing games – today announced the release of Hinterland: Orc Lords, an expanded version of its innovative 2008 fantasy PC title featuring fast paced RPG combat and strategic town-building.

Hinterland: Orc Lords includes the full original full game, where you lead a diverse cast of characters to establish a small haven in the wild backcountry of a fantasy kingdom, and select individuals to join your party on expeditions of exploration and conquest in the surrounding lands. In Hinterland: Orc Lords you have the option to play as an up and coming Orc leader, with two Orc classes to choose from (Orc Lord or Shaman).

“Playing as an Orc makes you approach the game differently. It requires a different frame of mind to be successful, which was one of our goals. The fact that you need to employ a different strategic approach as an Orc also expands replayability,” said Jeff Fiske, design director at Tilted Mill. Orcs level faster, are generally better fighters, and can eat whatever they kill! But they also require more food, and produce items more slowly.

“Players have really enjoyed the “loot, level and build” gameplay dynamic of Hinterland, and we thought it would be fun to turn things around be able to play as the bad guys. After all, there are two sides to every story!” said Chris Beatrice, president of Tilted Mill. “And our fans have been so loyal and supportive, we really wanted to say thanks, by giving them something more.”

The game is available now for download, and in retail stores across North America. Players who already own the original version of Hinterland can get the enhanced Orc Lords version for free.