Gobbets! Stronghold 3 Announced

2011 will bring a second sequel to the castle-management series which famously outsells GTA in Germany, publisher Southpeak Interactive has announced. Firefly Studios return to the development chair for a title about which little has yet been revealed, bar "a significantly improved graphics engine and new gameplay elements." This is presumably in addition to the previously announced MMO, Stronghold Kingdoms. If you don't know anything about Stronghold, enlighten your brain with Kieron's Making Of feature from a couple of years back.

Press release below, not that it's super-illuminating. So I've thrown in a Stronghold Crusader Extreme video for good measure.

MIDLOTHIAN, VA - Leading videogame publisher, SouthPeak Interactive Corporation (OTC BB: SOPK), today announced that after a recent asset acquisition it has secured the rights to publish PC real-time strategy title Firefly Studios' Stronghold 3 via retail channels and digital distribution.

First published in 2001, the Stronghold series is one of the most respected in its genre, with the franchise selling more than five million copies globally. Stronghold 3 promises to build on these firm foundations with a significantly improved graphics engine and new gameplay elements. Firefly Studios' Stronghold 3 is due for release on PC in 2011.

"Stronghold 3 will be a terrific addition to our line-up as our premier release for Spring 2011," said Melanie Mroz, SouthPeak's CEO. "Publishing the newest sequel to the popular Stronghold franchise provides additional visibility to our brand and robust portfolio of games. With a strong built-in user base, we believe the enhancements incorporated into this sequel will drive further growth for the franchise, enhance our revenue stream through traditional retail sales, as well as significantly strengthen our digital offering where there remains tremendous growth opportunity."