Sega Encourages Staying at Home With Free-to-Keep Total War Game

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, we all need new distractions to help see us through each day of lockdown. This week, it's Sega offering up a great distraction for free.

From today until Friday, May 1, Sega is offering Total War: Shogun 2 for free and to keep forever. The strategy game was developed by The Creative Assembly as part of its Total War series and offers a mix of turn-based strategy and real-time tactical gameplay. Shogun 2 is set in the middle of the 16th Century in Feudal Japan, and the player is tasked with taking on the role of, "Daimyo, the clan leader, and use military engagements, economics and diplomacy to achieve the ultimate goal: re-unite Japan under his supreme command and become the new Shogun – the undisputed ruler of a pacified nation."

In the FAQ, Sega explains that it's offering Shogun 2 as free-to-keep because, "The past few weeks have presented unimaginable challenges for many of us, but the remarkable collective effort being made by the global community to overcome this moment of adversity has been truly inspirational ... we want to continue to encourage you all to stay home and save lives by extending a gift to everyone to help make this difficult situation a little bit easier."

Alongside the free game, Sega launched a sale which runs from today until May 4. It includes all historical Total War games and DLC packs. The reason the sale runs longer than the free game giveaway is because Sega will add Shogun 2 to the sale at a 75 percent discount for the last three days. Total War: Shogun 2 is available for free on Steam, where you can also find all the sale items available to purchase.

:story: PC Magazine