Creative Assembly's James Russell has made his much-hyped appearance at the Rezzed Games Festival to talk Rome II. Revelations include word the campaign map will be expanded East compared to the original Rome, political rivalries within the Roman Senate and patrician families, and intriguing references to the infamous, yet delicious, incendiary pigs. Eurogamer has a good report on the presentation at the conference.

In other Rome news, CA studio director Mike Simpson sat down with the ever-present Eurogamer to discuss Rome II, with some interesting titbits on potential modding of the game, realism, and the more human feel the next Total War game aims to bring. Here's a quote on modding!

"What they actually want is a toolset and capabilities which are better than what we actually have ourselves. They don't realise quite what a horrendous and manual process putting together some of these systems is! As we develop our own tools it becomes easier for us to support modders, so we're intending to do that." Mike Simpson, Creative Assembly Studio Director

Talk Rome II Right Here on TWC!