Empire-building 'Fortuna' launched by Perfect World

July 18 will see Chinese-owned Perfect World Entertainment release "Fortuna," a browser game in the vein of "Anno Online," "Civ World" or "Ages and Empires."

The publisher is well known for its stable of massively multiplayer online games such as the eponymous "Perfect World" as well as "Forsaken World," "Neverwinter" and, latterly, "Star Trek Online."

But as a browser-based game, "Fortuna" is a first for Perfect World and may signify a change of tack, perhaps one more accessible to those familar with Zynga's "Empires and Allies" on Facebook.

In keeping with its historical setting, the "Fortuna" website opts for Renaissance cityscapes placed behind women dressed in period attire, an approach that may remind some of the rather strange advertisements accompanying another empire-builder, "Evony."

Players of "Fortuna" are encouraged to see themselves as leaders of a emergent world power, turning a village into a bastion of cultural dominance, forging alliances with friends, and heading into battle.

Crucial to the game's financial success is the willingness with which armchair generals buy into Perfect World's virtual currency, Zen, using it to purchase enhancements in both "Fortuna" and across the publisher's range of free-to-play games.

Official website: fortuna.perfectworld.com