During the late Renaissance period, the Church dominates daily life across Europe. However, the arts are rising in prominence, while sciences such as mathematics and alchemy are changing the world. In addition, philosophy has turned to the deliberation of humanity. Nowhere is this more so than in the independent city-state of Tier. Located between the affluent Venetian Republic and expansion-minded France, it is ruled by a Duke whose great personal thirst for knowledge, fueled by the invention of the printing press, must be balanced against incessant pressure from the Inquisition to set aside the heretical new ways. Through his considerable skills as a politician, he has managed to keep all these threats at bay. However, with the danger steadily increasing, he has strengthened the community's defenses and commissioned the famed engineer Leonardo da Vinci to design new engines of war.

Tactica Online is Imaginary Numbers' endeavor based on this complex, multi-faceted pseudo-historical setting, which also incorporates magic. Announced in the early part of March, the Australian-based studio's project is described as a turn-based strategy RPG featuring tactical squad combat that will take place within instanced missions and tournaments. In this regard, two essential elements are the title's horizontal skill system and its matchmaking scheme. These and various other measures are designed to ensure that battles will be won through strategy and teamwork, not simply superior strength based on having attained higher levels. In the manner of building a deck in a collectible card game, experience will provide a broader range of options rather than sheer power. That all this sounds rather different only heightened our desire to know more, so we got hold of CEO and Creative Director Luke Carruthers.