Those of you looking to buy Creative Assembly's 1700s-1800s strategy game Empire: Total War might want to consider reserving a copy through Direct2Drive. The online games service is offering free copies of Rome: Total War Gold Edition to any and all pre-order customers.

The Total War games mix turn-based strategy and resource management with real-time large scale battles. Rome: Total War is the third installment in the Total War series (Empire is the fifth) and, as the title suggests, set in the times of the Roman Empire. According to the announcement by Direct2Drive, you'll be able to download and play your copy of Rome immediately after pre-ordering Empire. Sounds like a good way to tide yourself over until Empire is released.

Unfortunately, the deal is only being offered to gamers in North America. Empire: Total War will hit stores sometime this March.