Those who purchase Sega's upcoming strategy title Total War: Rome 2 will receive early beta access to developer Creative Assembly's side project, the free-to-play MOBA Total War: Arena.

In addition to early access, Rome 2 players will receive exclusive in-game Legion Armoury bonuses and roughly $15 (£10) of in-game currency.

While Sega is calling Total War: Arena a MOBA, it's quick to point out that it's nothing like League of Legends or DOTA. "We definitely think the concept of a MOBA, the multiplayer online battle arena game, is what this is," Total War lead designer James Russell told us at GDC. "But generally when people say MOBA they mean DOTA clone or League of Legends clone, and that is not what we are."

Total War: Rome 2 is due out on PC on 3rd September worldwide. Our Chris Donlan noted in his Rome 2 preview that when in Rome, it's best to be standing behind an elephant.