The Bluecoats - North vs South iOS update prepares the way for multiplayer

Historical iOS strategy game The Bluecoats - North vs South has just received its first major update, with more set to come.

We took a look at the game back in May and found it to be a decent, if slightly disjointed, affair. The game pitches you into that bloodiest of skirmishes, the American Civil War, and tasks you with picking a side (Confederate or Yankee) and obliterating the opposition.

Taking over territory is achieved in Risk-like boardgame fashion. There are also separate battle and shooting gallery sections that add a little visceral excitement to all that megalomaniacal scheming.

Now, The Bluecoats - North vs South has received its first update, which improves the interface for both iPhone and iPad devices. It also addresses a few gameplay-balancing issues on the strategic side. For example, you'll now be able to get a full rundown of the enemy forces whenever you try to capture territory, thus rewarding positive play.

Arguably the most interesting part of this first update, though, is what it's setting the foundation for. Eric Nguyen, marketing director for The Bluecoats - North vs South's dev Anuman Interactive, explains that his team "will soon be adding a full multiplayer option."

Multiplayer will offer two possibilities - pass-the-handset competition using just the territorial capture phase, and full-on head-to-head with all the trimmings using two devices locally.

This could potentially lift The Bluecoats - North vs South from decent to good, so stay tuned for more news.