Katarzyna Petru
The Total War series returns to its most iconic roots. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the series, Creative Assembly announced Total War: Medieval III – a project that aims to not only continue but also completely redefine how the historical installments of the series look.
Announcement made record early to showcase "the entire game development process"
The first video material is more of a manifesto of ambition than a full-fledged trailer – there isn't a single second of gameplay in it. During the broadcast, the creators only showed simple concept art that revealed the atmosphere of medieval locations. The reason? Medieval III is only just entering early pre-production. Creative Assembly states directly: for now, the "foundations" of the game have been established, and this early announcement is meant to allow the team to regularly share progress and respond to player feedback from the earliest stages of production. This is a completely new approach compared to previous installments.
"The Definitive Experience of Total War in the Medieval Era"
The studio's ambitions are exceptionally high. Medieval III is not only supposed to recreate well-known events but also allow players to completely rewrite history. Decisions made during the campaign will affect, among other things:
the consequences of the fall of the Byzantine Empire,
the fate of Rome after its expansion,
key political and military points of the late Middle Ages.
The creators announce that this is meant to be the most elaborate and historically aware Total War – based on extensive sources and collaboration with experts.
Action in the 12th–15th Century, But the Exact Starting Point Still in Plans
Medieval III will be set in the late Middle Ages – roughly between the 12th and 15th centuries. The exact start date of the campaign is not yet determined, but Creative Assembly emphasizes that they are considering moments that will allow for dynamic geopolitical changes and significant opportunities for alternative course of history.
In the coming months, we are expected to see a series of dev-blogs, in which the studio will gradually present various elements of the game, leading up to the full reveal of the mechanics. If the promises are kept, Medieval III could become the most important historical installment since Shogun 2.
