Creative Assembly Seeks Player Input for Total War: Medieval 3 Factions

All eyes may currently be fixed upon Total War: Warhammer 40,000, Creative Assembly's ferociously ambitious foray into the 40k universe. But it's worth remembering that the more traditional side of Total War is looking pretty exciting too, as CA is returning to one of Total War's best settings in Medieval 3.

Medieval 3 is much earlier in development than Total Warty K, but the CA has been surprisingly open with the community about its development thus far, regularly showing the game off in preproduction livestreams. Now, it's also fielding opinion on which factions should be playable in Medieval 3, asking fans to complete a survey about which nations, dynasties, and city-states they want to control the destinies of.

This comes courtesy of Creative Assembly's most Medieval 3 blog, which delves into the developer's faction-based decision-making process. According to creative director Leif Walter, three factors go into deciding whether a faction should be in the game. These are how well known the faction is, how unique its starting situation is, and how distinctive its "potential mechanics" could be.

Naturally, there are some factions which Creative Assembly considers "locked in" by default. These are England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the Sultanate of Rum. Where CA wants player input is on the smaller factions of the Middle Ages. How keen are you to play as Italian city states like Venice or Milan, for example? Or Kingdoms of Scandinavia? Or Muslim nations like the Almohad Caliphate or the Fatimid Empire?

Creative Assembly lists all the factions it is considering making playable in the article. There are some potential factions that CA rules out, such as the Russian Principalities, the Mongol Empire, and the Papal States. Apparently, the latter is particularly desired among Total War fans, but Walter says that Creative Assembly "discussed internally that this playstyle would be so unique and special that it would reduce focus of development too much."

Of course, the faction I'm most interested in playing as from the list is Scotland. Partly because that's where I live, but also, I think you could make an interesting mechanic out of the Scottish clan system, which developed through the medieval period. Dealing with new clans emerging, trying to stop them from infighting and stealing cattle from each other in order to deal with larger threats (mostly the English), seems like it'd be a fun and distinctive challenge.

Whatever factions end up in Medieval 3, however, you can bet that I'll be playing it whenever it launches. But I'm happy to wait, not least because Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is on the horizon. CA's sci-fi strategy got a fresh showing at this month's PC Gaming Show and, judging by what CA has revealed so far, is shaping up to be a dream 40k experience.

What to Expect from Total War: Medieval 3

The survey is an important step in shaping the experience of Total War: Medieval 3, and it's clear that Creative Assembly is keen to involve the community in its development. By focusing on smaller factions, the studio is opening up the possibility for unique gameplay experiences that reflect the complex political and military landscape of the medieval world.

Some of the potential factions include:

  • Venice and Milan as Italian city-states
  • Scandinavian kingdoms such as Norway and Sweden
  • Muslim nations like the Almohad Caliphate and Fatimid Empire

While the Papal States are not on the list, the reasoning behind this decision highlights the studio's focus on balancing the game's design and ensuring that no single faction overshadows the overall experience.

Fans of Total War have always appreciated the depth and variety of playable factions, and it's exciting to see Creative Assembly take this approach with Medieval 3. Whether you're a long-time fan of the series or new to the Total War universe, the survey offers a chance to influence the game's direction.

The Road Ahead for Creative Assembly

With Total War: Warhammer 40,000 already generating a lot of hype, it's clear that Creative Assembly is in a strong position to deliver another compelling entry in the Total War franchise. Medieval 3 is expected to bring a fresh take on the medieval period, with a focus on dynamic gameplay and historically inspired mechanics.

As the development of Medieval 3 continues, we can expect more updates and revelations from Creative Assembly. The studio's commitment to involving the community in the decision-making process is a positive sign, and it shows that they are determined to create a game that resonates with players across the globe.

Whether you're hoping to lead a Scottish clan, command a Venetian fleet, or navigate the political intrigues of the Middle Ages, Total War: Medieval 3 promises to offer a rich and immersive experience. Stay tuned for more news and updates as the game moves closer to its release.