The king of large-scale strategy is finally answering its fans: Creative Assembly is taking Total War back to the Middle Ages with a brand new project that promises to redefine the series. The studio has officially announced Total War: Medieval 3, a sequel that it describes as nothing less than a renaissance for historical Total War games.

At long last, the moment thousands of Total War fans have been waiting for has arrived. Creative Assembly has confirmed that the series is returning to the medieval era with the reveal of Total War: Medieval 3. The game closed out the Total War 25th Anniversary Showcase, a special broadcast celebrating the franchise’s first twenty-five years, and it did so to a roar of approval from players who have spent the last nineteen years hoping for a new medieval entry.

That said, it is worth tempering the hype with a bit of patience. Creative Assembly has been very clear that the newly announced Total War: Medieval 3 is still in the early stages of development, which means its release is not just around the corner. In an article outlining the studio’s vision for the project, the team explains that it is embarking on a long journey and wants to take the community along for the ride, especially those who have been pleading for a new Medieval title for years.

“Our vision for Medieval 3 is for it to be the ultimate Total War sandbox set in the medieval world and the definitive ‘What if…?’ experience where you can alter the course of history,” says experience director Pawel Wojs. “Our goal is to create the perfect atmosphere, immersing you in the historical authenticity you expect from Total War. As you play, the world will react in ways that feel genuinely plausible. You will be able to follow the path written in the history books, or take a bold step and rewrite it.”

Because the project is still in its early production phase, Creative Assembly is not ready to break down specific mechanics or detailed design choices. Even so, Wojs stresses that, “as development progresses, we will have more to show and discuss regarding its direction, and in some cases we will give you a voice in shaping certain decisions.” Staying true to this philosophy, the team hopes “to offer more insight than ever before into the development of a Total War title. We will make some mistakes, but we are excited to begin this journey with you.”

Why Did Creative Assembly Wait 19 Years For A New Total War: Medieval?

Anyone who has spent time on social media knows how often fans have begged for a new Medieval game, so Creative Assembly has been fully aware of the demand for a return to the Middle Ages in Total War. Yet the studio chose to hold off for nearly two decades, and it now points to two key reasons that also define the direction of the current project.

The first is Warcore, the evolution of the studio’s technology that will underpin a new generation of strategy experiences. “It is unlike anything we have worked with before, offering a custom set of new and improved tools across our entire animation system, right down to the renderer and campaign building blocks, all designed to bring the medieval era to life in ways we have never been able to achieve before,” Wojs explains in the article dedicated to Total War: Medieval 3.

The second is the team itself. Creative Assembly now has a group of seasoned developers who not only have decades of experience but also a deep understanding of why historical strategy is so compelling. “We knew it was essential to bring together the right people, a team with decades of experience and a deep understanding of what makes historical strategy so compelling. This experience, combined with the passion of those who helped shape the saga, lays the foundation for building something truly special,” the studio notes. In short, the technology and the talent have finally aligned to give fans the Medieval follow-up they have been imagining for nineteen years.

The Return Of An Iconic Era

It is no surprise that the community has reacted with such enthusiasm to the announcement of Total War: Medieval 3. The second Medieval entry was not the best-selling game in Creative Assembly’s historical catalogue, but it represented a major leap forward, with larger armies on the field, deeper empire management outside of battles, and a campaign that stretched from 1080 to 1530, including the discovery of America.

Over the years, Creative Assembly has continued to orbit the medieval period with titles spanning everything from pre-medieval times to more modern eras, while also scoring major success with games like Total War: Three Kingdoms. Now, however, fans can stop dreaming and start counting down the days. The studio itself describes Medieval 3 as the “renaissance of historical Total War games,” raising expectations that the series will reconnect with the tone and setting many players still consider its peak.

We are still a long way from seeing the final result, but one thing already seems clear: Creative Assembly is aiming high. If Warcore delivers on its promise and the experienced development team can channel everything it has learned over the past twenty five years, Total War: Medieval 3 could easily become the next landmark title in the strategy genre.

Source: 3djuegos