Total War: Medieval III – Everything You Need To Know

SEGA and developer Creative Assembly (CA) officially announced Total War: Medieval III during the Total War 25th Anniversary Showcase on December 4, 2025. Hailed as the “rebirth of historical Total War,” the forthcoming grand strategy game is highly anticipated, although it remains in early pre-production and is still years away from release.

While details on release date, platforms, and pricing are unavailable, Creative Assembly confirmed that the game will be powered by Warcore, described as “the next evolution of the game engine.” Warcore introduces new tools for animation, rendering, and campaign systems specifically tailored to the medieval era, allowing the development team to realize their ambitious vision.

The project is led by Pawel Wojs who serves as the Game Director and brings deep experience to the title, having worked on Medieval II: Total War nearly 20 years ago: “This is a series we know means a lot to many of you, and having personally worked on MEDIEVAL II almost 20 years ago, it’s beyond my wildest dreams that I get to lead the team bringing its sequel to life.”

The Ultimate Medieval Sandbox

The guiding motto for Medieval III is “Rewrite History.” The team envisions the game as the ultimate medieval sandbox, designed to blend historical authenticity with expansive player agency to allow for the forging of alternate timelines.

Creative Director Leif Walter summarized the core philosophy: “With MEDIEVAL III, we want to push this further than ever before… You pick a realm, seize your glory, and rewrite history, or kneel before it!”

The game’s vision is built on three key pillars:

1. Architect of Feudal Realms: Players are encouraged to treat their chosen faction like an RPG protagonist, building legacies through dynasties, cultures, estates, and long-term decisions that span decades.
2. Master of Grand Strategy: The game aims to reward foresight through interlocking systems involving trade, laws, and reforms, demanding deep strategic planning.
3. Manipulator of the World: Players will be able to issue decrees to reshape landscapes, cities, and societies, for instance, deforesting regions for timber trade, founding new cities, or promoting foreign cultures within their territories.

Teased Gameplay and Scenarios

The team hasn’t shared full gameplay footage yet because they are still focused on developing core features. Even so, CA has teased several mechanics and historical scenarios that show how deep the game will be. On the campaign map, the RPG-style realm-building lets you shape religions, cultures, and economies, with choices that matter over time. For example, promoting Italian culture in Mamluk Egypt could eventually create Italian communities and even Italian generals many years later.

Battles aim to offer strong tactical depth, using systems for morale, discipline, and fatigue. Weather and terrain will also affect fights. Rain might turn the ground to mud and slow down cavalry, while generals can inspire nearby troops.

Sandbox Freedom mode lets players relive major historical events, like defending Jerusalem against Saladin in 1187. You can also rewrite history in dramatic ways, such as saving Constantinople from falling or starting a new Viking Age.

The game covers the chaotic medieval period from 1187 to 1412 and possibly beyond. It spans Europe, the Mediterranean, Byzantium, the Middle East, and the Baltics, with trade and invasions reaching as far as the edges of India and Asia. Teased playable factions include the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Byzantine Empire, Mamluk Egypt, the Holy Roman Empire, the Teutonic Order, Saladin’s forces, the Mongols, and the Timurids.