Total War: Medieval 3 Wants Your Input on Factions—But No Papal States, Please!

While much of the gaming community is buzzing about Total War: Warhammer 40,000, it’s easy to forget that Creative Assembly is also hard at work on a return to their classic roots with Total War: Medieval 3. Although it’s still early days in development compared to the sci-fi endeavor, CA has been surprisingly transparent, giving fans a peek behind the curtain through preproduction livestreams.

Recently, the team has put out a call for player feedback, asking what factions gamers want to see in the new title. They’ve rolled out a survey focusing on various nations, dynasties, and city-states that players would like to control. This comes from Creative Assembly’s latest blog post about Medieval 3, where they dive into how they decide which factions make the cut.

According to Leif Walter, the creative director, three main factors influence their choices: the popularity of the faction, the uniqueness of its starting position, and the potential for distinctive gameplay mechanics. Naturally, some factions are deemed “locked in,” meaning they’re pretty much guaranteed to appear. Think England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the Sultanate of Rum.

However, where they really want your opinions is on the smaller, lesser-known factions of the medieval era. Are you down to command Italian city-states like Venice or Milan? Or maybe you’d prefer one of the Scandinavian kingdoms? Muslim factions like the Almohad Caliphate or Fatimid Empire are also on the table.

In their blog, Creative Assembly has even provided a list of potential factions they’re considering, but some fan favorites have already been ruled out. The Russian Principalities, the Mongol Empire, and notably, the Papal States have been set aside for now. Despite fans expressing a strong desire to play as the Pope, Walter mentioned that the unique playstyle associated with the Papal States might divert too much focus during development.

Personally, I’m really looking forward to the chance to lead Scotland. As a fan of the Scottish clan system, I think it could translate into some fascinating gameplay. Picture managing clans that are always on the brink of infighting while dealing with external threats like the English—it sounds like a distinct and engaging challenge!

Regardless of which factions make it into Medieval 3, I’m excited for what’s to come. With Total War: Warhammer 40,000 on the horizon, there’s plenty to look forward to. The recent showcase at the PC Gaming Show has only added to the anticipation, and it looks like CA is set to deliver a stellar 40k experience.