Crusader Kings III: Chapter IV

[guiskj]

I wonder if the map expansion itself will be a base game addition, with the Hegemony, events, activities and Celestial government being DLC locked.

 

[Tilarium]

So, I guess PDX came back to old DLC model where everything major will be locked behind a DLC. Cuz to me it seems that Asia all together will be locked behind a DLC, as well as the new government tier.

Also, I hope you've made really big tweaks to the engine that would not be too taxing on Low and Mid tier PCs, at least on Low settings. Because the game doesnt go quite smooth with current map, and I'm afraid how it'll go with entire Asia going.

The map increase will likely be free but you need the dlc to play as one of the rulers in the region is my guess.

 

[gurufabbes]

China shouldn't be added. It should be its own game. It would be an instant buy.

We are just going to see huge slow down in performance now, for no gain. The same happened for me when India was added in CK2, my laptop struggled from then on.

I agree with you even if its a minority opinion. For the period mentioned, those countries didn't do much. They interacted relatively little with one another. (EDIT: on a geopolitical level, culturally, quite a lot)

If you add the same AI as the rest of the game has, say in Europe, you're going to end up with very ahistorical outcomes.

This may be especially bad for megacampaigns, where at least previously, it would keep in Asia in a cryogenic sleep and open the EU4 with them and their historical borders. Now I imagine by the end of the game, we're going to end up with cross-country invasions that never happened, and one nation, probably China, invading and dominating the rest of Asia, Middle Chinese as the court language everywhere... and you'll end up with something ridiculous.

Crusader Kings should be mostly about Europe and the Middle East. India was already stretching it, but I could live with it. Adding China, and who knows, the rest of the map, south america and subsaharan africa next?

Not a good development in my opinion. Now wondering whether I really will be sticking with CK2 if I want a plausible megacampaign.

EDIT: The disagreements don't really answer the points raised.

 

[Delterius]

The map increase will likely be free but you need the dlc to play as one of the rulers in the region is my guess.

modern problems require old fashioned solutions

haestein shogunate

 

[Evethor]

Very sceptical about the performance impact of this.
Administrative empires are already a massive performance hog.

 

[Pepe_Sylvia]

republics when?

https://imgur.com/a/please

 

[DeanTheDull]

This game should be learning lessions from the Stellaris team on how to make sure introduced mechanics get touchups over time and reworked backwards into previously introduced content. Instead this reminds me of the HoI IV development philosophy.

What do you think the 1.15.0 ‘Crown’ update is if not a 'don't call it a Custodian patch' custodian patch?

 

[IIXBatmanXII]

Coronations are welcome i guess... Woooooow..... Still no republics? Really? As wide as the ocean and as deep as a puddle, my friends.

I think this almost certainly opens up Republics and trade for Chapter 5, as they’ve said they’re building with each expansion. How can the Silk Road be introduced without China first being added?

 

[vandevere]

My only hope is that the devs optimized the holy @#$% out of the Game before adding China.

 

[frostbiyt]

No military or religion overhaul this year, that's disappointing, but not unexpected. Will the map extension come with the China expansion? Because it would be kind of weird for the steppe expansion to be missing a large part of the historic Mongol empire.

 

[ray243]

Will it be possible to add central treasury to Admin empires like the Byzantines Admin government and the Arab Clan government? Because those are regions that did have a central treasury as well.

The Basilika and the Demosia. The Financial Offices of the Late Byzantine Empire - Persée

 

[biny496]

Are you planning to change the current map projections?
Whole of Asia will be displayed much much more smaller than it actually is if the projection stays the same

 

[Arcvalons]

Regarding the Silk Road:

"Thrive along the expansive Silk Road by profiting from the wealth and innovations of China, even if you are far beyond its borders."

Does that mean there'll be a rework of how innovations/tech works or spreads?

 

[Cooleatack]

It would be funny if we can go round the Cape of Good Hope in the late game because of this map expansion. The game does end at 1453… Is it something we can definitively exclude?

 

[ray243]

I agree with you even if its a minority opinion. For the period mentioned, those countries didn't do much. They interacted relatively little with one another.

If you add the same AI as the rest of the game has, say in Europe, you're going to end up with very ahistorical outcomes.

This may be especially bad for megacampaigns, where at least previously, it would keep in Asia in a cryogenic sleep and open the EU4 with them and their historical borders. Now I imagine by the end of the game, we're going to end up with cross-country invasions that never happened, and one nation, probably China, invading and dominating the rest of Asia, Middle Chinese as the court language everywhere... and you'll end up with something ridiculous.

Crusader Kings should be mostly about Europe and the Middle East. India was already stretching it, but I could live with it. Adding China, and who knows, the rest of the map, south america and subsaharan africa next?

Not a good development in my opinion. Now wondering whether I really will be sticking with CK2 if I want a plausible megacampaign.

EDIT: The disagreements don't really answer the points raised.

There is so much misunderstanding of history in this comment. The region interacted with each other via the steppes and the Mongol empire. If you want to add the Mongols well then you need to have China in it at some point.

 

[Mech_infect]

new activities in the form of coronation are interesting, but I hope they will do something about the fact that all this requires a lot of money. I often encounter a situation where I don't want to hold an event because of the costs and sometimes because of the so-so rewards as a result. Maybe I'm wrong, but the activity needs improvement to become more attractive

 

[Ksiendzu]

Now instead of to India we will have to send Vikings to Japan...

 

[gurufabbes]

There is so much misunderstanding of history in this comment. The region interacted with each other via the steppes and the Mongol empire. If you want to add the Mongols well then you need to have China in it at some point.

Please let me know when China invaded and dominated the Asian continent, puppeting Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan (or worse, annexing them outright, supplanting the local languages and culture with its own. or vice versa Japan doing this to China and Korea, or south east asia... hell, maybe either might blob and go as far as Europe).

Because that is exactly what you are going to end up with if it shares the same AI as the rest of the game.

Asian history is particularly singular in that there were less wars between neighbouring countries than in Europe. Far less. And when there were, the territorial changes were smaller.

Unless there are some very strong guardrails put on Asia's AI and limits on expansion through the mechanics, I would be very worried about the outcomes you may get here. But maybe it's not an issue for those who wish to see Greater East Asia coprosperity sphere form in 1396. I just personally do not.

Personally, I just wanted what the game was supposed to do to work properly, like not having ships magically appear out of nowhere in exchange for gold, before starting to add all sorts of regions that have nothing to do with the Europe or the Crusades added to the game. Maybe the polish on the basics.

 

[BLM-93]

Hello everyone! I'm the Community Manager with Paradox Studio Black, and today we're excited to present to you the next stage in Crusader Kings III's development: Chapter IV. Today, we'll go over the themes of each piece of content that make up the Chapter, as well as give a brief peek at their features. Without further ado, let's get into it.

---

View attachment 1264590

Core Expansion: Khans of the Steppe​

The first release in Chapter IV, Khans of the Steppe, focuses on the brand-new Nomadic Government and the systems we've created to support it. Inspired by the nomadic peoples of the Eurasian Steppe, these mechanics will challenge you to adapt to a lifestyle dominated by the ebb and flow of the land's vitality, maintain your herds, and establish your dominance over the region by any means necessary.

Key Features​

Nomadic Government​

Nomads don't live in a single static location; historically they travelled across the steppe as climate and fertility demanded, and we've strived to recreate that experience in Khans of the Steppe. You'll guide your people and herds across the region, tapping into the fertility of the land for as long as it lasts. Once resources run dry, you must migrate anew. Chieftains can roam peacefully by negotiating with neighboring shepherds, or seize new pastures by force.

Herd​

Representing your horses, cattle, and overall strength within the steppe, the new Herd system becomes a cornerstone of diplomatic, martial, and economic actions. Use it to fuel your warbands, or as currency in your negotiations.

Dominance​

Prove your might on the steppe through Dominance, increasing it alongside your power and territory. At its highest level, you might even claim the mantle of Genghis Khan; the Universal Ruler.

Seasons & Survival​

Life in the steppe is harsh, affected by the changing climate and weather patterns. A White Zud could blanket the land in snow, decimating fertility and putting pressure on you to find greener pastures. Meanwhile, milder conditions can bring bountiful growth to your herds, ushering in a period of prosperity.

Khans of the Steppe releases on April 28, with dev diaries scheduled for every Tuesday until then. Be sure to mark your calendars if you're eager to try your hand at this new style of governance and rulership.

---

View attachment 1264589

Event Pack: Coronations​

Beyond the steppe of Eurasia, Chapter IV introduces a new event pack simply titled: Coronations. In the medieval world, a coronation was more than just a gathering, it represented the moment where earthly and divine legitimacy converged.

Coronation Activity​

Coronations function as a new activity type, letting you experience the event first hand. Coordinate with religious authorities and conduct the perfect ceremony to establish your right to rule in the eyes of your vassals and subjects. Plan it wisely, because the consequences of this activity can echo throughout your entire reign and beyond.

---

View attachment 1264588

Major Expansion: All Under Heaven​

Chapter IV's flagship Major Expansion, All Under Heaven, is set to be the largest and most ambitious expansion in Crusader Kings history. We're completing our map of the medieval world by extending its scope across all of Asia. This massive expansion brings new gameplay, unique governments, and entirely different perspectives on life in the medieval era.

Key Features​

From Ireland to Cathay​

From the celestial might of Imperial China and the unique governments of Japan and Korea, to the god-kings of the Indonesian archipelago, each new area in All Under Heaven features new cultures, faiths, and flavor.

Hegemony​

To properly represent the power and influence of China in this period, we're introducing a new tier of title above an empire: the Hegemony. This new title tier allows for further granular representation of the division of power within large-scale realms.

Dynastic Cycle​

The fate of the imperial dynasties follows a cyclical pattern, reflecting historical eras of stability and eras of chaos. Players will struggle to maintain the Mandate of Heaven and prove that they are the right choice to navigate the empire through treacherous waters.

Imperial Treasury​

A new centralized treasury system for the Chinese Emperor represents the flow of wealth upward and into the empire's coffers, letting you decide how to spend (or squander) resources that could make or break the stability of the realm.

While no release date is being announced at this time, you can expect our normal in-depth developer diaries to start for this expansion shortly after the release of Khans of the Steppe, with our first dev diary tentatively scheduled for May.

---

1.15 "Crown" Update: Available Now​

To properly prepare for our upcoming content in Chapter IV, we're releasing a broad set of changes to the game's existing content with our 1.15 "Crown" Update, available to all owners of Crusader Kings III right now, free of charge. This update overhauls multiple systems and fixes numerous issues to ensure your experience in the medieval world is more enjoyable.

Update Highlights​

Court Position Overhaul​

A more intuitive interface for appointing and managing your court's less essential roles. New court positions are introduced, while existing ones are given tasks that their holders can be directed to perform for various benefits. Additionally, you can now choose to replace vacancies manually, or set specific positions to be refilled automatically.

Army Automation and AI Improvements​

Focus on what's important to you while you let the AI handle martial affairs. There's also new interface elements to clarify what allied armies (or your own, if automation is enabled) are actually doing, making it easier than ever to coordinate your war efforts.

Improvements to Crusade AI​

The AI will now gather its armies before striking at its enemies as a properly coordinated force. Expect more unified Great Holy War offensives, and fiercer opposition as a defender.

From quality-of-life changes to bug squashing, the 1.15 "Crown" update refines the overall experience of the game. It's also available right now, so give it a try and let us know what you think!

---

​

Instant Unlock: Crowns of the World​

For those eager to dive into Chapter IV content as soon as possible, anyone who purchases the Chapter IV pass will immediately receive the Crowns of the World cosmetic pack, unlocking various culture-specific crowns and turbans. Whether you play in Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa, you're sure to find new stylish ways to represent your royal persona.

---

​

Community Q&A​

We want to ensure that the content in Chapter IV is the best it can be, and a huge part of that is building strong communications and relationships between us and our layers. Your feedback on existing content as well as upcoming features is vital to this effort. To facilitate this, we're collecting questions from all of you until March 19, and will publish a video responding to as many of these as we can on March 26th. Submit your questions below in the comments, or on any of our social media channels.

---

Chapter IV is the most ambitious content cycle in Crusader Kings history, offering everything from the struggles of maintaining your herd as a nomadic ruler in Khans of the Steppe, to the weight of ceremony and duty in Coronations, culminating in the completion of our map of the medieval world in All Under Heaven. Whether you choose to play in the new areas being introduced to the game or your existing favorites, Chapter IV will redefine the stories you make in Crusader Kings III.

The 1.15 "Crown" Update and the Chapter IV pass are both available right now. The Crown update is available for free to all owners of Crusader Kings III, while those who purchase the Chapter IV pass will immediately receive Crowns of the World as well as all the content mentioned above as soon as it is released.

This looks like a really awesome Chapter! I've wanted to play in China for so long...

One question: will you have an Imperial Examination System? As you probably know, it was very important for the creation of a capable bureaucracy and the administration of the Empire and was also a counterweight against the Landed Gentry which controlled the administration in the first centuries and also in later times as a counterweight against the Eunuchs which were also very important.

Keep up the great work! Can't wait to imitate the founder of the Ming Dynasty who rose from a poor, landless adventurer to founding a Dynasty!

 

[Mangi Qahan]

I suggest redrawing the image of the general on the far left of the visual, because this is a kind of clothing that only appeared after the 17th century.

In the time period of CKIII, the clothing of Chinese generals usually looked like this