Medieval III marks a new era for the Total War legacy

Creative Assembly’s 25th-anniversary celebration for the Total War franchise brought with it a long-awaited announcement: the return to one of its most iconic historical eras. After nearly two decades, the studio has officially confirmed that Total War: Medieval III is in development, signaling a renewed commitment to historical strategy and marking what it calls the rebirth of the historical branch of the series.

The Medieval era has long held a special place in the hearts of Total War fans. The original Medieval: Total War, released in 2002, was only the second entry in what would become one of the most influential strategy game franchises in the world. Its successor, Medieval II: Total War, launched in 2006 and quickly became a fan-favorite—praised for its depth, atmosphere, and sweeping depiction of medieval conflict. Since then, the franchise has expanded in many directions, exploring ancient warfare, the gunpowder age, and epic fantasy worlds. Yet despite its evolution, the call to return to the Middle Ages never faded. Now, after years of speculation, that return is finally in motion.

Creative Assembly describes Total War: Medieval III as an expansive medieval strategy sandbox designed to give players unprecedented control over the shaping of nations and the rewriting of history. The studio emphasizes its ambition to blend rigorous historical detail with new layers of strategic freedom, presenting a Middle Ages experience that aims to be both authentic and player-driven. In the developers’ words, this is intended not simply as the next installment but as a reinvention of historical Total War—a statement that reflects both the weight of fan expectations and the studio’s desire to push the series forward.

There is, however, a significant caveat: patience will be required. Creative Assembly made clear that Medieval III remains in early pre-production. That means concept work, early systems design, and foundational development are underway, but a finished product is still some distance away. For longtime fans who have waited nearly 20 years for a new Medieval title, the confirmation alone may be enough to spark excitement, even if a full release is not imminent.

One notable aspect of the project is the technology powering it. Medieval III is being built on Warcore, the newest generation of Creative Assembly’s in-house development engine. The studio highlights Warcore as a key factor in its ability to deliver deeper immersion, smoother responsiveness, and richer world-building. This upgraded technology is also expected to play an important role in expanding the reach of Total War games beyond PC. According to Creative Assembly, Warcore will allow future entries in the series—not just Medieval III—to be developed for consoles, potentially introducing the franchise to a broader audience.

The announcement was accompanied by reflections from Creative Assembly leadership on the milestone moment. Roger Collum, Vice President of Total War, noted how remarkable it is to see the franchise reach its 25-year mark. He credited the dedication of the community for sustaining the series for decades, acknowledging that fan passion has been essential to its ongoing evolution. The anniversary showcase, he said, served as a moment of unity for players of all eras and preferences, whether they prefer historical settings or the fantasy battles of Total War: Warhammer. Collum expressed hope—and expectation—that the franchise will continue to thrive for another quarter century.

Despite Medieval III understandably capturing the spotlight, the celebration didn’t end there. Sega and Creative Assembly teased yet another reveal scheduled for The Game Awards on December 11. While details remain tightly under wraps, the studios indicated that the project is a separate new game and appears to be further along in development than Medieval III. That means fans may not have to wait long before seeing another addition to the Total War offerings, potentially arriving well before the medieval epic completes its lengthy development cycle.

After years of speculation, silence, and wishful thinking from longtime players, the official confirmation of Medieval III marks a defining moment for the franchise’s future. It signals not only a return to a beloved historical period but also a technological and creative shift that could shape Total War for years to come. For now, fans can savor the news—and look ahead to December’s surprise reveal—while anticipating the next great chapter in the series’ long-running saga.