Creative Assembly Reveals First Six Factions for Total War: Medieval 3

Creative Assembly has finally pulled back the curtain on the initial lineup for Total War: Medieval 3, confirming the first six factions that will anchor the upcoming strategy title. In a move that blends historical weight with modern community engagement, the developer has also invited players to help shape the rest of the roster through a public vote.

The six factions confirmed for launch are the Kingdoms of England and France, the Holy Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Sultanate of Rum, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. According to creative director Lief Walter, these selections were driven by four primary pillars: brand familiarity, the uniqueness of starting positions, endgame variety, and distinct gameplay mechanics.

Why These Factions?

In a blog post detailing the selection process, Walter explained that some choices were essential for the era's narrative. England and France were described as the most iconic Western factions, with their history deeply intertwined through the Hundred Years' War. The Holy Roman Empire is positioned as the classic “feudal giant,” defined by internal political turmoil and a long-standing power struggle with the Catholic Church.

The inclusion of the Byzantine Empire serves to bridge the gap between medieval history and its Roman roots, while the Sultanate of Rum is noted for representing the early, small-scale beginnings of what would eventually become the Ottoman Empire. Finally, the Kingdom of Jerusalem represents the heart of Christian ambition and the crusades that defined much of the period.

The game’s campaign map will mirror the scope seen in Medieval 2: Total War, spanning from Iberia in the west to Baghdad in the east, and stretching from northern Africa up to southern Scandinavia.

The Future of the Roster

While these six are locked in, the final count of playable factions remains flexible. Creative Assembly is currently looking at a shortlist of 23 additional candidates, including Italian city-states, the Duchy of Greater Poland, the Kingdom of Norway, and the Almohad Caliphate. Players can visit the official voting page to have their say.

Interestingly, some fan-favorite possibilities have been ruled out for the launch. The Mongols and the Great Seljuks, for instance, fall outside the primary campaign map boundaries, though the team noted they may still appear as non-playable entities. Furthermore, despite clear community interest in the Papal States, the developers have opted against making them playable. They concluded that the faction’s unique mechanics would require a level of development that would detract from the broader game scope.

For those looking to influence the final product, the developer warns that while they are using the feedback to inform their research and production, they will exercise creative control to ensure the final roster remains balanced and cohesive with the rest of their design goals.