Crusader Kings 3 Gets Early September Release Date, Story Trailer

Paradox’s highly-anticipated new game, Crusader Kings 3, has gotten a new story trailer. It’s serious and down-to-earth, explaining how the game “should” be played. All the intricacies are there – politics, back-stabbing, war, the works. The trailer also reveals the game’s release date – it’s coming out on Tuesday, September 1st, on PC. You’ll also be able to get the game via Xbox Game Pass right form launch.

Not only do we know the release date of Crusader Kings 3, but the game is also up for pre-orders, including on the Paradox Store. There’s two editions; Standard for $50, and Royal for $75. The Royal Edition includes the expansion pass, “comprising 3 upcoming DLCs and an Expansion Pass Bonus: Fashion of the Abbasid Court.” If you pre-order any of the editions, as a bonus, you’ll get the Garments of the Holy Roman Empire. Of course, the expansion pass will be available for separate purchase for $35.

What makes me very happy, however, is that Crusader Kings 3 is going to be “tall as opposed to broad,” according to the developers (via Eurogamer). What that means is that they’re aiming to deepen the strategy formula; more importantly, however, they’re going to try and make the game less daunting to newbies. This makes me especially happy, because every time I play Crusader Kings 2, I feel like reverse Forrest Gump; I fall into the dumbest of situations, except nothing goes my way.

So, there you have it; the new entry in the famous strategy / RPG series is coming out on PC on September 1st, including via Xbox Game Pass. And, if you want to secure your copy early, you can do so via pre-order. In the meantime, you can watch the story trailer below. Mind you, it doesn’t let you in on the true fun of Crusader Kings, like kidnapping popes and poisoning your husband; that’s something that you’ll have to discover for yourself.