Total War’s Next Era: From Medieval III to a Potential Star Wars Galaxy
Sixteen years is a lifetime in gaming. That’s how long it’s been since Medieval II: Total War graced our screens, and its enduring popularity – fueled by a thriving modding community like the legendary Third Age: Total War – speaks volumes. But the wait for a true historical successor may be nearing its end, and the future of the franchise looks surprisingly… galactic.
The Return to History: Medieval III on the Horizon
Creative Assembly (CA) recently celebrated Total War’s 25th anniversary with a tantalizing teaser for Total War: Medieval III. While currently in early pre-production, the game promises to leverage CA’s new Warcore engine, a significant upgrade designed to finally bring the series to PlayStation and Xbox consoles. This is a pivotal move, potentially expanding the Total War player base dramatically. The Warcore engine isn’t just about ports, however; it represents a fundamental shift in CA’s development capabilities, allowing for larger battles, more detailed environments, and potentially, more complex strategic layers.
Beyond Medieval: The Game Awards and the Star Wars Rumors
However, don’t necessarily expect Medieval III to be the next Total War title released. All eyes are now on The Game Awards (TGA) on December 11th, where CA is slated to reveal their next project. Rumors, fueled by industry insider Curaçasis, strongly suggest a Total War: Star Wars game is in the works. This speculation gained traction after Gematsu reported CA’s TGA presence. The pieces are certainly falling into place, and the prospect of commanding armies across the Star Wars universe is incredibly exciting for many fans.
The Warhammer 40,000 Question
Of course, a Total War: Warhammer 40,000 game has been a long-held desire within the community, given the success of the Warhammer: Total War trilogy. The grim darkness of the far future seems like a natural fit for the series’ grand strategy gameplay. But with other 40K titles already in development – Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War IV (releasing next year) and Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy from Owlcat – CA may be strategically diversifying its portfolio. Interestingly, a separate Star Wars strategy game, Star Wars: Zero Company, an XCOM-like from former X-COM developers, is slated for 2026, indicating a broader industry interest in bringing the franchise to the strategy genre.
GOG’s Preservation Push and the End of Denuvo?
In welcome news for players who prefer DRM-free gaming, GOG (Good Old Games) has partnered with Sega/Creative Assembly to add several Total War titles to its store, including Rome: Total War Collection, SHOGUN: Total War Collection, and Medieval: Total War Collection. These games are also being added to the GOG Preservation Program, ensuring their long-term availability. Crucially, GOG is also bringing Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES and Total War: THREE KINGDOMS to the platform, both of which initially launched with the controversial Denuvo DRM on Steam. This suggests a potential shift away from Denuvo, a move many gamers will applaud. GOG’s commitment to DRM-free gaming is a significant benefit for players.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Total War?
The announcements surrounding Medieval III, the potential Star Wars game, and GOG’s DRM-free offerings paint a picture of a Total War franchise at a crossroads. CA is clearly expanding its horizons, embracing new platforms and exploring new intellectual properties. The Warcore engine is the key to this expansion, and its success will determine the future direction of the series. The move to consoles is a smart one, but the real gamble lies in venturing into the Star Wars universe. If executed well, a Total War: Star Wars game could be a monumental success, attracting a whole new audience. However, it also carries the risk of alienating long-time fans who prefer historical settings. The next few years will be critical for Creative Assembly as they navigate this exciting, yet uncertain, future.
What are your predictions for the future of the Total War franchise? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
