In a series first, Paradox is bringing Crusader Kings III to Xbox and PlayStation consoles, the company announced earlier today. The latest in the long-running award-winning RPG series is making its debut on console platforms, bringing the rich PC grand strategy experience to a new group of players.
Exactly how the complex menu navigation and the intricacies of the Clausewitz Engine will be presented on the TV using a controller is unclear, though this isn't the first time Paradox has ported a PC strategy game to the platform. Stellaris and Cities: Skylines make the case that the Swedish company knows a thing or two about bringing incredibly PC-centric titles to the living room.
However, Crusader Kings III brings the allure of its wacky strategy sandbox to a new audience. Now Xbox and PlayStation players will be able to supplant the King of Frankia with a newborn or plot the demise of a sibling in order to gain their titles and lands with the best of them. Crusader Kings' flair of character focused gameplay in a grand strategy setting makes it feel unique among even Paradox's other titles like Hearts of Iron and Europa Universalis.
Paradox states too that the console versions will be built with the gamepad completely in mind, taking advantage of features such as the PS5's Dual Sense haptic feedback.
Via the press release:
"Would-be medieval monarchs will enjoy an all-new gamepad support designed for console controllers from the ground up. CK3 on console will also utilize key capabilities of the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, like super-fast load times for a seamless gameplay experience. Xbox Series X|S players will be able to quickly switch between gameplay and consulting a YouTube tutorial on how to quell a peasant revolt. PlayStation 5 users will experience the game’s stress mechanics themselves, as their DualSense controllers physically react to in-game events as they unfold."
You can check out the trailer in the embed above, which was released earlier today during the Xbox Gamescom showcase. While an exact date has yet to be announced, it is clear that the upcoming release is only hitting current-gen consoles, leaving the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 platforms behind. Xbox players will have an additional treat, as Crusader Kings III is coming to Xbox Gamepass day one when it does release, much like it was day one on PC.
