Summary
Crusader Kings 3is a grand strategygame set in the Middle Agesand while it strives for historical authenticity, the gameplay has to come first, meaning there are more than a few historical inaccuracies to be found inCK3.
The Middle Ages spanned a vast amount of time andCrusader Kings 3covers not just Europe, but North Africa too, and much of Asia. Thus, it would be next to impossible to accurately depict the depth of cultures, religions, and forms of government at any one point in time, without sacrificing fun and making the game too complicated.
5Low Infant Mortality Rates
No miracle of modern medicine yet
Regardless of which statistics are used there is no doubt that infant mortality rates were much higher in the Middle Ages than they are in the modern day. For example, childbirth for both the mother and child was much more hazardous without certain medical knowledge and the lack of forceps. And though Caesarian births could be used as a last resort, they were always fatal for the mother.
If infants were able to survive birth, then their chances of survival would increase with age, but certain illnesses and the lack of modern supplements meant that the danger wasn’t over until the end of childhood. While all of this is represented to a certain extent inCrusader Kings 3, the developers decided that it would be too frustrating for the majority of the player base to deal with the constant deaths of their heirs, especially those born withthe best congenital traits, which they were excited to play as upon succession. As such, the infant mortality rate inCK3isn’t as high as it was in real life.
4Councils
Councils inCrusader Kings 3are made up of a Chancellor, Realm Priest, Steward, Marshal, and Spymaster, and these are uniform across the board regardless of culture, government type, or rank. While some of these offices have real-life equivalents, which would have served similar functions to those depicted in the game, each realm would have been governed in unique ways, and this would have changed over time.
Nevertheless, this is a necessary historical inaccuracy as the council mechanic is great for gameplay, andmanaging one’s council inCK3is key for realm stability.
3The Complexities Of Feudalism
Not as simple as granting and revoking land
While feudalism may appear complicated and confusing tobeginnerCrusader Kings 3players, it was even more complex and nuanced in actuality. In fact, even just the term feudalism is problematic for historians. Nevertheless, one example is how after the Norman conquest, the King of England, while an independent ruler in his own right, was also technically a vassal to the King of France due to holding certain duchies such as Normandy and Aquitaine.
Naturally, this led to much friction, especially as vassals were expected to pay homage to their liege, a rather humbling prospect for a king. InCrusader Kings 3, however, vassals can only have one liege and things are fairly streamlined, allowing for satisfying and fair game mechanics. Another historical inaccuracy in regard to feudalism is how uniform it is across the board with the structure of emperors, kings, dukes, and counts. While this might be fairly accurate for certain places in Europe in specific time periods, the aforementioned breadth of the Middle Ages means most regions are misrepresented. Arguably the most egregious depiction of feudalism inCK3is in the Byzantine Empire, which worked in its own unique and equally nuanced way.
2Coats Of Arms
Present at game start, not in real use until the 1100s
Coats of arms and heraldry are incredibly important inCrusader Kings 3as they allow players to easily recognize noble houses and dynasties, as well as titles for kingdoms and the like. Thanks to an update, players can also now see their coat of arms proudly worn on their character’s surcoats, making for some ofthe best outfits inCK3.
However, seeing as the two start dates for the game are 867 and 1066, most of the coats of arms seen in the early stages of the game will be anachronistic, as heraldry only properly came into use in the 12th century, and this was only for parts of Europe. Of course, some form of identification and symbology would have been used across many cultures, but it would not have been standardized like it was in the High and Late Middle Ages, particularly in Western Europe.
1The Lack Of Power That The Church Has
The power of being the Divine’s voice on Earth
The medieval church of Christendom had a lot of power and wealth, with Bishops, for example, being feudal lords and owners of vast estates in their own right. They were also often the younger sons and brothers of the nobility, all of which gave them considerable political power, especially when combined with the upper echelons of the ecclesiastical tree, namely Archbishops, Cardinals, and the Pope.
This political effect is rarely felt inCrusader Kings 3with the Realm Priest simply providing more tax and levies based on their opinion of the ruler and the Pope being able to excommunicate individuals, and grant indulgences, claims, divorces, and gold. This is something that one ofCK3’sbest mods,The Catholic Trinity, tries to build on, by not only adding investiture, the College of Cardinals, and much more, but also sainthood, which is noticeably absent from the game.
Crusader Kings 3is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Crusader Kings 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Your legacy awaits. Choose your noble house and lead your dynasty to greatness in a Middle Ages epic that spans generations. War is but one of many tools to establish your reign, as real strategy requires expert diplomatic skill, mastery of your realm, and truecunning.Crusader Kings IIIcontinues the popular series made by Paradox Development Studio, featuring the widely acclaimed marriage of immersive grand strategy and deep, dramatic medieval roleplaying.Take command of your house and expand your dynasty through a meticulously researched Middle Ages. Begin in 867 or 1066 and claim lands, titles, and vassals to secure a realm worthy of your royal blood. Your death is only a footnote as your lineage continues with new playable heirs, either planned… or not.Discover a sprawling simulated world teeming with peasants and knights, courtiers, spies, knaves and jesters, and secret love affairs. An extensive cast of historical characters can be romanced, betrayed, executed, or subtly influenced.Explore a vast medieval map stretching from the snowswept Nordic lands to the Horn of Africa, and the British Isles in the west to the exotic riches of Burma in the east. Claim, conquer, and rule thousands of unique counties, duchies, kingdoms, and empires.
