Total War Video Game Series
The highly popular series of strategy games by Creative Assembly. The Total War series successfully combines elements of turn-based strategy based on resource management, as well as tactical battles fought in real time. Since 2005, the series has been under the publishing supervision of Sega. In 2010, it was decided to make a change in the naming of the series, having Total War as the main part of the title, previously being only a subtitle.
A brief history of the Total War series
The first game of the series - Shogun: Total War - was released in 2000 on PC and was quickly recognized as one of the most interesting productions in its genre.. This allowed the developers from Creative Assembly to work on the series, which, over time, got both a number of main installments released on PC and various expansions, as well as spin-offs created not only with the PC in mind (including the Total War Saga sub-series), but also games for mobile devices (mainly the Total War Battles sub-series).
Creative Assembly studio focuses mainly on the European Middle Ages (Total War: Medieval sub-series) and antiquity (Total War: Rome and Total War: Pharaoh sub-series), but the brand also has games taking place in, e.g. feudal Japan (the aforementioned Shogun: Total War and its sequel) or the Age of Enlightenment (Empire: Total War, Napoleon: Total War). In addition, the developers of the Total War series often return to previously featured eras to present them from a new perspective and in a more spectacular form. The developers have achieved this by developing sequels to already existing games as well as making remastered versions.
A landmark moment for the series was Total War: Warhammer, released in 2016, as for the first time in the brand's history it was the first game set in a fantasy world. The developers decided to work with the Warhammer universe created by the British company Games Workshop. This turned out to be a success, as the game received a warm reception and launched a whole trilogy, with numerous expansions for the individual installments.
Gameplay in Total War games
The plot usually does not play a key role in Total War games. The player takes control of one side of a historical or fantastic conflict (e.g. a clan of samurai, a Roman family of aristocrats or orcs) and has a lot of freedom in shaping the events.
A hallmark of the Total War series are its two pillars of the gameplay. Strategic planning takes place in turn-based mode on a vast map, while tactical battles, during which we command armies consisting of diverse units, take place in real time with the option of active pause.
Among the strengths of the series is the fateful depiction of the eras and units. This applies not only to the appearance of the latter or the battle tactics used by them, but also a number of factors related to, e.g. politics, economy and social and moral issues. In addition, developers regularly try to introduce changes and improvements, mainly in terms of improving the artificial intelligence of opponents or visuals, but also the mechanics.
For example, Empire: Total War has introduced naval battles that are additionally influenced by the weather, while Napoleon: Total War added a mechanic of having your army well-fed, making it possible for soldiers to die of starvation while crossing difficult terrain. In addition, following the example of Napoleon, who always took part in battles, we could also command our hero. Total War: Warhammer on the other hand, introduced RPG elements such as character equipment (equipping generals and agents) or their development.
The aforementioned spin-offs experimented with various solutions, often unusual for the franchise. Some of them operated on a free-to-play model (Total War Battles sub-series, characterized by an expanded strategic layer and a somewhat simplified battle system), while others (such as Total War: Arena combining elements of RTS and MOBA games), focused on multiplayer.
Graphics in Total War series
From the very beginning, the Total War series has been distinguished by its very impressive audiovisual design. Their main attraction are spectacular battles involving hundreds or even thousands of units.
Total War Series Evolution
2023
Total War: Pharaoh
2022
Total War: Warhammer III
2021
Total War: Rome Remastered
2020
Total War Saga: Troy
2019
Total War: Three Kingdoms
2018
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
2018
Total War: Arena
2017
Total War: Warhammer II
2016
Total War: Warhammer
2016
Total War Battles: Kingdom
2015
Total War: Attila
2013
Total War: Rome II
2012
Total War Battles: Shogun
2011
Total War: Shogun 2
2010
Napoleon: Total War
2009
Empire: Total War
2006
Total War: Medieval II
2004
Rome: Total War
2002
Medieval: Total War
2000
Shogun: Total War
Total War: Medieval 3
TBA
Strategy, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, The Middle Ages, Turn-based.
The next major installment in Creative Assembly's strategy game series. Total War: Medieval 3 is a sequel to 2006's Total War: Medieval II.
Total War: Pharaoh
October 11, 2023
Strategy, Egypt, Economic, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient History, War Strategy, Turn-based.
Total War: Pharaoh is a historical strategy game set in the ancient Egypt. The gameplay is divided into two layers - turn-based nation management on a strategic map and real-time battles featuring thousands of units.
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Total War: Warhammer III
February 17, 2022
Strategy, Fantasy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based, Warhammer.
The third and final part of the Total War series sub-cycle based on the Warhammer license. Total War: Warhammer III introduces, among others, the Kislev and Cathay factions, which take part in even greater battles than before.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Warhammer III - Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs April 13, 2023
- Total War: Warhammer III - Thrones of Decay April 30, 2024
- Total War: Warhammer III - Omens of Destruction December 12, 2024
- Total War: Warhammer III - Tides of Torment December 4, 2025
- Total War: Warhammer III - Lords of the End Times Q3 2026
Total War: Rome Remastered
April 29, 2021
Strategy, Internet, Multiplayer, Remaster/remake, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient History, Ancient Rome, War Strategy, Turn-based.
Remaster of the 2004 cult classic Rome: Total War, improving and making the game more accessible to new audiences. Once again we take on the role of leader of one of the many available factions, trying to conquer Rome and become Emperor.
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Total War Saga: Troy
August 13, 2020
Strategy, Internet, Co-op, Greek Mythology, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient Greece, Ancient History, Turn-based.
The second spin-off of the Total War strategy cycle in which players can take part in a conflict known as the Trojan War. In Total War Saga: Troy we can lead the army of the title city or the Greek army attacking it. The game created by Creative Assembly studio features eight famous heroes, headed by Achilles and Ulysses.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War Saga: Troy - Mythos September 2, 2021
Total War: Three Kingdoms
May 23, 2019
Strategy, China, Economic, Internet, Multiplayer, Romance of The Three Kingdoms, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient History, War Strategy, Turn-based.
The twelfth main entry in the Total War series of strategy games. For the first time in history, it takes the players to the ancient China, to the times when the country was split into three rival kingdoms. The title combines traits of classic RTS and turn-based strategy game.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Three Kingdoms - Eight Princes August 8, 2019
- Total War: Three Kingdoms - Mandate of Heaven January 16, 2020
- Total War: Three Kingdoms - A World Betrayed March 19, 2020
- Total War: Three Kingdoms - The Furious Wild September 3, 2020
- Total War: Three Kingdoms - Fates Divided March 11, 2021
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
May 3, 2018
Strategy, Historical, RTS, Singleplayer, The Middle Ages, Turn-based, The Vikings.
A spin-off to the Total War series, in which the developer studio Creative Assembly takes the players to the British Isles from the 9th century. Our task is to join a side in the war for domination over the Isles. When working on this game, the developers drew their inspirations from the previous Total War titles, thus, the game is a combination of a turn-based strategy and an RTS game.
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Total War: Arena
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, MOBA, Multiplayer, RTS, Online, Free-to-play.
A strategy game that combines elements of RTS and MOBA productions, and a spin-off to the bestselling Total War series, distributed as a free-to-play game with optional microtransactions. Total War: Arena lets you take part in massive battles for up to 20 players grouped into two rivaling teams. Each contestant has three units to command, consisting of no more than 500 men each. The crew of Creative Assembly have decided to lift up the historical boundaries, so that now armies from completely different periods and civilizations can fight in one battle. Gameplay is focused on cooperation between players and skillful use of unique abilities of individual commanders.
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Total War: Warhammer II
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Fantasy, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based, Warhammer.
Another installment in a popular series of strategy games created by Creative Assembly. Unlike the first part of the subseries, which was set in the Old World, this time the players travel to the west, where they wage a war across four continents: Ulthuan, Naggaroth, Southern Realms, and Lustria. Four races take part in the conflict, i.e. the High Elves, the Dark Elves, the Lizardmen, and the Skaven. Each of these factions fights for control over the Great Vortex, which they can heal or disperse using various rituals. Once more, gameplay in Total War: Warhammer II is based on two pillars. In a strategy map view you move your armies, manage economy and expand cities (all this in turns), while battles are waged in real time on 3D battlefields. Each race has its unique mechanics, units and heroes. Besides, owners of the first and second game can download a huge map that combines both game worlds. This way you can play a campaign of truly epic scale while controlling any of the factions available in Total War: Warhammer and its sequel.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Warhammer II - Mortal Empires October 26, 2017
- Total War: Warhammer II - Rise of the Tomb Kings January 23, 2018
- Total War: Warhammer II - Curse of the Vampire Coast November 8, 2018
Total War: Warhammer
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Fantasy, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based, Warhammer.
Next installment in the epic strategy game series, introduced by Creative Assembly in 2000. After a series of titles set in different historical periods, the developers decided to take players into one of the most famous fantasy universes, created by the Games Workshop company. In the dark universe of Warhammer, different races constantly fight for power and world domination, unaware of the fact that the real threat comes from a mighty force from the north. The game lets become the leader of one of several races, including humans, orcs, goblins, dwarves, vampires, and others. Disregarding the fantasy elements, the gameplay does not differ significantly from the previous games in the series, with epic real-time battles lying at its core. Between the battles the gameplay switches to a turn-based mode, where on a world map you develop your country, its economy, and establish diplomatic relations with other nations.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Warhammer - Call of the Beastmen July 28, 2016
- Total War: Warhammer - Realm of The Wood Elves December 8, 2016
Total War Battles: Kingdom
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, MMO, Multiplayer, Online, War Strategy, The Middle Ages, Free-to-play.
The second installment in a spin-off subseries belonging to the Total War franchise, designed mainly for mobile devices. Both titles were created by a separate development team working under Creative Assembly. In contrast to the original game, this one focuses entirely on online gameplay and PvP competition. The game takes you back to 10th century. You become a leader of a small country, who has to take care of its development and security. Your goal is to conquer new lands and turn them into bustling, productive terrains. The game offers expanded strategic gameplay, allowing you to not only construct buildings, gather resources, and expand your army, but also use diplomacy, spies, and intrigues against your allies and foes alike. In terms of visuals, unlike the previous edition, this one looks more akin to a full-fledged Total War game.
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Total War: Attila
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Historical, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient History, Turn-based.
Another chapter in the Total War large-scale strategy game series, created and developed by the Creative Assembly studio. After a couple of sequels to the earlier installments in the series (e.g. Medieval, Shogun, and Rome), the developers took on a new great historical figure. The game is set in the late 4th and the early 5th century CE. The Roman Empire is on the brink of collapse, at war with numerous barbaric tribes of the Huns and the Visigoths. Playing as Rome, you lead an army weakened by continuous skirmishes. This makes gameplay much more demanding, challenging even for the veterans of the series. The game realistically presents various military, social, and religious tendencies of the period, e.g. you have to counteract diseases and epidemics and deal with climate changes that affect farming and economy. Additionally, both the UI and the game engine were improved, resulting in better visual quality.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Attila - The Last Roman June 25, 2015
- Total War: Attila - Age of Charlemagne December 10, 2015
Total War: Rome II
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, Co-op, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient History, Ancient Rome, War Strategy, Turn-based.
A grand-scale strategy game developed by British studio Creative Assembly. Total War: Rome II lets players become leaders of the nations of antiquity from the Roman Empire period and struggle for dominance over new territories. Like the past Total War games (e.g. Total War: Shogun 2 and Empire: Total War) gameplay combines turn-based and real-time activities. Your task is to manage you provinces and command armies. The game’s highlight are the spectacular battles of armies fielding thousands of units. The developers of Total War: Rome II carefully kept to historical truth when it comes to battle formations, weaponry, and tactics. High-quality graphics was achieved thanks to a modified version of the Warscape Engine.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Rome II - Caesar in Gaul December 17, 2013
- Total War: Rome II - Hannibal at the Gates March 27, 2014
- Total War: Rome II - Wrath of Sparta December 16, 2014
- Total War: Rome II - Empire Divided November 30, 2017
- Total War: Rome II - Rise of the Republic August 9, 2018
Total War Battles: Shogun
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, RPG Elements, Arcade Elements, Singleplayer.
Side-scroller of the popular Total War strategy series, which is the conversion of the game developed for mobile devices by the creators of the series - Creative Assembly studio. During the game we play as a young soldier who swears revenge for the death of his murdered father. The gameplay combines elements of strategy, RPG and arcade. The core of the game is to expand the base and produce new types of units. Along with increasing experience the army can be improved, creating as a result a stronger and more durable army.
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Total War: Shogun 2
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Samurai, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based.
Seventh main installment in the popular series of strategic games and the sequel to Shogun: Total War. Once again, the action takes place in the 16th century in feudal Japan. You take control of one of the clans and begin making efforts to be honored with the privilege of ruling the whole country as the new shogun. To accomplish that goal you need to manage diplomacy, military operations and economical development of your territories. Almost every aspect of game mechanics has changed since Shogun: Total War’s release (except of the basic foundations of the gameplay). Brand new AI algorithms made battles more realistic than ever. Statistics of generals and units are improving with player’s progress. Naval combat and multi-stage sieges have been added, and weather conditions have greater impact on battles than before. Main story campaign can be played in either single- or multiplayer mode (in cooperation with or against other player).
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai March 23, 2012
Napoleon: Total War
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Napoleonic Era, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based.
Another installment in a renowned series of spectacular strategy games developed by Creative Assembly since 2000. The game focuses on the character of Napoleon Bonaparte and his military conquests at the turn of the 19th century. The player observes his ups and downs during the Italian, the Egyptian, and the European story campaigns. Completing them allows the player to witness both the rise and the fall of his empire. When it comes to the gameplay mechanics, the game introduces only slight modifications. The game combines all the successful mechanics employed in Empire: Total War with a set of new features, such as the system of army provisions, ship repairs, further extension of diplomacy and the increased role of spies. During the battles, the generals (including Bonaparte himself) are of high relevance, as they are capable of punishing the soldiers and bolstering their spirit. Both the visuals and AI of the units were improved.
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Empire: Total War
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Napoleonic Era, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based, 18th Century.
The fifth installment in the popular strategy game series created by Creative Assembly in 2000. This new game is set in the 18th century, focusing on key events of the period, such as the American Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, and the rivalry over the Eastern trade routes. Although the core concept of the gameplay remains the same, the mechanics went through some major alterations, mainly due to the introduction of sea warfare. The game lets you command entire fleets as well as individual ships. Moreover, external factors, e.g. weather conditions, can affect sea battles. Additionally, the game offers improved advisers, as well as new options of trade, diplomacy, and espionage. Due to the widespread use of firearms in the period, new combat tactics have to be used. However, the key elements of the series, the turn-based strategic layer and large-scale battles, remained unchanged.
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Expansion Packs:
- Empire: Total War - The Warpath October 5, 2009
Total War: Medieval II
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, The Middle Ages, Turn-based.
The next installment in a strategy game franchise from Creative Assembly. The game is set in the period of years 1080-1503, once again taking the players into the Medieval period. The developers did their best to faithfully recreate the epoch, including economy, trade, and political relations. Players can choose from 21 playable nations that differ in more than appearance, but also preferring various combat tactics. The story campaign lets you expand across Europe, Middle East, as well as South and Latin America. As always, gameplay consists of two layers – turn-based, in which you manage your kingdom, and real-time, where the battles are fought. As compared with the previous games in the series, this one offers extended tactical options, including e.g. new siege weapons and heavy artillery. Furthermore, the visuals, as well as animations and the destruction model, were significantly improved.
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Expansion Packs:
- Total War: Medieval II - Kingdoms August 28, 2007
Total War Eras Collection
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, Package, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based.
Collector's edition of the first three installments of the popular Total War series by Creative Assembly published by SEGA, along with their official expansions. The Total War Eras Collection includes Shogun: Total War with The Mongol Invasion expansion pack, Medieval: Total War with Viking Invasion expansion pack, and Rome: Total War with Barbarian Invasion expansion pack.
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Rome: Total War
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient History, Ancient Rome, War Strategy, Turn-based.
The third installment in the acclaimed Total War strategy game series developed by Creative Assembly. This time, the player is taken to the period during which the Roman Empire is in its prime. The player participates in historical events, such as the Spartacus slave uprising, the Punic Wars, or Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul. The creators faithfully recreated such historical elements as different military units, machines and technologies the ancient nations depended on. As usual, the gameplay is divided into two phases. The player makes large-scope decisions in the turn-based mode featuring the world map - for example, concerning technological development, diplomacy, development of cities or army management. The battles, on the other hand, are played in real time and the player commands particular formations or individual units. Rome: Total War includes the features introduced by the previous installments, such as sieges of cities, reconnaissance or reserves. Apart from the single-player campaign, the game offers multiplayer for up to 8 competitors.
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Expansion Packs:
- Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion September 27, 2005
- Rome: Total War - Alexander June 19, 2006
Medieval: Total War
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy, The Middle Ages, Turn-based.
A continuation of the popular strategy game, released by Creative Assembly in 2000. Medieval: Total War brings us from the Far East to a more familiar setting of medieval Europe, where we need to take control of one of the twelve most powerful countries of that time. Similarly to its predecessor, the game connects military elements with trade, diplomacy and resource management. The kingdom management part plays out in a turn-based system, in which we expand our empire, building castles, creating alliances, setting trade routes, discovering new technologies, and developing our military. The battles take place in real time, in a fully 3D environment, with up to 10 thousand troops taking part in the encounters. The campaigns available in the game are based on historical events, and separated into three parts, taking place in early, high, and late Middle Ages.
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Expansion Packs:
- Medieval: Total War - Viking Invasion May 6, 2003
Shogun: Total War Warlord Edition
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Samurai, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based.
Complete edition of the bestselling strategy game by Creative Assembly studio. The package entitled Shogun: Total War - Warlord Edition includes the main game released in 2000 and The Mongol Invasion expansion pack released a year later. In Shogun: Total War the player has to unite under his rule the shattered provinces of medieval Japan in an extensive story campaign, having at his disposal historical units from the Land of the Rising Sun.
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Shogun: Total War
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Samurai, Singleplayer, War Strategy, Turn-based.
An epic strategy game developed by Creative Assembly (a British developer) and taking the player to 16th-century Japan. As the head of a noble family, the player develops their province in order to widen one's area of influence in the country ruined by war. Gameplay was divided into two segments here, combining elements of a turn-based strategy with real-time battles. Thus the player works on their province through construction of new buildings, trading, maintaining diplomatic relations, raising successors and training an army of loyal samurai. Simultaneously however, the player takes part in epic battles in full 3D; what is noticeable, thousands of units can be engaging in the battle at one time. The game comes with a large portion of authenticity when it comes to recreating historical realities. The in-game battles are extensive when it comes to different mechanics implemented - those real-time skirmishes get affected by such factors as the player's commands, formations, morale, fatigue, shape of terrain, weather or fortifications.
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Expansion Packs:
- Shogun: Total War - The Mongol Invasion August 18, 2001
Total War: Elysium
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, 2D, Historical, Internet, Card Games, Multiplayer, Online, Singleplayer, Free-to-play.
A strategic card game from the Total War series, inspired by such games as Magic: The Gathering Arena and Legends of Runeterra. Total War: ELYSIUM, which was created by Creative Assembly studio, is based on a free-to-play model.
Total War Battles: Warhammer
February 22, 2019, End of Life
Strategy, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Internet, Multiplayer, Online, Singleplayer, Warhammer.
Total War Battles: Warhammer is a mobile version of the popular strategic series created by the Creative Assembly studio. The game uses the Warhammer fantasy universe. It was developed by the Chinese company NetEase.
Total War Series News
Total War: Warhammer 40K or Total War: Star Wars? The Game Awards 2025 will reveal the last unknown about the future of the iconic strategy series
Creative Assembly studio has officially announced a project that many players are waiting for. We will soon learn information about the next game in the Total War series, most likely set in the Warhammer 40,000 or Star Wars universe.
video games
December 5, 2025
Apocalypse begins in Total War: Warhammer 3. Lords of the End Times „is not another update, it's the end of the world”
A major new expansion for Total War: Warhammer 3 has been announced. Lords of the End Times in the first trailer.
video games
December 5, 2025
„The rebirth of historical Total War” Total War: Medieval 3 announced
A sequel nearly 20 years in the making has been revealed. Total War: Medieval 3 is in early development, and the team wants to bring fans along for the journey.
video games
December 4, 2025
A major new feature lets Total War: Warhammer 3 players control chaos and fully focus on strategy. It can already be tested
Creative Assembly is making life easier for fans of Total War: Warhammer 3. Players can now test a new mod manager.
video games
November 28, 2025
Total War: Warhammer 3 received some important changes. Armies will finally stop standing idle
Total War: Warhammer 3 received a new update. Creative Assembly studio improved AI and is preparing for the release of the DLC and version 7.0.
video games
November 7, 2025
December 4 is the most important day for Total War fans. Devs revealed a plan to save the series
Total War creators are preparing quite a few highlights for early December, but also promise improvements after the recent issues with Warhammer 3.
video games
October 17, 2025
„This is not an intentional change.” New update for Total War: Warhammer 3 accidentally broke the game
Total War: Warhammer 3 fixes more bugs, but players are under the impression that for every bug that is fixed, 10 more appear in its place.
video games
October 16, 2025
He wanted to fix Total War: Warhammer 3 for free, but the dev said: „No, thank you.” Reason for saying no is kinda strange
Creative Assembly studio still hasn't fixed some of the textures in Total War: Warhammer III and has rejected an offer from a modder who offered to do it for free.
video games
October 8, 2025
Total War: Medieval 2's big Rise of Three Kingdoms mod gets a new campaign
The Rise of Three Kingdoms project has been updated to version 7.0. It's a huge mod that transports Medieval II: Total War - Kingdoms into ancient China.
Files and Mods
August 24, 2025
Total War's 25th anniversary will be celebrated in the best possible way. Creative Assembly announces huge game show
Creative Assembly studio intends to celebrate 25 years of the Total War series for several months. The anniversary celebration will culminate in a showcase of upcoming games.
video games
June 16, 2025