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Crusader Kings is a grand strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive in April 2004. An expansion called Deus Vult was released in October 2007. A sequel using the newer Clausewitz Engine, Crusader Kings II, was released in February 2012, and another sequel, Crusader Kings III, was released on September 1, 2020.

Crusader Kings
Developer(s)	Paradox Development Studio
Publisher(s)	SWE: PAN Vision UK: Koch Media NA: Paradox Interactive
Producer(s)	Johan Andersson
Designer(s)	Henrik Fåhraeus Joakim Bergqwist
Programmer(s)	Johan Andersson
Artist(s)	Marcus Edstroem
Composer(s)	Inon Zur
Engine	Europa Engine
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Release	Windows EU: April 23, 2004 NA: May 2004 (Online) AU: July 15, 2004 NA: September 28, 2004 OS X WW: May 5, 2005
Genre(s)	Grand strategy
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Setting

The game is set primarily in Europe in the mid to late Middle Ages in the time-period from December 26, 1066 (the day after the coronation of William the Conqueror) until December 30, 1452 (five months before the fall of Constantinople). Three scenarios are also included in the game, namely: the Battle of Hastings (1066), the Third Crusade (1187), and the Hundred Years' War (started in 1337).[1]

Gameplay

Unlike other Paradox titles (such as the first two Europa Universalis series), Crusader Kings is a dynasty simulator with similarities to role-playing video games in that it focuses on a trait-based individual whose primary goal is the growth and enrichment of their dynasty. In the game, the player attempts to lead their dynastic demesne across four centuries, while managing its familial, economic, military, political, and religious affairs and stability. Rulers are supported by appointed councillors, a Chancellor, Steward, Marshal, Spy Master, and Diocese Bishop, and oversee scutage from their vassals.

In addition, yearly random events, as well as hundreds of pre-scripted ones based on the historical themes, make for varied game play and challenges. Crusader Kings also differs from many similar turn-based strategy games in that time flows continuously rather than taking place in discrete turns. As such, the player is able to pause the game, examine the map and its characters, and make decisions and give orders, then speed up or slow down time as events take their course.

Over time, based on the territories and titles held, characters can be elevated upwards in status (from count, duke, king, to emperor substantive titles) or regress as status and lands are lost. The lowest level count vassal tiers (i.e. castle baron, city mayor, church bishop), as seen in Crusader Kings II are not represented. The game is lost if no direct member of the playable dynasty holds or inherits an imperial, royal, or noble rank.

Development

The lead game programmer was Johan Andersson. The engine for the game was based on the one developed for Europa Universalis II, i.e. the updated Europa Engine, which had been released in December 2001.[2] The similarities between the two games, and the release of a save game converter, allow players to continue their game after 1419 through Europa Universalis II.

In North America, Crusader Kings was originally planned to be published by Strategy First. However, Paradox revealed in June 2004 that it would self-publish the game, which it called "a way for Paradox to secure our intellectual property and to serve our customers in a better way."[3]

Reception

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic,[4] and many U.S. reviews came in a few months before the game's official U.S. release.[5][7][8][9][10][12]

In the 2013 book Digital Gaming Re-imagines the Middle Ages, the author explains that:

As digital medievalism, Crusader Kings models systems of cultural change in the Middle Ages rather than merely assigning cultural labels to people and geographic areas of Europe at specific chronological dates. The game attempts to avoid anachronism through historically based systems of gameplay, rather than through rote inclusion of historical facts.[13]

Awards

• Strategy Gaming Online Editor's Choice award[14]
• Game Vortex Top Pick award[15]

Expansion

A downloadable expansion pack called Deus Vult ("God wills it" in Latin) was released in October 2007.[13][16][17] Improvements to the base game included:[18]

• graphics overhaul including new windows and alert icons
• inter-character relations (including the addition of friendship and rivalry)
• new realm stability and diplomacy options (e.g. sending fosterlings to other courts)
• new character traits and the evolution of childhood stats from age 0
• new random events
• additional tools for modders

As with other Paradox games, within days of release, fan made mods began to appear such as The Deus Vult Improvement Pack, aimed at fixing bugs and making the map, cultures, and characters more historically accurate.[19][20]

References

External links

• Original Release Video - YouTube
• Crusader Kings Tutorial (5 part series) - YouTube
• Crusader Kings at MobyGames

На других языках

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[de] Crusader Kings

Crusader Kings ist ein Globalstrategiespiel für Windows aus dem Jahr 2004, das in der Zeit des Hoch- und Spätmittelalters angesiedelt ist. Das von Paradox Interactive produzierte Spiel basiert auf der Grafikengine des bekannten Strategiespiels Europa Universalis 2 und läuft wie dieses in Echtzeit ab. Die Fortsetzung Crusader Kings II erschien 2012.

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- [en] Crusader Kings (video game)

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[es] Crusader Kings

Crusader Kings es un videojuego de estrategia desarrollado por Paradox Interactive que comprende el período entre 1066 y 1453. Al contrario que otros juegos de Paradox, como Hearts of Iron, Victoria y Europa Universalis II, en Crusader Kings el jugador toma el control de una dinastía, en vez de un país. Esta característica hace que el juego adquiera similitudes con algunos juegos de rol.

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[ru] Crusader Kings

Crusader Kings (CK, в русской локализации — Крестоносцы) — компьютерная игра жанра глобальная стратегия. Выпущена в 2004 году. Продолжает серию игр, начатую Europa Universalis. Несмотря на сходство с EU, CK имеет ряд существенных отличий от других игр серии.

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