Paradox Brings China, Japan and Southeast Asia to Crusader Kings III
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- Crusader Kings III’s next DLC, All Under Heaven, is adding China, Japan and Southeast Asia for the first time.
- New mechanics include dynastic cycles, bureaucratic merit systems, god-king rulers and cooperative Great Projects.
- Features also include the Silk Road, natural disasters and region-specific political systems.
Paradox Interactive is expanding Crusader Kings III eastward with All Under Heaven, adding China, Japan and Southeast Asia to the game’s world map and sandbox. Detailed in a new developer diary on Steam, the DLC is marking the first time the series’ map stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific. A new tier of empire-level power, regional government systems and historical mechanics tied to dynasties, merit and legitimacy will come alongside the expansion.
According to the developers, new territories will be fully integrated into the grand strategy sandbox, both visually and mechanically. China will be governed under a new “Hegemony” title tier, with a unique bureaucratic system built on merit and influence. A dynastic cycle mechanic will simulate the rise and fall of imperial legitimacy, leading to golden ages or chaotic civil wars. Japan features a hybrid feudal-bureaucratic system and the emergence of shogunates, while Southeast Asia will introduce Mandala governments and Devaraja god-king rulers centered around temple cities.
In addition to the expanded map and new governance models, the expansion adds the Silk Road, cooperative Great Projects and natural disasters as mechanics. These features are expected to create cross-regional interactions and new forms of gameplay previously unavailable in Crusader Kings III.
Crusader Kings III originally launched on Sept. 1, 2020, for PC, with console versions following in 2022. The game received widespread critical acclaim and currently holds a Metacritic score of 91 on PC. Crusader Kings III has sold over 4 million copies across all platforms and has become one of the most successful strategy titles in Paradox’s catalog.
