Early Access Roadmap

[Dev Konstantin]

As we head into Early Access, I wanted to give our community a clear look at what’s ahead for Knights of the Crusades.

Over the next few months, I’ll be rolling out weekly updates that expand the game in every direction. Campaigns will get richer stories and historical events, nations will become far more distinct in how they look and play, and core systems like religion, naval combat, and trade will evolve dramatically. I’ll be putting a lot of focus on making every culture feel unique, with new units, building sets, and mechanics for Pagan, Orthodox, Muslim, and Western Christian factions.

Each stage of the roadmap focuses on specific goals—from adding more narrative depth to building out cultural diversity and long-term progression. I’ll be working closely with the community throughout this process, and your feedback will help shape the direction.

This is a game meant to grow with its players—and this roadmap is just the start. Thanks for being part of the journey!

Stage 1 - Expanding Campaigns - COMPLETE

Our first major update wave focuses on deepening the three main campaigns and improving core content. This includes adding more historical storytelling, refining visuals, and making major distinctions between cultural factions.

• Expanding Templar Campaign - COMPLETE

  The Templar storyline currently lacks the depth of the Custom Order path. We're adding more historical events, branching quests, voiced dialogues, and immersive cutscenes to bring this campaign up to par.
  
  

• Expanding Seljuk Campaign - COMPLETE

  Similar to the Templar path, the Seljuk storyline will receive major upgrades in narrative depth, new characters, and faction events rooted in 11th-century history.
  
  

• Visual Overhaul of Lords & Kings - COMPLETE

  All major characters will receive new portraits and models to reflect accurate historical clothing and facial features for their time and culture.
  
  

• New Units - COMPLETE

  We're adding six new unit types to expand army variety and tactical depth—creating a lot more diversity in both early and late-game battles.
  
  

• Muslim vs Western Faction Gameplay - COMPLETE

  So far, cultural differences are mostly visual—different art, music, and voice acting—but we're now implementing unique mechanics, units, and research trees to make Muslim factions feel and play completely differently.

Stage 2 – Customization & New Cultures

Stage 2 introduces player customization, new art sets, and prepares the foundation for Pagan and Orthodox factions.

• Order Customization

  Customize your own Holy Order by choosing your heraldry, custom laws, and religious creed. This will influence your diplomacy and gameplay options.
  
  

• Army Camp Building Set

  All campaign and field armies will now use unique tent-based building models, separate from the permanent settlement assets currently used in army camps.
  
  

• Pagan Art Set

  We're adding new visuals for Pagan units and buildings, reflecting Baltic, Norse, and Slavic tribal cultures.
  
  

• Unique Pagan and Orthodox Gameplay

  All Pagan factions will receive distinct religious and cultural gameplay traits to stand apart—different economy types, recruitment styles, and tech options.
  
  

• World Map Timers

  Buildings and research will now take time to complete on the campaign map, adding strategy and pacing to world progression.

Stage 3 – Orthodox & Sandbox Expansions

This stage focuses on Orthodox nations, refining sandbox diversity, and adding new economic and AI features.

• Orthodox Art Set

  New unit and building visuals for Byzantine and Eastern European factions, with period-accurate detail and style.
  
  

• Orthodox Gameplay Mechanics

  Orthodox factions will gain unique mechanics, including religious diplomacy, vassalage systems, and a military hierarchy reflecting Eastern traditions.
  
  

• Sandbox Nation Differences

  All playable kingdoms in sandbox will gradually receive unique units, buildings, and traits to make each nation feel distinct.
  
  

• Trade System

  A full trade system will be added, letting you establish routes, exchange goods, and influence regional economies.
  
  

• Combat & Pathfinding Improvements

  Expect smoother battles with better troop movement, less unit clumping, and smarter AI flanking behavior.

Stage 4 – Crusades Reimagined

The final stage in the roadmap brings game-defining systems and alternate campaign paths for players seeking full historical immersion or alternate history twists.

• Join the Crusades From Any Christian Nation

  Play as any Latin or Orthodox Christian kingdom and gain the option to join the Crusades dynamically, with full narrative and gameplay support.
  
  

• Islamic Alliance Gameplay

  As a Muslim ruler, you'll have the option to lead a pan-Islamic response to the Crusades—form new alliances and rewrite history.
  
  

• Major AI Upgrades

  Improved campaign AI will lead to smarter diplomacy, more realistic army behavior, and greater challenge across all gameplay modes.

[Dev Konstantin]

In conclusion, let me add that I’m very open to feedback and player ideas! I’d love to hear what you have in mind, and if it’s easy to implement, I’ll be happy to include it in one of the weekly updates.

Thanks so much for your support, it means the world

[ihee0]

korean plz

[Louis8D]

Is there any plans for multiplayer?

[Dev Konstantin]

We will most likely add multiplayer skirmish and campaign hot seat multiplayer, but a full on multiplayer campaign support is not possible unfortunately.

[Montavious]

Are we getting the lower African kingdoms like Kush or Abyssinia?

[Swisscheese[CH]]

Will we be continually pressed by the historical date, or will it be a sandbox without time limit?

[Dev Konstantin]

Originally posted by Montavious:

Are we getting the lower African kingdoms like Kush or Abyssinia?

This wasn`t planned, but a good idea for an expansion, will keep this in mind.

[Dev Konstantin]

Originally posted by SwisscheeseCH:

Will we be continually pressed by the historical date, or will it be a sandbox without time limit?

The historical deadline is only there at the start of the New Order campaign, sandbox and rest of the campaign doesn`t have pressing historical dates or other time limits.

[Dev Konstantin]

And with today`s update - we have successfully completed first Milestone - marking it as complete above! Onward and forward - our weekly updates will just get bigger and better:)