The thunderous clash of thousands of virtual soldiers, the intricate dance of diplomacy and empire-building – the Total War series remains a titan of strategy gaming. Yet, after the sprawling success of Warhammer III and the ambitious but troubled Pharaoh, the question burning across forums and social media is singular: what is the next Total War game? Creative Assembly (CA) maintains its characteristic silence, but the gears of development are undoubtedly turning. This article delves into the swirling rumors, educated speculation, and industry context surrounding the highly anticipated next Total War game.
The Burning Question: What is the Next Total War Game?
Directly addressing the core query – “what is the next total war game?” – requires acknowledging the current official stance: Creative Assembly has not yet announced the next major historical or fantasy title.
Following the release pattern of major tentpole titles (typically every 2-4 years), and considering CA’s restructuring after the cancellation of the shooter Hyenas in late 2023, the next Total War game is likely deep in development but not ready for reveal. The focus has recently been on supporting existing titles (Warhammer III‘s expansive DLC roadmap, Pharaoh‘s post-launch updates, and significant “Saga” expansion). However, CA has confirmed multiple unannounced Total War projects are in the works.
Reading the Rumors: Clues for the Total War Next Game
While official news is absent, credible industry whispers and logical deduction paint potential pictures:
- Medieval III: The most persistent and fervent fan request. Rumors gained traction with reports from outlets like Insider Gaming suggesting a new medieval title is indeed in development. A return to this iconic era, leveraging modern tech for deeper diplomacy, religious strife, crusades/jihads, and vast kingdom management would be monumental. This is arguably the safest bet for the next Total War game.
- Empire II / Victorian Era: Another highly requested sequel. Empire‘s ambitious global scope was hampered by technical limitations of its time. A sequel could deliver truly global warfare, refined naval combat, industrialization, and colonial dynamics on a modern engine.
- New Historical Setting: CA could venture into unexplored territory. The Bronze Age (Pharaoh) was a recent deep dive, but possibilities abound: The Thirty Years’ War, The Rise of Islam, Medieval Asia (beyond Shogun), or even Pike and Shot era.
- New Fantasy Title: While Warhammer III continues, CA owns the Total War format applied to fantasy. Could they secure another major IP (Lord of the Rings remains a holy grail for fans) or develop their original high-fantasy setting? This seems less likely immediately after the Warhammer trilogy concluded, but remains a future possibility.
- Another Saga Title: While larger than Pharaoh‘s initial scope, a project focused on a specific, intense conflict (e.g., The American Civil War, The Napoleonic Wars in detail) could act as a bridge before the next tentpole release.
How the Next Total War Game Might Evolve Gameplay
The next Total War game will undoubtedly build upon the series’ core pillars – turn-based campaign strategy and real-time tactical battles – but will likely introduce significant refinements:
- Campaign Depth: Expect evolution in diplomacy systems (potentially inspired by Three Kingdoms‘ character relationships), deeper internal faction management, more dynamic political and religious systems, and enhanced province/city development.
- Battle Realism & Scale: Further improvements to unit AI (especially siege pathfinding), physics, morale systems, and environmental interaction. Potential for even larger unit sizes or more detailed soldier animations on next-gen engines.
- Narrative Integration: Pharaoh and Warhammer III experimented with stronger narrative threads. The next Total War game might integrate a more compelling, era-specific narrative without sacrificing sandbox freedom.
- Accessibility & Complexity: Striking the balance between deep strategic complexity and approachability remains key. Enhanced tutorials and UI/UX improvements are probable.
- Multiplayer & Co-op: Refinements to existing modes and potentially innovative new ways to experience the campaign cooperatively or competitively.
Anticipating Access: How to Get the Next Total War Game
When the next Total War game is finally announced and released, accessing it will follow standard modern practices:
- PC (Primary Platform): Launching day-one on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Steam remains the dominant platform for the franchise.
- Potential Console Ports: While historically PC-centric, recent major titles (Warhammer III, Pharaoh) launched simultaneously on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox). Expect the total war next game to follow suit on current-gen consoles.
- Physical & Digital: Standard and potentially Collector’s Edition physical copies available at retailers. Digital downloads via Steam/Epic/Console Stores.
- Pre-Orders & Bonuses: CA typically offers pre-order bonuses (often unique factions/units) and sometimes early access periods.
- Download Size: Be prepared for a substantial download, likely 50-100GB+ depending on the era’s scope and graphical fidelity. Solid-state drives (SSDs) will be highly recommended.
Basic Information & Setting Expectations
- Developer: Creative Assembly (primarily their main historical or fantasy team in the UK).
- Publisher: SEGA.
- Engine: Likely a significant evolution of the current Total War engine, potentially incorporating new tech for larger scales or improved visuals.
- Announcement: Expected via a dedicated trailer during a major gaming event (Summer Game Fest, Gamescom) or a CA-focused Total War showcase, likely 6-12 months before release.
- Release Window: Based on CA’s need for a major win and development cycles, late 2025 or 2026 is a plausible window for the next Total War game reveal and release.
- Post-Launch: Expect a robust DLC plan including faction packs, campaign packs, and culture packs, extending the game’s life for years.
The Drumbeat of Anticipation
While shrouded in secrecy, the march towards the next Total War game is inevitable. The immense legacy of the franchise and CA’s commitment to its core audience ensure that the next chapter, whether it resurrects a beloved era or forges a new path, will be a major event in the strategy gaming landscape.
The wait for the official answer to “what is the next total war game?” is agonizing, but the potential for a landmark strategy experience makes it worthwhile. Keep your scouts deployed and your diplomats ready – news will break eventually.
Next Total War Game FAQs
- Has the next Total War game been officially announced?
- No, not yet. Creative Assembly has confirmed multiple unannounced Total War projects are in development but has not revealed any specifics about the next major historical or fantasy title. All information currently is based on rumors, job listings, and industry speculation.
- When can we expect the next Total War game to be released?
- There is no official release date or even window. Based on typical development cycles for major Total War titles (2-4 years between tentpoles) and CA’s recent restructuring, a late 2025 or 2026 release seems plausible, but this is purely speculative. An announcement could happen anytime, likely 6-12 months before launch.
- Will the next Total War be historical or fantasy?
This is the biggest unknown. Strong rumors point towards Medieval III (historical) being in development. However, CA develops multiple projects concurrently. The next major release could be historical (like Medieval III or Empire II) or the start of a new fantasy saga. CA hasn’t indicated which will come first. The conclusion of the Warhammer trilogy makes a historical title next seem more likely, but isn’t guaranteed.
