New Crusader Kings III Expansion Brings Nomadic Steppe Cultures to Life

The popular strategy game Crusader Kings III has just released its newest expansion called "Khans of the Steppe."

This $19.99/£16.75/€19.99 add-on focuses on the nomadic peoples of the Eurasian steppe and adds new gameplay features to better represent their unique cultures and societies.

The expansion introduces several major changes to the game. Players can now use a Nomadic Government system, which works differently from the standard feudal setup. Instead of staying in one place, players must migrate across the steppe with their people, managing a resource called "Herd" that represents their wealth and power.

"Khans of the Steppe" creates a more realistic experience of life on the Great Steppe by adding seasonal changes that affect the land's fertility. This forces players to move their people to find better grazing lands throughout the year, just as historical nomadic peoples did.

The expansion also introduces a new Tributaries System, giving players more flexible relationships with other rulers. This system offers an alternative to the traditional vassal relationship, allowing for more independence while still maintaining beneficial connections.

One of the most exciting features lets players take on the role of Temüjin, who would later become known as Genghis Khan. This new starting point, called a "bookmark" in the game, allows players to experience the rise of one of history's most successful conquerors and potentially rewrite that history.

The expansion adds special Mongolian cultural elements, including the Kurultai council system, unique succession laws, and traditional celebrations like Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian New Year).

As reported earlier, Crusader Kings III has sold an impressive 4 million copies since its release in 2020 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles. The game has seen renewed popularity with this expansion, climbing more than 70 positions on Steam's bestseller charts this week.

The base game is currently on sale with a 70% discount (at $14.99) to celebrate the expansion's release, which has helped push it to the 7th position on Steam's global sales charts.

Players who enjoy the expansion can purchase it individually or as part of Crusader Kings III: Chapter IV, which bundles it with other content.