Total War Medieval 3 will be the "rebirth of historical TW," and there's another secret game and new TWW3 DLC on the way

Total War Medieval 3 has been a long time coming, but developer Creative Assembly has confirmed it'll be returning to one of the most beloved entries in the series in a move it heralds as "more than a sequel; it's the rebirth of historical Total War." Alongside this, the developer has celebrated the 25th anniversary of TW with news of the next Total War Warhammer 3 DLC, and a tease for something completely new, which it calls "one of the most ambitious projects in the franchise's history."

While it was its successor Rome that truly cemented my love, the original Medieval: Total War was the first game that pulled me into the series. Its giant battles and the feeling of outthinking and outmaneuvering your opponent leapt it straight into the rankings of the best strategy games on PC, and I still distinctly remember my dad letting me stay up late on a school night to finish a key push in my campaign. After the wobbly Pharaoh, then, Total War Medieval 3 is the kind of name that pulls back in the historical enthusiasts.

Don't get too excited quite yet, however; CA says Total War Medieval 3 is currently "in early pre-production," so it's unlikely we'll be playing it for quite some time. Next year marks a terrifying 20 years since Medieval 2, and Creative Assembly describes the new project as "both a tribute to its legendary predecessors and a bold revolution for the series."

While the new Total War Warhammer 3 DLC Tides of Torment launches literally today, CA is already planning what's next. Specifically, TWW3 Lords of the End Times, another four-pack of legendary lords with their accompanying units and additions. The first of these is Nagash, the Supreme Lord of Undeath. Alongside this, a free update will transform the campaign with "apocalyptic scenarios and cataclysmic events" inspired by the End Times, although the studio reassures that "this isn't the end for Total War Warhammer."

Alongside this, the developer also announced the new evolution of its proprietary engine, Warcore, which it says "allows for gameplay to be more immersive, dynamic, and responsive than ever before." I'm not prepared to make any judgments there until we've seen it implemented in a full game, but there's no question that the current incarnation is starting to feel a little dated, so a refresh is welcome.

Creative Assembly has one more secret up its sleeve, but we'll have to wait for The Game Awards on Thursday December 11 to discover what it is. The studio calls it "one of the most ambitious projects in the franchise's history, marking the beginning of an exciting new era." I'll take any speculation on a postcard.