Creative Assembly has unveiled their first full DLC release for Total War: Three Kingdoms following Reign of Blood, together with a new trailer and release date. The first Three Kingdoms DLC will be Eight Princes, and is scheduled to release on the 8th of August, just a few months after the game’s launch. Eight Princes is the first “Chapter DLC” for Three Kingdoms, which will focus on a particular period of the Three Kingdoms era. In the case of Eight Princes, the DLC will focus on the War of the Eight Princes, which takes place one hundred years after the start of Total War: Three Kingdoms.
Creative Assembly Reveals Total War: Three Kingdoms DLC – Eight Princes
The first trailer for the new Three Kingdoms DLC was released by Creative Assembly earlier today. It gives fans their first look at the new story and, of course, the Eight Princes themselves. While the core game starts in the year 190, Eight Princes will start in 291; after the unification of China under the Jin dynasty. The War of the Eight Princes was actually several different civil wars among the princes of the Jin which lasted from 291 to 306. As a result, the period should lend itself well to the structure of the latest Total War.
“The War of the Eight Princes takes place after the events covered by Total War: Three Kingdoms,” explains Creative Assembly, in a brief FAQ about the upcoming DLC; “with the campaign itself beginning in 291 CE. After the establishment of the Jin dynasty in 266 CE by Sima Yi’s descendants, the passing of Emperor Wu – formerly Sima Yan – and the incapability of his heir and the new emperor Sima Zhong – now Emperor Hui – has plunged the Sima family into civil war as the princes chosen by the kingdom’s late ruler vie for control.”
The Eight Princes DLC is now available to pre-order on Steam for £6.99. However, gamers can take advantage of a 10% discount if they pre-order, reducing the price to £6.29. Given the shift forward in time, the DLC will include eight new playable characters; the Eight Princes themselves. As with the core game’s faction leaders, the eight all have unique rules and play-styles. It will also introduce new buildings, assignments, and elite units, including cataphract cavalry. Creative Assembly describes the DLC as featuring “substantially different campaign mechanics”. This includes changes to public order and faction ranks, as well as new faction development alignments; Might, Mind, Spirit, and Wealth.