[Interview] Why Did the Latest DLC for "Crusader Kings III," "All Under Heaven," Expand to Cover East Asia? We Asked the Developers
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/482/G048283/20251010060/
Writer: Masahiro Tokogawa | 2025/10/11 03:00 (UTC)
The “Crusader Kings” series enjoys a devoted fanbase in Japan. The latest installment, “Crusader Kings III,” has also earned high international acclaim. With each new DLC release, the map of Crusader Kings III has gradually expanded eastward—now culminating in the newest DLC, “All Under Heaven,” which finally places Japan on the game’s world map.
While this is certainly welcome news for Japanese fans of CK3, it also raises a fundamental question: Why include Japan in Crusader Kings III? Put bluntly, didn’t Japan during the Heian period have neither crusaders nor kings (and even “kings” might be open to interpretation)?
At the Tokyo Game Show 2025, I had the chance to put this pivotal question directly to the developers. I asked why such an unconventional DLC was created—and how it became possible to develop one at all.
4Gamer:
First, please introduce yourselves.
Lucia Dzediti:
I’m Lucia Dzediti, the producer of Crusader Kings III.
Riad Deneche:
Also from QA Management—Riad Deneche. Pleasure to meet you.
4Gamer:
Let’s start with the big question: Why? “Crusader Kings” is literally about crusaders and kings. The expansion into Islamic regions and Central Asia made perfect sense, as did China—which, while older in time, still had ties to Christianity through Nestorian communities during the Tang Dynasty and Franciscan missionaries under the Yuan.
However, Christianity only reached Japan around 1549—far too late for CK3’s era—and there’s no record of Japanese people playing a major role in crusades. So why include Japan now, in this DLC titled “All Under Heaven”?
Dzediti:
There were several reasons, but the biggest one was simply that fans kept expressing strong interest in playing with East Asia—including Japan—during this period.
Yes, interactions between Japan and European powers at that time were minimal. But it was still a dynamic era full of fascinating change. So we decided to expand coverage across all of Asia.
4Gamer:
It’s undeniable that Japan during the CK3 era is compelling, and it’s especially exciting because few games set in this period focus on Asia. But let’s be honest—wasn’t this a very challenging endeavor? Especially when you include Southeast Asian nations, each with their own distinct feudal systems?
Deneche:
You’re absolutely right—the concept of “feudalism” differs greatly between East and West, and even varies among China, Japan, and other regions. Bloodline inheritance practices also differ. So we had to develop entirely new game systems to reflect these differences. The result is a DLC that offers players a uniquely different experience from Europe—fun and engaging in its own right.
4Gamer:
Creating games based on history demands rigorous historical research—a crucial but by no means simple task. What was the most memorable part of your research for this DLC?
Dzediti:
Western records from CK3’s era are surprisingly scarce, while Eastern sources are astonishingly abundant—and remarkably well-preserved. I was genuinely amazed at the wealth and quality of surviving texts.
Fortunately, our team includes several outstanding historians who know exactly where to look and how to conduct research. We even consulted professors in history departments.
Still, we faced a critical challenge: How do you condense such vast historical information into game systems? You can’t include everything.
Deneche:
As Dzediti said—we care deeply about historical accuracy. But just as much, we want players to truly feel the atmosphere of that era and become immersed in it. We’re not aiming for a passive reading experience; instead, we strive to create an active, personal journey through history.
This is extremely difficult—after all, none of us actually lived during those times.
So we turned to direct engagement. We spoke with Japanese players. Luckily, we conducted a large-scale closed beta test that included many fans from Japan. Asking them things like, “If you could play CK3 in Japan in 867 AD, what would you want to do?” was incredibly valuable and inspiring.
4Gamer:
That’s a tough question. In terms of game content, most Japanese players are familiar with the Sengoku period—so anyone deeply knowledgeable about Japan during CK3’s era is likely quite specialized.
Honestly, while I can imagine how gameplay might work in late Heian, Kamakura, or Muromachi periods, it’s much harder to picture what would happen in early Heian.
Dzediti:
We debated the Heian period extensively. It was a time of poetry and inward-looking culture. But we didn’t want to force changes to CK3’s historical setting—so we embraced it anyway.
Of course, we know there are fans worldwide who love fantasy depictions of the samurai era. However, Crusader Kings III is rooted in real history. So when the game starts, the world must reflect what that time period actually looked like.
That said, once gameplay begins, players have total freedom over their actions. For example, you can start the game at any year and still become a samurai or even a shōgun—because enabling players to realize their own fantasies is just as important to us.
4Gamer:
Paradox Interactive’s strategy games are known for their wide scope—and that flexibility is one of their greatest strengths.
But beyond historical research, there’s another major challenge: translation. Currently, Japanese support in CK3 exists only through mods. Is there any chance this will change with “All Under Heaven”?
Dzediti:
We’re definitely considering it. Official localization would allow Japanese players to enjoy our game more deeply. For now, we’ll simply ask you to look forward to the release of “All Under Heaven.”
4Gamer:
There are many challenges ahead—but I’m truly excited.
Creating “the Largest DLC in CK3 History”
4Gamer:
So far, we’ve talked about Japan—but “All Under Heaven” also includes Southeast Asia, correct?
Deneche:
Exactly. This DLC is the largest ever released for CK3—packed with extensive data on what’s traditionally called the “Old World.”
And after playing it ourselves, I can confidently say it’s incredibly fun. Even as a developer involved in its creation, my playtime has been longer than usual.
Dzediti:
Southeast Asian nations and Korean states each had unique systems—different from both China and Japan. We made sure to faithfully represent them, not by selectively highlighting certain countries, but by covering the region as a whole. It was an enormous task—but we gave it our absolute best.
4Gamer:
I’m already excited just thinking about playing in Cambodia or Thailand… Speaking of research teams, I heard you have excellent historians on staff—do they specialize solely in CK series content? Or is there a broader team across the company handling multiple franchises?
Deneche:
We’re a large studio with several sub-studios. Researchers frequently move between them—for example, we’ve invited experts specializing in Japanese medieval history from other sub-studios.
Dzediti:
I feel incredibly fortunate to work with such talented people. The same applies to our partners in Japan’s localization efforts. With “All Under Heaven,” this has become the most enjoyable DLC I’ve ever worked on during my career.
There were countless new things I learned along the way.
In Western narratives, Hollywood-style templates dominate—often rooted in fantasy and heavily Americanized perspectives.
But studying Japanese history firsthand revealed a whole new world of wonder. I now feel a strong desire to share this rich, fascinating story with people around the globe—not just Asian fans, but also those from the West. It’s truly an engaging, rewarding experience.
4Gamer:
Personally, I’ve always felt that the CK series has received less attention in Japan compared to other titles. After all, among Paradox Interactive’s grand strategy games, only CK3 didn’t feature Japan on its map—so this was perhaps inevitable.
But now, with this DLC, Japan finally appears on the CK world map. For dedicated Japanese fans of the series, could you please share a message?
Dzediti:
I’m thrilled to finally bring “All Under Heaven” to everyone’s attention. As I said, we’ve poured our hearts into it. It was also one of the most collaborative projects—full of new people I’d never worked with before. Without those connections, we couldn’t have created such a unique and enjoyable experience for players.
Personally, I play this DLC both at work and in my free time. As a gamer, I enjoy playing it—but I’m also proud to be part of the team that made something so ambitious possible.
I truly want everyone to get their hands on this DLC as soon as possible—and hope you’ll all find joy in it. If you do play it, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Deneche:
We always want to listen to our community—this applies just as much to Japanese players. Please don’t hesitate to share your feedback and impressions.
4Gamer:
Thank you very much today!