Total War: A Renewed Commitment to the Community

Apology and Acknowledgement

Total War's leadership team has issued a public apology to the community for recent missteps involving Warhammer 3 and Pharaoh. Acknowledging the challenges faced by the development team, the message emphasized a commitment to rebuilding trust and fostering a more transparent relationship with the Total War player base.

Total War Pharaoh Siege

Total War is a popular series of strategy video games developed by Creative Assembly and published by Sega. Known for its blend of turn-based grand strategy and real-time tactical battles, Total War games immerse players in historical conflicts, allowing them to command entire armies and manage empires.

Total War faced some controversies after fans complained about the $24.99 price tag of Total War: Warhammer 3's Shadows of Change DLC, arguing it offered too little content. A similar issue occurred with Total War: Pharaoh. In response, Creative Assembly sent a message to the player community.

The Total War team acknowledged the discontent within the community, pledging to rectify the situation through increased transparency and a more consistent rapport with players. Focusing on specific challenges encountered with Total War: Warhammer 3, they addressed concerns related to the Shadows of Change DLC. Recognizing that the DLC failed to meet player expectations, the team committed to enhancing the offer for those who purchased it. A significant update is slated for February 2024, with additional content and improvements to align with player expectations. The team also outlined efforts to avoid repeating past mistakes with the upcoming Thrones of Decay DLC. 'It has been a difficult few months, and we recognize that we have made mistakes when it comes to our relationship with you all,' said Roger Collum, Vice President at Creative Assembly.

Reassurances and Adjustments

Regarding Total War: Pharaoh, players who previously purchased the game will receive a partial refund, with the game's new price set at $39.99/€39.99/£29.99. This adjustment aims to ensure fairness for early supporters. The team also announced that the higher-priced editions of the game, the Deluxe Edition, and Dynasty Edition, have been removed. The next update and initially planned paid DLC for Pharaoh, scheduled for early 2024, will now be provided as a free update for all existing owners.

The announcement also hinted at broader plans for Total War titles, emphasizing a commitment to expanding campaign maps, introducing additional factions, and fostering a more inclusive development process. The leadership team expressed a desire to incorporate more player voices into decision-making processes and to provide insights into the development behind the scenes.

Renewed Commitment and Future Prospects

Creative Assembly's public apology signals a renewed commitment to its community, acknowledging past missteps and outlining tangible steps toward rebuilding trust. The commitment to delivering more transparent communication and actively addressing player feedback reflects a positive shift in the studio's approach. The community will likely be watching closely to see how these promises translate into concrete improvements in the Total War games.