Through the strategic use of war, marriages and assassinations, among many other things, the player works to achieve success for their dynasty. Players are able to start at any date between January 1, 1066, and December 31, 1337, though the Old Gods and Charlemagne DLCs allow for earlier start dates of 867 and 769 respectively, and the Iron Century update allows a start in the year 936. The game is a dynasty simulator in which the player controls a medieval dynasty from 1066 to 1452. Crusader Kings II stood out from earlier Paradox games in that it attracted a more widespread audience, contributing to the growth of the company. A sequel, Crusader Kings III, was released on September 1, 2020.
On October 19, 2019, the game became free to play. Set in the Middle Ages, the game was released on February 14, 2012, as a sequel to 2004's Crusader Kings.
Crusader Kings II is a grand strategy video game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive.
