Knights of the Crusades Begin Early Access

Experience the Pivotal Events of the First Crusade in a Unique Hybrid RTS/Grand Strategy Game

[Canada, Toronto] May 5th, 2025 — Reverie World Studios, in partnership with independent publishing platform indie.io, is proud to announce that their latest hybrid strategy game, Knights of the Crusades, has entered Early Access to involve players directly in the development process of the game. This robust, seamless experience builds on the gameplay principles perfected by Reverie, placing players in the role of a minor knight and his warband at the dawn of two hundred years of Crusades. From there, it is their decision how to make their fortune and forge a small group of soldiers into a military order that will define the political makeup of the Holy Land.

Knights of the Crusades focuses on the eponymous medieval period, when the nascent powers of Western Europe united under the banner of religion to bring war to the Holy Land and bring it under Christian rule. The wars continued for two centuries, redefining political, economic, and religious landscapes not just in the Middle East, but across Europe. Military orders played a critical role in the crusades, becoming major players in the grand power plays of the known world Europe. Now, thanks to Knights of the Crusades, players get the chance to build such an order from scratch - or take the reins of the nascent Templar Order, the Emirate of Tripoli, or any of the 52 kingdoms and orders to rewrite history as they see fit.

Rewriting history is made possible by Reverie's unique blend of real-time tactical combat, grand strategy systems, and open-ended campaign design. Beginning as a fledgling military order, players must pay close attention to logistics, ensuring their wandering army doesn’t arrive at the gates of Jerusalem with an empty stomach and no materials to build siege engines. They’ll also master tactical combat in a time when kings led charges from the front and the great equalizer of gunpowder had yet to arrive. With the right mix of strategy, leadership, and fortune, players will carve out their domain and enter an even more dangerous battlefield: the world of shifting alliances, fractured diplomacy, and long-term political maneuvering. With a combination of strategic thinking, talented leadership, and the right amount of luck, players will carve out their domain and enter an even bloodier battlefield - great politics in a rapidly shifting landscape, making and breaking alliances in pursuit of the goal.

Naturally, players can also choose to experience the conflict from a different perspective, selecting one of the Muslim rulers of North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, or the Middle East, immediately starting with an established state and well-developed infrastructure. The objective is then defending against aggression from dozens of Christian kingdoms and military orders about to descend on the Holy Land. Through mastery of the game's intersecting systems simulating logistics, combat, and politics, players may become the First Crusade's Saladin, ending them before they spiral into two centuries of violence.

Launching in Early Access is just the beginning of Knights of the Crusades’ journey. Reverie World Studios has committed to weekly updates that will dramatically expand content and systems across all areas of the game. 

“This is a game meant to grow with its players, and this roadmap is just the start”. Says Konstantine Fomenko, Producer and Design Director at Reverie World Studios.  “We’re adding depth to campaigns, transforming factions with unique mechanics, and working directly with the community to bring this vision to life.”

Planned features include expanded narrative campaigns, cultural overhauls for Muslim, Orthodox, Pagan, and Christian factions, diplomacy systems, and a full naval combat revamp. The team is also preparing to roll out full customization for player-created Holy Orders, including selectable heraldry, laws, and religious creeds, alongside new sandbox features like world map build timers and economic systems.

The developer has outlined their current Early Access plans on their Steam Community Discussion Board. Read more about what's to come.

Knights of the Crusades is now available in Early Access on  Steam for USD $19.99, with a limited-time launch discount where players can save 20%. Join the community on Discord, and follow Reverie World Studios on X/Twitter to stay updated on the game’s progress!

ABOUT REVERIE WORLD STUDIOS

Reverie World Studios, founded in Toronto, Canada in 2007, boasts a completed next-gen game engine, five previously released titles, and a talented team ready to seize opportunities in the expanding interactive entertainment market. Drawing from diverse global talent, including North America, Europe, and Australia, the team behind the Kingdom Wars series operates in a multicultural environment, leveraging virtual office technology for over a decade to streamline operations. Inspired by Canada's game development successes, Reverie aims to excel as a leading exporter of interactive media, focusing on innovation and fostering a concentrated talent pool. 

Reverie World Studios has continuously explored historical, fantasy, and science fiction settings, focusing on its flagship Kingdom Wars series. With the tightly focused Knights of the Crusades, Reverie expands its already robust catalog for fans of early 2000s strategy games and their bold design.

For more information, visit the official Reverie World Studios website.

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