Creative Assembly has kicked off an unusual experiment: fans may now influence which factions appear in Total War: MEDIEVAL 3. Six major powers are already locked in — France, England, the Holy Roman Empire, Byzantium, the Rum Sultanate, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem — picked for their historical weight and distinct gameplay roles. The remaining roster spots are up for grabs: players choose from 23 contenders, a spread that runs from Scandinavia down to N. Africa (e.g., Vikings to Maghrebi polities). The studio says the vote will feed into research and help shape pre-production priorities; whether it becomes a strict roadmap or just a useful nudge remains to be seen. It’s a curious blend of community input and developer direction — engaging, if you enjoy that kind of involvement.