As a passionate lifetime strategy gamer and Total War superfan, I couldn’t resist digging into these intriguing recent job listings hinting at Creative Assembly’s next big project. While details remain scarce, there are plenty of clues pointing to an exciting new installment in the acclaimed Total War franchise. Combining my own expertise analyzing screenshots and developer histories with speculation on ideal gameplay elements, here’s my insider perspective on what SEGA’s secret new game could have in store for fans.
Total War’s Signature Balance of Single + Multiplayer Modes
The job listings specifically mention “both single-player and multiplayer” modes. This phrasing hints at plans for substantial experiences catering to different audiences rather than tacking on a token multiplayer mode as an afterthought.
The Total War titles have always struck an effective balance here – featuring engrossing hundred-hour+ campaigns for solo players to lose themselves while also encouraging repeatable online battles against other strategists. There are few feelings as satisfying as testing your ultimate unit composition against other players!
Creative Assembly would be smart to retain this formula. Many hardcore single player fans love the Warhammer trilogy and Three Kingdoms narratives but may have limited interest in multiplayercompetition. At the same time, the epic battles easily have enough depth to support vibrant online communities if given proper attention.
There’s ample room for innovation here as well, like adding deeper RPG elements or co-op into the campaigns while introducing ranked ladders, tournaments rules variations for veteran multiplayer tacticians.
Poring Over the Job Listing Details Reveals More Clues
Now let’s analyze a few key phrases from the Level Designer requirements for additional hints at what this project could include:
"ability to impact and work on a compelling unannounced project"
This flags the game as a major release for the studio rather than a smaller experimental title. The emphasis on making a “compelling” experience also suggests Creative Assembly is crafting something fresh rather than simply iterating on past game mechanics and engines.
“ownership of multiple levels – both single-player and multiplayer”
Having level designers own both campaign missions and versus maps hints at substantial content plans for each game mode. Rather than outsourcing mutiplayer to a secondary team, they seem to be an equal priority here.
“desirable experience with…understanding of Total War tactical battles”
While not outright confirmation, this unique requirement is as strong an indicator as possible that the core combat will resemble the Total War series versus taking an entirely new direction. No other major RTS franchise has such a direct emphasis on terrain-focused tactical engagements.
Analyzing these and the other listings makes a new Total War entry by far the most reasonable guess. But what could be new and compelling enough to get veteran designers so excited?
My Top 5 Wishlist Features for Total War’s Next Era
Creative Assembly has already explored quite a variety of time periods and settings over the past two decades from feudal Japan to Mordor, but I don’t think they have exhausted nearly enough historical eras. As a history buff, there are so many conflicts I’d love to experience through their signature blend of deep strategic management and trooper-level epic battles:
1. Renaissance Italy – The turmoil of merchant republics like Venice combined with the Papal States and Italian mercenaries would make for an intensely political backdrop. The era’s fantastic mix of medieval knights and early gunpowder would evolve combat nicely.
2. Victoria – Spanning the ambitious imperialism of the 18th and 19th centuries would be an amazing campaign scope, with the birth of railways and industrial warfare shifting battle tactics. I’d love leading line infantry into cannister shot or coordinating naval bombardments against shore defences.
3. Thirty Years War – Few conflicts match the religious chaos and political upheaval of this early modern bloodbath. With overflowing rosters from German principalities, Catholic armies, and Scandinavian Allies it would have incredible variety to experience.
4. Bronze Age Collapse – Moving back to the hazy end of the nearly mythical Bronze Age around 1200 BC would be a hugely original setting. Watching the powerful but rigid palace empires like the Mycenaeans fall to mysterious disasters and migrating Sea Peoples could make for eerie campaigns.
5. Fantasy WORLD – They’ve nearly exhausted the Warhammer universe at this point, but a full original fantasy world built from the ground up around Total War mechanics could be astonishing. Imagine if every faction and hero had armies, backgrounds and personalities tailored specifically for the game.
Whether another creative historical concept or an entirely original universe, I hope Creative Assembly think big and build ambitiously from the teases in these job listings rather than play it safe! Still, with their track record I can’t wait to see what incredible setting they unveil next for fans.
Do you have a dream theme or conflict you’d love to experience adapted into a Total War style epic? Share your ideas below!
