The vice president of Total War studio Creative Assembly, Roger Collum, has issued a formal apology to fans of the strategy series, acknowledging the missteps made by the studio and outlining plans for improvements and changes.
Apology and Commitment to Improvement
In a statement released on December 14, Collum expressed the studio’s awareness of the disappointment and frustration among the community and emphasized their dedication to addressing these concerns. He admitted, “We make games to bring you joy, to inspire a love of history, of fantasy, and strategy games. Total War is our everything, we care about it as deeply as you.” He further recognized the recent failures in demonstrating this dedication through their actions.
Response to Total War: Warhammer 3 DLC
Collum specifically addressed the issues surrounding the Warhammer 3 DLC, Shadows of Change, which has been poorly received since its release in August, currently holding a ‘Mostly Negative’ user rating on Steam. In response, the studio is working on a major free update set to release, ideally, in February 2024, with the aim of better meeting the expectations of the community.
Adjusting Plans for Upcoming DLC
Furthermore, the upcoming Total War: Warhammer 3 Thrones of Decay DLC has been delayed to 2024 with plans to launch it in April, as opposed to the initial timeline of the end of 2023. This decision is part of the studio’s commitment to ensuring that they do not repeat past mistakes and deliver the expected content for the price points.
Price Adjustments for Total War: Pharaoh
Collum also announced a permanent price reduction for Total War: Pharaoh, lowering it from $59.99 to $39.99. The Deluxe and Dynasty editions have been removed from sale, with existing owners receiving partial refunds. Additionally, the first paid DLC for Pharaoh will now be released as a free update in early 2024.
Conclusion and Acknowledgment
Collum concluded the statement with another apology and a reassurance that the mistakes made by Total War are a collective responsibility of the franchise’s leaders. He emphasized the studio’s commitment to listening to the community and improving their future endeavors.
Looking for some new game recommendations? You can find some fantastic options on our list of the best PC strategy games, as well a wider variety of genres with our picks for the best PC games.