Video games don't usually get into the Christmas spirit. Which is a shame! So it was nice to see that, upon reinstalling Crusader Kings II yesterday, I ran into this: a new holiday soundtrack to one of the most bloodthirsty games ever made. » 12/09/14 9:00pm 12/09/14 9:00pm

And here I was, only just saying how good Crusader Kings II - nominally a strategy game - was at depicting inter-personal relationships. Guess I'm not the only one who digs that aspect of the game, because developers Paradox are now going to double down on it, announcing an expansion that's all about role-playing. » 11/23/14 8:30pm 11/23/14 8:30pm

Oh. Great. Just as I wean myself off the wonderful Game of Thrones mod for Crusader Kings II, now I find out there's a Lord of the Rings mod for Crusader Kings II. » 7/31/14 10:30pm 7/31/14 10:30pm

If you needed further proof that Crusader Kings II is one of the best-supported, most expansive games of all time, check out this new expansion. » 1/28/14 11:30pm 1/28/14 11:30pm

It's OK, Crusader Kings II isn't for everyone. I get that. But I'd like to think we can all at least find common ground and enjoy the game's patch notes, which continue to be the very best. » 11/15/13 2:00am 11/15/13 2:00am

For something that's such a big part of many people's daily lives, religion doesn't play a terribly big role in video games. It does in Crusader Kings II, however, and that role is about to get a lot more interesting. » 10/24/13 2:00am 10/24/13 2:00am

The final preorder bonus for Paradox Interactive's eagerly-anticipated PC/Mac grand strategy Europa Universalis IV has been revealed — a save game converter for Kotaku 2012 Game of the Year nominee Crusader Kings II, and a free copy of that game for those unfortunate enough to not own it already. » 7/30/13 9:00am 7/30/13 9:00am

There's a point, maybe around an hour in, where you might feel a little disappointed with The Old Gods, a new Viking expansion for epic strategy game Crusader Kings II that was released this week. » 5/31/13 2:00am 5/31/13 2:00am

They don't use expensive pre-rendered cinematics. They don't license famous old songs. They don't play on TV during the NBA playoffs. But that doesn't matter. Niche PC publisher Paradox Interactive still makes the best video game trailers in the world regardless. » 5/28/13 11:00pm 5/28/13 11:00pm

The official Game of Thrones video games were largely terrible. Lucky for us, then, that the Game of Thrones mod for Crusader Kings II is better than any official game could ever have been. Even luckier for us, that mod is about to get a whole lot better. » 5/14/13 11:30pm 5/14/13 11:30pm

This new trailer for the upcoming Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods gives a taste of how you'll build a pagan empire, beginning in 867 AD. The base game was one of Kotaku's 2012 Game of the Year nominations; the expansion will be out at the end of May. » 4/24/13 2:30pm 4/24/13 2:30pm

There is an Elder Scrolls universe mod for Crusader Kings II. Oh my. It's in its early stages, but you can get it here. » 4/15/13 2:30am 4/15/13 2:30am

The Game of Thrones mod for Crusader Kings II, which I like very much, has been updated. More wars, more stuff, more good times. Get it here. » 4/08/13 3:30am 4/08/13 3:30am

Hyper-complex medieval strategy game and one of our 2012 GOTY nominees Crusader Kings II has a new expansion on the way, and the announcement trailer just hit the web. Old Gods will place you back in good ol' 867 AD, when Vikings ruled the land and seas. This pagan-themed jaunt will offer "hundreds of new events," and… » 2/04/13 12:15pm 2/04/13 12:15pm

Niche PC publishers Paradox held a big event earlier today, unveiling a range of new titles and DLC for existing ones. The one I'm most excited for is The Old Gods, a Viking expansion for my 2012 GOTY nominee Crusader Kings II. » 1/31/13 11:00pm 1/31/13 11:00pm

You may have noticed. I like Crusader Kings II. I like it a lot. But I like it for all kinds of reasons, many of which I didn't get space, or time, to dwell on last year. » 1/15/13 1:30am 1/15/13 1:30am