All Under Heaven brings East Asia to CK3 – PC now, consoles later

Table of Content

Paradox has released All Under Heaven, the biggest expansion yet for Crusader Kings III. The add-on is available today on PC via Xbox, with an Xbox Series X|S version planned for a later date. The expansion opens the map to China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia for the first time in the series. Beyond scale – the studio cites thousands of new provinces and characters – the DLC introduces tailored systems to reflect regional politics. Paradox also stresses extensive historical research and community collaboration behind the new content.

What the expansion adds to the map

All Under Heaven extends CK3 beyond its traditional European and Mediterranean focus. Players can now engage with medieval East Asia’s courts and conflicts across China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Paradox positions this as the first time Crusader Kings has covered this region, with the scope designed to support long-form dynastic storytelling across new cultures and settings.

New governance models – beyond classic feudalism

The team notes that Europe’s feudal framework was a poor fit for Tang and Song era China. Earlier DLC, Roads to Power, introduced the Administrative Empire model – realms with governors instead of vassals. That approach helped differentiate the Byzantine Empire and, according to Paradox, aligns more closely with how medieval Japan can be abstracted, with elite families competing for influence. China required a unique treatment, reflecting professionalized bureaucracy rather than mutual hierarchical obligations.

Imperial exams as gameplay

To capture China’s bureaucratic ladder, All Under Heaven adapts CK3’s activity systems. Characters can organize or attend imperial examinations, travel to the host’s location, and face tests defined by that host. Performance is tracked and influences eligibility for higher office – the better a character’s results, the more prestigious the role they can attain. This extends CK3’s existing travel and event frameworks into a career pathway rooted in historical systems.

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Historicity through research and community input

Paradox acknowledges gaps in the team’s initial expertise on East Asian history and describes a process that blended internal historians with feedback from Asian community members. According to the studio, this collaboration helped verify terminology and fine-tune art choices such as color palettes and clothing, while also navigating areas where historical interpretations differ. The goal, they say, was a plausible simulation grounded in solid sources.

Availability and platforms

• Release: Available today on PC via Xbox
• Consoles: Launch on Xbox Series X|S will follow at a later date
• Scope: Thousands of new provinces and characters added

Why it matters – new regions, new playstyles

All Under Heaven reshapes CK3’s sandbox with East Asia and mechanics that diverge from European feudal norms. For players, that means fresh dynastic routes – from bureaucratic advancement via exams to governor-driven power struggles – and a broader historical canvas to explore.